Chris Jans Excited for Returning 'Locker Room Leader' Josh Hubbard to Pair With New Additions

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.”

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 Center.

Bob 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.”

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.

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.”