Chris Jans shares what recent wins do for Mississippi State's confidence

For the first time since nonconference play, Mississippi State has won back-to-back games. Taking down Georgia and Missouri were positive steps forward for Chris Jans, keeping the hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid alive. Losing those two would have been quite detrimental but the charge continues on in Starkville.

Mississippi State will have the midweek open, giving them some time off their feet. But coming out of the break, confidence is expected to be high thanks to those two wins. Jans knows the ability to be confident can be a roller coaster throughout the season.

Right now, his team is trending in the right direction. The old saying certainly applies — winning fixes everything.

“Confidence is an interesting thing,” Jans said. “It comes and goes. Sometimes, it stays long, sometimes it doesn’t — individually and collectively. Certainly, when you’re getting that kind of feedback — which are wins — it makes everybody feel better. The bonds grow deeper, the confidence with each other, the confidence in us all grows.”

Looking in the rearview mirror, it’s easy to understand why confidence may have been low not too long ago. A heartbreaking rivalry loss against Ole Miss took place in Oxford and followed by a loss to Alabama by 30 points in Tuscaloosa. That brought Mississippi State to three games under .500 in SEC play and in need of a quick turnaround.

But after two straight wins, everything can change. Jans understands it’s almost the time of year when you want to be playing your best basketball. If Mississippi State can play confidently in the final few games of the year, Jans hopes they will peak at the right time.

“Everyone says it but you want to be playing your best down the stretch,” Jans said. “You want to be playing your best ball of that particular season down the stretch. I wouldn’t say we’re at the stretch but it’s peeking. It’s around the corner. Hopefully, that’s something this particular team will do.”

Two home games are next on the schedule and the home crowd might be able to feed into the confidence.

Arkansas will come to the Hump looking for a result of their own. And then some revenge could be on Mississippi State’s mind with Ole Miss in town. Both are teams the Bulldogs need to take care of business against if Jans’ words about playing well down the stretch are to become true.