There wasn’t too much to be excited about
last year for the Rebels, but this season the newcomers are
creating some buzz at Mississippi. Ole Miss lost four starters,
but sometimes that isn’t a horrible thing for a team that went
4-12 in conference.
Who’s Out:
Tommie Eddie was the big time scorer for Ole Miss, with a team
high 11.3 points per game. He also was tied for the team high in
rebounds, with 4.4 per outing. Kendrick Fox, Justin Johnson and
Cavadas Nunnery all started at least 22 games each. None were
prolific scorers for the Rebels, averaging 7.6, 5.5 and 3.1
points per game, respectively. Forward Marvin Moore started
seven contests, averaging 5.7 points per game. Also heading out
of Oxford are seldom used Lonnie Jackson and Chris Rhodes.
Who’s In:
With four starters gone, the newcomers will have plenty of
opportunity to earn a starting role sooner or later. Bobby Clark
is an athletic 6-6 guard with a sweet stroke from downtown.
Shooting guard Clarence Sanders, a transfer from Okaloosa-Walton
(FL) Community College, has the experience needed for the Rebels
backcourt. Head Coach Rod Barnes’ frontcourt gets five solid
players to finally add some depth under the basket. Power
forwards Xavier Webb, Trey Hampton and Mike Smith will see some
minutes. Webb, at 6-9 200 pounds, has the most potential. He’s a
solid shot blocker and rebounder, which is much needed in
Oxford. Chicago native Marquis Young will also be a future force
for the Rebel frontcourt, but it will be Dwayne Curtis who is
expected to make an immediate impact. Curtis, a transfer from
Auburn, started five games two years ago for the Tigers,
averaging 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds. The 6-9, 235 pound center
could be starting from day one.
Who to Watch:
It isn’t all about the newcomers. Londrick
Nolen started 26 games last year, Todd Abernethy was named the
SEC sixth man of the year, Brandon Patterson saw quality minutes
as a freshman and Jeremy Parnell shined during the Sports Reach
Squad’s off-season tour of the Far East. Abernethy averaged 8.3
points and 2.6 assists per contest and will need to be a
backcourt leader now that he is an upperclassman.
Projected Conference Rank:
Placing 10th overall in the SEC isn’t too
bad. It’s still a ways away from making a post season
tournament, but a step in the right direction. The newcomers
will need to fill in and make a lot of noise early and often for
Ole Miss to make a charge in the SEC.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
none\
Projected Starting Five:
Todd Abernethy, Junior, Guard, 8.3 points
per game
Clarence Sanders, Junior, Guard, DNP last
season
Brandon Patterson, Sophomore, Guard, 5.1
points per game
Londrick Nolen, Senior, Forward, 9.8
points per game
Dwayne Curtis, Sophomore, Center, DNP last
season
