Mississippi
‘We are going to lean into it’: Mississippi State basketball’s Chris Jans recognizes rising expectations – The Dispatch
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans did everything possible in his first media appearance since the Bulldogs’ trip to Portugal earlier this month to temper excitement after his team dominated its way to a 3-0 record.
He noted the competition wasn’t up to snuff. The teams the Bulldogs played didn’t have much size. Many of MSU’s three-pointers, and there were a lot of them over three games, were uncontested.
“It was nothing like it is going to feel when we get to November,” Jans said. “Or December.”
Still, it was hard to ignore how fluid the Bulldogs looked on the court at times, coupled with the strong first impressions by freshman guard Josh Hubbard and senior transfer Andrew Taylor.
Though Jans doesn’t seem to want the fanbase to get too excited in August, even he can’t ignore the growing expectations his program has, coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance in year No. 1.
“In this day and age you can’t hide from (them),” Jans said Wednesday when speaking with local reporters. “It is certainly going to be different from last year. Most coaches are in the mode of lowering expectations this time of year…We are going to lean into it. It has already been discussed. We are not going to sneak up on anybody this year that maybe we did last year early in the season and surprise some people. That won’t be the case this year.”
Jans, who came to Starkville last offseason from New Mexico State, led the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019, falling to Pittsburgh in the First Four in Dayton.
The Bulldogs return all five starters from that team, including All-SEC center Tolu Smith, to pair along with their new additions who should certainly turn college basketball’s worst three-point shooting team into a more dangerous offensive group.
“The new guys, what a great opportunity it was for them,” Jans said. “It was probably more beneficial for them than the returnees in turns of getting used to playing in the system we are trying to implement to just getting comfortable. A lot of guys did well over there.”
Hubbard, a four-star guard, was the bright spot, scoring in double digits and leading the team in scoring in all three games, displaying a knack for finding his shot and accuracy from three-point range. As did Taylor, a Marshall transfer, among others.
Jans noted the differences in summer from year one to year two, with everyone already in the program by the time summer came along, while last year he was still putting roster pieces together. Because of that, the Bulldogs enter this fall in a different place, with a different mindset and bigger goals.
“It is going to be a different feeling, but that is where you want to be, to be recognized and people taking notice of your team and your program,” Jans said. “That is where we are going into year two. And hopefully they will understand that we will not be taken lightly (by other teams), preparing for us and using last year’s success in who we got back in their team rooms when preparing to play our team. I wouldn’t call it pressure, it’s just reality.”
Jans scheduling non-conference with a purpose
As the offseason has rolled on, more of MSU’s non-conference slate has been released to the public.
So far, it is the known the Bulldogs will host UT-Martin (Nov. 11) and North Alabama (Nov. 14) at The Humphrey Coliseum, will travel to Georgia Tech on Nov. 28 for the ACC/SEC Challenge and will play neutral court games against Arizona State (Nov. 8, Chicago,) Washington State and either Northwestern or Rhode Island in Uncasville, Connecticut, as part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Nov. 18 and 19. Additionally, Mississippi State will face Tulane in Atlanta on Dec. 9 and Rutgers in Brooklyn on Dec. 23.
Though Jans said he would like to schedule more home games, roughly five more games are to be announced, he said there is more of a benefit to playing Power Five programs on a neutral floor.
“You want to have enough opportunities (against quad one and two teams) to put yourself in position going into SEC play when you will get plenty of them,” Jans said.
Jans said he felt MSU had a strong non-conference schedule last year, which included five neutral-site games, but only one of those was against an NCAA Tournament team, likely affecting seeding. The Bulldogs ended up as an 11 seed.
So far, the Bulldogs already have six neutral-site games scheduled for 2023, which Jans hopes could improve NCAA Tournament seeding come postseason play.
“We found that you have to play good teams to get rewarded for it,” Jans said. “Everyone has a different philosophy. We are trying to find the right medium and mix and want to try to get quad one and quad two wins. You’ve got to trust data just to put our team in position to have opportunities and if we are good enough to win enough games and be considered for an at-large possibility, you’ve got to have the numbers to back it up.”
