Mississippi

SEC West Preview: The Great Unknown

Jason Brubaker — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:07:43 -0700

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Yesterday, we looked at the SEC East, where Tennessee appears to be a clear-cut favorite. Today, we dive into the SEC West, where the picture is a little murkier. Early defections to the NBA and graduation snagged some of the top players, and newcomers will be counted on heavily if teams want to make a run at the postseason. Here’s how it should shape out.

SEC WEST

1) ALABAMA

2007-08 results : 17-16 (5-11 SEC)

Players lost: Richard Hendrix, Mykal Riley, Rico Pickett

While the lure of the NBA may have pulled Hendrix out of Tuscaloosa, it wasn’t strong enough to entice Alonzo Gee or Ronald Steele, who should anchor this team. Steele, who has battled injuries and sat out all last season, is one of the premier point guards in the conference when healthy, and Gee is an athletic freak who has only scratched the surface of his talent. A deep rotation last year enabled plenty of players to get minutes, and a solid recruiting class will add more depth.

In the backcourt, the Tide welcome back Steele with open arms. Steele doesn’t blow you away with physical ability, but he plays poised and is a good decision maker with the ball. He’ll be joined by Mikhail Torrance, Brandon Hollinger and Senario Hillman, as well as incoming freshman Andrew Steele, his younger brother, in a deep rotation. Look for Coach Mark Gottfried to try to push the pace this season with so many guards.

Up front, Gottfried returns forwards Demetrius Jemison and Yamene Coleman, who will play major minutes this year with the loss of Hendrix. However, help is on the way in the form of freshman forward JaMychal Green, an elite recruit who should start from the first day. Green lacks Hendrix’s strength, but he is a better athlete and can run the floor. Gee mostly operates out of the small forward slot also, which allows him to take advantage of his tremendous athleticism by crashing the glass. Gee can play out of control at times, but another year of experience should help him become a more mature player, and he could turn some heads this year.

The return of Steele and Gee should give the Tide the experience needed to win the West. With plenty of athletic guards and the addition of Green up front, the Tide may run more this season. The key will be Steele’s health. If he’s back on his game, the Tide will be dramatically improved from last year’s disappointment. They’ll miss the steady play of Hendrix down low, but there’s still enough talent here to think about an NCAA berth.

2) LSU

2007-08 results: 13-18 (6-10 SEC)

Players lost: Anthony Randolph, Dameon Mason

Despite the loss of lottery pick Anthony Randolph, the Tigers should actually improve this season. The return guards Marcus Thornton, Terry Martin and Garrett Temple, as well as big man Chris Johnson, but the most important returnee may be forward Tasmin Mitchell, who played in only three games last year before being injured.

New coach Trent Johnson has plenty of pieces to work with to put the Tiger back into contention.

The backcourt should again be good, as Thornton, Temple and Martin return for another year. Thornton ‘s shot selection could use some work, but he did put up nearly 20 points per game last season, and showed he’s capable of scoring on anyone at any time. Martin, Temple and Alex Farrer also return to offer experience and give the Tigers one of the tallest backcourts in the SEC. Look for Chris Bass, the younger brother of former LSU All-American Brandon Bass, to get a chance at the point. Getting consistent effort and intensity will be the key here.

Johnson’s Stanford teams were built around powerful post players like the Lopez twins, so this will be an adjustment for him. Chris Johnson is the most experienced post player, but he’s painfully undersized to bang down low. A lanky, explosive athlete, he needs to play more under control this year if he’s going to help replace Randolph. Quinton Thornton also will have to step up, as will Garret Green. However, the return of Mitchell to small forward is huge for LSU. A talented athlete who can play inside or out, Mitchell creates a lot of matchup problems, and if he’s fully healthy, could challenge for All-SEC honors. The Tigers were hurt by the defection of talented recruit J’Mison Morgan to UCLA.

The Tigers had a lot of talent last year, but often played uninspired and undisciplined ball. That won’t fly this year under Johnson, who should help them maximize their potential. If he can coax more effort and consistency out of them, the Tigers could challenge Alabama for the West title. There’s too much talent here for the team to have another 13-win season.

3) OLE MISS

2007-08 results: 24-11 (7-9 SEC), NIT Semifinals

Players lost: Dwayne Curtis, Kenny Williams, Jeremy Parnell

The second year of the Andy Kennedy era was a surprising success, led by talented point guard Chris Warren. The Rebels stumbled a bit in SEC play, which led to the NIT instead of the NCAA, but their 45 wins in the past two season show that Kennedy has them on the right track.

