Mississippi

Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans talks roster, staff

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2022

Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans talks roster, staff

STARKVILLE – Chris Jans sits with espresso in a paper cup atop an SEC coaster to his left. The cabinets surrounding are nonetheless barren apart from a pair basketballs, espresso mugs and the normal cowbell.

The brand new Mississippi State males’s basketball coach has taken over the room beforehand held by Ben Howland, and within the rush of getting a roster and employees collectively, adorning the workplace hasn’t grow to be precedence.

The identical goes for assistant James Miller subsequent door who has added images of household, buddies and former gamers however nonetheless has the remnants of the earlier tenants in place. Two massive group images from the Howland tenure overlook his desk. Cowbells he inherited flood his workspace.

Assistant David Anwar sits within the workplace nearest the doorway – solely a laptop computer in entrance of him with empty cabinets surrounding.

Between him and Miller is George Brooks’ workplace. Getting into his thirteenth season with the Bulldogs, Brooks has had some extra time so as to add character to his workspace.

ROSTER CHECK: A have a look at Chris Jans’ first Mississippi State roster to this point

It’s the fact inside Humphrey Coliseum the place a brand new employees is settling in for the primary time since Howland was employed in 2015.

The sights and sounds of a contemporary begin flood the realm. Past the vacant cabinets are home windows overlooking State’s follow courtroom – a spot with significance this offseason as a revamped roster will be taught to mesh.

Outdoors Jans’ workplace, the rumblings of bulldozers and building employees echo as The Hump will get a facelift. A two-year means of renovating the basketball area has begun whereas these sitting inside hope to supply a group worthy of the assets.

Mississippi State has eight scholarships lined up with 5 nonetheless to be awarded via switch portal additions. Tolu Smith, Cameron Matthews and KeShawn Murphy aren’t leaving. Kimani Hamilton and Martavious Russell are becoming a member of out of highschool. Will McNair, Dashawn Davis and Eric Reed Jr. are becoming a member of out of the portal.

The Might 1 deadline to enter the portal and get a one-year exception has handed, so all that’s left for Jans is so as to add.

TOLU SMITH: Mississippi State retains a key participant

He hopes all however one scholarship is crammed earlier than summer season college begins in June.

“What I’d like and what’s going to occur are in all probability two various things,” he mentioned in an interview with the Clarion-Ledger and 247Sports on Tuesday. “I want it was performed yesterday, however I don’t get to manage that.”

With the fluidity of the roster, setting expectations for what MSU’s on-court product will appear like stays a query.

“We now have 5 scholarships,” Jans mentioned. “That might change any minute if youngsters that we’re recruiting – both which might be Mississippi State Bulldogs or not – make selections. Till we get all of the scholarships crammed, that can decide what sort of lineups we have to play.”

Mississippi State has come up in conversations relating to Missouri State’s Isiaih Mosely, San Diego’s Marcellus Earlington and LSU’s Xavier Pinson — amongst others.

Acquainted faces might additionally grow to be additions as gamers can exit the portal and return to their earlier college. The potential of guard Shakeel Moore and ahead D.J. Jeffries making their means again to Starkville stays.

Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen, left, introduces new MSU basketball coach Chris Jans, right, during a news conference at MSU in Starkville Wednesday. March 23, 2022.

The returnees

The fact of changing into a coach within the trendy age of school athletics retaining gamers is as troublesome as bringing in new ones.

“I checked out them as recruits,” Jans says. “I simply had extra entry to them than I did the recruit that aren’t on campus.”

Chief amongst these was Smith who led the SEC in rebounding two seasons in the past earlier than battling a wide range of accidents final season. He managed to common 14.2 factors and 6.5 rebounds throughout 21 video games performed.

Smith’s resolution to return to Mississippi State two weeks in the past was a significant increase for Jans. He finds confidence in having a participant who attracts consideration inside and creates area for shooters. Bettering his passing capability might be a precedence, Jans mentioned, in making Smith one of many high bigs within the convention.