Dashawn Davis working through foot injury
Chris Jans confirmed Wednesday that senior guard Dashawn Davis is still working through a foot injury that prevented him from playing during the Portugal trip. During those games, Davis could be seen near the team’s bench on a scooter, which Jans said he still uses from having foot surgery several weeks ago, though he did not remember the exact date.
“He is taking time with his recovery,” Jans said. “We expect him back sometime in the fall. I would say the next few weeks, rather than months if everything goes as planned. He won’t miss any games, but he will have some catching up to do with his cardio and rhythm. But so far, so good.”
Davis, an Oregon State transfer, scored 8.3 points per game last season, his first with the Bulldogs.
Justin Frommer is the Mississippi State sports reporter for The Dispatch.
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Mississippi
Why Mississippi State football loss to Arizona State revealed a strong Jeff Lebby culture
It was 11:10 p.m. Saturday in Starkville when Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt barreled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.
At that point, it would’ve been fair for Mississippi State football fans to call it a night. The Bulldogs (1-1) trailed 27-3 at ASU in the final minute of the second quarter. They were dominated in just about every statistical category. New coach Jeff Lebby looked like he was headed toward his first loss, and an embarrassing one.
And even if you gave the second half a chance, eyes just a crack open, that wasn’t encouraging either. Arizona State (2-0) took the opening drive of the third quarter for a field goal while eating 8 minutes, 27 seconds of game time. That just about decided the game before Mississippi State touched the ball in the second half.
Wrong.
Instead, MSU scored touchdowns on three of its next four drives and cut the score to 30-23 with 5:27 to play. The defense, which was torched for 346 rushing yards, needed one more stop to let the offense try to tie it. It would’ve been the largest comeback in program history.
Mississippi State’s path to a bowl game seems murkier than it was a week ago. But in the long-term, there’s still encouragement after the 30-23 loss.
“Our guys battled in an incredible way in the second half, and we’re going to hold on to that,” Lebby said in his postgame radio interview. “We’re going to find ways to get back in the building, get back to work and be able to walk into Davis Wade (Stadium) with a ton of confidence and ready to go win a football game.”
The encouragement from Mississippi State’s comeback effort
Lebby said after beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in Week 1 that there is an abundance of teachable moments in wins, just like losses.
There is plenty to point to after losing to Arizona State.
Mississippi State came out incredibly flat. The Sun Devils scored on their first five possessions. The MSU offense had one field goal, two punts, a fumble returned for a touchdown and a turnover-on-downs in the first half. MSU had -13 rushing yards in the first half.
There were concerns entering the game about the travel distance, late kickoff and high temperature. But let’s be real, Mississippi State was playing so poorly at the start that it was hard to judge if those were factors.
“I got to do a better job getting these guys ready to go play out of the gate,” Lebby said. “I thought our energy, our effort and our emotion was really good, but then we did not play clean there in the first quarter, so that part was frustrating.”
The Bulldogs outscored the Sun Devils 20-0 in the final quarter and a half. It was a surprise. Arizona State was rolling. Mississippi State was not.
MORE: Introducing Sam Sklar, the Clarion Ledger’s new Mississippi State beat reporter
For Lebby, a first-time head coach at any level, let it be a learning moment for him. It was his first time getting pinned in a corner. The Bulldogs adjusted correctly in the second half like good coaches do.
The rushing offense and defense both need to improve. Badly. Quarterback Blake Shapen has been impressive in his first two Mississippi State games and the wide receiver room is deep and talented as ever, but they can’t be the only answer.
That’s just for this season.
Mississippi State has its first tally in the loss column. But it isn’t a strike against Lebby leading the future of the program.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
Arizona State football turns heads with ‘unreal’ uniforms vs Mississippi State
Sam Leavitt leads ASU to convincing victory in 1st career start
Leavitt and the Sun Devils cruised past visiting Wyoming 48-7 on Saturday night at Mountain America Stadium.
The Arizona State football team elevated its play on the field in its 48-7 win over Wyoming in Week 1.
It is elevating its uniform game for Week 2 against Mississippi State.
