Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Jans and Players Reflect on Loss to Missouri in SEC Tournament
The Missouri Tigers fought hard to secure an 85-73 win over Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville, pulling away in the final minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.
Following the game, Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans, along with players Josh Hubbard and Shawn Jones Jr., addressed the media to discuss Missouri’s performance and the Bulldogs’ next steps.
When asked about the final minutes of the game, Josh Hubbard said, “It was just a bad stretch for us and a good one for them. They executed well, got us on a backdoor with Caleb Grill, and we had some defensive lapses.”
Shawn Jones Jr. was asked about the team’s effort to limit Caleb Grill’s three-point shooting, given his strong performance in the previous matchup. “It was a big part of our game plan,” he said. “We tried to run him off the three-point line and not let him get easy looks. He’s a great shooter, and we focused on limiting his attempts.”
In the second half, Mississippi State came out strong. “We know we’ve been slow in second halves before,” Hubbard explained. “We were staying positive, pushing each other to dominate and come out strong.”
Jones Jr. also gave a boost in the first half. “I just focused on playing defense first,” he said. “I trusted the offense would come to me, and I stayed confident in my shot.”
Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Hubbard noted, “We’re definitely a special team this year. We have the potential to go on a run in March Madness, and we just have to react well to this loss.”
The remaining questions were directed at Coach Jans, who reflected on the tough ending to the game. “I’d like to have the last four minutes back,” he admitted. “We didn’t play well when it mattered. They played better down the stretch. It was back and forth, and I felt good about where we were, but when the game was on the line, we didn’t make the plays.”
When discussing the defensive strategy to limit Missouri’s three-point shooting, Jans said, “We focused on defending the three because we’ve struggled with that all season. We did a pretty good job on Grill, but they exposed us inside. Perkins and Bates were able to get to the rim.”
Regarding the offense in the final minutes, Jans noted, “We missed some opportunities to extend our lead. We had a couple of good looks at three, but couldn’t capitalize. Missouri took advantage and sealed the win.”
On the team’s NCAA Tournament hopes, Jans said, “We’re in a good position but wanted to be in a better one. We control our destiny and had a strong first half of the season. But the losses in the final games of the regular season hurt. We didn’t finish well, and that’s what ultimately hurt us tonight.”
When asked about Missouri’s growth, Jans praised their depth and ability to mix and match players. “Their depth is what stands out. They have so many capable players, and they play with confidence. Coach Gates and his staff do a great job. Missouri is built for tournaments like this, with their depth and ability to handle quick turnarounds. I wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to win.”
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