Even with all of the recruiting services, blogs, rankings, scouting, summer camps, televised tournaments…some players still are overlooked out of high school. Lucky for Ole Miss, one of those overlooked was Warren, an undersized point out of Florida who immediately took over the team, leading them in scoring and assists. A feisty playmaker, Warren wasn’t fazed by big-time college ball, and he should only be better this year. Joining him will be Eniel Polynice and David Huertas, who have lots of ability but need to show more consistency. Trevor Gaskins and Zach Graham should provide depth, as will freshmen Will Bogan and Terrico White, an explosive athlete. But there’s no mistaking that this team will go as Warren goes.

The Rebels attack worked well last year because of the inside-outside balance, provided by Warren and Dwayne Curtis. With Curtis gone, along with frontcourt mates Kenny Williams and Jeremy Parnell, the Rebels are looking for help in a big way. Malcolm White and Wesley Jones are the only returning players over 6’7”, so Kennedy hopes incoming forwards Terrance Henry and DeAundre Cranston are ready to contribute early. Henry is the more highly-touted, but Cranston has a bigger body that may hold up better in SEC play. Redshirt freshman Kevin Cantinol will also help in the frontcourt. However, Williams and Curtis combined to average nearly 24 points and 15 rebounds per game, and those numbers simply won’t be replaced this year.

After two solid seasons, the Rebels won’t sneak up on anyone this year. Kennedy is quietly building a solid foundation, and they’re looking to take the next step toward an NCAA Tournament berth. They’ll be thin up front, but the backcourt has the potential to be one of the best in the conference, led by Warren. In the depleted SEC West, they’ll be tough.

4) MISSISSIPPI STATE

2007-08 results 23-11 (12-4 SEC), NCAA 2^nd round

Players lost: Jamont Gordon, Ben Hansbrough, Charles Rhodes

When do-everything guard Jamont Gordon elected to keep his name in the NBA Draft, the Bulldogs’ season took a big hit. Gordon was the unquestioned leader of the team, and his versatility allowed him to dominate games from all over the court. The Bulldogs have a few returning players to provide experience, but it’s hard to envision this team making any kind of post-season run without Gordon.

The Bulldogs do return guards Barry Stewart and Phil Turner, who will have to step up and play bigger roles this year. Both have proven to be solid role players, but they’ll be asked to do much more. Not only do they have to replace Gordon, but they also will miss the toughness of Hansbrough, a feisty competitor who also was one of their top outside threats. Swingman Ravern Johnson will also have to start living up to his potential if the Dogs want to make nay noise. A wiry athlete, Johnson can create matchup problems if he puts his mind to it. Freshmen Dee Bost and Antiquawn Beckham will also likely see big minutes. Both have big time scoring ability, something the Dogs desperately need.

Up front, the loss of Rhodes is just as devastating as Gordon. Rhodes provided a lot of toughness and leadership in addition to his 17 points per game, and he’ll be hard to replace. However, the return of Jarvis Varnado is a good place to start. Varnado is a terrific defender, blocking six shots or more in game 12 times last year, including three games with 10 blocks. His offense is still limited, but his effort and defensive intensity will be crucial to the Bulldogs up front. After Varnado, there are some question marks though. Can Brian Johnson, Elgin Bailey and Kodi Augustus handle the additional minutes? Will freshman Romero Osby be ready to play right away? There’s plenty of potential here, but until they tip-off, Bulldogs fans have to be feeling a little ansty.

The Bulldogs have some talent, but the loss of Gordon and Rhodes can’t be overstated. If they even want to think about making another postseason run, they’ll need terrific efforts from guys who were used to being role players last season. They’ll be a solid team, but it’s just hard to imagine a deep run without their two best players from last year.

5) ARKANSAS

2007-08 results: 23-12 (9-7 SEC) NCAA 2^nd round

Players lost: Sonny Weems, Steven Hill, Darian Townes, Vincent Hunter, Charles Thomas, Gary Ervin, Patrick Beverly

Hogs fans will need to keep their media guides handy next year just to identify all the new faces. Coach John Pelphrey will essentially be starting over after losing so many key players, but he still has some talent to work with, and he’s hoping a talented freshmen class will be ready to step in right away.

The Hogs knew they would lose Weems and Ervin last year, but the loss of Beverly (reportedly due to academics) was salt in the wound. A talented combo guard, Beverly was destined to be the focal point of the Hogs’ offense; now he’ll play in Europe for a year or two before trying to make the NBA. The loss of Weems and Ervin hurt also. Weems was a terrific athlete capable of carrying the team at times last year, while Ervin was a steady playmaker who rarely got rattled. Pelphrey will first look to Stefan Welsh, who all of a sudden is the new face of the program. Welsh is a versatile guard, and they’ll need every bit of experience they can squeeze out of him. Freshmen Courtney Fortson and Rotnei Clark come in with reps as explosive scorers, and both will get the chance to prove that early.

