Bulldogs look for a fast start against Tide
Mississippi State has some tough challenges against top 25 men's basketball teams this week.
When it comes to playing against No. 2 Alabama Wednesday night and No. 11 TCU on Saturday, it will be important for the Bulldogs to play well for the entire game if upsets are to be achieved.
Getting off to good starts will be ideal for MSU.
There have been times when the Bulldogs have begun games well and have led them to victory in some cases.
“I don't care what team you're coaching – I've always believed it's more fun to coach with a lead,” MSU head coach Chris Jans said. “In the academic world, we preach let's play with the lead and not try to come from behind. You can win games in a variety of ways, but it's more comfortable and a little bit easier to get off to a great start, establish yourselves, get that confidence and take away the other team's confidence, especially at home. It's crucial for this team.”
In the latest loss to the Florida Gators, the Bulldogs got down by 16 points, came back to tie the game and had a chance to win before losing a 61-59 decision at Humphrey Coliseum.
Jans liked the intensity and execution of MSU in the second half. He wished it could put two good halves together.
That's going to be key tonight when the Bulldogs make the short trip east on Highway 82 to face the Crimson Tide at 8 p.m.
Alabama defeated MSU 78-67 in Starkville earlier this season and Jans was impressed with the youth of the Tide.
“It's very impressive with the transition that the staff has done with them in being productive right away and that has something to do with those guys getting experience and growing fast,” Jans said of the Tide. “When I watch them now, they don't look like freshmen anymore. They look experienced and play with such confidence.”
As Alabama's players have gotten more time on the floor, it has gotten on quite a roll. The Tide stands undefeated in the Southeastern Conference at 7- 0 and has a 17- 2 record overall.
A big key for the Bulldogs to be successful will be the play of their veteran Tolu Smith.
Smith leads MSU with 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game but has had an up and down season. He had a doubledouble against Florida with 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Gators but was not effective down the stretch of the game.
“Obviously, I love Tolu and I'm glad he is with us,” Jans said. “I love coaching him, but he's just not being as efficient in my opinion as he needs to be. He's getting double-doubles and he is a rebounding monster, he's relentless on the backboards and he's one of the best offensive rebounding guys in the country and there are a lot of other guys who rebound at a high level. Teams figure out how to play against certain guys and I think that is going on a little bit with Tolu. He gets the ball and gets every coverage you can imagine. It changes up game to game. He's such a great kid and such a hard worker.”