Not lengthy after Smith’s announcement got here the information Matthews can be staying as properly. No official announcement got here from Murphy, however because the deadline handed, it was obvious he’d spherical out the trio coming again.

Murphy redshirted final season earlier than underdoing hand surgical procedure in February. He couldn’t play basketball for the following six weeks.

“I wouldn’t say he’s 100%,” Jans mentioned. “However he’s in a position to do the exercises. We’re hoping, someday this summer season when he will get on the courtroom and in additional of a routine, that he’ll get to the purpose the place he feels comfy. I nonetheless assume it’s weeks away from that.”

The employees

Brooks’ function stays unclear, although it was introduced in late March he’d be retained.

“It’s nonetheless a piece in progress,” Jans mentioned. “I believe it’ll play out the best way it’s gonna play out. George has been nothing in need of superior from the time I arrived.”

Hiring a 3rd assistant stays an possibility – presumably depending on ties to transfers — which might transfer Brooks into an administrative function.

Jans can be searching for a brand new energy coach as Collin Crane is headed to Georgia. It’s a rent Jans says is crucial to have lined up previous to the beginning of summer season college’s begin.

“The timeline seems to be prefer it’s all gonna occur earlier than that date,” Jans mentioned. “I believe individuals might be impressed with the individual that we rent.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or observe him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

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Mississippi

Mississippi St. demolishes E. Kentucky starting Lebby era with a 56-7 win

Published

12 mins ago

September 1, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi St. demolishes E. Kentucky starting Lebby era with a 56-7 win

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — From the moment Jeff Lebby arrived in Starkville, the first-time head coach has preached that a show is coming to Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs certainly put on a show for game one of his tenure, as MSU had 450 yards of total offense and ran away with a 56-7 victory on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky. It gave the coach his first career win and kicked off a new era of football.

“One of the coolest things for myself and my family, the fans showed out. Over 10,000 students showed up and hung with us through the rain. They did an unbelievable job creating the energy,” he said.

All three phases scored for the Bulldogs with touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams.

On offense, quarterback Blake Shapen debuted the new scheme with a 15 of 20 showing as the Baylor transfer found the end zone three times through the air and had 247 yards. On the ground, Shapen led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and a rushing score.

“I felt like it was a good day for us,” Shapen said. “There are obviously some things we can clean up and get better at, but overall it was a great start to the season. I’m just thankful for this opportunity at a new place and I know a lot of guys feel that way.”

The Bulldogs (1-0) had four wide receivers score touchdowns as Jordan Mosely had five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown and Kevin Coleman had five catches for 88 yards and a score. Coleman also had five punt returns for 117 yards.

MSU scored touchdowns on its first two possessions before a rain storm dampened the progress. The Bulldogs were back in the end zone in the second quarter on a Creed Whittemore 41-yard end around and then back-to-back touchdown passes to Coleman from 23 yards away and freshman Mario Craver for 54 yards.

Special teams got in on the mix with a blocked punt from JP Purvis — recovered by Craver — and another true freshman in defensive back Elijah Cannon who had a 51-yard pick-6.

“It’s fun to see those guys go out there and make some plays. It’s a players’ game, players have got to make the plays,” Lebby said. “Fun for our sideline, fun for our guys to be able to see them make plays late in the game like this.”

EKU (0-1) scored a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half but was held scoreless in the final two frames. The Bulldogs allowed 130 second half yards. Despite running 19 more plays than State (76-57) the Colonels were outgained 450-285 with the Bulldogs averaging 7.9 yards per play.

“There are plenty of things that we have to clean up. We’ve got to play better, we’ve got to play cleaner,” Lebby said. “So much good, but so much to clean up. That was the message in the locker room.”

BIG PICTURE

EKU: The Colonels were simply overmatched, but the Colonels have a manageable schedule coming down the line.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have been searching for excitement and the team has it – at least for game one. State picked up nearly 500 yards of offense and showed explosiveness on that side of the ball as Lebby’s offense did its thing. There is a rough schedule on the horizon, but it appeared fun again for the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT

Eastern Kentucky travels to Western Kentucky on Sept. 7.

