From UM Media Relations:
GAME 3
Date: Monday, Dec. 14, 2020
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Miss.
Arena: The Pavilion at Ole Miss (9,500)
Television: SEC Network
Richard Cross, play-by-play
Mark Wise, analyst
Radio: Ole Miss Sports Network (XM-190, Internet-961)
David Kellum, play-by-play
Marc Dukes, analyst
Live Video: ESPN.com/ESPN app
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/TuneIn app
Series: Ole Miss leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 18, 2006
Ole Miss won 75-61
Hartford, Conn.
TIPOFF TIDBITS
- On his 61st birthday, Kermit Davis will coach his 800th game as a college head coach (26 seasons).
- The Rebels enter Monday's matchup ranked top 10 nationally in scoring defense (6th-51.5), turnovers forced (6th-22.5) and turnover margin (8th-9.0); all three top the conference.
- Ole Miss also leads the SEC in assists (19.0), while ranking second in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), field goal percentage (49.6), field goal percentage defense (35.0) and scoring margin (+27.5).
- The Rebels are coming off an 78-58 victory over UNCW behind a 20-point game from Romello White and a double-double from Luis Rodriguez (14 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs).
- Romello White made 7 of 8 attempts against UNCW after Devontae Shuler made 9 of 10 shots in the win over Jackson State, the first time in at least the past 25 years that a Rebel has shot 87.5 percent or better in back-to-back games (minimum five attempts).
- Ole Miss is in the midst of a stretch of playing four games in seven days, the most games in a one-week span since 2016; Monday's game wraps up a three-game homestand over five days.
- The Rebels are 12-1 in December under Kermit Davis.
- Devontae Shuler, the SEC's active leader in career points (948), assists (247) and steals (148), leads the conference in several categories this season: steals per game (3.0), threes made per game (3.5) and three-point field goal percentage (63.6).
- Devontae Shuler ranks ninth in Ole Miss history with 148 career steals, tied with Rahim Lockhart.
- Luis Rodriguez leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally with an 8.0 assist/turnover ratio.
- Luis Rodriguez's 12 rebounds versus UNCW were the most by a Rebel since Terence Davis pulled down 12 versus No. 5 Kentucky (March 5, 2019) in his final game in The Pavilion; Davis made the NBA All-Rookie team last season (Toronto Raptors).
- Ole Miss has given up an average of 15 points in the first half this season (12 vs. Jackson State, 18 vs. UNCW).
- The Rebels have dominated the paint, outscoring opponents by an average of 44-17.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
- Ole Miss ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense (51.5) and turnovers forced (22.5).
- The Rebels are eighth in the country in turnover margin (+9.0).
- Ole Miss cracks the top 15 in field goal percentage defense (35.0) and scoring margin (+27.5), ranking 13th and 14th respectively.
- Luis Rodriguez ranks sixth in the nation with an 8.0 assist/turnover ratio.
- Devontae Shuler is shooting 63.6 percent from beyond the arc, the eighth-best three-point field goal percentage nationwide.
SEC LEADERS
- Ole Miss leads the SEC in assists per game (19.0), scoring defense (51.5), turnover margin (+9.0) and turnovers forced per game (22.5).
- The Rebels are second in the conference in several categories: assist/turnover ratio (1.4), field goal percentage (49.6), field goal percentage defense (35.0), scoring margin (+27.5).
- Devontae Shuler leads the SEC in steals per game (3.0), threes made per game (3.5) and three-point field goal percentage (63.6).
- Luis Rodriguez is the conference leader in assist/turnover ratio (8.0).
- Shuler ranks second in field goal percentage (64.0) and third in scoring (20.5 ppg).
LATE START
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the college basketball season was pushed back to November 25. Then, the virus hit the Rebels, forcing the cancellation of the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic (Nov. 25-27) as well as a matchup against Memphis (Dec. 5). The program paused team activities until December 7. When the Rebels tipped off their season Thursday night (Dec. 10), Ole Miss was the final Power 5 team (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) to start its season. It's been 72 years since the Rebels started a basketball this season this late, defeating Mississippi College to start the 1948-49 campaign (Dec. 11, 1948).
AND HERE. WE. GO.
Ole Miss wasted no time trying to get in non-conference games, scheduling four games in a span of seven days (Dec. 10-16). Playing every other day, it will be the first time the Rebels have played four games over a one-week span since Nov. 18-24, 2016. That week featured the Rebels advancing to the finals of the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands before returning home to beat Montana on Thanksgiving.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS
- Enters the matchup with a 0-4 record following a 100-75 loss to Arkansas (Dec. 12)
- Starting the season with six straight road games
- Lead the Southland Conference in free throw percentage (73.5)
- Preseason All-SLC honorees Rylan Bergerson (16.3 ppg) and Deandre Jones (13.5 ppg) lead the team in scoring.
- Jones, UCA's all-time assists leader (472), is averaging 5.0 assists per game.
- Coached by Ole Miss alum Anthony Boone, who took over as interim head coach during last season; the interim tag was removed in March
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss leads the all-time series with Central Arkansas 3-0, winning all three games in Oxford. The two teams first met in the 1980-81 season opener (Nov. 29, 1980) with the Rebels cruising to an 82-50 victory. Later on that season, Ole
Miss won the SEC Tournament to secure its first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. Two years later, the Rebels protected their home court again 67-60 (Dec. 18, 1982). It took 24 years before the Rebels and Bears met again. The two southern teams headed north to Connecticut for the Hispanic College Fund Classic (Nov. 18, 2006), and Ole Miss won 75-61.
LAST TIME WE MET
Clarence Sanders scored 17 points, and Bam Doyne had 15 to lead Ole Miss to a 75-61 victory over Central Arkansas in the Hispanic College Fund Classic at the Hartford Civic Center (Nov. 18, 2006). The Rebels raced out on a 20-8 run to start the second half, taking a 53-40 lead after Sanders made one of two free throws with 12:46 seconds left. Central Arkansas chipped away closing the gap to 55-53, when Durrell Nevels scored off an inside feed from Frederick Campbell with 6:27 left. But that's as close as Central Arkansas would get. Eniel Polynice made a three-pointer, then followed with a steal and a basket to give Ole Miss a 60-53 lead with less than six minutes left. Campbell scored 15 points and
Nevels had 12 to lead Central Arkansas.
OLE MISS-UCA CONNECTIONS
- Central Arkansas head coach Anthony Boone was a four-year letterman at Ole Miss (1995-99), averaging 7.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg over his career.
- Boone was teammates with Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter.
- Boone later served as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss.
- Ole Miss guard Devontae Shuler and UCA guard/forward Eddy Kayouloud were teammates at Oak Hill Academy.
REBELS VS. SOUTHLAND
Ole Miss is 59-3 all-time against the current members of the Southland Conference. Along with going 3-0 against Central Arkansas throughout history, the Rebels have also faced Abilene Christian (1-0), Houston Baptist (2-0), Lamar
(2-1), McNeese (8-1), New Orleans (4-1), Nicholls (9-0), Northwestern State (3-0), Sam Houston State (6-0), Southeastern Louisiana (19-0) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2-0).
BIRTHDAY GAME
For the second straight year, Ole Miss will play a game on Kermit Davis' birthday (Dec. 14). Last season, Davis celebrated his 60th birthday with an 82-64 win over his former team, Middle Tennessee (Dec. 14, 2019). The school's all-time wins leader, Davis will take the Rebels to Murfreesboro to face the Blue Raiders on Wednesday (Dec. 16).
LOCKDOWN DEFENSE
Head coach Kermit Davis loves a team that plays good defense with toughness. His Rebels have been that team this season, starting off as one of the best defensive squads in college basketball. Ole Miss has locked down on defense from the opening tip in both games, surrendering a average of only 15 points in the first half. The Rebels limited Jackson State to 12 points (Dec.10) before allowing just 18 to UNCW (Dec. 12). Overall, Ole Miss is at the top of the SEC and the country in several defensive categories.
CONTROLLING THE PAINT
The Rebels have used their size to their advantage during the first two games, outscoring the opposition a combined 88-34 in the paint to average a 27-point advantage near the rim.
HOT HANDS
First it was Devontae Shuler, making nine of his 10 shot attempts (90 percent) for 23 points to lead Ole Miss to a victory over Jackson State. Romello Whitefollowed his teammate with a 20-point game versus UNCW, going 7 of 8 (87.5 percent) from the floor. It marked the first time in at least the past 25 years that Ole Miss had a pair of Rebels shoot 87.5 percent or better (minimum five attempts) in back-to-back games.
FIRST HALF LEADS
Ole Miss has jumped out to huge leads in the first half this season. The Rebels held a 29-point lead (41-12) over Jackson State at the break before building a 20-point cushion (38-18) going into the locker room against UNCW.
LUIS GOT GAME
After going one full year without playing (season-ending foot injury on November 27, 2019), Luis Rodriguez has returned to become a leader for the Rebels. The Los Angeles, California, native paces the team in rebounds (7.5 per game) and assists (4.0). Committing only one turnover in two games, Rodriguez's 8.0 assist/turnover ratio tops the SEC and ranks sixth in the nation. In the win over UNCW, Rodriguez produced his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Both marks were career highs, and he became the first Rebel with 12 rebounds in a game since NBA Rebel Terence Davis pulled down a dozen boards in his final home game (March 5, 2019 vs. No. 5 Kentucky).
ROMELLO'S WORLD
Graduate transfer Romello White has brought his toughness and physicality to Oxford. The Arizona State transfer is averaging 14.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories. With two blocks in each of the first two games, White sits third in the SEC in blocks per game. Earning his first start as a Rebel, he made seven of his eight shot attempts on his way to a game-high 20 points versus UNCW. It was the fourth 20-point game of White's collegiate career and the first since February 4, 2018 (at Washington State) when he was a freshman at Arizona State.
HOME COOKIN'
When the Rebels were victorious at home last season, they won in dominating fashion. Eleven of Ole Miss' 12 wins in The Pavilion were by double digits, outscoring the opposition by an average of 18.5 ppg (77.5-59.0). The Rebels shot 49.9 percent in home victories. Meanwhile, Ole Miss held the opposition to 36.8 percent, including just 24.3 percent from three-point range. The Rebels finished with a 12-5 record at home last season. That trend continued into the 2020-21 season with the 35-point win over Jackson State followed by a 20-point victory over UNCW. Ole Miss has held the opposition to 35.0 percent from the floor to rank 13th nationally.
PROTECTING CRADDOCK COURT
Winning at home has been a trademark at Ole Miss. Over the past 15 seasons, the Rebels are 168-52 (.764 win pct.) in home games. In five-plus seasons (opened January 2016) playing in the $96.5 million Pavilion at Ole Miss, the Rebels hold a 55-26 (.679) advantage against the opposition. Ole Miss has won 293 of its last 377 games (.777 win pct.) in Oxford dating back to the 1996-97 campaign. Under head coach Kermit Davis, the Rebels are 25-10 (.714 win pct.) at home.
SHULER TABBED PRESEASON SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC
For the second consecutive season, Devontae Shuler was named Preseason All-SEC by the conference coaches. After ranking fifth in the SEC in steals (1.7 per game) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7) a season ago, one of only two players conference-wide to finish top five in both categories, Shuler was tabbed Second Team All-SEC heading into his senior season. Shuler, the only fourth-year senior on the team, is the Rebels' leading returning scorer (11.7 ppg) following the graduation of First Team All-SEC honoree Breein Tyree (19.7 ppg). Along with pacing Ole Miss in steals on the defensive end of the court, he also produced a team-best 3.3 assists per game. The Irmo, South Carolina, native put together five 20-point games throughout the 2019-20 season, including a career-high 28 points at LSU (Feb. 1).
NEW, BUT EXPERIENCED BUNCH
The Rebels have several new faces on this year's team, but that doesn't mean they don't lack experience. Four of the six newcomers are transfers, making the Rebels the most experienced team in the SEC in terms of Division I minutes (15,861) entering the 2020-21 season. Graduate transfers Dimencio Vaughn(Rider) and Romello White (Arizona State) played three seasons apiece at their previous schools, while Robert Allen (Samford) and Jarkel Joiner (CSU Bakersfield) already boast two years of experience at the Division I level.
GREAT GRAD TRANSFERS
Ole Miss added a pair of superb grad transfers in Dimencio Vaughn (Rider) and Romello White (Arizona State). Vaughn rated as high as the No. 4 graduate transfer according to 247Sports, while White ranked fourth on ESPN's grad transfer list. Over 95 games for the Broncs, Vaughn scored 1,239 points and shot 47.4 percent from the floor while earning First Team All-MAAC honors twice. This past season, Vaughn averaged a team-high 14.8 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game to rank fifth in the conference in both categories. The New York City native added 1.8 steals per game to lead the Broncs (second in the league), and his 48.4 field goal percentage ranked eighth in the MAAC. Over three seasons at Arizona State, White started 92 of the 95 games he played for the Sun Devils. He tallied 927 points during his ASU career, averaging 9.8 ppg and shooting 60.5 percent from the floor (second on the program's all-time list). During the 2019-20 campaign, White ranked second in the Pac-12 with 8.8 rebounds per game.
OXFORD'S OWN
Having to sit out a year after transferring from CSU Bakersfield, it's been a long wait for Jarkel Joiner to play for his hometown school. Joiner brings an electric game to the Ole Miss backcourt, having led the WAC in scoring (18.6 ppg) and breaking the CSU Bakersfield single season scoring record (532 points) during the 2018-19 campaign. Before taking his talents out west, Joiner starred in Ole Miss' backyard at Oxford High School. As a senior, he ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (36.5 ppg) to lead the Chargers to the state semifinals. Joiner was often found throwing alley-oops to fellow Oxford native and current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
REPLACING TYREE
The Rebels have a big void to fill with the graduation of Breein Tyree, who signed with the Miami Heat on Sunday (Nov. 22). The Somerset, New Jersey, native ranked second in the SEC in scoring a season ago by averaging 19.7 ppg (36th nationally). Tyree put the team on his back at times, producing 15 games of at least 20 points that included a career-high 40 points against rival Mississippi State (Feb. 11). Earning First Team All-SEC accolades twice, Tyree etched his name in the Ole Miss record book for several categories.
LUIS IS BACK
Luis Rodriguez saw his 2019-20 campaign cut short just five games into the season, suffering a foot fracture during a pregame shootaround. At the time, he was a starter and ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.2 per game). The Los Angeles, California, native is back this season and was even granted a medical hardship by the NCAA, retaining his sophomore status.
ALLEN GRANTED IMMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY
After transferring to Ole Miss from Samford in the spring, forward Robert Allen was declared immediately eligible for the 2020-21 season. Allen was one of Samford's leading scorers and rebounders over a pair of seasons. Playing 65 games for the Bulldogs, he averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with 11 double-doubles. Wrapping up his sophomore season, Allen finished with a team-high 43 blocks through 32 games. He scored 14.1 ppg and pulled down 7.0 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories. His 1.3 blocks per game was third in the Southern Conference, while his rebounding average ranked fifth.
UNDERRATED REBELS
For the SEC's annual preseason poll, a panel consisting of SEC and national media members picked the Rebels to finish ninth in the conference standings this season. That shouldn't worry Ole Miss fans, as the Rebels have placed higher than the media's projection in seven of the last nine seasons since the SEC went away from the divisional format. That includes the 2018-19 campaign when Ole Miss was predicted to finish last in the SEC, only to tie for sixth and return to the NCAA Tournament under first year head coach and 2019 SEC Coach of the Year Kermit Davis.
YEAR THREE OF THE DAVIS ERA
Kermit Davis is in his third season at the helm of Ole Miss Basketball. A nine-time conference coach of the year, Davis is 38th among active Division I head coaches with 440 career wins over 23 seasons, including stints at MT, Idaho and Texas A&M. In 26 seasons as a college basketball head coach, he has amassed 506 wins. Davis wasted no time making an impact in Oxford. With the Rebels coming off a last-place finish in 2017-18, the media picked Ole Miss to land at the bottom of the SEC standings again in 2018-19. However, the Rebels posted a 20-13 record to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. With a return to March Madness for the sixth time in his career, Davis joined a list of 63 coaches in college basketball history to take three different schools to the NCAA Tournament. Davis was named SEC Coach of the Year by his peers and the Associated Press, earning conference coach of the year accolades for the ninth time in his career. He became just the third active coach (Dana Altman, Bob Huggins) to be named coach of the year in four different conferences.
PAVILION ATTENDANCE
In accordance with the State of Mississippi's most recent executive order in response to COVID-19, capacity at The Pavilion at Ole Miss has been reduced to 10 percent for Rebel basketball games through at least January 15.
NEXT ON THE HARDWOOD
With the conclusion of the three-game homestand to start the season, the Rebels hit the road for their next two games. First, Ole Miss heads to Murfreesboro to face Middle Tennessee (Dec. 16) in Kermit Davis' return to his former school. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. The Rebels remain away from home with a matchup against Dayton (Dec. 19). The battle with the Flyers tips off at 1:30 p.m. CT on NBCSN.
GAME 3
Date: Monday, Dec. 14, 2020
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Miss.
Arena: The Pavilion at Ole Miss (9,500)
Television: SEC Network
Richard Cross, play-by-play
Mark Wise, analyst
Radio: Ole Miss Sports Network (XM-190, Internet-961)
David Kellum, play-by-play
Marc Dukes, analyst
Live Video: ESPN.com/ESPN app
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/TuneIn app
Series: Ole Miss leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 18, 2006
Ole Miss won 75-61
Hartford, Conn.
TIPOFF TIDBITS
- On his 61st birthday, Kermit Davis will coach his 800th game as a college head coach (26 seasons).
- The Rebels enter Monday's matchup ranked top 10 nationally in scoring defense (6th-51.5), turnovers forced (6th-22.5) and turnover margin (8th-9.0); all three top the conference.
- Ole Miss also leads the SEC in assists (19.0), while ranking second in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), field goal percentage (49.6), field goal percentage defense (35.0) and scoring margin (+27.5).
- The Rebels are coming off an 78-58 victory over UNCW behind a 20-point game from Romello White and a double-double from Luis Rodriguez (14 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs).
- Romello White made 7 of 8 attempts against UNCW after Devontae Shuler made 9 of 10 shots in the win over Jackson State, the first time in at least the past 25 years that a Rebel has shot 87.5 percent or better in back-to-back games (minimum five attempts).
- Ole Miss is in the midst of a stretch of playing four games in seven days, the most games in a one-week span since 2016; Monday's game wraps up a three-game homestand over five days.
- The Rebels are 12-1 in December under Kermit Davis.
- Devontae Shuler, the SEC's active leader in career points (948), assists (247) and steals (148), leads the conference in several categories this season: steals per game (3.0), threes made per game (3.5) and three-point field goal percentage (63.6).
- Devontae Shuler ranks ninth in Ole Miss history with 148 career steals, tied with Rahim Lockhart.
- Luis Rodriguez leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally with an 8.0 assist/turnover ratio.
- Luis Rodriguez's 12 rebounds versus UNCW were the most by a Rebel since Terence Davis pulled down 12 versus No. 5 Kentucky (March 5, 2019) in his final game in The Pavilion; Davis made the NBA All-Rookie team last season (Toronto Raptors).
- Ole Miss has given up an average of 15 points in the first half this season (12 vs. Jackson State, 18 vs. UNCW).
- The Rebels have dominated the paint, outscoring opponents by an average of 44-17.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
- Ole Miss ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense (51.5) and turnovers forced (22.5).
- The Rebels are eighth in the country in turnover margin (+9.0).
- Ole Miss cracks the top 15 in field goal percentage defense (35.0) and scoring margin (+27.5), ranking 13th and 14th respectively.
- Luis Rodriguez ranks sixth in the nation with an 8.0 assist/turnover ratio.
- Devontae Shuler is shooting 63.6 percent from beyond the arc, the eighth-best three-point field goal percentage nationwide.
SEC LEADERS
- Ole Miss leads the SEC in assists per game (19.0), scoring defense (51.5), turnover margin (+9.0) and turnovers forced per game (22.5).
- The Rebels are second in the conference in several categories: assist/turnover ratio (1.4), field goal percentage (49.6), field goal percentage defense (35.0), scoring margin (+27.5).
- Devontae Shuler leads the SEC in steals per game (3.0), threes made per game (3.5) and three-point field goal percentage (63.6).
- Luis Rodriguez is the conference leader in assist/turnover ratio (8.0).
- Shuler ranks second in field goal percentage (64.0) and third in scoring (20.5 ppg).
LATE START
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the college basketball season was pushed back to November 25. Then, the virus hit the Rebels, forcing the cancellation of the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic (Nov. 25-27) as well as a matchup against Memphis (Dec. 5). The program paused team activities until December 7. When the Rebels tipped off their season Thursday night (Dec. 10), Ole Miss was the final Power 5 team (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) to start its season. It's been 72 years since the Rebels started a basketball this season this late, defeating Mississippi College to start the 1948-49 campaign (Dec. 11, 1948).
AND HERE. WE. GO.
Ole Miss wasted no time trying to get in non-conference games, scheduling four games in a span of seven days (Dec. 10-16). Playing every other day, it will be the first time the Rebels have played four games over a one-week span since Nov. 18-24, 2016. That week featured the Rebels advancing to the finals of the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands before returning home to beat Montana on Thanksgiving.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS
- Enters the matchup with a 0-4 record following a 100-75 loss to Arkansas (Dec. 12)
- Starting the season with six straight road games
- Lead the Southland Conference in free throw percentage (73.5)
- Preseason All-SLC honorees Rylan Bergerson (16.3 ppg) and Deandre Jones (13.5 ppg) lead the team in scoring.
