Bulldog Basketball set to feature different style under head coach Chris Jans

Mississippi State basketball fans will have to get used to a lot of new faces this season. But not only that, fans will also have to get accustomed to a different playing style under head coach Chris Jans and his staff.

In the offseason a major emphasis was put on upgrading the offensive firepower in the backcourt. Jans and company did just that with the addition of transfers Kanye Clary, Claudell Harris, Riley Kugel and RJ Melendez.

“I think the easiest way to explain it is, the first two years here I felt offensively we were more inside-out,” stated Jans after Saturday’s open practice session. “We were not turning any post entry opportunity down and playing through our bigs, for the most part. Certainly not all the time but that was a big focus for us for obvious reasons.”

But this season, the script will be flipped.

“For this year at this point we’ve flipped it,” added Jans. “We’re more of an outside-in team. We don’t throw the ball inside as much as we have in the past. We’re just trying to take advantage of our strengths. The way it’s played out with returnees combined with the new players, we’ve got more guys on the perimeter that can score the ball and create for themselves and create for others. The best thing about it so far for me and my staff, they’ve showed the ability to share the ball and play unselfish.”

Despite the arrival of so many new players, so far it hasn’t hampered the team chemistry. Jans made a note of that during SEC Media Days earlier this week and echoed those same thoughts on Saturday.

“We obviously do our due diligence in the recruiting process,” Jans explained. “The health of your locker room or lack there of, a lot of it has to do with the work you do behind the scenes and knowing who these young people are that are potentially joining your program. So it starts there and hopefully, you keep your fingers crossed and your background work pays off.

“I felt like with some of the returnees we have, it was important to them that the guys we brought in were like-minded and wanted the same things they did. Meaning they certainly have individual dreams and goals but they want to do it within the framework of our team. At this point the returns look really, really good that way.”

On the court, the Bulldogs have also increased the team’s quickness and speed on the court. That even includes returning standout in sophomore Josh Hubbard.

“I would agree with that,” noted Jans of his team’s speed. “Obviously Josh has been fast since he arrived but I think he has improved his athleticism, his quickness and he wins most of our sprints. He’s in better physical shape than he was a year ago.”

But Hubbard isn’t alone in that category. Jans mentioned other guys in the backcourt that bring a different aspect to the court this season.

“Then you add a guy like Kanye Clary, who is as fast as anyone I’ve seen,” Jans said. “Certainly, I can’t say he’s the fastest in college basketball. But with the ball in his hands, it’s like it’s a part of it. He’s shifty, he’s strong and he’s built like a tailback. He’s got big strong legs and hips and he knows how to move.

“Even the other guys, Claudell Harris is fast in his own right. Riley Kugel can change directions with the best of them. So I would definitely agree that team speed and quickness are positives for us this year.”

Elsewhere on the court, the main question mark surrounding State’s 2024-25 season is the center position. Former All-SEC performer Tolu Smith is currently in training camp with the Detroit Pistons and his departure leaves a big void to fill.

This summer State welcomed transfer centers Michael Nwoko and Jeremy Foumena to the roster along with returning sophomore Gai Chol in the post. Early on in practice, Nwoko is starting to take some strides in the right direction but more will be needed, said Jans.

“He’s an emerging guy,” mentioned Jans of Nwoko. “We knew all along that we have these three young, unproven and inexperienced five men with Gai, Jeremy Foumena. They are getting better. We always want more and we want them to be as good as they can be. But it’s a process and they are working their tails off, good days and bad days.

“But in particular, Mike is much better fresh than when he’s tired. That’s the case for most players but unfortunately for him, there’s a bigger gap in his productivity and his energy level when he’s fresh. So he’s got to work on playing tired and being better that way.”

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