Like in the backcourt, the Hogs have only one returning player with any experience up front, and they’ll need him to step up in a big way. Michael Washington has the versatility to be a good player in the league, and now he’ll get the minutes to prove it. To fill the rest of the holes, Pelphrey is again counting on freshmen, specifically Jason Henry, Montrell McDonald, Brandon Moore and Andre Clark. Henry is the best of the bunch, and he could start right away. Redshirt freshmen Michael Sanchez is also an option here, he’ll see plenty of minutes as well.

The Hogs certainly are bringing in some talent, but even the most optimistic fan can’t imagine a postseason run this year. There’s way too many question marks and way too much inexperience on the roster. They’ll be fun to watch, and they pull a few surprises along the way, but the Hogs are probably at least a year away from thinking about the postseason.

6) AUBURN

2007-08 results: 14-16

Players lost: Quan Prowell, Frank Tolbert

Thankfully, Tigers fans should at least be able to enjoy football season, because it doesn’t appear that basketball season will be any more enjoyable than it has been in recent years. The Tigers lost their best all-around player in Prowell, and just don’t have the horses to compete in the SEC this year. Barring some surprises, they’ll likely hover around the .500 mark once again.

The backcourt loses Tolbert, but returns nearly everyone else, making this the strength of the team. Quantez Robertson, Rasheem Barrett, DeWayne Reed and Larry Williams provide plenty of experience. Barrett was the team’s third-leading scorer last year, and Roberston led the team in assists, so the Tigers have talent coming back. But so far, that talent just hasn’t proved capable of consistently making the Tigers competitive. Until that happens, it’s hard to place a lot of stock into them, no matter how experienced they are.

Up front, the Tigers will look for Kovortney Barber to replace Prowell. Barber has been solid, but he’s hardly lived up to the hype he generated as an elite recruit, and he needs to play to his potential this year if the Tigers have any shot of winning. Barberr looked to be putting it together early last year before being lost to a broken hand. Lucas Hargrove is another solid player, albeit undersized, who the Tigers are counting on. Hargrove is a tough competitor and won’t back down. Beyond them, there’s a lot of newcomers the tigers will county on. Francis Alhe, Brandon Knox, Kenny Gabriel and Johnnie Lett are all at least 6’8”, and if the Tigers can get any contributions from them, it will be a plus.

The Tigers aren’t a bad team – just not necessarily a good one. They have some talented pieces, but they haven’t been able to put them together in the right way, and consistent play has been a pipe dream in recent seasons. It’s always possible that the light bulb will go on in Barber’s head, and he’ll provide a steady post player to complement the guard play. However, recent history says otherwise. Look for another season with as many wins as losses, and another postseason of sitting at home for the Tigers.

ALSO: Yesterday's SEC EAST PREVIEW

Ole Miss Basketball Preview: #46

Joel Welser — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:41:29 -0700

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Mississippi Rebels

Overall Rank: #46

Conference Rank: #5 SEC

2007-08: 24-11, 7-9, 3^rd West

2007-08 postseason: NIT

Coach Andy Kennedy has done a great job turning Mississippi into a successful program. During his two years in Oxford, Coach Kennedy has led the team to 45 victories. The 2007-2008 campaign started out great as the Rebels won their first 13 games. The season ended well too when Ole Miss made it to the semifinals of the NIT. The heart of schedule was not so good and it will take a consistent effort for this team to the reach the NCAA Tournament.

Who’s Out:

The experienced group on the perimeter will help with consistency, but the Rebels have some major contributors to replace in the frontcourt. Dwayne Curtis was the consistent scorer under the basket and averaged 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds his senior campaign. Kenny Williams was usually the starter next to Curtis. He was not as great of a scorer, but Williams still averaged 8.5 points per game, blocked the occasional shot and did his fair share of dirty work around the basket. When Williams was not on the floor, Jeremy Parnell usually was and now he is gone too. Little used Brian Smith is the only other departing senior, but Rodney Jones, Will Poole and Terrence Watson are not returning this season.

Who’s In:

Just about everybody who saw minutes in the frontcourt is gone and that means the group of newcomers better be ready to play. Terrance Henry highlights a decent class. The 6-9 forward will add a dynamic to the team that they have not had in a long time. He has the size of a forward, but the skills of a guard. He will step back and consistently hit the three-pointer and can even lead the fast break. If he is not starting in November, he probably will be by January. It would not be surprising to see Kevin Cantinol, DeAundre Cranston or Murphy Holloway starting at some point either. Cantinol added some muscle during his redshirt season in 2007-2008 and will have to at least clog the paint off the bench. Cranston is the most experienced option after spending a couple years at Daytona Beach Community College in Florida. Cranston is a wide bodied player who is a great rebounder. Holloway, at 6-7 and 215 pounds, is not your typical big man, but he is a good defender who can guard the four and five spots. Due to the lack of depth, he will probably see most of his minutes at the four spot, but ideally he would be a three. Shooting guard Terrico White and point guard Will Bogan are capable players, but they will have some time to learn from the more experienced players on the perimeter.

