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SEC Basketball: Expectations for each first-year head coach in 2022-23 season

By Jonathan Lidskin

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Head coach Todd Golden of the San Francisco Dons calls out instructions in the second half against the Murray State Racers during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Head coach Todd Golden of the San Francisco Dons calls out instructions in the second half against the Murray State Racers during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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SEC Basketball
Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen coach Chris Jans Tcl Msu Chris Jans 04 /

Chris Jans – Mississippi State

Chris Jans built a mid-major powerhouse at New Mexico State and was destined to get a major conference job. However, of the new SEC coaches, Jans might have the most simple first year in terms of what to expect. Ben Howland was fired because the team he had at Mississippi State massively underachieved last season. Unfortunately for Jans, he has to rely a lot on some returning players.

With Iverson Molinar departing for the NBA, Tolu Smith and D.J. Jeffries are going to be depended on to carry the offensive load for the Bulldogs. While both of those guys should take a leap next season, Jans had multiple players at New Mexico State last season that would be the best player on this team.

In the backcourt, Shakeel Moore who is a potential double-figure scorer returns for his junior season. Moore should also have some of the ball-handling duties lifted off of him as Jans’ best transfer in Dashawn Davis led the Pac-12 in assists last season at Oregon State. Davis is a minus defender, but he’ll play a key part in being able to get the ball inside to Smith and run the offense through the big man.

Mississippi State is likely looking at a bottom four or five finish in the conference in Jans first year. Bulldog fans shouldn’t be discouraged if this happens, however. Mississippi State was a five seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and getting to that point and maintaining that level of success is going to take time.

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