Ole Miss Basketball: Rebels Hunt Twentieth Win Against Tennessee

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 20: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders looks on before the game against the Syracuse Orange during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 20, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 20: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders looks on before the game against the Syracuse Orange during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 20, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Coach Kermit Davis and Ole Miss basketball will be back in action this Wednesday evening as they hunt their twentieth win against No.7 Tennessee.

Coach Kermit Davis and Ole Miss basketball (19-8, 9-5) will face their toughest opponent thus far Wednesday night when they face No.7 Tennessee (24-3, 12-2). While the Rebels picked up their nineteenth win Saturday in a 72-71 shootout with Georgia, this midweek may not be so easy. Still the Rebels will be hunting their twentieth win of the season.

Tennessee is a very good team and has the best overall record in the SEC despite falling 80-82 to LSU in overtime this past Saturday. Most of the time OHT looks at the oppositions big wins and Tennessee has some but when you look at their losses then you see what a tough team the Vols really are. The Vols three losses came to Kansas, Kentucky and most recently LSU. We will take a closer look at Tennessee and some of their key players.

Vols Key Players

Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss Rebels

When you think of talented Vols players you have to be immediately drawn to a number of familiar names as a college basketball fan. Junior forward Grant Williams is the UT and SEC leader in points per game averaging 19.0 points per contest. Williams is also the Vols team leader in rebounds with 7.6 and steals with 1.1 per game each.

Senior forward Kyle Alexander leads the Vols in both field goal percentage and blocks. Alexander averages 1.9 blocks per game while hitting 64% of his shots from the field. Alexander also averages 8.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Junior guard Jordan Bone leads the Vols in assists with 6.3 per game while averaging 13.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Senior guard Admiral Schofield averages 16.9 points per game which puts him at No.4 in the SEC in scoring while averaging 6.4 rebounds per game.

Observations

While there is little disputing the Vols being a very good team they can be beaten. The Vols three losses have all been road games which should bode well for Ole Miss since we know there will be a rowdy crowd in The Pavilion Wednesday night. Still the Rebels will have to be great on both ends of the court to have a chance against Tennessee.

The Rebels must play aggressive clean defense and create turnovers and then score points off turnovers. If the Rebels can play mistake free basketball and minimize turnovers and poor shots then the Rebels have a shot at a win.

Tipoff from The Pavilion for the Wednesday night matchup between Ole Miss basketball and Tennessee is set for 6pm CT. The game can be viewed via the SEC Network. Good luck to coach Kermit Davis and the Rebels. BEAT THE VOLS! Hotty Toddy!