Chris Jans talks new season, new identity and leadership of returning players

MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. – Year three has arrived for Mississippi State coach Chris Jans as the Bulldog head man tries to put together the best year of his career.

State added a lot of pieces from the transfer portal to go along with the experience of players like Josh Hubbard and Cameron Matthews. All three of them were at SEC Media Days on Tuesday as they had a chance to talk about the season ahead.

Jans specifically spoke on the excitement building around his team, the leadership of Matthews and Hubbard and more as he spoke to the local media that covers MSU.

Question: Coach how does it feel getting to take part in this media frenzy and know that basketball season is right around the corner?

CJ: “With anything in life, you get experience, and it makes it a little bit easier. I’m probably a little more comfortable than in year’s past. It just tells me that the games are around the corner and practices need to be better and more efficient. I’m certain as we get back this afternoon and get to practice after seeing all of the coaches walk around with players that we’ll be a little more motivated than most days.”

Q: You said before that you don’t like your team from practice five to 20. Do you like them yet?

CJ: “That’s the problem I’m having is I do. I do like them more than most years right now. My frustration level maybe isn’t quite as high. I don’t know what that means; I guess we’ll have to see. I do like the vibe that we’ve created. I like the locker room, I like our leadership. We’ve got just a good feel right now. Certainly, it’s a long year but I like where we’re at.”

Q: How important are Josh Hubbard and Cam Matthews to this year’s team?

CJ: “Old school leadership by players is hard to come by now adays. We have two guys that you mentioned that are willing, able and capable of opening their mouths and leading like some guys used to back in the day. It’s a luxury and feel really good about where both of them are in the leadership department and hopefully that will continue.”

Q: Have you had a chance to put a lineup together yet?

CJ: “Not yet. Still a long way away from thinking about that.”

Q: How much do you have to talk to Josh Hubbard about him being essentially one of the faces of this Athletic Department?

CJ: “Zero. I have full confidence in Josh and his ability to handle everything that’s thrown at him. He’s an unbelievable human being. He’s a better person than he is a basketball player and that’s saying a lot. I have great confidence in him and his decision making. I always know that he’s going to keep the main thing the main thing and that’s his game and his career. His work ethic is off the chain so he’s the perfect candidate to be able to handle all that he’s going through right now.”

Q: What do you think about this year’s non-conference schedule?

CJ: “I think we’ve inched up our scheduling every year since I’ve been here. Obviously the goal of scheduling for me is to put together a schedule in the non-conference portion to give us a chance to get an at large bid. That’s certainly the goal. And then you keep your fans in mind at the same time of trying to figure out ways to have games in the fall that will be more interesting to attend.

“Scheduling is hard. It’s a two-way street. It takes two to tango and to pair up with a new program to get them willing to come to your place. We feel really good about this year’s schedule as we get close to the games.”

Q: What is the identity of this year’s team with a lot of the new pieces you’ve added?

CJ: “We’re going to be different, that’s for sure. At least from the two teams I’ve had prior to this year. We’re going to be more modernized this year. We’re going to be a more outside in team instead of an inside out team which I’ve preached since I’ve arrived. Our talent and skill set combined just leads into being more space-oriented and more dribble-drive oriented like more teams in college basketball are playing right now. It’s going to be different for me. I have a lot of adjustment to do which is fine by me. We’re trying to tailor-make our system to our players, but it’s obviously going to be a different style this year.”