Who to Watch:

The top five returning scorers are guards. And all of them have starting experience. Chris Warren had an amazing freshman year, leading the team with 15.8 points and 4.5 assists. With a year of experience under his belt, the sky is the limit. And having David Huertas and Eniel Polynice on the wings makes Warren’s job easier. Like Warren, Huertas is a quality three-point shooter, but it is Polynice who will hold the team together this year. The 6-5 junior can get to the basket with ease and find his teammates, but it his ability to rebound that will help out the most this year. Polynice grabbed 5.3 boards per contest last season and with all the questions in the frontcourt, he will need to play a big part on the glass. With sharpshooting Trevor Gaskins and emerging sophomore Zach Graham on the bench, few teams in the SEC can match the talent and depth of the Ole Miss backcourt.

Final Projection:

Malcolm White only averaged 6.7 minutes per contest last year as a freshman, but he is the most experienced forward on the roster. White showed some promise early in the conference season, but his minutes decreased as the season progressed. If White and the newcomers struggle to take on a big role, the Rebels will not reach the NCAA Tournament. But if they can at least play a little defense and occasionally score, the backcourt has enough weapons to lead the way.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

Projected Starting Five:

Chris Warren, Sophomore, Guard, 15.8 points per game

David Huertas, Junior, Guard, 10.7 points per game

Eniel Polynice, Junior, Guard, 10.7 points per game

Malcolm White, Sophomore, Forward, 2.2 points per game

Terrance Henry, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2008-09 Preview & Awards | Coach Interviews | Discuss the Preview

State of '08: Mississippi

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:17:52 -0700

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Duke or Carolina? BC or UMASS? Gonzaga or Washington.. or Washington State? What is the best program in each state? While there's not much competition in Hawaii.. there are great debates to be had in loaded regions like California, North Carolina, and Texas. The State of '08 is a ranking of every program in every state.. based mostly on recent success (the last five years) mixed in with subjective factors such as conference prestige, historical success, and overall program direction.

For more info, check out the State of '08 introduction.

MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI STATE - MSU returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first since 2005, when they made 4 trips in a row. This year though, both Ole Miss and Southern Miss could/should be better teams.

OLE MISS - The Rebels don't have the best history when it comes to basketball. Outside of 2001's surprising Sweet Sixteen run, NCAA Tournament wins have been extremely rare. But the last two seasons have been solid under Andy Kennedy (despite last year's post 13-0 collapse), and a Tourney trip would not be a surprise in 2009.

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI - Many expected a swift turnaround under Larry Eustachy, but he enters his fifth season at USM without a postseason trip. While 19 & 20 wins looks impressive each of the last two years, the win totals have been padded with joke non-conference wins against DII teams and SWAC opponents.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE - They've met Jackson State in the SWAC finals the last two seasons, splitting the Tourney bids. MVSU was unfortunate to face UCLA in the first round, losing 70-29, and shooting just 19% from the field.. the lowest Tournament output in over 20 years. Still, MVSU hasn't finished below .500 in SWAC play since 2000.

JACKSON STATE - JSU is coming off two solid seasons. In 2007, they made the Big Dance, knocking off legit non-conference foes (a rarity for the SWAC) like UTEP, Rutgers, and UIC. Last year they were one basket away from a return trip.. losing to in-state rival MVSU. The Tigers should once again be in the running for the conference title in 2009.

6. ALCORN STATE - It wasn't that long ago that Alcorn was one of the better teams in the SWAC, making the Big Dance in 99 & 02 for example with consistent top of the table finishes. But the last four years have been brutal, with sub-300 RPIs. The Braves haven't won a non-conference game against a D1 team since December 2004.

Last: Michigan - Next: Missouri

State of '08: The Introduction (& State list/links)

Rise and Fall: SEC Program Review

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:58:57 -0700

Like civilizations, all great basketball programs eventually fall.. replaced by an upstart newcomer. In this week's Rise & Fall series, we'll take a look at which BCS programs are rising, falling, or merely treading water. Up today, the:

SEC

ALABAMA - DECLINING (SLOWLY )

Since 2002, when Bama was a Top 10 team, the results have steadily been going in the wrong direction. Last season was the low of the low, a 5-11 SEC record and a sub-100 RPI. Despite the graduation of Riley and the departure of Hendrix to the NBA, everyone expects improved play in 08-09 due to the return of Ronald Steele, and some intriguing prospects such as future pro Jamychal Green. Still, I see this as a make or break year for Gottfried and the Tide. Another sub-.500 season in SEC play and the big recruiting hauls will be harder to come by.. and Gottfried won't have a job.

