Chris Jans evaluates his trust level in KeShawn Murphy

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward KeShawn Murphy has played in more than 20 minutes in each of the last three games as he’s earned more trust with head coach Chris Jans.

Following the team’s win against LSU, Jans praised Murphy and explained that earning trust has started on the defensive end.

“Pretty high. He’s a willing defender,” Chris Jans said. “He’s been really working on it. He has been receptive to what we are trying to do with him on the defensive side of the floor.”

This season, KeShawn Murphy has played in 13 games and hasn’t started yet for Mississippi State. He missed an extended period of time this season due to what was described as a personal matter by Chris Jans. Still, in the games he has been able to play this season, Murphy has played 14.9 minutes per game. He has also averaged 6.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.

“Doesn’t take much to figure out that he’s very talented offensive, obviously has great length. He just gives us a different look when he is on the floor with his ability. At 6-10, to play either the four, even the five, he can stretch the D and it gives us another scorer out there. He is underrated with his drive ability, his passing ability. He really sees the floor,” Jans said.

“He keeps getting better on the defensive end and because of that, he is on the floor more. It has been really, really good, and he has been a shot in the arm for us the past five or six games.”

Chris Jans shares thoughts on Mississippi State making another late-season push

With five straight wins under their belts, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are making a late-season push for the NCAA Tournament. Interestingly, it’s a similar situation for Chris Jans as he and Mississippi State were in last season.

“I like where they’re at. It’s odd that it’s similar in terms of our records back-to-back years with where we’re at the first few games, and even at the turn I think they’re one game off. Didn’t want to be in that position, but we found ourselves in that position again,” Jans said.

“Like I’ve told you guys before, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again. That’s the goal, but it doesn’t mean that because we did it last year, it’s going to happen again. I sort of had to convince our guys that are here, like, don’t rely on that.”