New to rivalry matchup, Mississippi State coach Chris Jans knows only one thing matters: ‘Beat Ole Miss’ – The Dispatch

STARKVILLE — Chris Jans is new to the rivalry between Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

However he hasn’t needed to inquire a lot into its significance.

The primary-year MSU coach is aware of solely three phrases matter with regards to the Bulldogs and the Rebels: “Beat Ole Miss.” 

“Apart from that, I haven’t requested quite a lot of questions,” Jans stated Thursday.

It’s so simple as that as Jans leads Mississippi State (11-3, 0-2 Southeastern Convention) into Saturday’s recreation towards Ole Miss (8-6, 0-2 SEC) at Humphrey Coliseum.

Tipoff is at 1 p.m. on CBS in a recreation whose loser will fall to 0-3 in convention play, an undesirable spot so early on. 

“We’re each in a scenario the place we’re ravenous for a win, so I’d think about the depth of the sport might be as excessive as it will probably get,” Jans stated.

Mississippi State is coming off an 87-53 loss Tuesday at No. 8 Tennessee after opening SEC play with a loss to No. 7 Alabama on Dec. 28 at house.

Meaning the Bulldogs have already performed the convention’s two finest groups, however so has Ole Miss. The Rebels have performed and misplaced to those self same Volunteers and Crimson Tide, most lately an 84-62 defeat Tuesday at Alabama.

However they’re nonetheless able to something, having crushed the Bulldogs 82-72 in Oxford almost a 12 months to the day of Saturday’s recreation.

Jans stated his crew has watched loads of movie on Ole Miss and is aware of what coach Kermit Davis’ crew can do.

“They play quite a lot of guys,” Jans stated. “They’re shuffling guys out and in. They’re very athletic. They actually get after you, and they’re very scout particular. They will know you inside and outside. They will take away your crutches or no less than try to remove your crutches. They will struggle you for each unfastened ball and each rebound. They’re going to play extraordinarily, extraordinarily exhausting.”

“That’s going to be par for the course, I feel, in virtually each recreation that we play this 12 months. However I’d think about when these two packages get collectively — and once more, it’s my first foray into that — it will likely be much more intensified.”

Jans acknowledged he’s handled loads of rivalry video games — though not this one — in the midst of 31 years spent teaching.

The Magnolia State conflict has been remarkably even of late, with the Bulldogs and Rebels alternating wins previously 10 video games between the 2. Over the previous six video games, the entire level differential? Precisely zero.

That’s only one cause why Jans already is aware of how necessary Saturday’s recreation is.

“Definitely, ‘enterprise as normal’ is what you’d prefer to say, however everyone knows how necessary this recreation is for every fan base, for the state of Mississippi usually,” he stated. “You need to win these video games. You need individuals to really feel excited and be ok with beating their rival. Clearly, your opponent’s feeling the identical method.”

Jans admitted he has extra to be taught concerning the rivalry matchup, particularly its historic significance.
However he is aware of sufficient to make certain that the one factor that issues is a win.

“I’m knee deep in it and excited to be part of it,” Jans stated. “I can’t wait to expertise it.”

Ole Miss (8-6, 0-2 SEC) at Mississippi State (11-3, 0-2 SEC)

The place: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville.

TV: 1 p.m., Saturday, CBS.

Radio: 100.9 FM.

Theo DeRosa reviews on Mississippi State sports activities for The Dispatch. Comply with him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.