ARKANSAS - STATUS QUO

A year or two ago, I would have said that the Razorbacks were an improving program. But now that the extremely lean 03-04-05 teams are in the past, the program has settled into being a middle of the SEC squad. Too many seniors depart to list them all, so what you're left with is Patrick Beverley and a whole bunch of recruits. While only 5 or 6 SEC wins should be expected, a return to the NCAA Tournament should be expected in the following season. Anything less and the 'Backs will return to the declining bin.

AUBURN - STATUS QUO

While Tiger fans have hoped for a breakout in recent seasons, it's simply not happening. Last year's experienced roster struggled to a disappointing 4-12 league record.. and their overall 14 win total was boosted by some brutally easy non-conference games. Though some solid recruits join the program in '08 and Andre Malone could be a steal in '09, there's simply no reason to expect anything spectacular this season. Another sub-100 RPI ranking (the 6th in a row) should be a lock.

FLORIDA - STATUS QUO

Even though last year's group exceeded the expectations of many, the so-so results broke a streak of eight Top 25 teams in a row from 2000 to 2007 (and 9 Tourney bids in a row as well). Led by Nick Calathes, a return to the Big Dance is a lock, and the Top 25 is certainly within reach. This year's class is easily the cream of the SEC's crop, and Billy Donovan is already lining them up for 2009. So long as Billy maintains the recruiting magic, there's no reason not to expect another long streak of Top 25 teams to commence.

GEORGIA - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

Last year's freak Tourney bid aside, this is still a program lacking any semblance of direction. Sundiata Gaines graduates, Billy Humphrey was finally dismissed after managing to clog up the court system by himself, and Jeremy Jacob (one of last year's big recruits) transferred. While the recruiting class, led by the highly-athletic Howard Thompkins, provides hope, there's not enough returning talent to even think that an NIT bid is in reason. Compared to the all-time bad 2005 season, anything is an improvement, but this might be the Dogs worst season since then.

KENTUCKY - RISING (SLOWLY)

Going purely by results, Kentucky is in the midst of a downward spiral since peaking in '03 & '04. But it would be misleading to suggest the program is declining. In reality, and this is mainly due to the respect I give Billy Gillispie, the program is now back on the up and up. While last year's tourney bid was simply not deserved, it's still an impressive feather for Gillispie's cap. With the program fully in his hands, big time recruits like Liggins and Miller aboard, and Patrick Patterson returning to full health, the Top 25 should be attainable.

LOUISIANA STATE - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

Considering the Tigers RPI has dropped from 13th in 2006 to 174th last year, the program might appear to be in a freefall. But I see this dip more as a result of some bad luck (players leaving school too early or getting hurt), as opposed to the utter collapse of LSU basketball. Getting a healthy Tasmin Mitchell back will be a major help, as will the handful of underrated recruits joining the program. An NIT bid is certainly within reason, which would be a major improvement over last year, but still worthy of the "Declining Slowly" category considering the Final Four run in 2006.

MISSISSIPPI - RISING (SLOWLY)

After starting the season 13-0, last year's putrid finish was a major downer. But its not enough to complete quash the positive momentum that's been building in recent seasons. Don't forget that this was a simply horrendous program from 03 to 06. With players like Chris Warren aboard, and one of their best recruiting classes ever about to step onto campus, the Rebels best seasons in almost a decade are just around the corner.

MISSISSIPPI STATE - STATUS QUO

In ten years under Rick Stansbury, the Bulldogs have never advanced past the 2nd Round. With so many important players departing, due to graduation (Rhodes), poor NBA decisions (Gordon), or transfer (Hansbrough), that streak will definitely continue. But hope springs eternal due to to the recruitment of Osby and Bost. While this could be one of the worst Bulldog teams in awhile, the program should continue to flutter in the fringe-NCAA/NIT range for awhile.

SOUTH CAROLINA - STATUS QUO

Darrin Horn did a great job at WKU, but he's got his hands full with a sputtering Gamecocks program. Perhaps its the curse of Coppin State, but South Carolina hasn't had a legitimately good team since 1997 when they lost in the opening round as a 2 seed. If Dave Odom was still around, SC would definitely be in the "Declining" category, but I'll give Darrin Horn the benefit of the doubt and assume he'll stop the bleeding.

