Mississippi State’s head coach, Chris Jans, joined Paul Finebaum on The Paul Finebaum Show to discuss his team and the landscape of college basketball ahead of the SEC Tournament.
Jans shared insights on various topics:
On Tomorrow’s Game: Jans acknowledged the significance of their upcoming SEC Tournament game against LSU, reminiscent of a similar scenario last year.
On Bracket Predictors: While aware of bracketologists’ speculations, Jans emphasized the team’s focus on winning games rather than dwelling on predictions.
On College Basketball Trends: Jans highlighted the improvement in the league compared to last year, attributing it to factors like coaching stability and enhanced team quality.
On Building an NCAA Tournament-Worthy Team: He discussed the team’s goal to build a competitive roster each year, adapting to the evolving dynamics of college basketball, particularly with the influx of transfer portal recruits.
On the Transfer Portal: Jans acknowledged the portal’s impact on recruiting strategies, viewing it as a natural progression in college athletics.
On Player Retention Amid Transfer Portal: He addressed the challenges of retaining players amidst transfer portal opportunities, emphasizing mutual understanding and giving players space to make informed decisions.
On Adapting to Changes in the Game: Jans stressed the importance of adapting to changes in the game, prioritizing flexibility and decision-making to stay competitive.
On Trusting Decision Makers: He expressed trust in decision-makers’ abilities to maintain competitive balance in college basketball, highlighting the importance of their insights.
Jans’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of college basketball and the challenges and opportunities it presents for coaches and players alike.
