When Mississippi State’s bus shifted into park at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the team managers quickly hopped off first, as is their custom, and the rest of the staff waited while the players began to follow from the back. But then Vic Schaefer stood up and held a staying hand out as he walked halfway down the bus to where his players were preparing to leave.
“Hey, headphones off, y’all,” he said as he got the attention of his full roster. “Everybody hear me? Listen up. Do not get off this bus unless you believe that we are going to beat Baylor and go to the Final Four.