TENNESSEE - RISING (SLOWLY)

The only reason Tennessee isn't rising quickly is because of the huge strides that have already been made. While a deep talent base and big-time recruiting prestige (see Scotty Hopson as an example) are now solidified, the next major step is busting through the Sweet Sixteen barrier. Despite a couple of senior departures, this could be Bruce Pearl's first Final Four team.

VANDERBILT - RISING (SLOWLY)

The Shan Foster era, which culminated in back to back 10-SEC win seasons, is over.. but the future is as bright as ever in Nashville. The impressive Aussie Ogilvy returns, and he'll be joined by what is probably Kevin Stallings' best ever recruiting class. For whatever reason, big-time prospects are taking Vandy more seriously now, which will lead to impressive results in the near future.

- Up Next: Rise & Fall: BCS -

Additional Resources:

Rise & Fall: ACC

Rise & Fall: Big East

Rise & Fall: Big Ten

Game Predictions: NIT Semifinals

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:10:24 -0700

A companion to our daily Three Stars of the Day, we present the top three Games of the Night.

UMASS (24-10) vs Florida (24-11)

7:00 PM ESPN2

You have to respect these teams for making to the Garden by actually winning road games. The win at Syracuse wasn't shocking for UMASS as they already beat the Orange at the Carrier Dome and generally had a better season. Florida's win was a bit more surprising considering the final 70-57 margin wasn't even close, it was across multiple time zones, and ASU had been very successful at home. UMASS will need a big effort from CHN Fourth Team All-American Gary Forbes, who has struggled during the NIT run. He's just 6-24 over his last two games, which won't cut it against a Billy Donovan team. The Gators are favored by 4 but I like the Minutemen.

Prediction: UMASS

Ole Miss (24-10) at Ohio State (23-13)

9:00 PM ESPN2

Ole Miss hasn't been very good away from home this season, but they did have to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg to get here. I don't put much stock into that win because I have little respect for the Hokies talent. Tonight should be a big challenge for the Rebels against an OSU team that returns to the Garden after playing here in the Preseason NIT. Unlike VT, Ohio State has similar strengths (PG & C) as Ole Miss. The individual Chris Warren vs Jamar Butler and Dwayne Curtis vs Kosta Koufous matchups should be worth watching.

Prediction: Ohio State

There's a CBI finals game tomorrow night, but really, does anyone care?

Previous Game of the Night (Predictions, 108-66)

March 24th - Dayton at Illinois State (3-0)

March 23rd - Davidson vs Georgetown (2-1)

March 21st - Davidson vs Gonzaga (0-3)

March 19th - New Mexico at California (1-2)

March 18th - Mt St Mary's vs Coppin State (2-1)

March 14th - Kansas vs Texas (2-1)

March 14th - St. Joseph's vs Temple (1-2)

March 13th - Ohio State vs Michigan State (2-1)

March 12th - Arizona State at USC (2-1)

March 12th - Syracuse vs Villanova (2-1)

March 11th - IUPUI at Oral Roberts (3-0)

March 10th - Gonzaga at San Diego (1-2)

March 9th - Florida at Kentucky (1-2)

March 8th - UNC at Duke (2-1)

March 5th - Tennessee at Florida (2-1)

March 4th - UNLV at New Mexico (3-0)

March 3rd - Texas Tech at Kansas (3-0)

March 2nd - Clemson at Maryland (1-2)

2008 NIT Capsule: Ole Miss

Joel Welser — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:52:37 -0700

Mississippi Rebels

Southeastern Conference (21-10, 7-9)

Big Wins: 11/13 South Alabama (81-78), 12/22 vs Clemson (85-82), 1/30 Vanderbilt (74-58)

Bad Losses: 2/2 South Carolina (77-80), 2/16 Auburn (78-90), 2/23 at LSU (49-69)

Coach: Andy Kennedy

Probable Starters:

Chris Warren, Freshman, Guard, 15.5 ppg, 4.5 apg

David Huertas, Sophomore, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg

Eniel Polynice, Sophomore, Guard, 10.8 ppg, 3.8 apg, 5.5 rpg

Kenny Williams, Senior, Forward, 8.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg

Dwayne Curtis, Senior, Center, 15.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg

Key Roleplayers:

Brian Smith, Senior, Guard, 1.0 ppg, 1.4 apg

Trevor Gaskins, Freshman, Guard, 6.4 ppg, 1.1 apg

Zach Graham, Freshman, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Jermey Parnell , Senior, Forward, 4.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Why They Can Surprise:

The Rebel’s backcourt is really young, but they have some dynamic scorers. Chris Warren, just a freshman, leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Warren hits nearly three three-pointers per contest, but he will do plenty of damage inside the arc as well. David Huertas is not as consistent of a scorer, but the sophomore can put up some big numbers when his shot is falling. Eniel Polynice does not depend on his shot falling and the wing will get to the basket effectively just about every day.

