Here's the preview from UM Media Relations:
TIP OFF
Series History
Ole Miss leads, 4-0
Current Streak
Ole Miss, 4
First Meeting
Jan. 15, 2001 • Oxford, Miss.
W, 79-58
Last Meeting
Dec. 16, 2012 • Oxford, Miss.
W, 63-48
By the numbers
At Oxford: Ole Miss leads 3-0
At Nashville: Ole Miss leads 1-0
At Neutral Sites: Never Met
Longest UM Streak: 4 (2000-Present)
Longest BU Streak: Never happened
Biggest UM Win: 21 (1/15/00 - at Oxford)
Biggest BU Win: Never happened
Most UM Points: 79 (1/15/00 - at Oxford)
Most BU Points: 62 (01/04/84 - at Oxford)
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont enters the SJB Pavilion Thursday coming off of an 88-70 victory in Chatanooga Tuesday night. The Bruins return a talented roster after reaching the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament last season as a 12 seed, upsetting No. 5 seed Gonzaga 64-59 in the first round.
The Bruins were chosen to finish first in the Ohio Valley Conference, as Belmont has claimed four out of the last five league titles. Sophomore guard Destinee Wells was tabbed as the Preseason OVC player of the year, and joined teammates senior foward Conley Chinn and sophomore guard Tuti Jones on the preseason All-OVC Team.
Against the Mocs, four Bruins finished in double-digits being led by Madison Bartley finishing with 21 points after going 9-14 from the field.
THE REBELS IN SEASON OPENERS
Ole Miss has found themselves successful in season openers, winning the last 13 straight in a streak dating back to 2007.
This is the first time that the Rebels have opened up the season with a team fresh off an NCAA Tournament run since a meeting with Nebraska in Lincoln in 2007.
GROCERY LIST COMPLETE
Yolett McPhee-McCuin and Co. made sure to check everything off their list this off-season, scouring the transfer portal to bring in three new Rebel guards to Oxford. Bringing in more NCAA Tournament experience to the court, all three look to make a strong impact on the hardwood.
Angel Baker - Sr.*- Wright State
NOT A TYPO
Shakira Austin had herself quite the Tuesday on November 9, earning herself a spot on three national award watchlists by the time lunch rolled around. The center found herself on the Wade Trophy Watch List, The John R. Wooden Award Watch List and the Naismith Watch List as one of the top players in women's college basketball.
Austin recently also earned a spot on the Lisa Leslie Watch List, awarded to the best center in women's college basketball at the end of the season.
HIGH RESULTS, HIGH EXPECTATIONS
With all five starters from last season returning, the coaches through SEC recognized the potential of this year's Rebs, picking them to finish sixth in the SEC in the preseason coaches poll.
Sixth is the highest preseason ranking by the coaches since the SEC Coaches Poll began predicting order of finish in 2007-08, and the best overall since being picked fifth in the 2005-06 media poll.
Ole Miss was also picked to finish eighth in the SEC Preseason Media Poll, its best in that poll since 2015-16.
Austin also earned herself Preseason All-SEC honors in both polls, adding to her collection of preseason acclaim.
POSTSEASON RUN FOR THE REBS
Ole Miss rebounded from an 0-16 SEC season in 2019-20 in demonstrative fashion, putting the SEC on notice with an exciting 2020-21 season that saw the Rebels advance to the WNIT final -- the furthest postseason run in program history. Ole Miss ultimately fell to Rice in the title game, 71-58, but still made a lot of noise along the way in head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin's fourth season in Oxford.
WNIT Team Notes
• Advanced to the WNIT Semifinal and Final for the first time in school history
• First NCAA or WNIT semifinal or final in school history
• Outscored opponents +7.2 per game
• Shot 39.5 percent from the field
• Defense allowed just 56.6 PPG and .179 clip from beyond the arc
• Defense averaged 19.2 turnovers
• Out-rebounded opponents +9.0
• 16.4 free throws made per game
• 6.0 blocks per game
• Shakira Austin: All-Tournament and All-Memphis Regional
• Donnetta Johnson: All-Memphis Regional Team
WNIT Individual Notes
• Shakira Austin: 20.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, .514 FG, .833 FT
• Donnetta Johnson: 10.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, .365 FG
• Madison Scott: 9.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG, .447 FG
• Mimi Reid: 5.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.6 APG
BRUTAL FINAL STRETCH
Ole Miss came up short of its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2007 after putting together a strong resume, particularly down the stretch in February. The Rebels ended with a NET of 43 and a strength of schedule of 82, which included a 4-8 record against the NET Top-50, a 3-6 record against ranked teams and a 5-6 record against current NCAA Tournament teams. Over their last eight games prior to the WNIT, the Rebels were 4-4 against an average NET of 16.8 (only two games at home), and over a brutal stretch of the last five games Ole Miss was 2-3 vs. an average NET of 13.4 (only one game at home).
