Chris Jans addresses Cam Matthews getting in foul trouble
Cameron Matthews, one of Mississippi State’s best, most important players, exited their game in Baton Rouge this weekend before the first media timeout after picking up two fouls. It was a bad spot for him and the team to be in but one that they overcame in the half.
Chris Jans opened up his postgame press conference following the 87-67 win over LSU by discussing Matthews’ quick foul trouble. He felt it was a tough position to deal with considering his significance and since it’s something that they’ve had to work on with him before.
“It was a bad deal,” said Jans. “That was a scary situation for him to get two.”
“He did that a lot earlier in the season. He has gotten better at staying away from silly fouls. We’ve talked to him ad nauseam about how important he is to our team and he has just got to stay away from silly fouls,” Jans continued. “I don’t want to take anything away from his aggressiveness because that’s his game. Just the silly ones.”
Both of Matthews’ fouls came within a minute of each other in the first portion of the game. He then had to sub out with 16:47 left in the first half and wouldn’t return until after the break with just one steal to his name.
Matthews went on to finish with eight points, two assists, a rebound, and a block in his second-half minutes. He made three of four shot attempts, including an and-one, while making two of three tries at the charity stripe.
With Matthews absent, though, Mississippi State handled business on the road in the first half. They went back and forth for a while with the Tigers but eventually closed the period on an 11-4 run over the final 4:42. They’d never give that lead back again as they’d go on to push it to as much as 27 in the second half.
Matthews, along with his coaching staff and teammates, would have liked to have been out there to contribute. Still, since he wasn’t, Jans gave his lineup credit for handling that absence how they did to start the game.
“He was disappointed, obviously. But I thought our guys stood up and was proud that they handled it, kept it together,” said Jans. “No one dropped their head. We figured out a way to get through the half and get to halftime.”
Jans, Mississippi State viewing Kentucky rematch as a ‘big opportunity’
Mississippi State is well within the postseason picture after winning five straight in conference play. However, the final four games for the Bulldogs feature some tough competition, specifically this week where they’ll play a pair of rematches.
Chris Jans spoke about their next two games against Kentucky on Tuesday and at Auburn on Saturday during his postgame press conference after their 87-67 win over LSU. He said that the thought had just crossed his mind after earning the victory in Baton Rouge and that his team will need to be ready for it, especially with the Wildcats coming to Starkville.
“I haven’t thought much about it until a few minutes after we left the locker room,” said Jans. “Certainly, it’s a quick turnaround.”
“Saw the score that Kentucky had today and, obviously, they handled us very easily at their place. So hopefully our guys will be super motivated,” Jans said.
The Wildcats will now be the first of three Top-25 matchups for Mississippi State over the final four games. That makes it one of several chances to capitalize for their resumé beyond having pride in a win over Kentucky.
“It’s Kentucky. Everybody gets excited,” said Jans. “I know our fans will be excited. We’re going to have a rock in ‘Hump.”
“It’s just a great opportunity for us. It’s just going to be a great opportunity,” Jans said.