Gai Chol working to take a step in year two for Mississippi State

Mississippi State enters year three of the Chris Jans era with a team that will look completely different than the first two iterations.

Jans has built his teams around defensive intensity and that won’t change, but the offensive style is going to look significantly different for the Bulldogs this season. For one, there is no Tolu Smith on this year’s squad. It doesn’t mean that State won’t continue its value of post players, but their role does look different this time around.

“They’re getting better. It’s no secret that Jimmy Bell and Tolu Smith aren’t walking through that door any time soon. They were a big part of our team last year with their size, their physicality, their girth. Certainly at different times, especially Tolu with his ability to demand double teams and play through the post,” Jans said.

You’ve already heard this from me this offseason and we’re going to be different this year in terms of our style of play. It’s going to be more of an outside-in focus. Not to say we’re not going to throw the ball inside. Some of them are speeding up the learning process better than others. We’re gaining confidence in each other and throwing it in there more and having that be a part of our arsenal on offense.”

Chol using freshman experience to take next step

7’0, Sudanese center Gai Chol is down with a change on the roster as long as his team is winning.

The center played his high school ball in Georgia and he was willing to do whatever he needed to help the team last year as a freshman. When Smith was down with an injury in non-conference play, Chol was key in giving Bell a breather and he played 10 minutes or more in six of the team’s non-conference games.

Those opportunities were invaluable in preparing him for what’s ahead.

“That actually helped me to get a feel of what college basketball is,” Chol said of early action. “I had to make a big impact and help from the beginning. So I was trying my best and that let me know what it is like. I feel like I am experienced now and ready for the season to start.”

After playing in 16 games as a freshman with 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds a game, Chol knew that the offseason would be key in helping him take the next step. Strength coach Dominick Walker spent the summer specializing workouts and nutrition for Chol.

The results are a body that is better fit to take on the rigors of the SEC.

“It’s been a big, big focus of mine,” Chol said of adding weight. “Obviously, last year I was playing against big guys like Jimmy and Tolu. So that was a big focus for me to come in and add some weight. Over the summer I was doing a lot of lifting with Dom and all of that.”

One of the areas of Chol’s game that has always been at the forefront is his free throw shooting. Last season, Chol was the team leader in that category as he didn’t have a miss.

While the frame of reference was just 10 shots, it gave fans a snapshot of how important that aspect of the game is for Chol. For a team that has had its share of struggles from the line, that’s a welcomed sight.

“That’s a big focus for me – free throws,” Chol mentioned. “You get fouled and defenders come at you. But it helps if they know you can make your free throws and that’s the main thing you have to do.”

With the season on the way Monday, Chol and the post players are in a fierce battle for playing time.

The sophomore has welcomed in newcomers Michael Nwoko and Jeremy Foumena to the room while junior KeShawn Murphy is also expected to compete in the post and at power forward. Time will tell who gets the reps, but Chol is excited for the opportunity and for the chance for his team to continue to get better in a new era.

“All of us have different playing styles,” Chol said of the post players. “Tolu obviously had his own different game, so we all bring our game, and everybody has things we bring collectively. At the end of the day, we just want to win.”