EXCITEMENT BREWING IN OXFORD
Ole Miss captured imaginations during its spectacular late season run in 2020-21, ending with its first winning season in four years at 15-12 amid a slew of impressive team accomplishments along the way.
• Furthest postseason run in school history (WNIT Runners-Up, lost to Rice in title game)
• Went from 0-16 in SEC play in 2019-20 to first SEC Quarterfinal appearance since 2010 last season (and nearly beat Tennessee for first semifinal appearance since 1993)
• Largest win increase (+8) at Ole Miss since 1990-91 – 1991-92 (+9); went 7-23 in 2019-20
• Beat three top-25 teams in a month; season sweep of Kentucky, beat No. 13 Arkansas in First Round of SEC Tournament (nearly beat No. 14 Tennessee in Quarterfinal)
• Ended regular season with NET of 43, five top-100 wins, four top-50 wins and a 4-4 stretch in their last eight games against an average NET of 16.8
• Most All-SEC selections since 1991-92
WHO'S BACK FOR 2021-22?
• Five starters, 10 letterwinners
• Shakira Austin: Media Preseason All-SEC, Coaches Preseason First-Team All-SEC, Preseason Lisa Leslie Award Watch List
• Austin in 2020-21: WBCA Honorable Mention All-America, First Team All-SEC, WNIT All-Tournament, Lisa Leslie Award Top-10 List, Gillom Trophy Winner (best player in Mississippi)
• Madison Scott: 2020-21 SEC Freshman of the Year (first at Ole Miss since Armintie Price in 2003-04)
• Snudda Collins: 2020-21 SEC All-Freshman team
WHAT'S BACK FOR 2021-22?
• Points: 1,645 of 1,878 (87.6%) – Shakira Austin accounted for 503 of 1,878 (26.8%)
• Rebounds: 964 of 1,060 (90.9%)
• Assists: 291 of 384 (75.8%)
• Steals: 193 of 240 (80.4%)
• Blocks: 102 of 103 (99.0%) – Shakira Austin accounted for 48 of 103 (46.6%)
• 3-Pointers: 95 of 104 (91.3%) – Snudda Collins accounted for 43 of 95 (45.3%)
vs. RANKED TEAMS IN 2020-21
• Record: 3-6
• 64.6 PPG / 68.0 PPG allowed
• .409 FG / .394 FG allowed
• .298 3PT / .313 3PT allowed
• .748 FT
• +2.3 rebounding
• Shakira Austin: 18.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, .513 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, .382 FG
• Madison Scott: 7.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, .432 FG
ON NATIONAL TV IN 2020-21
• Record: 4-5
• 64.9 PPG / 63.3 PPG allowed
• .420 FG / .376 FG allowed
• .325 3PT / .344 3PT allowed
• .786 FT
• +1.8 rebounding
• Shakira Austin: 16.9 PPG, 8.7 RPG, .486 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, .368 FG
• Valerie Nesbitt: 8.3 PPG, 3.1 APG, .462 FG
• Madison Scott: 7.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, .447 FG
PROOF OF CONCEPT
A strong turnaround season for Ole Miss was rewarded thusly by the SEC coaches, with three Rebels earning all-conference honors following the conclusion of the regular season: Shakira Austin (First-Team All-SEC), Madison Scott (Freshman of the Year, All-Freshman) and Snudda Collins (All-Freshman). The three total team selections (All-SEC, All-Freshman) are the most by a Rebel squad since 1992, and trail only the 1988 team's five members and the 1990 team's four members since the All-Freshman team began in 1987.
Shakira Austin
• First-Team All-SEC (first Rebel since Tia Faleru in 2014-15)
• WBCA Honorable Mention All-America
• First Gillom Trophy winner in Ole Miss history (best player in Mississippi)
• Lisa Leslie Award Top-10 List member
• WNIT All-Tournament and All-Memphis Regional
• 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.6 steals, 1.3 assists and shot 51.9 percent overall and 75.9 from the free throw line
• 13 double-doubles, 13 games with 20+ points
• First Rebel to score 20 or more in four straight games since 2009-10 (Bianca Thomas), doing so in a stretch from Dec. 15 to Jan. 7
• First Rebel to record five straight double-doubles since All-American Armintie Price in 2006-07, doing so from Jan. 31 to Feb. 21
• Nearly averaged a double-double vs. ranked opponents at 18.1 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting .513 in nine such contests
• Averaged 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot .476 on national TV
• Ended season as only active SEC player with 1,000 career points (1,171), 700 career rebounds (787) and 150 career blocks (178)
Madison Scott
• SEC Freshman of the Year
• SEC All-Freshman
• Six-time SEC Freshman of the Week, one of three six-time winners in SEC history
• Led SEC freshmen in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game
• Seven double-doubles
Snudda Collins
• SEC All-Freshman
• Two-time SEC Freshman of the Week
• Dropped a career-high 23 points in her collegiate debut against McNeese, draining five threes -- the most points by any Rebel in their freshman debut
• Nine games with three or more made threes
• Led all SEC freshman in the regular season at .425 from beyond the arc (fifth nationally)
• Led Ole Miss in threes per game (1.6)
OLE MISS EARNS PROGRAM WIN NO. 850
The Rebel win vs. Samford in the First Round of the WNIT marked the 850th win in program history. All-time, Ole Miss is currently 852-583 (.594) in 46 years of NCAA Division I competition. Entering the 2020-21 season, only 44 programs have eclipsed the 850-win threshold.