Mississippi State travels to Arizona State on Sept. 7.

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Mississippi

Seven Killed, Dozens Injured When Bus Flips in Mississippi

Published

10 hours ago

August 31, 2024

Press Room

Seven Killed, Dozens Injured When Bus Flips in Mississippi

A commercial passenger bus driving through Mississippi on its way to Mexico ran off a highway and overturned early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring dozens. The accident occurred on Interstate 20 east of Vicksburg, CNN reports. A total of 37 people were taken to hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said. A 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister were among those killed, per the AP. “Anytime you have people injured or killed, it’s tragic, but when you have a situation like this where you have multiple fatalities and multiple injuries, it makes it even worse,” said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.

The bus, a 2018 Volvo, is owned by Autobuses Regiomontanos, which transports passengers between Mexico and the US, a company spokesperson said. The company is based in Monterrey, Mexico, Miranda Fernandez said. Its website lists several US locations; it’s not clear where the trip had originated. “All of the passengers go through proper immigration checkpoints and must show their passports or visas to enter either Mexico or the United States,” Fernandez told CNN. (More bus accident stories.)

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Mississippi

What channel is Mississippi State football vs EKU on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 1 game

Published

20 hours ago

August 31, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Mississippi State football vs EKU on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 1 game

Mississippi State football opens the 2024 season with FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs open Year 1 of the Jeff Lebby era with a lot of unknowns. Saturday’s game will be a good chance to find some answers.

Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen will make his first start in maroon and may have a big season in Lebby’s offense.

Here’s how to watch the Mississippi State football vs. Eastern Kentucky game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Mississippi State vs. EKU will broadcast nationally via streaming on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season. Kevin Fitzgerald and Charlie Strong will call the game from the booth at Davis Wade Stadium. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Start time: 5 p.m. CT

The Mississippi State football vs. Eastern Kentucky game starts at 5 p.m. CT Saturday from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.

Clarion Ledger reporter Sam Sklar’s prediction: Mississippi State 50, Eastern Kentucky 10

Saturday will be a celebration of sorts for Lebby’s first game. The Bulldogs will come out hungry with something to prove on offense after last season. MSU will grab a big lead early and Blake Shapen won’t need to play a single snap in the fourth quarter.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Aug. 29

Odds: N/A
O/U: N/A
Money line: N/A

Aug. 31: EKU, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network+
Sept. 7: at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Sept. 14: Toledo, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
Sept. 21: Florida, 11 a.m. on ABC or ESPN
Sept. 28: at Texas, TBD
Oct. 5: OPEN DATE
Oct. 12: at Georgia, TBD
Oct. 19: Texas A&M, TBD
Oct. 26: Arkansas, TBD
Nov. 2: UMass, 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network
Nov. 9: at Tennessee, TBD
Nov. 16: OPEN DATE
Nov. 23: Missouri
Nov. 29: at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. on ABC and ESPN+
Dec. 7: SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, 4 p.m. on ABC
Record: 0-0

Aug. 31: Mississippi State, 5 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network+
Sept. 7: at Western Kentucky, 6 p.m. on ESPN+
Sept. 14: West Georgia, 5 p.m. on ESPN+
Sept. 21: Morehead State, 5 p.m. on ESPN+
Sept. 28: Robert Morris, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Oct. 5: OPEN DATE
Oct. 12: at Southern Utah, 3 p.m. on ESPN+
Oct. 19: at Abilene Christian, 3 p.m. on ESPN+
Oct. 26: Utah Tech, 2 p.m. on ESPN+
Nov. 2: at Tarleton State, 6 p.m. on ESPN+
Nov. 9: Central Arkansas, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Nov. 16: at Austin Peay, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Nov. 23: North Alabama, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Record: 0-0

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