Latest news with #ChrisJans
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Hubbard Breaks Silence on Return to Mississippi State Hoops
Josh Hubbard Breaks Silence on Return to Mississippi State Hoops originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When Josh Hubbard walked into the media room on June 5, it wasn't just another off-season press conference, it was a statement of unfinished business. Advertisement Mississippi State's top scorer for two consecutive seasons is back in maroon and white after exploring the NBA Draft process. While he wasn't projected as a top pick, Hubbard's return instantly changes the tone of the Bulldogs' 2025-26 campaign, from rebuild to reload. 'I learned a lot about my game and what I can improve on,' Hubbard said. 'Obviously, I want to be the best player I can be… I'm not satisfied. We have a lot more in store for this program, and so I'm just excited to be back.' Hubbard, the junior guard from Madison, is already one of the most decorated players in Mississippi State history. He's the only Bulldog to earn All-SEC honors as both a freshman and sophomore. Last season, he averaged 18.9 points per game and shattered school records for most 3-pointers in a season (108), consecutive games with a made 3 (47), and career free-throw percentage (86.6%). But he isn't coming back to chase personal stats. He's coming back to win. Advertisement MSU has made the NCAA Tournament in all three years under Chris Jans but remains winless in March. The Bulldogs have lost seven of their top eight scorers from last season. That turnover hasn't shaken Hubbard's confidence, it's fueled it. 'Just grind and get 1% better each day,' he said. 'One thing we work on each day is just being more vocal, showing that leadership skill.' The Bulldogs have retooled with six transfers and a top-15 freshman class, per 247Sports. Still, it's Hubbard's presence that gives MSU a real shot at breaking through in a competitive SEC. Head coach Chris Jans wasn't surprised by the decision. 'We had great communication behind the scenes,' Jans said. 'I had a pretty good idea that unless something crazy happened… Josh was going to be a part of our basketball team.' Advertisement Mississippi State fans, circle the dates now. With Hubbard back, the Bulldogs aren't just competing, they're coming. Related: Mississippi State Baseball Makes Major Announcement as Season Ends Related: Mississippi State Lands Impact 2026 DB Commit Kolby Barrett This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chris Jans Excited for Returning 'Locker Room Leader' Josh Hubbard to Pair With New Additions
Chris Jans Excited for Returning 'Locker Room Leader' Josh Hubbard to Pair With New Additions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans didn't mince words as he set the tone for the 2025-26 season as summer workouts began: 'We needed to get bigger.' Advertisement After a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament without a win, the fourth-year head coach knew his Bulldogs had to evolve. Rebounding and three-point shooting, two of MSU's most glaring weaknesses last year are the focal points of a retooled roster featuring six transfers, four freshmen, and a highly anticipated return: Josh Hubbard. The sophomore guard, a two-time All-SEC selection, is at the heart of Jans' plan to modernize Mississippi State's offense. Hubbard led MSU in scoring and was the team's primary deep threat, yet the Bulldogs still ranked 14th in the SEC in 3-point percentage (31.4%) despite firing up nearly 27 attempts per game. Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots the ball against the Baylor Bears during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Donnan-Imagn Images 'We thought going into the year, just to be frank with you, that we had addressed it,' Jans said. 'We thought we had enough guys that could shoot the ball, and for whatever reason, as a group, we didn't end up shooting it as well as we anticipated.' Advertisement To help lighten Hubbard's load, Jans brought in proven shooters. Georgetown's Jayden Epps (34.4% from three) adds volume, while UAB's Ja'Borri McGhee (40.8%) brings efficiency. Arizona State transfer Amier Ali also adds depth at 32.6% from beyond the arc. But the biggest change may be in the paint. Mississippi State finished just 130th in the nation in rebounding percentage last year, a shocking stat for a Jans-coached squad. Losing Cameron Matthews and KeShawn Murphy (11.