Mississippi State tinkers with lineup ahead of clash with Utah

Mississippi State's identity is a work in progress early in the season.

But the Bulldogs (3-0) are doing just fine as they figure things out.

They'll play Utah (3-0) in the Mid-South Showdown on Sunday afternoon in Southaven, Miss.

MSU head coach Chris Jans has used a different lineup in every game and might keep tinkering.

"I don't know what the best lineup is yet," Jans said. "Fortunately, we've got some time to think about it. I had told the team prior to the first game that this was going to happen. We're going to switch it up for who knows how long."

Jans always emphasizes defense first, but the Bulldogs' offense has been a big part of the fast starat as they are averaging 92 points.

"I like where we're at (defensively)," Jans said. "We are trying to play a little faster than we have in years past and maybe not have to guard quite as long in the half-court. We're more hyper focused on turning the ball over and trapping the ball a little bit more than we've been in the past."

Josh Hubbard tops the Bulldogs with a 21.3 scoring average, followed by Claudell Harris Jr. (12.7). Cameron Matthews is pulling down a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game.

The Runnin' Utes have yet to trail this season as they play away from home for the first time, coming off a 96-65 victory against Queens on Tuesday night.

They had 29 and 23 assists in their first two games but had just 15 on 35 made field goals against Queens.

Mike Sharavjamts, who has led Utah in assists in each of the last two games, scored a career-high 19 points Tuesday.

"He's super, super intelligent," Utes head coach Craig Smith said of Sharavjamts. "And I think he just keeps getting better all the time."

Gabe Madsen scored 24 points to lead four Utah players in double figures against Queens, and they had two double-figure rebounders -- Ezra Ausar (11) and Jake Wahlin (10).

"I think we've just got to hang our hats on being the most together team every night," said Madsen, who leads the team with 25.3 points per game, with Sharavjamts averaging 14.0 while Ausar and Mason Madsen each average 12.0.

--Field Level Media