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June 23rd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Mississippi
Rebels
Overall Rank:
#138
Conference
Rank: #12 SEC
2005-06:
14-16, 4-12, 5th (t) West
2005-06
postseason: none
 The
Rod Barnes era at Mississippi is over and the Rebel faithful
look forward to a change. Oxford isn’t the easiest place to
win, but Andy Kennedy will bring a welcome transformation. The
winning ways won’t start immediately, but the future is finally
looking promising.
Who’s Out:
Londrick Nolen is the only player lost to graduation. The
forward started 17 games, averaging 8.6 points and 4.5
rebounds. A trio of transfers will take away a little
experience off of the Rebel’s bench. Brandon Patterson is a
solid three-point shooter and had a great freshman campaign, but
the guard only averaged 2.8 points per game last year as a
sophomore. Forward Mike Smith earned one start as a freshman
before opting to continue his collegiate career elsewhere. He
averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 boards and could be a great fit in a
different system. Center Marquis Young only saw limited minutes
in ten appearances as a freshman.
Who’s In:
Justin
Cerasoli, a transfer from Seton Hall, is the big name newcomer.
The 6-5 point guard averaged 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5
assists and earned ten starts during his only season with the
Pirates. Cerasoli is expected to step in immediately and start
from day one. The frontcourt could use some depth and it will
receive some with Kenny Williams and Andy Ogide. Last year
Williams posted 17.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks at St.
Petersburg Community College. Williams will provide an athletic
presence to the power forward spot. Ogide, another 6-8 power
forward, might not see too many minutes as a freshman, but he is
versatile enough to fill in off the bench at multiple
positions. Guard Rodney Jones can play anywhere in the
backcourt. Ideally, the 6-4, Alexandria, Louisiana native will
see minutes as a shooting guard.
Who to Watch:
Junior center Dwayne Curtis was a welcome addition last year
after transferring from Auburn. The 6-8, Chicago native
averaged a team high 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last
season. Look for more of the same from the big man this year.
Curtis has a wide frame and can battle underneath with just
about anybody. Ole Miss will need him to be a force in the
paint to compete in the SEC.
Final
Projection:
While things
might look grim with a projected 12th place overall
finish in the SEC, the Rebels have the ingredients to be a
surprise team. Clarence Sanders and Bam Doyne anchor a suddenly
experienced backcourt, sophomore forward Trey Hampton has the
potential to become a big time player under Andy Kennedy and
Jeremy Parnell returns to his spot beside Curtis up front.
With Coach Kennedy bringing his new system into the Oxford, the
Rebels may pull off a surprise or two, but the better things
will come in the following years.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Justin Cerasoli,
Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Clarence
Sanders, Senior, Guard, 9.1 points per game
Bam Doyne,
Senior, Guard, 9.0 points per game
Jeremy Parnell,
Junior, Forward, 4.8 points per game
Dwayne Curtis,
Junior, Center, 13.6 points per game
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