Ole Miss Basketball: What We Learned vs. Memphis
Ole Miss got a 85-77 win over Memphis in The Pavilion on Saturday. What did we learn from the game for the Rebels?
Andy Kennedy called the win over Memphis a ‘must-win game’ in his post game press conference Saturday after Ole Miss defeated the Tigers. The Rebels were coming off a 77-62 loss to Middle Tennessee State in which they found themselves down 29 at halftime.
So what did we find out from the Rebels in their win? It was a must win game with the trip to Blacksburg looming on Sunday against Virginia Tech. Find out more here.
Mar 5, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Sebastian Saiz (11) passes the ball in front of Tennessee Volunteers guard Devon Baulkman (34) during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Rebels won 83 to 60. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Senior Sebastian Saiz really stepped up against a talented,long and athletic front court that Memphis presented against Ole Miss. Saiz accounted for 20 points and also grabbed 16 rebounds in the win.
The only negatives in his stat line were the four fouls and playing 38 minutes. Those two kind of go hand-in-hand. Ole Miss does not have much behind Saiz, so it is critical for him to stay out of foul trouble. It would be nice if a Karlis Salins or Marcanvis Hymon could give Saiz more of a breather during games.
Jan 7, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Andy Kennedy addresses the crowd thanking them for their attendance after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Freshman Breein Tyree has brought energy to the point guard position as of late. Tyree drew a start against Memphis and scored six points, knocking down two threes.
But it was his hustle and energy that provided a spark, especially early on. The Rebels desperately needed someone to provide that energy and create some momentum for the rest of the game and Tyree was the one to do just that.
Feb 16, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Rasheed Brooks (14) scores a basket during the first half as Texas A&M Aggies guard Alex Caruso (21) defends at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The resiliency of this team eight games in cannot be questioned. When things seem to be going south in the second half of games, they always seem to have the answer. That was no different on Saturday. The Rebels got behind after leading by 12 against the Tigers.
Perhaps the biggest stat of the game was Ole Miss shooting 28-of-33 from the free throw line. That is very encouraging for the Rebels moving forward.
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