Mississippi State’s Physicality Will Test Arkansas’ Grit in Crucial SEC Matchup
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Chris Jans’ teams aren’t built to dazzle you with finesse. They’re built to wear you down.
Mississippi State under Jans has never been about flash - it’s been about grit, defense, and a brand of basketball that leaves bruises. And while this season hasn’t followed the same script in the win column, the Bulldogs haven’t strayed from their identity.
Jans has made a habit of winning - six NCAA Tournament appearances in eight seasons as a Division I head coach is no fluke. He’s already brought Mississippi State to the Big Dance three straight years, a run that stands as the most consistent stretch of success in program history.
But this year’s group is in a fight. At 11-11 overall and 3-6 in SEC play, the Bulldogs are trying to claw their way back into relevance.
That fight will be on full display Saturday morning when Mississippi State hosts Arkansas at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m., and for the Razorbacks, this one’s about more than just bouncing back from a tough loss to Kentucky - it’s about proving they can match the kind of physicality that defines SEC basketball in February.
Arkansas (16-6, 6-3 SEC) has had a mixed bag when it comes to handling physical teams. They’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe - wins over Tennessee and Louisville proved that.
But they’ve also been outmuscled, like in losses to Michigan State and Duke. Even in a competitive showing against Houston, they couldn’t quite get over the hump.
And against Auburn? They were simply overwhelmed.
That inconsistency is what makes Saturday’s matchup so intriguing. Mississippi State may be struggling in the standings, but their style of play hasn’t changed. They’re still one of the most physical teams in the league - and they’ll make you earn every inch of space.
“They’re a good team,” Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin said. “Their record doesn’t indicate how good they are.
Strong, physical. They’ve got an identity.”
And that identity starts on the glass. According to KenPom, Mississippi State ranks No. 2 in defensive rebounding during SEC play.
Arkansas? They’re sitting at No. 8 in offensive boards.
Flip it around, and the Bulldogs are sixth in offensive rebounding while the Razorbacks rank fourth defensively. In other words, it’s going to be a battle in the paint.
This is where Arkansas needs its frontcourt to step up - and fast. Starting center Nick Pringle was a non-factor against Kentucky, finishing without a point or rebound. Malique Ewin brought some energy off the bench with 11 points and five boards, but there are still questions about how well he holds up against more physical bigs.
“He’s got to give us more,” Arkansas head coach John Calipari said after the Kentucky game. “It’s mainly defending and rebounding and flying up and down the court, we throw him lobs and all that stuff.
Trying to get Malique Ewin to get going, which stole some of his minutes. And Malique started playing pretty well and rebounded, so we left him in.”
That frontcourt rotation is going to be tested. Mississippi State’s bigs don’t just bang - they battle.
They’re relentless on the boards and play with a chip on their shoulder, and that’s exactly the kind of team that gives Arkansas problems. The Razorbacks may lead the SEC in 2-point field goal percentage, but they’re near the bottom defensively in that same category.
Against a team that thrives on physical play inside, that’s a dangerous combination.
“They’ve got a heck of a coach, a really good staff,” Martin said. “You know, in this league, every single night, anyone can beat anyone.”
That’s especially true when desperation sets in. Mississippi State has dropped six of its last seven and, according to BartTorvik, has just a 0.1% chance of making the NCAA Tournament. They didn’t have a midweek game, same as Arkansas, so they’ll be rested - and hungry.
Jans knows what’s at stake, but he’s not letting the pressure take over.
“I’m not happy with where we’re at,” he said on his radio show earlier this week. “But how much time do you sit and feel sorry for yourself?
I’ve got to try to lead these young men to a better, and I can’t do that if I’m all glum all the time. I’ve got to bring the juice, if you will, and get them to believe and know that we can play better.”
That mentality - gritty, no-nonsense, and focused on the fight - is what makes Mississippi State dangerous, even with their record. And it’s why Arkansas can’t afford to overlook this one. The Razorbacks may be the better team on paper, but paper doesn’t rebound, defend, or fight through contact.
This game is going to be about toughness. About who controls the paint. About who sets the tone early and doesn’t back down.
Mississippi State is going to bring the fight. The question is: will Arkansas be ready to match it?