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG) made frontcourt depth an urgent priority. Enter Quincy Ballard, a 7-foot transfer from Wichita State who averaged 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season. 'Having a quarterback on defense, or a goalie would be probably more appropriate, is a big advantage,' Jans said. 'I've never felt like we've had that since we've been here.' The Bulldogs also landed two four-star centers in Tee Bartlett and local standout Jamarion Davis-Fleming, helping vault MSU's freshman class to No. 12 nationally, per 247Sports Composite. Advertisement With a deeper bench and Hubbard leading the charge, the Bulldogs have their eyes set not just on another tournament berth, but on finally breaking a 17-year drought without an NCAA Tournament win. 'It's time,' Jans said. 'We've done the work. Now we've got to go prove it.' Related: MSU Baseball Signing 'Top Dog' Brian O'Connor Makes Starkville a 'Dream Location' Related: Mississippi State Football Climbs in ESPN FPI Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama 2024-25 Opponent Preview: Mississippi State Bulldogs
After back-to-back home victories last week, the Alabama Crimson Tide will now travel this Wednesday night for the first time since Jan. 18 to face one of the SEC's more talented teams, the Mississippi State Bulldogs. A team that has played Alabama has had success against recently, Mississippi State is currently ranked among the top teams in the SEC, and are led by one of the conference's most talented scorers. In addition to this, the Bulldogs have also lost only once so far this season at home, which was a game that easily could've gone the other way as well. Here are a few things that you need to know about Mississippi State ahead of Alabama's trip to Starkville this week. Mississippi State Bulldogs Team Overview Team Name: Mississippi State Bulldogs Mississippi State Bulldogs Conference: SEC SEC Arena: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi 2024-25 Record: 16-4 overall (4-3 in SEC) 16-4 overall (4-3 in SEC) Ranking: No. 14 in AP Poll, No. 13 in Coaches Poll Mississippi State enters Wednesday as a consensus Top 25 ranked team in the nation, sitting as high as No. 13 according to the latest USA TODAY Sports' Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs are also 16-4 on the season, as well as 4-3 in SEC play. Mississippi State Bulldogs Coaching Staff Head Coach: Chris Jans Chris Jans Assistant Coach: George Brooks George Brooks Assistant Coach: David Anwar David Anwar Assistant Coach: Patrice Days Patrice Days Assistant Coach: Scott Padgett Scott Padgett Assistant Coach: Dillon Elder Leading the Mississippi State program is head coach Chris Jans, who is in his third season in charge of the Bulldogs. Over the past two seasons, Mississippi State has made a NCAA Tournament each year, as well as finished with 21 total wins. Mississippi State Bulldogs 2024-25 Stats PPG: 80.7 (No. 45 in NCAA) 80.7 (No. 45 in NCAA) PPG Allowed: 69.5 (No. 118 in NCAA) 69.5 (No. 118 in NCAA) FG%: 45.8 45.8 2P%: 55.7 55.7 3P%: 32.1 32.1 FT%: 69.8 69.8 RPG: 38.8 38.8 APG: 15.8 15.8 SPG: 9.6 9.6 BPG: 4.5 Mississippi State is among the SEC's top scoring teams this season at 80.7 points a game, a number that ranks No. 45 nationally. The Bulldogs are also one of the conference's best when it comes to steals per game, ranking No. 17 nationally with 9.6. Mississippi State Bulldogs Names to Know Josh Hubbard, Guard – Sophomore – Sophomore KeShawn Murphy, Forward – Redshirt Junior – Redshirt Junior Claudell Harris Jr., Guard – Senior – Senior Riley Kugel, Guard – Junior – Junior Cameron Matthews, Forward – Graduate Student In conclusion, Mississippi State has a total of four double-digit scorers, led by guard Josh Hubbard at 16.3 points a game. Both of Mississippi State's top forwards, KeShawn Murphy and Cameron Matthews, are also averaging over seven rebounds a game this season.
