Dr. John Thornton looking for intense defense in A&M's return

Key notes from Dr. John Thornton interview

• I still can’t believe we're playing tonight. It feels like a dream. During football season, everyone understood games could be missed, but nobody anticipated this. Missing eight games is unbelievable.
   
• I got to go to practice a couple of times recently, and it was good to see people. This team is still upbeat, and Buzz has done a great job of keeping people connected. To see them having fun on the floor in practice has been rejuvenating.
   
• At this point in the season, when you've played a lot of games, the end of the season gets tough. Mississippi State has played 10 more games than A&M. When you have those breaks during the season; it's good to get your legs back under you. When you have this many days off, you have to worry about being in game shape. After being sick, it's tough to get the conditioning part done. Still, it's good to be back and playing.
   
• As a coach, it's not a new season. You don't need to reinvent the wheel. They beat Kansas State on the road and did the things they had to do to win. They cannot take a step backward and have to pick up where they left off. We must be connected defensively. Mississippi State is big and has two prolific scorers. They have to control the post and chase down shooters. I want to see a fast-paced defense to start the game.
   
• Buzz has played a lot of kids and a lot of minutes as he tries to find out the right combo. You'll see that again tonight.
   
• I want to see our seniors light it up. I want Savion Flagg and Quenton Jackson to have big games. They need to come on early and become go-to guys. They were those guys the last time we played Mississippi State.
   
• Anticipate Savion Flagg playing well. He must be a factor. I'd love for him to score, but we need him to be on the boards and to be a physical presence in the paint. He showed glimpses of being a factor before this shutdown. He has done so much in the past.
   
• The inside presence is what we've been looking for since day one, with that space vacated by Josh Nebo. Jonathan Aku showed glimpses at the end of last year, and Kevin Marfo came in with high expectations. We want and need that. In the K-State game, those two guys combined and played well down low. It has to be a combination of both of them. You have to see that happen. They are capable, but it remains to be seen if that translates.
   
• Mississippi State lost to Alabama the last time out. Their season has been up and down and all over the place. Their guard play is phenomenal. We were down 10 when we played them earlier this year. When we went into that half-court defense, they didn't know how to attack it. Disrupting them defensively will cause them to turn it over a bit. Get in those trap situations. Keeping it in the low 60s would be nice. Keeping them out of a flow offensively is key.
   
• Defense is where energy should be expended the most. Offense is predicated on people moving together. Defense should be an all-out effort, all the time.
   
• You're going to have a battle on the boards. Mississippi State out-rebounds opponents by eight, but they turn it over. You're going to have to play good defense to get those turnovers.
   
• Alabama is capable of going on a run in March because they've been so consistent. Arkansas is a dark horse for me. I've been surprised Missouri has had this sort of tailspin. Still, if I had to go with someone, it would have to be Alabama.