JACKSON — Chris Jans expected his second trip to Mississippi Coliseum to resemble his first.
On Dec. 22, 2019, Jans led New Mexico State to a 58-52 win over Mississippi State at the Big House in Jackson. The Aggies coach left unimpressed by the crowd in the Magnolia State’s capital city.
While the stands weren’t all that much more full for Wednesday’s game against Jackson State, it sure seemed like it.
The 69-59 Bulldogs win over the Tigers drew 3,206 people, up from 2,761 for the game three years prior. But to Jans, the atmospheres were hardly comparable.
“I thought it was awesome,” he said of Wednesday’s experience. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Make no mistake: Mississippi State fans are excited for the start the Bulldogs have had under Jans.
MSU is now 10-0 and one of seven remaining unbeaten Division I teams after pulling away to win a back-and-forth game.
A strong stretch of play in the closing minutes let the maroon and white contingent in the arena’s blue seats be heard loud and clear.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t give them much to cheer about in the first half, but they definitely helped us down the stretch,” Jans said.
The Bulldogs faithful outnumbered the Jackson State supporters in the Tigers’ own backyard.
JSU coach Mo Williams said he wasn’t happy with his team’s fan support.
“It was more Mississippi State fans than Jackson State fans, and the game was in Jackson,” Williams said. “It wasn’t enough. Our fans didn’t come out and show out — simple as that.”
Wednesday was the Tigers’ first game in Jackson after nine straight on the road to begin the year.
Jackson State will play its next four games away from home before its first true home game Jan. 7.
For Williams, that was even more reason to be dismayed with JSU’s support against Mississippi State.
“We’ve been on the road for nine straight games, and to come into Jackson and play a top-20 team in the country and to not have the support from our fans, it’s disappointing,” he said. “If this was a football game today, there would be 60,000 people in that stadium, and that’s disappointing.”
Mississippi State players were particularly happy Bulldogs fans made the trip to Jackson — especially given heavy rain throughout the day.
Forward D.J. Jeffries said the Coliseum would have been a “hellhole” had the stands contained only Jackson State fans, praising the MSU backers who showed up.
“Without them, we probably wouldn’t have done what we did,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries and MSU outscored Jackson State 17-3 in the game’s final eight minutes to get the win.
Jans acknowledged his response might have been different had the Tigers pulled the upset of the Bulldogs after all, but he was happy to be able to schedule a local team that gave a good showing Wednesday night.
“I thought it was just great for the state of Mississippi to play this game,” Jans said. “I think it grows the game.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion