From UM Media Relations:
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss men's basketball will welcome in non-conference foe Kansas State for the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT inside The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss and live on ESPNU.
PROMOTIONS
• Mario Kart on the videoboard pregame for Club Red members
• BabyDega 500 at halftime
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (10-10, 2-6 SEC)
Head Coach: Kermit Davis • 4th Season at Ole Miss (61-52) • 530-315 career record (27th Season)
Kansas State Wildcats (10-9, 2-6 Big 12)
Head Coach: Bruce Weber • 10th Season at K-State (180-139) • 493-299 career record (24th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: ESPNU
Play-by-Play: Mike Morgan
Color: Joe Kleine
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SiriusXM
XM: 382
SiriusXM App: 972
BIG 12/SEC CHALLENGE COMES TO OXFORD
Ole Miss and Kansas State will square off in the Big 12/SEC Challenge for the third time this Saturday, the seventh total game for Ole Miss in the conference clash since it began in 2012-13. The Rebels are 0-6 in the Challenge, with two losses to Kansas State in 2013 (61-58) and 2016 (69-64), additional home losses to TCU in 2014 (66-54), No. 5 Baylor in 2017 (78-75) and No. 24 Iowa State in 2019 (87-73), and an additional road loss at Texas in 2018 (85-72).
All 10 of the Big 12's teams and 10 of the SEC's 14 member institutions will participate in this season's event. Each of the 10 SEC teams that participate in the 2022 Challenge will be a part of the 2023 event. The SEC won the 2021 SEC/Big 12 Challenge by winning five of the nine games played. The SEC holds a 25-24 advantage over the last five years of the event. This will be the seventh year that a bye in the league schedule for participating teams was created to accommodate the single-day format. The first two years of the challenge were played over several days in November and December but the last six events have been consolidated to one single day in January. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise the contests.
Ole Miss All-Time, Big 12/SEC Challenge (0-6)
Dec. 5, 2013 - at Kansas State - L, 61-58
Dec. 4, 2014 - vs. TCU - L, 66-54
Jan. 30, 2016 - vs. Kansas State - L, 69-64
Jan. 28, 2017 - vs. #5 Baylor - L, 78-75
Jan. 27, 2018 - at Texas - L, 85-72
Jan. 26, 2019 - vs. #24 Iowa State - L, 87-73
2022 Big 12/SEC Challenge (January 29, 2022)
No. 4 Baylor at Alabama
West Virginia at Arkansas
Oklahoma at No. 1 Auburn
Oklahoma State at Florida
No. 12 Kentucky at No. 5 Kansas
No. 19 LSU at TCU
Kansas State at Ole Miss
Mississippi State at No. 13 Texas Tech
Missouri at No. 23 Iowa State
No. 18 Tennessee at Texas
SERIES HISTORY VS. KANSAS STATE
Ole Miss holds a 3-2 advantage all-time against Kansas State, with the series tied 1-1 both in Oxford and Manhattan, and the Rebels holding a 1-0 edge in neutral site games after a Nov. 20, 2009 victory over the Wildcats in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That stands as the last Rebel win over K-State, however, as the Wildcats have taken the last two meetings in 2013 (61-58) and 2016 (69-64), both part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge that began in 2012-13.
SCOUTING KANSAS STATE
K-State comes into Oxford at 10-9 overall and 2-6 in Big 12 play, with a current NET rating of 68 after posting a 3-9 record against Quad 1 (2-7) and Quad 2 (1-2), and a perfect 7-0 record against Quad 3 (1-0) and Quad 4 (6-0). The Wildcats played a solid non-conference schedule, battling No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois to identical eight-point losses at 72-64. K-State also notched a win over Wichita State (65-59) and narrowly toppled Marquette, falling 64-63 on Dec. 8. In conference action, the two Wildcat victories were big ones, as K-State consecutively took down ranked foes No. 19 Texas Tech on Jan. 15 (62-51) and No. 23 Texas (66-65) on Jan. 18. K-State almost tallied a third straight ranked win, but fell by just three to No. 7 Kansas on Jan. 22, 78-75. The Wildcats' road does not look any easier, as K-State owns the NCAA's 10th-toughest future strength of schedule at a winning percentage of .705.
The Wildcats possess a formidable perimeter defense, leading the Big 12 and ranking fifth in the NCAA three-point defense (.266). K-State also leads the Big 12 in fewest turnovers per game at just 11.5.
Leading the way for K-State is Nijel Pack, who averages 16.5 points (No. 4 Big 12), 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.2 percent overall, 42.1 percent from three at an average of 3.1 threes per contest, as well as 88.6 percent from the free throw line. His threes per game average of 3.1 ranks second in the Big 12 and 27th in the NCAA. Markquis Nowell also averages double-digit scoring at 12.2 points, but his Big 12-leading 2.4 steals per game ranks ninth in the nation, and his 5.3 assists per game ranks second in the conference and 26th in the NCAA.
LAST MEETING: Jan. 30, 2016 (L, 69-64, in Oxford)
• Ole Miss: 39.3 percent overall, 40 from three
• K-State: 46 percent overall, won rebounding 36-29
• Anthony Perez: 13 points
• Stefan Moody: 10 points
LAST WIN: Nov. 20, 2009 (W, 86-74, in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Semifinal of O'Reily Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off
• Advanced to the title game to take on No. 5 Villanova (L, 79-67)
• Beat Indiana the previous round, 89-71
• Ole Miss: 63 percent in the second half
• Chris Warren: 27 points
• Terrico White: 25 points
• Eniel Polynice: 13 points
• Murphy Holloway: 10 points, 10 rebounds
LAST TIME OUT (vs. Arkansas: L, 64-55)
• Ole Miss held to 34.5 percent shooting, 22.2 from three
• Arkansas: 48 percent overall, 44.4 from three
• Arkansas' JD Notae (25) and Jaylin Williams (18) combined for 43 points
• 13-0 second half Arkansas run
• Four Rebels in double-digit scoring: Matthew Murrell (14), Nysier Brooks (10), Tye Fagan (10), Daeshun Ruffin (10)
• Rebels won rebounding battle, 33-31
• Ole Miss: 13-of-13 from free throw line, the second perfect game of at least 10 attempts this season and fourth in school history
HISTORIC SHOWINGS AT THE FREE THROW LINE
Ole Miss has now recorded half of its perfect free throw shooting games with at least 10 attempts in this season alone following a perfect 15-of-15 showing against No. 4 Auburn on Jan. 15 and a follow-up 13-of-13 clip against Arkansas on Jan. 26. Those constitute just the third and fourth games in Ole Miss history to not miss a free throw attempt with at least 10 tries, joining a school record 22-of-22 effort against South Alabama on Nov. 18, 2008 and a 10-of-10 performance against Mississippi State on Feb. 28, 1959. Both games stand as the best free throw performances in the SEC this season, and the 15-of-15 outing against Auburn ranks among just 11 perfect performances in the NCAA this season with at least 15 made free throws:
1. Villanova - 26-26 (vs. Howard, Nov. 16)
2. Long Beach State - 17-17 (vs. UC Santa Barbara, Jan. 13)
2. Montana - 17-17 (vs. Air Force, Dec. 8)
2. Detroit Mercy - 17-17 (vs. Hofstra, Nov. 27)
5. Villanova - 16-16 (vs. Georgetown, Jan. 22)
5. Grambling - 16-16 (vs. MVSU, Jan. 22)
5. Valparaiso - 16-16 (vs. Illinois State, Jan. 2)
5. Purdue Fort Wayne - 16-16 (vs. Wright State, Dec. 2)
9. Ole Miss - 15-15 (vs. Auburn, Jan. 15)
9. Miami (Ohio) - 15-15 (vs. Western Michigan, Jan. 15)
9. Charleston Southern - 15-15 (vs. Clemson, Nov. 26)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
After not getting to the line very often to start the season, the Rebels have been getting to the charity stripe and using it to great effect in the process. After starting the season just 17-of-31 (.548) from the free throw line amid three straight single-digit performances, Ole Miss has only been held to single digits five times in the succeeding 16 games at a combined line of 210-of-285 (.737) since playing Elon on Nov. 19 -- averaging 12.4 free throws made per game in that stretch. During its three-game winning streak that started on Nov. 26 vs. MVSU, Ole Miss went 54-of-76 (.711) -- which accounted for 25 percent of all Rebel scoring during the streak -- and over its last four wins over Middle Tennessee (13-20), Dayton (16-21), Mississippi State (13-18) and Florida (16-20), the Rebels have shot 58-of-79 (.734). In SEC play, Ole Miss ranks second in the conference at a clip of .769, and over its past two games vs. Florida (16-20) and Arkansas (13-13) the Rebels are shooting 29-of-33 (.879) from the charity stripe.
OLE MISS CAN'T MISS
The Rebels were absolutely on fire in the second half against Florida on Jan. 22, going 17-of-23 in the latter 20 minutes for a second-half clip of 73.9 percent. That stands as the first 70 percent second half by a Rebel team since shooting 72 percent (18-25) vs. San Diego on Nov. 28, 2018 and first vs. an SEC opponent since shooting 71.4 percent (15-21) vs. Auburn on Feb. 7, 2015. Furthermore, that stands as the best second-half percentage by a Rebel team since shooting 75 percent (21-28) vs. Centenary on Dec. 23, 2009, and the best in conference play since shooting 75 percent (18-24) vs. Alabama on March 1, 2008. The second half vs. Florida was the best back half by Ole Miss this season by more than 16 percentage points over its previous best of 57.5 vs. Charleston Southern on Nov. 12.
STEPPING UP
Ole Miss has been without senior stalwart Jarkel Joiner since Dec. 21 vs. Samford, and in the seven succeeding games several Rebels have stepped up to fill in for his sorely-missed presence and production. In that eight-game stretch, Matthew Murrell is leading with 15.8 points per game in addition to a 51.2 percent clip from the field, a 50.0 percent effort from beyond the arc, 2.8 threes, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Murrell has also hit multiple threes in seven of those eight games, hitting three or more four times, four or more twice and a perfect 5-of-5 line vs. Mississippi State in a career-high 31-point outing on Jan. 8. Freshman Daeshun Ruffin, who has tallied all eight of his career starts in place of Joiner at the point guard position since his injury, has tallied 11.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 steals and has shot 80.6 percent from the free throw line. Nysier Brooks is also averaging double figures at 10.6 points and 8.1 boards per game, in addition to 1.6 blocks per contest.
FURIOUS STARTS FOR MURRELL
Sophomore Matthew Murrell has been a prolific scorer as of late for the Rebels, but he has been even more lethal from the jump in SEC play. In the first half during conference play, Murrell is averaging 9.3 points and 1.9 threes made while shooting lights-out clips of 57.8 percent overall, 60.0 from three and 77.8 from the free throw line. Murrell put together an absurd first half against Mississippi State on Jan. 8, dropping 23 of his eventual 31 points in the opening 20 minutes. That first half performance was the best by a Rebel against an SEC opponent since Stefan Moody poured in 24 in the opening frame against State on March 2, 2016.
SERIOUS MINUTES IN SEC PLAY
Ole Miss has received tremendous effort out of both Matthew Murrell and Nysier Brooks in SEC play, with both ranking within the top-10 in SEC-only minutes played. Murrell ranks second at 35.0 minutes per contest, while Brooks comes in at No. 8 at 33.0. In non-conference action, the duo combined for only 24 minutes per game, with Brooks averaging 25.9 and Murrell averaging 22.1.
OFF THE LINE
It's been difficult to damage the Rebels from distance this season, as Ole Miss has held eight of its last 14 opponents to 30 percent or lower from beyond the arc -- including four of eight SEC foes. In six wins of that stretch against Rider (2-of-13), No. 18 Memphis (2-of-11), Middle Tennessee (3-of-27), Dayton (4-18), Mississippi State (3-16) and Florida (4-29), Rebel opponents shot a combined 18-of-114 (.158). The Rebels rank 31st nationally and second in the SEC with a season opposing three-point clip of 29.2 percent, and Ole Miss also ranks fourth in the conference in SEC-only three-point defense at 29.1. In the Kermit Davisera, Ole Miss is 31-17 when holding opponents to 30 percent or lower and 49-27 when holding opponents below 40 percent from deep.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN
Doubling-down on that lockdown three-point defense, Ole Miss currently stands as one of two schools in the SEC to be ranked within the top-four of the SEC-only three-point shooting (No. 2, .352) and three-point defense (No. 4, .291) categories. Ole Miss has found its stroke from three-ball land again just in time for conference play, as their SEC-only three-point percentage has been helped greatly by 7.1 threes per game and a total 57-of-162 line. Ole Miss hit double-digit threes in each of its first two games of SEC season, going 11-of-22 at No. 18 Tennessee in a near-upset thriller that went into overtime before an 11-of-23 performance against in-state rival Mississippi State on Jan. 8. On the season, Ole Miss has hit double-digit threes made three times when including an 11-of-29 performance against Charleston Southern back on Nov. 12, the most such games since the Rebels tallied seven double-digit games during head coach Kermit Davis' first season in 2018-19.
SEC CHECK-IN • INDIVIDUAL
Beyond the halfway mark of the season and eight games into the 18-game SEC slate, the Rebels hold several strong positions within the overall SEC single-game highs for individuals, both in overall play this season and within conference-only action.
Single-Game High • Points
1. Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt) - 32 (vs. Kentucky)
2. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 31 (vs. MSU)
2. JD Notae (Arkansas) - 31 (vs. Texas A&M)
2. Quenton Jackson (Texas A&M) - 31 (vs. Cent. Ark.)
Single-Game High • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. MSU
1. Justin Powell (Tennessee) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. Presbyterian
3. Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee) - 1.000 (4-4), vs. UT Martin
SEC-Only Single-Game High • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. MSU
Nine others tied at 2-2
SEC-Only • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - .500
2. Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) - .453
3. Noah Baumann (Georgia) - .408
SEC-Only • 3PT/Game
1. Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) - 3.6
2. Noah Baumann (Georgia) - 32.9
3. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 2.8
SEC-Only • Minutes/Game
1. Kellan Grady (Kentucky) - 36.3
2. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 35.0
3. Jaden Shackelford (Alabama) - 34.7
Overall • Offensive Rebounds
1. Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) - 5.3
2. Colin Castleton (Florida) - 3.3
3. Nysier Brooks (Ole Miss) - 3.0
SEC-Only • Offensive Rebounds
1. Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) - 4.8
2. Nysier Brooks (Ole Miss) - 3.5
3. Garrison Brooks (MSU) - 3.3
SEC-Only Single-Game High • Steals
1. Jaylin Williams (Arkansas) - 6 (vs. Texas A&M)
2. Daeshun Ruffin (Ole Miss) - 5 (vs. Tennessee)
Six others with 5
SEC-Only • Steals
1. Keon Ellis (Alabama) - 3.1
2. Daeshun Ruffin (Ole Miss) - 2.8
3. K.D. Johnson (Auburn) - 2.5
SEC CHECK-IN • TEAM
Likewise, the Rebels as an overall unit hold several impressive marks worth considering through 20 games played and eight within SEC play.
Overall 3PT Defense
1. LSU - .269
2. Ole Miss - .292
3. Vanderbilt - .300
Overall Single-Game High • FT Percentage
1. Ole Miss - 1.000 (15-15), vs. Auburn
2. Ole Miss - 1.000 (13-13), vs. Arkansas
3. Tennessee - 1.000 (10-10), vs. Tennessee Tech
Overall Single-Game High • Rebounds
1. South Carolina - 59, vs. Allen
2. Ole Miss - 57, Rider
SEC-Only FT Shooting
1. Georgia - .820
2. Ole Miss - .769
3. Missouri - .753
SEC-Only 3PT Shooting
1. Kentucky - .367
2. Ole Miss - .352
3. Georgia - .338
SEC-Only Single-Game High • 3PT Made
1. Vanderbilt - 12 (vs. Kentucky)
2. Ole Miss - 11 (vs. MSU)
2. Ole Miss - 11 (vs. Tennessee)
Five others
SEC-Only Single-Game High • FT Percentage
1. Ole Miss - 1.000 (15-15), vs. Auburn
2. Ole Miss - 1.000 (13-13), vs. Arkansas
3. Kentucky - .952 (20-21), vs. Tennessee
MURRELL GOES UNCONSCIOUS
Sophomore Matthew Murrell absolutely lit the net on fire against in-state rival Mississippi State on Jan. 8, dropping a career-high 31 points on an absurd 10-of-11 shooting performance that included a perfect 5-of-5 line from beyond the arc and a 6-of-6 clip from the free throw line. Murrell actually started the game 10-of-10 from the field before a late miss with 2:32 to play gave him his lone blemish on the night. Murrell stands as one of only three Rebels all-time to have gone 5-of-5 from three, joining Devontae Shuler'sperformance vs. Jackson State on Dec. 10, 2020, and Joe Harvell's 5-of-5 outing against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament on March 9, 1990 -- making Murrell's the only such performance against an SEC opponent during the regular season. Murrell was unconscious in the first half, scoring 23 points in the opening frame alone, which had already beat his previous career-high of 19 points scored against No. 18 Memphis on Dec. 4. His 23 first-half points stands as the most scored by a Rebel against an SEC opponent since Stefan Moody dropped 24 against Mississippi State on March 2, 2016. To anyone paying attention lately, though, this was just the latest and greatest output from Murrell. Over his last eight games since SEC play began Jan. 5 at Tennessee, he is 22-of-44 (.500) from three and 43-of-84 (.512) overall, averaging 15.8 points per game in that stretch. Murrell started the season 2-of-10 (.200) from three across his first six games, but a 3-of-6 three-point performance against Rider and a 4-of-9 rip against the nationally-ranked Tigers helped spark a three-point line of 33-of-76 (.434) since across his last 14 games played since Nov. 30 against Rider. Murrell is the program's highest rated recruit ever nationally, signing with Ole Miss ranked No. 39 overall by both ESPN and the 247Sports Composite in 2019-20.
CLEANING UP THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
Graduate transfer Nysier Brooks has been a beast on the offensive glass to start SEC play, ranking second in conference action at 3.5 offensive boards per game. Brooks hauled in a whopping eight offensive boards against Mississippi State to help lead to a career-high 16 rebounds, the most total boards by a Rebel since Sebastian Saiz hauled in 17 vs. Georgia Tech in the 2017 NIT. Brooks has had five or more offensive boards in four games this season, and he has had at least six rebounds in all but two games this season. Furthermore, Brooks has hit double-digit rebounds six times, including three in SEC play to average an SEC fourth-best average of 8.1 per game in conference play. Over his last 10 games since a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. Dayton on Dec. 18, Brooks has grabbed an average of 8.3 boards per game to go along with 10.9 points and 1.5 blocks. Overall, Brooks ranks fifth in the SEC at 7.9 rebounds per game, and his overall offensive rebounding average of 3.0 per game ranks third in the conference. Brooks most recently recorded his third Rebel double-double and eighth of his career following a 15-point, 16 rebound performance against Mississippi State on Jan. 8.
WATCH YOUR BACK
Freshman guard Daeshun Ruffin has quickly become a force to reckon with defensively, averaging 2.4 steals per game in just 12 career contests. Ruffin has been particularly proficient at picking pockets lately, averaging an SEC second-best 2.8 steals per game in SEC play after a career-high five steal performance at No. 18 Tennessee and four more against Mississippi State, Missouri and Florida. At his current pace of 2.4 steals per game, Ruffin is on pace to break the Ole Miss freshman record for total steals of 47 set by Elston Turner in 27 games played in 1978. Ruffin missed eight games while sitting out one month due to breaking his right hand in the season opener vs. New Orleans on Nov. 9.
RUFFIN RETURNS IN A BIG SPOT
Ole Miss freshman Daeshun Ruffin returned from a four-week absence in dynamic fashion and has taken a prominent leadership role, averaging 12.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals since returning from injury vs. Middle Tennessee on Dec. 15. His first three games back were a revelation, as Ruffin averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.6 steals and shot 41.7 percent overall and 70.8 percent from the free throw line against Middle Tennessee (Dec. 15), Dayton (Dec. 18) and Samford (Dec. 21). Ruffin is coming off his best game as a Rebel, a career-high 21 points vs. Florida that included a 9-of-10 free throw performance in addition to six assists and four steals. Ruffin suffered a fractured hand in the second half of the season opener against New Orleans, and missed the next four weeks of action. Ruffin first saw the floor again against Middle Tennessee on Dec. 15, scoring 12 points in just 12 minutes of action -- nine of which came in the first half as he came off the bench. Ruffin followed that up with a splendid showing against Dayton, scoring a then-career-high 19 points after a powerful 17-point second half to help lift the Rebels to victory. Ruffin hit 9-of-12 from the free throw line against the Flyers, and in his first two games back from injury his 13 free throws made accounted for 44.8 percent of all Rebel free throws made (29) in that stretch. Recently, Ruffin found success running the Rebel offense as well with a career-high eight assists against Mississippi State on Jan. 8 to go along with 17 points and a career-high three trifectas made. Ruffin topped his career-high with a 21-point effort against Florida on Jan. 24. Ruffin is the first McDonald's All-American signee in program history following a storied career at Callaway High School in his native Jackson, Mississippi.
PROTECT THE BALL
Ole Miss has forced double-digit turnovers in all but one of their 20 of their contests so far this season, and have only turned the ball over more than its opponent four times this season. In the Kermit Davis era, the Rebels are 48-21 when having fewer turnovers than their opponents, and are 36-14 when forcing 15 turnovers or more.
HOMETOWN HERO
Senior Jarkel Joiner was named one of 60 men's and women's basketball student-athletes nationally named as candidates for the 2021-22 Senior CLASS Award on Dec. 7. Ole Miss women's basketball senior Shakira Austin was also named a candidate, making Ole Miss the only SEC school to be represented on both lists and one of just four nationally alongside BYU, Michigan and Virginia Tech. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
In the classroom, Joiner holds a 3.13 GPA in multi-disciplinary studies, and is a staple in his hometown community. Joiner was named to the 2020-21 SEC Community Service Team, working closely with the Reading with the Rebels program in addition to the Stronger Together Mississippi initiative and Adopt-A-Basket, which helps feed local families during the holiday season.
The men's and women's candidates will be narrowed to two fields of ten finalists later in the season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will then select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2022 NCAA Men's Final Four® and NCAA Women's Final Four® this spring.
YEAR FOUR OF THE DAVIS ERA
Kermit Davis enters his fourth season at the helm of Ole Miss Basketball. Over his first three seasons, Davis led the Rebels to a pair of postseason appearances (2020 postseason was cancelled due to COVID-19). With 61 victories as head coach of the Rebels, Davis is one of only four coaches in Ole Miss history to rack up at least 50 wins over their first three seasons. A nine-time conference coach of the year, Davis is 38th among active Division I head coaches with 464 career wins over 24 seasons, including stints at Middle Tennessee, Idaho and Texas A&M. In 27 seasons as a college basketball head coach, he has amassed 530 wins.
DAVIS ERA TRENDS TO WATCH
• 51-17 when leading at half
• 5-0 when scoring 90+, 27-3 when scoring 80+, 47-20 when scoring 70+
• 42-18 when winning the rebounding battle
• 27-3 when at 50 percent shooting or better
• 17-7 when shooting 40 percent or better from three
• 58-30 when keeping opponents below 50 percent shooting (34-6 when below 40 percent)
| OLE MISS (10-10, 2-6 SEC) vs. KANSAS STATE (10-9, 2-6 BIG 12) Big 12/SEC Challenge Saturday, January 29 • 3 p.m. CT • Oxford, Miss. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss (9,500) 
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| Watch • Live Stats • Listen • Gameday Info • Tickets Ole Miss Game Notes (PDF) • K-State Game Notes (PDF) • SEC Game Notes |
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss men's basketball will welcome in non-conference foe Kansas State for the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT inside The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss and live on ESPNU.
PROMOTIONS
• Mario Kart on the videoboard pregame for Club Red members
• BabyDega 500 at halftime
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (10-10, 2-6 SEC)
Head Coach: Kermit Davis • 4th Season at Ole Miss (61-52) • 530-315 career record (27th Season)
Kansas State Wildcats (10-9, 2-6 Big 12)
Head Coach: Bruce Weber • 10th Season at K-State (180-139) • 493-299 career record (24th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: ESPNU
Play-by-Play: Mike Morgan
Color: Joe Kleine
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SiriusXM
XM: 382
SiriusXM App: 972
BIG 12/SEC CHALLENGE COMES TO OXFORD
Ole Miss and Kansas State will square off in the Big 12/SEC Challenge for the third time this Saturday, the seventh total game for Ole Miss in the conference clash since it began in 2012-13. The Rebels are 0-6 in the Challenge, with two losses to Kansas State in 2013 (61-58) and 2016 (69-64), additional home losses to TCU in 2014 (66-54), No. 5 Baylor in 2017 (78-75) and No. 24 Iowa State in 2019 (87-73), and an additional road loss at Texas in 2018 (85-72).
All 10 of the Big 12's teams and 10 of the SEC's 14 member institutions will participate in this season's event. Each of the 10 SEC teams that participate in the 2022 Challenge will be a part of the 2023 event. The SEC won the 2021 SEC/Big 12 Challenge by winning five of the nine games played. The SEC holds a 25-24 advantage over the last five years of the event. This will be the seventh year that a bye in the league schedule for participating teams was created to accommodate the single-day format. The first two years of the challenge were played over several days in November and December but the last six events have been consolidated to one single day in January. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise the contests.
Ole Miss All-Time, Big 12/SEC Challenge (0-6)
Dec. 5, 2013 - at Kansas State - L, 61-58
Dec. 4, 2014 - vs. TCU - L, 66-54
Jan. 30, 2016 - vs. Kansas State - L, 69-64
Jan. 28, 2017 - vs. #5 Baylor - L, 78-75
Jan. 27, 2018 - at Texas - L, 85-72
Jan. 26, 2019 - vs. #24 Iowa State - L, 87-73
2022 Big 12/SEC Challenge (January 29, 2022)
No. 4 Baylor at Alabama
West Virginia at Arkansas
Oklahoma at No. 1 Auburn
Oklahoma State at Florida
No. 12 Kentucky at No. 5 Kansas
No. 19 LSU at TCU
Kansas State at Ole Miss
Mississippi State at No. 13 Texas Tech
Missouri at No. 23 Iowa State
No. 18 Tennessee at Texas
SERIES HISTORY VS. KANSAS STATE
Ole Miss holds a 3-2 advantage all-time against Kansas State, with the series tied 1-1 both in Oxford and Manhattan, and the Rebels holding a 1-0 edge in neutral site games after a Nov. 20, 2009 victory over the Wildcats in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That stands as the last Rebel win over K-State, however, as the Wildcats have taken the last two meetings in 2013 (61-58) and 2016 (69-64), both part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge that began in 2012-13.
SCOUTING KANSAS STATE
K-State comes into Oxford at 10-9 overall and 2-6 in Big 12 play, with a current NET rating of 68 after posting a 3-9 record against Quad 1 (2-7) and Quad 2 (1-2), and a perfect 7-0 record against Quad 3 (1-0) and Quad 4 (6-0). The Wildcats played a solid non-conference schedule, battling No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois to identical eight-point losses at 72-64. K-State also notched a win over Wichita State (65-59) and narrowly toppled Marquette, falling 64-63 on Dec. 8. In conference action, the two Wildcat victories were big ones, as K-State consecutively took down ranked foes No. 19 Texas Tech on Jan. 15 (62-51) and No. 23 Texas (66-65) on Jan. 18. K-State almost tallied a third straight ranked win, but fell by just three to No. 7 Kansas on Jan. 22, 78-75. The Wildcats' road does not look any easier, as K-State owns the NCAA's 10th-toughest future strength of schedule at a winning percentage of .705.
The Wildcats possess a formidable perimeter defense, leading the Big 12 and ranking fifth in the NCAA three-point defense (.266). K-State also leads the Big 12 in fewest turnovers per game at just 11.5.
Leading the way for K-State is Nijel Pack, who averages 16.5 points (No. 4 Big 12), 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.2 percent overall, 42.1 percent from three at an average of 3.1 threes per contest, as well as 88.6 percent from the free throw line. His threes per game average of 3.1 ranks second in the Big 12 and 27th in the NCAA. Markquis Nowell also averages double-digit scoring at 12.2 points, but his Big 12-leading 2.4 steals per game ranks ninth in the nation, and his 5.3 assists per game ranks second in the conference and 26th in the NCAA.
LAST MEETING: Jan. 30, 2016 (L, 69-64, in Oxford)
• Ole Miss: 39.3 percent overall, 40 from three
• K-State: 46 percent overall, won rebounding 36-29
• Anthony Perez: 13 points
• Stefan Moody: 10 points
LAST WIN: Nov. 20, 2009 (W, 86-74, in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Semifinal of O'Reily Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off
• Advanced to the title game to take on No. 5 Villanova (L, 79-67)
• Beat Indiana the previous round, 89-71
• Ole Miss: 63 percent in the second half
• Chris Warren: 27 points
• Terrico White: 25 points
• Eniel Polynice: 13 points
• Murphy Holloway: 10 points, 10 rebounds
LAST TIME OUT (vs. Arkansas: L, 64-55)
• Ole Miss held to 34.5 percent shooting, 22.2 from three
• Arkansas: 48 percent overall, 44.4 from three
• Arkansas' JD Notae (25) and Jaylin Williams (18) combined for 43 points
• 13-0 second half Arkansas run
• Four Rebels in double-digit scoring: Matthew Murrell (14), Nysier Brooks (10), Tye Fagan (10), Daeshun Ruffin (10)
• Rebels won rebounding battle, 33-31
• Ole Miss: 13-of-13 from free throw line, the second perfect game of at least 10 attempts this season and fourth in school history
HISTORIC SHOWINGS AT THE FREE THROW LINE
Ole Miss has now recorded half of its perfect free throw shooting games with at least 10 attempts in this season alone following a perfect 15-of-15 showing against No. 4 Auburn on Jan. 15 and a follow-up 13-of-13 clip against Arkansas on Jan. 26. Those constitute just the third and fourth games in Ole Miss history to not miss a free throw attempt with at least 10 tries, joining a school record 22-of-22 effort against South Alabama on Nov. 18, 2008 and a 10-of-10 performance against Mississippi State on Feb. 28, 1959. Both games stand as the best free throw performances in the SEC this season, and the 15-of-15 outing against Auburn ranks among just 11 perfect performances in the NCAA this season with at least 15 made free throws:
1. Villanova - 26-26 (vs. Howard, Nov. 16)
2. Long Beach State - 17-17 (vs. UC Santa Barbara, Jan. 13)
2. Montana - 17-17 (vs. Air Force, Dec. 8)
2. Detroit Mercy - 17-17 (vs. Hofstra, Nov. 27)
5. Villanova - 16-16 (vs. Georgetown, Jan. 22)
5. Grambling - 16-16 (vs. MVSU, Jan. 22)
5. Valparaiso - 16-16 (vs. Illinois State, Jan. 2)
5. Purdue Fort Wayne - 16-16 (vs. Wright State, Dec. 2)
9. Ole Miss - 15-15 (vs. Auburn, Jan. 15)
9. Miami (Ohio) - 15-15 (vs. Western Michigan, Jan. 15)
9. Charleston Southern - 15-15 (vs. Clemson, Nov. 26)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
After not getting to the line very often to start the season, the Rebels have been getting to the charity stripe and using it to great effect in the process. After starting the season just 17-of-31 (.548) from the free throw line amid three straight single-digit performances, Ole Miss has only been held to single digits five times in the succeeding 16 games at a combined line of 210-of-285 (.737) since playing Elon on Nov. 19 -- averaging 12.4 free throws made per game in that stretch. During its three-game winning streak that started on Nov. 26 vs. MVSU, Ole Miss went 54-of-76 (.711) -- which accounted for 25 percent of all Rebel scoring during the streak -- and over its last four wins over Middle Tennessee (13-20), Dayton (16-21), Mississippi State (13-18) and Florida (16-20), the Rebels have shot 58-of-79 (.734). In SEC play, Ole Miss ranks second in the conference at a clip of .769, and over its past two games vs. Florida (16-20) and Arkansas (13-13) the Rebels are shooting 29-of-33 (.879) from the charity stripe.
OLE MISS CAN'T MISS
The Rebels were absolutely on fire in the second half against Florida on Jan. 22, going 17-of-23 in the latter 20 minutes for a second-half clip of 73.9 percent. That stands as the first 70 percent second half by a Rebel team since shooting 72 percent (18-25) vs. San Diego on Nov. 28, 2018 and first vs. an SEC opponent since shooting 71.4 percent (15-21) vs. Auburn on Feb. 7, 2015. Furthermore, that stands as the best second-half percentage by a Rebel team since shooting 75 percent (21-28) vs. Centenary on Dec. 23, 2009, and the best in conference play since shooting 75 percent (18-24) vs. Alabama on March 1, 2008. The second half vs. Florida was the best back half by Ole Miss this season by more than 16 percentage points over its previous best of 57.5 vs. Charleston Southern on Nov. 12.
STEPPING UP
Ole Miss has been without senior stalwart Jarkel Joiner since Dec. 21 vs. Samford, and in the seven succeeding games several Rebels have stepped up to fill in for his sorely-missed presence and production. In that eight-game stretch, Matthew Murrell is leading with 15.8 points per game in addition to a 51.2 percent clip from the field, a 50.0 percent effort from beyond the arc, 2.8 threes, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Murrell has also hit multiple threes in seven of those eight games, hitting three or more four times, four or more twice and a perfect 5-of-5 line vs. Mississippi State in a career-high 31-point outing on Jan. 8. Freshman Daeshun Ruffin, who has tallied all eight of his career starts in place of Joiner at the point guard position since his injury, has tallied 11.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 steals and has shot 80.6 percent from the free throw line. Nysier Brooks is also averaging double figures at 10.6 points and 8.1 boards per game, in addition to 1.6 blocks per contest.
FURIOUS STARTS FOR MURRELL
Sophomore Matthew Murrell has been a prolific scorer as of late for the Rebels, but he has been even more lethal from the jump in SEC play. In the first half during conference play, Murrell is averaging 9.3 points and 1.9 threes made while shooting lights-out clips of 57.8 percent overall, 60.0 from three and 77.8 from the free throw line. Murrell put together an absurd first half against Mississippi State on Jan. 8, dropping 23 of his eventual 31 points in the opening 20 minutes. That first half performance was the best by a Rebel against an SEC opponent since Stefan Moody poured in 24 in the opening frame against State on March 2, 2016.
SERIOUS MINUTES IN SEC PLAY
Ole Miss has received tremendous effort out of both Matthew Murrell and Nysier Brooks in SEC play, with both ranking within the top-10 in SEC-only minutes played. Murrell ranks second at 35.0 minutes per contest, while Brooks comes in at No. 8 at 33.0. In non-conference action, the duo combined for only 24 minutes per game, with Brooks averaging 25.9 and Murrell averaging 22.1.
OFF THE LINE
It's been difficult to damage the Rebels from distance this season, as Ole Miss has held eight of its last 14 opponents to 30 percent or lower from beyond the arc -- including four of eight SEC foes. In six wins of that stretch against Rider (2-of-13), No. 18 Memphis (2-of-11), Middle Tennessee (3-of-27), Dayton (4-18), Mississippi State (3-16) and Florida (4-29), Rebel opponents shot a combined 18-of-114 (.158). The Rebels rank 31st nationally and second in the SEC with a season opposing three-point clip of 29.2 percent, and Ole Miss also ranks fourth in the conference in SEC-only three-point defense at 29.1. In the Kermit Davisera, Ole Miss is 31-17 when holding opponents to 30 percent or lower and 49-27 when holding opponents below 40 percent from deep.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN
Doubling-down on that lockdown three-point defense, Ole Miss currently stands as one of two schools in the SEC to be ranked within the top-four of the SEC-only three-point shooting (No. 2, .352) and three-point defense (No. 4, .291) categories. Ole Miss has found its stroke from three-ball land again just in time for conference play, as their SEC-only three-point percentage has been helped greatly by 7.1 threes per game and a total 57-of-162 line. Ole Miss hit double-digit threes in each of its first two games of SEC season, going 11-of-22 at No. 18 Tennessee in a near-upset thriller that went into overtime before an 11-of-23 performance against in-state rival Mississippi State on Jan. 8. On the season, Ole Miss has hit double-digit threes made three times when including an 11-of-29 performance against Charleston Southern back on Nov. 12, the most such games since the Rebels tallied seven double-digit games during head coach Kermit Davis' first season in 2018-19.
SEC CHECK-IN • INDIVIDUAL
Beyond the halfway mark of the season and eight games into the 18-game SEC slate, the Rebels hold several strong positions within the overall SEC single-game highs for individuals, both in overall play this season and within conference-only action.
Single-Game High • Points
1. Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt) - 32 (vs. Kentucky)
2. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 31 (vs. MSU)
2. JD Notae (Arkansas) - 31 (vs. Texas A&M)
2. Quenton Jackson (Texas A&M) - 31 (vs. Cent. Ark.)
Single-Game High • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. MSU
1. Justin Powell (Tennessee) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. Presbyterian
3. Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee) - 1.000 (4-4), vs. UT Martin
SEC-Only Single-Game High • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 1.000 (5-5), vs. MSU
Nine others tied at 2-2
SEC-Only • 3PT Percentage
1. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - .500
2. Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) - .453
3. Noah Baumann (Georgia) - .408
SEC-Only • 3PT/Game
1. Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) - 3.6
2. Noah Baumann (Georgia) - 32.9
3. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 2.8
SEC-Only • Minutes/Game
1. Kellan Grady (Kentucky) - 36.3
2. Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss) - 35.0
3. Jaden Shackelford (Alabama) - 34.7
Overall • Offensive Rebounds
1. Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) - 5.3
2. Colin Castleton (Florida) - 3.3
3. Nysier Brooks (Ole Miss) - 3.0
SEC-Only • Offensive Rebounds
1. Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) - 4.8
2. Nysier Brooks (Ole Miss) - 3.5
3. Garrison Brooks (MSU) - 3.3
SEC-Only Single-Game High • Steals
1. Jaylin Williams (Arkansas) - 6 (vs. Texas A&M)
2. Daeshun Ruffin (Ole Miss) - 5 (vs. Tennessee)
Six others with 5
SEC-Only • Steals
1. Keon Ellis (Alabama) - 3.1
2. Daeshun Ruffin (Ole Miss) - 2.8
3. K.D. Johnson (Auburn) - 2.5
SEC CHECK-IN • TEAM
Likewise, the Rebels as an overall unit hold several impressive marks worth considering through 20 games played and eight within SEC play.
Overall 3PT Defense
1. LSU - .269
2. Ole Miss - .292
3. Vanderbilt - .300
Overall Single-Game High • FT Percentage
1. Ole Miss - 1.000 (15-15), vs. Auburn
2. Ole Miss - 1.000 (13-13), vs. Arkansas
3. Tennessee - 1.000 (10-10), vs. Tennessee Tech
Overall Single-Game High • Rebounds
1. South Carolina - 59, vs. Allen
2. Ole Miss - 57, Rider
SEC-Only FT Shooting
1. Georgia - .820
2. Ole Miss - .769
3. Missouri - .753
SEC-Only 3PT Shooting
1. Kentucky - .367
2. Ole Miss - .352
3. Georgia - .338
SEC-Only Single-Game High • 3PT Made
1. Vanderbilt - 12 (vs. Kentucky)
2. Ole Miss - 11 (vs. MSU)
2. Ole Miss - 11 (vs. Tennessee)
Five others
SEC-Only Single-Game High • FT Percentage
1. Ole Miss - 1.000 (15-15), vs. Auburn
2. Ole Miss - 1.000 (13-13), vs. Arkansas
3. Kentucky - .952 (20-21), vs. Tennessee
MURRELL GOES UNCONSCIOUS
Sophomore Matthew Murrell absolutely lit the net on fire against in-state rival Mississippi State on Jan. 8, dropping a career-high 31 points on an absurd 10-of-11 shooting performance that included a perfect 5-of-5 line from beyond the arc and a 6-of-6 clip from the free throw line. Murrell actually started the game 10-of-10 from the field before a late miss with 2:32 to play gave him his lone blemish on the night. Murrell stands as one of only three Rebels all-time to have gone 5-of-5 from three, joining Devontae Shuler'sperformance vs. Jackson State on Dec. 10, 2020, and Joe Harvell's 5-of-5 outing against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament on March 9, 1990 -- making Murrell's the only such performance against an SEC opponent during the regular season. Murrell was unconscious in the first half, scoring 23 points in the opening frame alone, which had already beat his previous career-high of 19 points scored against No. 18 Memphis on Dec. 4. His 23 first-half points stands as the most scored by a Rebel against an SEC opponent since Stefan Moody dropped 24 against Mississippi State on March 2, 2016. To anyone paying attention lately, though, this was just the latest and greatest output from Murrell. Over his last eight games since SEC play began Jan. 5 at Tennessee, he is 22-of-44 (.500) from three and 43-of-84 (.512) overall, averaging 15.8 points per game in that stretch. Murrell started the season 2-of-10 (.200) from three across his first six games, but a 3-of-6 three-point performance against Rider and a 4-of-9 rip against the nationally-ranked Tigers helped spark a three-point line of 33-of-76 (.434) since across his last 14 games played since Nov. 30 against Rider. Murrell is the program's highest rated recruit ever nationally, signing with Ole Miss ranked No. 39 overall by both ESPN and the 247Sports Composite in 2019-20.