ASU football is wearing a gold alternate jersey against the Bulldogs at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday night.
The jersey includes maroon “Arizona State” lettering and maroon numbering, along with a noticeable Big 12 logo.
The Sun Devil football team unveiled the uniform last month, with Athletic Director Graham Rossini posting that “you’ll see this on the field early this season.”
On Thursday, ASU football announced that it would be wearing the uniform against Mississippi State with a video that said “Modern shine, with a classic design.”
On Friday, it posted another look at the uniform.
More: Arizona State vs Mississippi State live score updates, analysis for college football game
ASU vs Mississippi State schedule, TV: How to watch college football game
Promising look: Arizona State football’s 2024 win prediction doubles after Week 1 victory over Wyoming
Social media reacted favorably overall to ASU football’s uniform vs Mississippi State:
Do you like the look for ASU football?
ASU vs. Mississippi State picks: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Looking promising: Arizona State football makes huge leap in college football ranking, Big 12 power rankings
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Mississippi
Bus company in deadly Mississippi crash has mixed safety record: USDOT
WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – There are questions about a bus company’s track record after a fatal bus crash in Mississippi on Saturday, August 31.
Seven people died when a passenger bus traveling on Interstate 20 left the roadway and overturned. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said that 41 passengers and two drivers were enroute to Dallas from Atlanta.
Autobuses Regiomontanos owned the bus in the crash. The company, which is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has had a troubled record in recent memory. It consists of lawsuits, driver fitness violations and even another fatal crash in 2023.
According to the DOT, the company, based in Laredo, Texas, operates 17 vehicles and employs 39 drivers. The company currently has a ‘conditional‘ safety rating. It is given to companies with ‘inadequate‘ safety controls. Still, companies with this rating may continue to operate.
Its most recent compliance review occurred in July 2023. Using data available from the DOT’s Safety Management System, it has had 155 inspections. Of those inspections, 58 had violations. Nearly all were vehicle maintenance violations.
Three infractions between October and December of 2023 involved issues with vehicle tires. Other infractions included 16 brake or air brake violations and citations for having two buses with no or defective emergency exits.
Seven victims killed in Mississippi bus crash identified
Other inspection violations related to the bus company’s drivers. All violations occurred this year. They include the following:
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(1) Operating a commercial vehicle without corrective lenses or hearing aids as indicated on the driver’s medical certificate (2) Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while not possessing a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
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05/13/2024
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05/14/2024
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05/14/2024
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05/28/2024
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Operate a CMV while not in possession of a CDL on person.
DOT data indicates that company buses have been in four separate accidents over the last two years. A November 2022 crash required a bus to be towed away and another in April 2023 resulted in someone dying. Below is the record.
Date |
Location |
Deaths |
Injuries |
10/16/2023 |
Louisiana |
0 |
1 |
4/15/2023 |
Texas |
1 |
2 |
11/23/2022 |
Tennessee |
0 |
0 |
9/24/2022 |
Arkansas |
0 |
1 |
The NTSB is investigating the crash in conjunction with MHP. NTSB officials said they will look at the carrier’s safety record and protections for bus occupants.
Community comes together to help Mississippi bus crash victims
Autobuses Regiomontanos violated several provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), it failed to have an ADA training program in place for its employees and contractors, failed to file required ADA compliance reports and failed to ensure that all lifts on its buses were properly maintained.
In 2015, the company entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The company was also named as a defendant in a $708 million lawsuit filed by New York City City in January. The city accused Autobuses Regiomontanos and other charter bus and transportation companies of taking migrants to the Big Apple on behalf of the State of Texas.
The DOT advises travelers to do the following before they book their next bus trip.
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Search for bus companies
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Verify that a company is authorized to operate
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Review the company’s safety records
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Make sure the company is licensed and insured
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If appropriate, report a company
DOT agencies advise consumers that unless a motor carrier has received an unsatisfactory rating or has been ordered to discontinue its operations, it is authorized to operate on the nation’s roadways. Additionally, readers should not conclude that a carrier is safe or unsafe by only using data from DOT agencies. For more information, click here.
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