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Ole Miss Basketball: Andy Kennedy Departs Basketball Team Immediately

By Daniel Skipper

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 6: Head coach Andy Kennedy of the Mississippi Rebels reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 6, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Mississippi 89-86 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 6: Head coach Andy Kennedy of the Mississippi Rebels reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on January 6, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Mississippi 89-86 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Many Ole Miss basketball fans were shocked when Andy Kennedy announced Sunday he was leaving the team effective immediately.

It’s been a very tumultuous 2017-18 season for Ole Miss basketball (11-16, 4-10). From the outset of the season things have gradually gotten worse for the Rebels as they’ve slugged their way thru a rough season. As of right now, the Rebels have not won a true road game. The Rebels have lost 7 consecutive games and are now without head coach Andy Kennedy.

Andy Kennedy and Ole Miss basketball saw an embarrassing loss to Miss State on Saturday night Andy Kennedy who had already announced he would be leaving at the end of the season quit the team Sunday. He announced it would be effective immediately. Of course, this may have surprised some Ole Miss fans. However, for others it was seen coming.

https://twitter.com/OleMissMBB/status/965337088244748288

Saturday night coach Andy Kennedy looked defeated. There was no fire from the head coach we’ve watched over the last 12 seasons. Andy Kennedy looked a lot like the Ole Miss basketball team Saturday night; he looked lost and out-of-place. Of course, many Ole Miss fans saw it during the game and especially in his interview following the game. Whether this was actually a good step moving forward for the team remains to be seen, however this has to be the right thing for Andy Kennedy and his family.

Where We Stand

Ole Miss Rebels Basketball
Ole Miss Rebels Basketball /

Ole Miss Rebels Basketball

For the rest of the 2017-2018 season Ole Miss basketball will fall under interim head coach Tony Madlock. If the Rebels don’t win another game this season we will still have to move forward.

Of course, this team seems to have thrown in the towel on this season. They gave up weeks ago according to their record. Even when it was announced Kennedy would stay until the end of the season they couldn’t will a win for him.

Of course, Kennedy’s immediate departure allows whatever happens to Ole Miss basketball to occur without him in the picture. Athletics Director Ross Bjork will be able to get busy finding Kennedy’s permanent replacement and then the basketball team can move forward on a positive note.

This teams needs something positive to happen in the very near future. Whether it’s simply competing on the court for the rest of the season. Of course, a win would work wonders for the confidence and morale of this team. Maybe the Rebels will find the will to win under Madlock. They definitely couldn’t find it under Andy Kennedy.

Where We Stand

Right now Ole Miss basketball sits in the cellar of the SEC in last place. With only 4 regular season games and the SEC tourney remaining the Rebels are running out of chances to get some relief. Of course, the Rebels can’t move down any lower than they already are. Everything from this point is a move up if they really want to play better. I believe this team can win if they truly want to win. If Andy Kennedy was the problem then they should be better at this point.

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Of course, Ole Miss basketball is back on the road again for a Tuesday night match-up with the Missouri Tigers (18-9, 8-6)in Columbia. Tip-off is set for 8pm CT and the game will be televised on ESPN2. Good luck to coach Madlock and the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!

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