- Jones, UCA's all-time assists leader (472), is averaging 5.0 assists per game.
- Coached by Ole Miss alum Anthony Boone, who took over as interim head coach during last season; the interim tag was removed in March
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss leads the all-time series with Central Arkansas 3-0, winning all three games in Oxford. The two teams first met in the 1980-81 season opener (Nov. 29, 1980) with the Rebels cruising to an 82-50 victory. Later on that season, Ole
Miss won the SEC Tournament to secure its first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. Two years later, the Rebels protected their home court again 67-60 (Dec. 18, 1982). It took 24 years before the Rebels and Bears met again. The two southern teams headed north to Connecticut for the Hispanic College Fund Classic (Nov. 18, 2006), and Ole Miss won 75-61.
LAST TIME WE MET
Clarence Sanders scored 17 points, and Bam Doyne had 15 to lead Ole Miss to a 75-61 victory over Central Arkansas in the Hispanic College Fund Classic at the Hartford Civic Center (Nov. 18, 2006). The Rebels raced out on a 20-8 run to start the second half, taking a 53-40 lead after Sanders made one of two free throws with 12:46 seconds left. Central Arkansas chipped away closing the gap to 55-53, when Durrell Nevels scored off an inside feed from Frederick Campbell with 6:27 left. But that's as close as Central Arkansas would get. Eniel Polynice made a three-pointer, then followed with a steal and a basket to give Ole Miss a 60-53 lead with less than six minutes left. Campbell scored 15 points and
Nevels had 12 to lead Central Arkansas.
OLE MISS-UCA CONNECTIONS
- Central Arkansas head coach Anthony Boone was a four-year letterman at Ole Miss (1995-99), averaging 7.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg over his career.
- Boone was teammates with Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter.
- Boone later served as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss.
- Ole Miss guard Devontae Shuler and UCA guard/forward Eddy Kayouloud were teammates at Oak Hill Academy.
REBELS VS. SOUTHLAND
Ole Miss is 59-3 all-time against the current members of the Southland Conference. Along with going 3-0 against Central Arkansas throughout history, the Rebels have also faced Abilene Christian (1-0), Houston Baptist (2-0), Lamar
(2-1), McNeese (8-1), New Orleans (4-1), Nicholls (9-0), Northwestern State (3-0), Sam Houston State (6-0), Southeastern Louisiana (19-0) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2-0).
BIRTHDAY GAME
For the second straight year, Ole Miss will play a game on Kermit Davis' birthday (Dec. 14). Last season, Davis celebrated his 60th birthday with an 82-64 win over his former team, Middle Tennessee (Dec. 14, 2019). The school's all-time wins leader, Davis will take the Rebels to Murfreesboro to face the Blue Raiders on Wednesday (Dec. 16).
LOCKDOWN DEFENSE
Head coach Kermit Davis loves a team that plays good defense with toughness. His Rebels have been that team this season, starting off as one of the best defensive squads in college basketball. Ole Miss has locked down on defense from the opening tip in both games, surrendering a average of only 15 points in the first half. The Rebels limited Jackson State to 12 points (Dec.10) before allowing just 18 to UNCW (Dec. 12). Overall, Ole Miss is at the top of the SEC and the country in several defensive categories.
| Category | Stat | SEC Rank | NCAA Rank |
| Scoring Defense | 51.5 | 1st | 6th |
| Turnovers Forced | 22.5 | 1st | 6th |
| Turnover Margin | +9.0 | 1st | 8th |
| FG% Defense | 35.0 | 2nd | 13th |
CONTROLLING THE PAINT
The Rebels have used their size to their advantage during the first two games, outscoring the opposition a combined 88-34 in the paint to average a 27-point advantage near the rim.
HOT HANDS
First it was Devontae Shuler, making nine of his 10 shot attempts (90 percent) for 23 points to lead Ole Miss to a victory over Jackson State. Romello Whitefollowed his teammate with a 20-point game versus UNCW, going 7 of 8 (87.5 percent) from the floor. It marked the first time in at least the past 25 years that Ole Miss had a pair of Rebels shoot 87.5 percent or better (minimum five attempts) in back-to-back games.
FIRST HALF LEADS
Ole Miss has jumped out to huge leads in the first half this season. The Rebels held a 29-point lead (41-12) over Jackson State at the break before building a 20-point cushion (38-18) going into the locker room against UNCW.