CLEANING UP THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
Graduate transfer Nysier Brooks has been a beast on the offensive glass to start SEC play, ranking second in conference action at 3.5 offensive boards per game. Brooks hauled in a whopping eight offensive boards against Mississippi State to help lead to a career-high 16 rebounds, the most total boards by a Rebel since Sebastian Saiz hauled in 17 vs. Georgia Tech in the 2017 NIT. Brooks has had five or more offensive boards in four games this season, and he has had at least six rebounds in all but two games this season. Furthermore, Brooks has hit double-digit rebounds six times, including three in SEC play to average an SEC fourth-best average of 8.1 per game in conference play. Over his last 10 games since a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. Dayton on Dec. 18, Brooks has grabbed an average of 8.3 boards per game to go along with 10.9 points and 1.5 blocks. Overall, Brooks ranks fifth in the SEC at 7.9 rebounds per game, and his overall offensive rebounding average of 3.0 per game ranks third in the conference. Brooks most recently recorded his third Rebel double-double and eighth of his career following a 15-point, 16 rebound performance against Mississippi State on Jan. 8.
WATCH YOUR BACK
Freshman guard Daeshun Ruffin has quickly become a force to reckon with defensively, averaging 2.4 steals per game in just 12 career contests. Ruffin has been particularly proficient at picking pockets lately, averaging an SEC second-best 2.8 steals per game in SEC play after a career-high five steal performance at No. 18 Tennessee and four more against Mississippi State, Missouri and Florida. At his current pace of 2.4 steals per game, Ruffin is on pace to break the Ole Miss freshman record for total steals of 47 set by Elston Turner in 27 games played in 1978. Ruffin missed eight games while sitting out one month due to breaking his right hand in the season opener vs. New Orleans on Nov. 9.
RUFFIN RETURNS IN A BIG SPOT
Ole Miss freshman Daeshun Ruffin returned from a four-week absence in dynamic fashion and has taken a prominent leadership role, averaging 12.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals since returning from injury vs. Middle Tennessee on Dec. 15. His first three games back were a revelation, as Ruffin averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.6 steals and shot 41.7 percent overall and 70.8 percent from the free throw line against Middle Tennessee (Dec. 15), Dayton (Dec. 18) and Samford (Dec. 21). Ruffin is coming off his best game as a Rebel, a career-high 21 points vs. Florida that included a 9-of-10 free throw performance in addition to six assists and four steals. Ruffin suffered a fractured hand in the second half of the season opener against New Orleans, and missed the next four weeks of action. Ruffin first saw the floor again against Middle Tennessee on Dec. 15, scoring 12 points in just 12 minutes of action -- nine of which came in the first half as he came off the bench. Ruffin followed that up with a splendid showing against Dayton, scoring a then-career-high 19 points after a powerful 17-point second half to help lift the Rebels to victory. Ruffin hit 9-of-12 from the free throw line against the Flyers, and in his first two games back from injury his 13 free throws made accounted for 44.8 percent of all Rebel free throws made (29) in that stretch. Recently, Ruffin found success running the Rebel offense as well with a career-high eight assists against Mississippi State on Jan. 8 to go along with 17 points and a career-high three trifectas made. Ruffin topped his career-high with a 21-point effort against Florida on Jan. 24. Ruffin is the first McDonald's All-American signee in program history following a storied career at Callaway High School in his native Jackson, Mississippi.
PROTECT THE BALL
Ole Miss has forced double-digit turnovers in all but one of their 20 of their contests so far this season, and have only turned the ball over more than its opponent four times this season. In the Kermit Davis era, the Rebels are 48-21 when having fewer turnovers than their opponents, and are 36-14 when forcing 15 turnovers or more.
HOMETOWN HERO
Senior Jarkel Joiner was named one of 60 men's and women's basketball student-athletes nationally named as candidates for the 2021-22 Senior CLASS Award on Dec. 7. Ole Miss women's basketball senior Shakira Austin was also named a candidate, making Ole Miss the only SEC school to be represented on both lists and one of just four nationally alongside BYU, Michigan and Virginia Tech. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
In the classroom, Joiner holds a 3.13 GPA in multi-disciplinary studies, and is a staple in his hometown community. Joiner was named to the 2020-21 SEC Community Service Team, working closely with the Reading with the Rebels program in addition to the Stronger Together Mississippi initiative and Adopt-A-Basket, which helps feed local families during the holiday season.
The men's and women's candidates will be narrowed to two fields of ten finalists later in the season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will then select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2022 NCAA Men's Final Four® and NCAA Women's Final Four® this spring.
YEAR FOUR OF THE DAVIS ERA
Kermit Davis enters his fourth season at the helm of Ole Miss Basketball. Over his first three seasons, Davis led the Rebels to a pair of postseason appearances (2020 postseason was cancelled due to COVID-19). With 61 victories as head coach of the Rebels, Davis is one of only four coaches in Ole Miss history to rack up at least 50 wins over their first three seasons. A nine-time conference coach of the year, Davis is 38th among active Division I head coaches with 464 career wins over 24 seasons, including stints at Middle Tennessee, Idaho and Texas A&M. In 27 seasons as a college basketball head coach, he has amassed 530 wins.
DAVIS ERA TRENDS TO WATCH
• 51-17 when leading at half
• 5-0 when scoring 90+, 27-3 when scoring 80+, 47-20 when scoring 70+
• 42-18 when winning the rebounding battle
• 27-3 when at 50 percent shooting or better
• 17-7 when shooting 40 percent or better from three
• 58-30 when keeping opponents below 50 percent shooting (34-6 when below 40 percent)