Polynice is a solid rebounder from the wing and with the experience in the front court, Mississippi is a great rebounding team. Dwayne Curtis leads the way with 9.4 boards per game and any time he does not get a double-double is a surprise. With fellow senior Kenny Williams by his side, Ole Miss will outrebound most teams they play. Williams is not as effective of a scorer as Curtis, but he still averages 8.1 points per game.

Why They Can Disappoint:

Despite the youth, turnovers are not a huge problem. However, on the defensive side of the ball, the youth really shows. The Rebels allow their opposition to shoot extremely well from the floor and if a team is patient with the ball, they will almost certainly find an open look against Mississippi. Free-throws are not as big of a concern, but still can be an issue. Most of the team is decent from the charity stripe, but Polynice, Williams and reserve Jeremy Parnell all hover around the 50 percent range. Coach Andy Kennedy will keep the ball out of their hands at the end of games, but that trio still gets to the free-throw line quite a bit and every point matters during the tournament.

Who To Watch:

Ten players have started at least one game this year, but most of that depth is in the backcourt. Curtis and Williams do a decent job of staying out of foul trouble, but Jeremy Parnell is the only other forward who sees quality minutes. When the starters need a break, it is up to Parnell to provide a presence in the paint. Freshmen Trevor Gaskins and Zach Graham can provide a spark off the bench. Gaskins is a solid three-point shooter, while Graham will usually work closer to the basket and help out on the glass.

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Beyond Beasley: Underrated Freshmen

Jason Brubaker — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:22:59 -0800

The success of the current freshmen class has been well documented. Between Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, Jerryd Bayless, Donte Green, and O.J. Mayo, the class boasts plenty of future lottery picks and likely NBA stars. Even the second-tier of players, guys like Jonny Flynn, Kyle Singler and Nick Calathes, have made major impacts, and will likely be suiting up for NBA squads sometime in the near future.

But there's another group of guys deserving of a little recognition also. Guys who maybe weren't considered "can't miss" prospects are making a huge impact on their teams as well. Here's a list of some players who might have been overlooked on the national stage, but who are making their fans plenty happy.

Robbie Hummel, F Purdue

A multi-talented forward, Hummel has been one of the keys to the Boilermakers surprising run this season. Although not a fantastic athlete, Hummel's combination of size and ball skills make him a tough match-up and his hard-nosed style of play has endeared him to fans. In a big home win over Michigan State, Hummel not only dropped 24 points, but he also provided the highlight of the game with his hustle. Chasing down a missed shot, Hummel managed to save it to a teammate as he was leaping out of bounds. Never once breaking stride, he came back-in bounds, spotted up at the three-point line, received the pass and drilled the shot, setting off the fans. With fellow freshmen E'Twaun Moore and Scott Martin also chipping in, these Boilers are going to be heard from for a long time.

Patrick Mills, G St, Mary

St. Mary's fans were plenty excited for "Patty" to join the team, and he hasn't left them disappointed. Mills, a slight point guard with excellent ball skills, was named Australia's Under-21 Player of the Year prior to this year, and he's quickly shown why. Mills leads the team in scoring at just over 15 points per game, including outbursts of 23 against Gonzaga and 37 against Oregon. Even more important, the Gaels are sitting at 23-3, and have found themselves in the Top 25 for most of the season. Mills may not possess Rose's athleticism, or Bayless' scoring ability, but there's little doubt the Gaels are pleased with their freshman point.

A.J. Ogilvy, C Vanderbilt

Like Mills, Vandy fans knew plenty about this recruit heading into the season, even if most of the basketball world didn’t. Ogilvy, a smooth center with a polished post game, has turned in a fantastic freshman campaign, averaging just over 17 points per game while helping Vandy to 23-4 record. Like fellow Aussie and former National Player of the Year Andrew Bogut, Ogilvy has tremendous body control under the basket, and his ball skills make him a tough match-up for most other bigs. Although not a fantastic athlete, he is a smart player who typically plays with the poise of an upperclassman…no surprise considering his performance at the Under-19 FIBA World Championships last summer, where he posted six double-doubles in nine games. Ogilvy’s size and talent have him fairly high on the NBA radar, but Vandy fans are hoping they can enjoy him a little longer.