LUIS GOT GAME
After going one full year without playing (season-ending foot injury on November 27, 2019), Luis Rodriguez has returned to become a leader for the Rebels. The Los Angeles, California, native paces the team in rebounds (7.5 per game) and assists (4.0). Committing only one turnover in two games, Rodriguez's 8.0 assist/turnover ratio tops the SEC and ranks sixth in the nation. In the win over UNCW, Rodriguez produced his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Both marks were career highs, and he became the first Rebel with 12 rebounds in a game since NBA Rebel Terence Davis pulled down a dozen boards in his final home game (March 5, 2019 vs. No. 5 Kentucky).
ROMELLO'S WORLD
Graduate transfer Romello White has brought his toughness and physicality to Oxford. The Arizona State transfer is averaging 14.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories. With two blocks in each of the first two games, White sits third in the SEC in blocks per game. Earning his first start as a Rebel, he made seven of his eight shot attempts on his way to a game-high 20 points versus UNCW. It was the fourth 20-point game of White's collegiate career and the first since February 4, 2018 (at Washington State) when he was a freshman at Arizona State.
HOME COOKIN'
When the Rebels were victorious at home last season, they won in dominating fashion. Eleven of Ole Miss' 12 wins in The Pavilion were by double digits, outscoring the opposition by an average of 18.5 ppg (77.5-59.0). The Rebels shot 49.9 percent in home victories. Meanwhile, Ole Miss held the opposition to 36.8 percent, including just 24.3 percent from three-point range. The Rebels finished with a 12-5 record at home last season. That trend continued into the 2020-21 season with the 35-point win over Jackson State followed by a 20-point victory over UNCW. Ole Miss has held the opposition to 35.0 percent from the floor to rank 13th nationally.
PROTECTING CRADDOCK COURT
Winning at home has been a trademark at Ole Miss. Over the past 15 seasons, the Rebels are 168-52 (.764 win pct.) in home games. In five-plus seasons (opened January 2016) playing in the $96.5 million Pavilion at Ole Miss, the Rebels hold a 55-26 (.679) advantage against the opposition. Ole Miss has won 293 of its last 377 games (.777 win pct.) in Oxford dating back to the 1996-97 campaign. Under head coach Kermit Davis, the Rebels are 25-10 (.714 win pct.) at home.
SHULER TABBED PRESEASON SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC
For the second consecutive season, Devontae Shuler was named Preseason All-SEC by the conference coaches. After ranking fifth in the SEC in steals (1.7 per game) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7) a season ago, one of only two players conference-wide to finish top five in both categories, Shuler was tabbed Second Team All-SEC heading into his senior season. Shuler, the only fourth-year senior on the team, is the Rebels' leading returning scorer (11.7 ppg) following the graduation of First Team All-SEC honoree Breein Tyree (19.7 ppg). Along with pacing Ole Miss in steals on the defensive end of the court, he also produced a team-best 3.3 assists per game. The Irmo, South Carolina, native put together five 20-point games throughout the 2019-20 season, including a career-high 28 points at LSU (Feb. 1).
NEW, BUT EXPERIENCED BUNCH
The Rebels have several new faces on this year's team, but that doesn't mean they don't lack experience. Four of the six newcomers are transfers, making the Rebels the most experienced team in the SEC in terms of Division I minutes (15,861) entering the 2020-21 season. Graduate transfers Dimencio Vaughn(Rider) and Romello White (Arizona State) played three seasons apiece at their previous schools, while Robert Allen (Samford) and Jarkel Joiner (CSU Bakersfield) already boast two years of experience at the Division I level.
GREAT GRAD TRANSFERS
Ole Miss added a pair of superb grad transfers in Dimencio Vaughn (Rider) and Romello White (Arizona State). Vaughn rated as high as the No. 4 graduate transfer according to 247Sports, while White ranked fourth on ESPN's grad transfer list. Over 95 games for the Broncs, Vaughn scored 1,239 points and shot 47.4 percent from the floor while earning First Team All-MAAC honors twice. This past season, Vaughn averaged a team-high 14.8 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game to rank fifth in the conference in both categories. The New York City native added 1.8 steals per game to lead the Broncs (second in the league), and his 48.4 field goal percentage ranked eighth in the MAAC. Over three seasons at Arizona State, White started 92 of the 95 games he played for the Sun Devils. He tallied 927 points during his ASU career, averaging 9.8 ppg and shooting 60.5 percent from the floor (second on the program's all-time list). During the 2019-20 campaign, White ranked second in the Pac-12 with 8.8 rebounds per game.
