Just over 24 hours after Ole Miss basketball head coach Andy Kennedy announced he was stepping down the Rebels faced the Razorbacks.
Tuesday night with just six games left in the 2017-18 season Ole Miss basketball (11-15, 4-8) had to face the Arkansas Razorbacks (18-8, 7-6). Of course, this happened to be just after Andy Kennedy announced he was stepping down as Ole Miss head coach at season’s end. As much as many hoped the final six games would be a swan song of sorts for Kennedy, luck just wouldn’t have it begin tonight.
The Rebels entered the game next to last in the SEC and on a five game losing streak. The Rebels last loss was on the road at LSU where they dropped a 82-66 decision. Of course, Arkansas was on a two game win streak after they defeated Vandy 72-54. After Kennedy’s presser yesterday the stage was set against the Hogs who were 1-6 on the road. However, the Rebels couldn’t close against the Razorbacks.
Ole Miss and Arkansas both started the game on a sluggish note. It took both teams awhile to get in the groove and begin to produce on the offensive ends of the court. The Rebels did get off to good start once rolling and had a 5 point lead at one point. However, the Rebels allowed Arkansas to get a late run in the half and the Hogs led 34-23 at the break. In the second half the Rebels paced the Hogs scoring 41-41 however they couldn’t erase the 11 point deficit from the first half. The Rebels fell at home to the Hogs 74-63 for their sixth consecutive loss.
Team Numbers
Ole Miss Rebels Basketball
In the game against Arkansas the Rebels continued to struggle shooting from the field. In the last five games the Rebels had suffered with inconsistency and poor shooting. Of course, it continued against the Hogs. Ole Miss was only 18 of 62 for 29.0% while the Hogs shot 26 of 62 or 41,9% from the field.
Another area which the Rebels also continue to struggle is from the three-point line. The Rebels shot slightly better than Arkansas from distance going 8 of 25 for 32.0%. The Hogs shot 7 of 23 for 30.4% from the arc. Although the Rebels began the season strong from the 3-point line they have seen a lull in shooting from distance over the past 6 games.
One area the Rebels have thrived at is from the free throw line. Of course, over the past few games it has declined as well and it was bad against Arkansas. The Rebels went to the charity stripe 31 times and only made 20 of their shots for 64.5%. The Hogs shot 16 of 27 for 59.3%.
Rebels Individual Numbers
Against the Razorbacks Ole Miss basketball had two Rebels who scored in double-digits. Senior Deandre Burnett once again led all Rebels scoring with 24 point while Markel Crawford added 17 points. Burnett also had 3 rebounds and 2 assists while Crawford added 5 boards, 2 assist and a steal. Burnett continues to play hard for the Rebels and Crawford has really stepped up over the past few games.
Breein Tyree and Terence Davis each added 6 points against the Hogs. Tyree also had 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Davis had an incredible 13 boards while also getting 2 assists and a steal. Marcanvis Hymon and Bruce Stevens each added 4 points in the game, Hymon also had 8 boards, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot while Stevens had 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Devontae Shuler finished out scoring for the Rebels with 3 points while also getting 1 rebound and 1 assist. Although he was scoreless in the game Justas Furmanavicius had 5 rebounds and a steal.
Up Next
Coach Andy Kennedy and Ole Miss basketball are running out of chances to finish this season on a positive note. With just five games left in the regular season the Rebels need a really good win. However the Rebels are win-less on the road this season and their next game is on the road. Even tho it’s close to Oxford the game won’t be easy.
This Saturday night Ole Miss basketball will travel to Starkville to take on the Miss State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face Vandy tonight on the road so we’ll see how they come into the Ole Miss game in our preview later. Tip-off from The Hump this Saturday is set for 7:30pm CT. Hotty Toddy!