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1 on 1 with Mississippi State senior Dashawn Davis

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jones12/27/23

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Dashawn Davis
Dashawn Davis in Friday's win over Nicholls (photo credit: MSU Media Relations)

Mississippi State senior Dashawn Davis has often flown under the radar within the program. But for the past year or so, it’s evident that as Davis goes, so do the Bulldogs. Of course, that is not abnormal for any team’s point guard.

Despite a couple of injuries over the past 14 months, the Bronx, N.Y., native has been consistent for head coach Chris Jans and his staff ever since transferring in from Oregon State, especially at crunch time.

That’s been the case again this season. Known better as ‘Rams’, he leads the team with 45 assists and is assist/turnover ratio is slightly better than 2 to 1. Davis also ranks second on the team in steals (26), 3 point percentage (34.2%) and free throw percentage (72%) along with ranking fourth in scoring (8.2 ppg).

Davis and the Bulldogs close out the non-conference portion of the schedule Sunday with a 2 p.m. tipoff against Bethune-Cookman at Humphrey Coliseum. Recently, Maroon and White Daily caught up with Davis for a 1-on-1 interview as the team gets closer to the start of SEC play:

Q: How frustrating has it been to have to work yourself back into good conditioning after last year’s injury and then this year’s injury in the preseason?
Davis: It has been pretty frustrating as it would be for anybody. But it just challenges me to stay the course, stay focused, keep grinding knowing that good things are coming if I keep working.

Q: This team has displayed signs of great play this year but has also lost a lot of late leads in games. What do you think contributes to those lulls?
Davis: I feel like we have those lulls in scoring instead of focusing on things we need to focus on. Coach preaches to us about toughness, rebounding and playing hard for one another. So we have to get that done consistently.

Q: Growing up in Bronx, N.Y., how’s the adjustment been to a different culture in Starkville?
Davis
: It’s been pretty cool and it is nice to experience new things and get accustomed to new things. It is different, though, and it is just a different look for me.

Q: How different is the food in Mississippi?
Davis
: Oh man, the food here is way better. I love the food here. It makes you gain weight (laughing) but it tastes so good.

Q: How does Tolu Smith change this team when he starts playing again?
Davis
: A lot of things change. He is a dominant presence down low. He is a vocal leader on and off the court and we know that we can trust him in the lineup.

Q: This team was elite defensively last year. What will it take for this year’s team to get back to that point defensively?
Davis: Just focus and buy in to what Coach is saying. We got the athletes and we’ve got the size and the strength. We just need to do what Coach has been teaching us.

Q: This team really excels when you are aggressive on both ends of the court. How much do you notice that?
Davis: A lot. I just know I am very affective and my energy affects the whole team, whether it is good or bad. Sometimes I take that for granted so I have to make sure I am on that every time on offense and defense. If I do that we will be in good shape to win games if I am on point.

Q: How much time have you spent with freshman Josh Hubbard and trying to show him the ropes at this level?
Davis: He’s a great player but he still has a lot of learning left to do. I just try to help him whenever I can with the little stuff. But for the most part, he has picked up what is going on. So I just make sure that every little thing he needs to know, I tell him about it.

Q: Last year the team got so close to advancing in the NCAA Tournament. How much is that driving this year’s squad?
Davis: A lot because we were right there and we had a chance. We had a good chance to advance so we know there is more food on the table for us that we left on the table last year.

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