OXFORD'S OWN
Having to sit out a year after transferring from CSU Bakersfield, it's been a long wait for Jarkel Joiner to play for his hometown school. Joiner brings an electric game to the Ole Miss backcourt, having led the WAC in scoring (18.6 ppg) and breaking the CSU Bakersfield single season scoring record (532 points) during the 2018-19 campaign. Before taking his talents out west, Joiner starred in Ole Miss' backyard at Oxford High School. As a senior, he ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (36.5 ppg) to lead the Chargers to the state semifinals. Joiner was often found throwing alley-oops to fellow Oxford native and current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
REPLACING TYREE
The Rebels have a big void to fill with the graduation of Breein Tyree, who signed with the Miami Heat on Sunday (Nov. 22). The Somerset, New Jersey, native ranked second in the SEC in scoring a season ago by averaging 19.7 ppg (36th nationally). Tyree put the team on his back at times, producing 15 games of at least 20 points that included a career-high 40 points against rival Mississippi State (Feb. 11). Earning First Team All-SEC accolades twice, Tyree etched his name in the Ole Miss record book for several categories.
| Category | Rank | Stat |
| Points | 6th | 1,797 |
| 3-Pointers Made | 6th | 207 |
| Free Throws Made | 9th | 384 |
| Field Goals Made | 10th | 603 |
| Assists | 10th | 325 |
| Minutes Played | 10th | 3,634 |
LUIS IS BACK
Luis Rodriguez saw his 2019-20 campaign cut short just five games into the season, suffering a foot fracture during a pregame shootaround. At the time, he was a starter and ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.2 per game). The Los Angeles, California, native is back this season and was even granted a medical hardship by the NCAA, retaining his sophomore status.
ALLEN GRANTED IMMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY
After transferring to Ole Miss from Samford in the spring, forward Robert Allen was declared immediately eligible for the 2020-21 season. Allen was one of Samford's leading scorers and rebounders over a pair of seasons. Playing 65 games for the Bulldogs, he averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.7 rebounds per game to go along with 11 double-doubles. Wrapping up his sophomore season, Allen finished with a team-high 43 blocks through 32 games. He scored 14.1 ppg and pulled down 7.0 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories. His 1.3 blocks per game was third in the Southern Conference, while his rebounding average ranked fifth.
UNDERRATED REBELS
For the SEC's annual preseason poll, a panel consisting of SEC and national media members picked the Rebels to finish ninth in the conference standings this season. That shouldn't worry Ole Miss fans, as the Rebels have placed higher than the media's projection in seven of the last nine seasons since the SEC went away from the divisional format. That includes the 2018-19 campaign when Ole Miss was predicted to finish last in the SEC, only to tie for sixth and return to the NCAA Tournament under first year head coach and 2019 SEC Coach of the Year Kermit Davis.
YEAR THREE OF THE DAVIS ERA
Kermit Davis is in his third season at the helm of Ole Miss Basketball. A nine-time conference coach of the year, Davis is 38th among active Division I head coaches with 440 career wins over 23 seasons, including stints at MT, Idaho and Texas A&M. In 26 seasons as a college basketball head coach, he has amassed 506 wins. Davis wasted no time making an impact in Oxford. With the Rebels coming off a last-place finish in 2017-18, the media picked Ole Miss to land at the bottom of the SEC standings again in 2018-19. However, the Rebels posted a 20-13 record to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. With a return to March Madness for the sixth time in his career, Davis joined a list of 63 coaches in college basketball history to take three different schools to the NCAA Tournament. Davis was named SEC Coach of the Year by his peers and the Associated Press, earning conference coach of the year accolades for the ninth time in his career. He became just the third active coach (Dana Altman, Bob Huggins) to be named coach of the year in four different conferences.
PAVILION ATTENDANCE
In accordance with the State of Mississippi's most recent executive order in response to COVID-19, capacity at The Pavilion at Ole Miss has been reduced to 10 percent for Rebel basketball games through at least January 15.
NEXT ON THE HARDWOOD
With the conclusion of the three-game homestand to start the season, the Rebels hit the road for their next two games. First, Ole Miss heads to Murfreesboro to face Middle Tennessee (Dec. 16) in Kermit Davis' return to his former school. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. The Rebels remain away from home with a matchup against Dayton (Dec. 19). The battle with the Flyers tips off at 1:30 p.m. CT on NBCSN.
