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Ole Miss Basketball: NCAA Tournament Proving Rebels Deserved a Bid

By K. L. Williams

Feb 18, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels guard Deandre Burnett (1) dribbles the ball as guard Terence Davis (3) looks on in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels guard Deandre Burnett (1) dribbles the ball as guard Terence Davis (3) looks on in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 98-80. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Breein Tyree (4)  forward Sebastian Saiz (11)  Rebels forward Marcanvis Hymon (5)  guard Deandre Burnett (1) and Mississippi Rebels guard Terence Davis (3) look on as free throw shots are being taken after a technical foul called against them during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Missouri Tigers 80-77. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Breein Tyree (4)  forward Sebastian Saiz (11)  Rebels forward Marcanvis Hymon (5)  guard Deandre Burnett (1) and Mississippi Rebels guard Terence Davis (3) look on as free throw shots are being taken after a technical foul called against them during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi Rebels defeat the Missouri Tigers 80-77. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Ole Miss Built For Tournament Play

Ole Miss literally have four legitimate scorers on the floor at one time. They have a double-double machine in the middle. The Rebels have quick guards that can both slash to the basket and pull up from outside and hit a three. They have a spark plug off the bench. There is another big guy that is will to do all the garbage stuff.

This team is built to make a run in the tournament. True, at times there are defensive lapses. There are also untimely turnovers. However, the Rebels have shown in the NIT that they have enough fire power to score with many teams in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, they would be a match up nightmare for several teams.

My Final Thoughts

I’m not saying by the common train of thought that the Rebels should be in the tournament. What I question is the selection of these teams. I question how they decide who is worthy. Playing basketball in a major conference comes with its pitfalls.

How does a team in the bottom half of their major conference or under .500 in conference wins, get a shot at the National Title, while one who is better in both those numbers get left out? Maybe the criteria of what constitutes a qualified at-large team may need reevaluation. However, either way I think it’s clear that Ole Miss deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament over a few of the teams that actually made it in.

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