Bulldogs expect to get back off mat for rivalry battle with Rebs
Mississippi State men's basketball head coach Chris Jans doesn't think his team will have any trouble getting refocused after a disappointing result against Kentucky on Wednesday.
That's because today's opponent for the Bulldogs happens to be the rival Ole Miss Rebels.
It was certainly a crushing blow for MSU in losing a 71-68 home game to the Kentucky Wildcats, but Jans said now is not the time for the Bulldogs to feel sorry for themselves.
MSU will need to bounce back quickly if it wants to improve on its records of 17-9 overall and 5-8 in the Southeastern Conference.
“We don't have a choice,” Jans said. “Trying to get to where we're wanting to get, we don't have a choice. I would imagine our kids' mindset will match our approach. I think we'll get off the mat, get after it again and get ready to play on our rival's home court.”
Today's 2:30 p.m. game between the Bulldogs and the Rebels in Oxford will be a rematch of an earlier meeting in Starkville, which was won by MSU 6454 on January 7.
Tolu Smith leads the Bulldogs with 14.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while Shakeel Moore has the next best scoring average on the team at 9.4 points per outing.
The probable starting lineup for MSU will be Smith, D.J. Jeffries and Cameron Matthews at forwards with Shakeel Moore and Dashawn Davis at guards.
Matthews played 36 minutes against the Wildcats and contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block.
“He's developed into one of those warrior guys you love coaching,” Jans said of Matthews. “He was tired but didn't ask to come out. If he asked to come out, I probably would take him out. He does it quietly most of the time.”
Ole Miss has struggled on the court this season with records of 10-16 overall and 2-11 in the SEC. The Rebels have yet to win a conference game at home this season.