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Riley Kugel's consistency behind the scenes could bring more success to the floor

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•03/01/25•

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Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Riley Kugel (2) attempts a three point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. (Jeff Blake-Imagn Images)

Since the offseason, Riley Kugel’s potential has been the topic of conversation for all those that follow Mississippi State sports.

For many fans, those conversations have gone back further.

Kugel was a Bulldog signee under Ben Howland before leaving for Florida after the coach’s firing. He showed tremendous upside for the Gators but had a disappointing sophomore season leading to the transfer portal.

Having come off the bench most of the season, Kugel has worked his way into the starting lineup over the course of the last five games. The results have been hit or miss, but it was a hit on Saturday as he scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting to help the Bulldogs knock off LSU 81-69.

“It was a big win. Every team you play in the SEC, it’s going to be a dog fight,” Kugel said. “Getting any win you can in the league is a good win.”

Kugel’s practice habits paying off

Since the insertion in the starting lineup, Jans has seen something flip in Kugel.

The numbers haven’t always shown it, the coach clarified, but fans haven’t been able to see the turn that the junior guard has made at practice. Through the five-game stretch, Kugel is averaging 8.0 points after averaging 9.6 points on the bench.

“It was a welcomed sight. Since he’s been inserted into the starting lineup, he hasn’t been great on the old school stat sheet,” Jans said. “We stuck with the same lineup. The ball went through the net and anyone that’s ever played this game knows what that does for your confidence and I think it really boosted his.”

For most of the year, Kugel has gone as his early shots have gone. When one falls, the talented offensive player tends to have a good game. If they don’t fall, it snowballs.

While State started the game 0-for-7 from three-point range, Kugel’s first made shot would be something that would get things going. He knocked down two from long range in the final 2 minutes of the first half to get State some momentum and the Bulldogs used it for second half dominance.

Kugel finished the day 2-for-3 on his outside shots, he had three rebounds and he didn’t turn the ball over. Jans got to see him get aggressive with a couple of post plays leading to points and his emphatic dunk in transition brought the crowd to its feet.

It was another game this season that showed just how much potential the talented guard has in his arsenal. If he puts it all together, it’s taking the Bulldogs to the next level. Now, how does he do that with more regularity?

“That’s the million-dollar question is how does he harness it and be more consistent and effective for him and us. We’ve tried a lot of things, and he’s stuck with it,” Jans said. “He has been in a really good space for about two weeks. Now, the stat sheet doesn’t show it, but his teammates and his coaches see it.

“To be honest, I’m a little surprised it hasn’t equated to better numbers. He’s hard on himself, to a fault. That’s something he has to work on, but him being consistent makes us a better basketball team.”

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