Austin Daye, F Gonzaga

Gonzaga has always attracted elite talent who may have slipped just below the radar, and Daye is the perfect example of that. The son of former NBA player Darren Daye, Austin boasts a game similar to last year’s Player of the Year Kevin Durant, yet was lightly recruited compared to the Beasleys and Mayos. A lithe 6’10” forward, Daye has range that extends to the three-point line, and he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. His averages of 11 points and just under five rebounds on a balanced squad don’t do justice to his overall talent. Like many freshman, Daye has had his ups and downs as he adjusts the speed of the college game, but there’s no doubt he’s a special player. His small frame may be a hindrance at the next level, but for now, he’s got the makings of a future college star.

Chris Warren, G Mississippi

Another point guard who took a backseat to Rose and Bayless, Warren has been the catalyst for a surprising Ole Miss squad that zoomed to 13 straight victories to open the season. Lightly recruited largely because of his size (5’10”), Warren has more than held his own against bigger guards all season, posting averages of 15 points and nearly five assists per game. Included among those averages are a 24-point effort against Tennessee, 26 points against Arkansas, and a 20-point showing in a big win over Vandy. With the secret out, Warren will no longer sneak up on anybody, but with his talent, he may not have to.

Player of the Week: Dwayne Curtis

Jeff Borzello — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:24:03 -0800

After a dull period in which there were only few scattered great games and standout individual performances because of final exams, this past week more than made-up for it. Saturday was filled with Top-25 contests and must-see match-ups, and there were also plenty of quality games during the week. With the increase in important games came several impressive individual performances. Stanford’s Brook Lopez came back from academic suspension to make an immediate impact; Ohio State freshman Kosta Koufos led the Buckeyes to back-to-back wins; Shaun Pruitt of Illinois and K.C. Rivers of Clemson were impressive; and, of course, Michael Beasley had an absurd 40-point, 15-rebound game Saturday. But the best week of all came from one of the biggest surprise teams in the country – Mississippi and its senior center Dwayne Curtis.

Mississippi was 8-0 heading into the week, but there were many people across the country who were still skeptical of the Rebels, who hadn’t really beat anyone overly impressive. However, Ole Miss headed to Puerto Rico this weekend for the San Juan Shootout and went 3-0, including a solid win over previously unbeaten Clemson. The main catalyst was the 6-foot-8 Curtis, who scored 19 points and had nine rebounds in the championship game against the Tigers. Curtis also put up 21 and seven against DePaul and 14 and five against a game La Salle team. He shot 61% from the field and 88% from the free-throw line in three games.

On the season, Curtis is averaging 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and is shooting 68% from the field and 81% from the charity stripe. The Rebels wrap up 2007 against Southern Miss and open 2008 with Alabama A&M, but Curtis and Mississippi will certainly be pushed once the SEC opens up on Jan. 9 vs. Tennessee. Will the Rebels be able to continue their undefeated run, and can Curtis continue his dominance down low?

2007-08 Collegehoops.net Players of the Week

December 16th - Gary Forbes, SR, F, UMASS

December 9th - Joe Alexander, JR, F, West Virginia

December 2nd - Jerryd Bayless, FR, G, Arizona

November 25th - DJ Augustin, SO, G, Texas

November 18th - Jon Brockman, JR, F, Washington
November 11th - Michael Beasley, FR, F, Kansas State

SEC Player & Freshman of the Week

Press Release — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:52:07 -0800

SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Dwayne Curtis, Ole Miss
C * 6-8 * 262 * Sr. * Chicago, Ill.

Curtis posted season highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds in helping Ole
Miss remain perfect at 8-0 on the year with a hard-fought 76-71 win over
Winthrop in a neutral-site game in Jackson, Miss.

He has collected four double-doubles in the last six games.

The senior center finished three points shy of his career high and
made good on 10-of-12 from the floor to improve his season field-goal
percentage to .712, which ranks second in the SEC.

Leads the team with 14.8 points per game, while Ole Miss as a team is
tied for second in the nation with North Carolina at 89.9 points per
game.

Curtis' Season Stats
PPG RPG APG BPG SPG
14.8 8.4 0.9 0.0 1.5

SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Brian Williams, Tennessee
C * 6-10 * 267 * Fr. * Bronx, N.Y.

Williams recorded his first career double-double with career-highs of
16 points and 14 rebounds in Tennessee's 88-82 win over Western
Kentucky.

Seven of his 14 rebounds were at the offensive end and his 14 rebounds
were the most by a Vol since Vincent Yarbrough had 15 during the 2000-01
season.

Leads Tennessee with 5.7 rebounds per game. Entered the Western
Kentucky game averaging 2.8 points and 4.3 rebounds and hadn't played in
UT's previous two games.

Williams' Season Stats
PPG RPG APG BPG SPG
4.7 5.7 0.4 0.6 0.3

Daily Poll: Most Surprising Undefeated Team?

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:11:21 -0800