SEASON. SWEEP.
The Rebels shocked the Wildcats for a second time in the month of February, taking down a ranked Kentucky squad yet again to complete the season sweep with a 73-69 victory on Feb. 28. The sweep was the first for Ole Miss over Kentucky in program history, and it helped improve Coach Yo's record over the Wildcats to 3-1 -- with all three of those wins coming while Kentucky was ranked.
In those two games, Ole Miss:
• Out-scored UK by a +8.0 margin
• Out-rebounded UK by a +8.0 margin
• Shot .459, held UK to .326
• Shot .429 from 3PT, held UK to .256
• Shakira Austin: 21.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, .517 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.0 PPG, .478 FG
• Madison Scott: 10.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, .455 FG
AIN'T WASTING TIME NO MORE
The new crop of Rebels on the floor for Ole Miss last season wasted no time in establishing their presence, scoring a combined 78.3 percent of all scoring last season (1470 of 1878).
vs. McNeese State: 88 of 99 (88.9 percent)
vs. Kansas: 56 of 70 (80.0 percent)
vs. Alcorn State: 77 of 104 (74.0 percent)
vs. MVSU: 66 of 86 (76.7 percent)
vs. Jackson St.: 65 of 89 (73.0 percent)
at George Mason: 53 of 64 (82.8 percent)
vs. LSU: 51 of 69 (73.9 percent)
vs. Auburn: 43 of 62 (69.4 percent)
at #14 MSU: 38 of 56 (67.9 percent)
vs. Mizzou: 74 of 77 (96.1 percent)
at Georgia: 36 of 57 (63.2 percent)
vs. Florida: 39 of 68 (57.4 percent)
at #20 Tenn.: 53 of 67 (79.1 percent)
at LSU: 49 of 66 (74.2 percent)
vs. #14 Kentucky: 49 of 72 (68.1 percent)
at Alabama: 53 of 67 (79.1 percent)
at #18 Arkansas: 50 of 74 (67.6 percent)
vs. #5 Texas A&M: 39 of 55 (70.9 percent)
at #5 South Carolina: 31 of 43 (72.1 percent)
at #17 Kentucky: 64 of 73 (87.7 percent)
vs. #13 Arkansas: 60 of 69 (87 percent)
vs. #14 Tennessee: 63 of 72 (87.5 percent)
vs. Samford: 58 of 64 (90.6 percent)
vs. Tulane: 60 of 72 (83.3 percent)
vs. Colorado: 51 of 65 (78.5 percent)
vs. UNI: 53 of 60 (88.3 percent)
vs. Rice: 51 of 58 (87.9 percent)
Furthermore, the quartet of Shakira Austin (503 points), Donnetta Johnson (324 points), Madison Scott (230 points) and Snudda Collins (179 points) together accounted for 65.8 percent of all season scoring last year.
AUSTIN NAMED TO LISA LESLIE TOP-10 LIST
Rebel junior and reigning SEC Player of the Week Shakira Austin earned national attention after making the first cutoff list for the Lisa Leslie Award on their Top-10 list, released on Feb. 5, but missed the final top-five released in early March. Austin joined South Carolina's Aliyah Boston -- the 2020 winner -- as the lone SEC representatives on the Top-10 list.
RARIFIED COMPANY
Ole Miss freshman and SEC Freshman of the Year Madison Scott's sixth SEC Freshman of the Week honor put her into a special group of three players in SEC history to have won the honor at least six times.
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky (2019) – 8 *
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri (2016) – 6 *
Madison Scott, Ole Miss (2021) – 6*
Candace Parker, Tennessee (2006) – 5 *
Angie Bjorklund, Tennessee (2008) – 5 *
C'eira Ricketts, Arkansas (2009) – 5 *
Jasmine James, Georgia (2010) – 5
Danielle Ballard, LSU (2013) – 5
Alaina Coates, South Carolina (2014) – 5 *
A'ja Wilson, South Carolina (2015) – 5 *
Jordan Lewis, Alabama (2017) – 5
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina (2020) – 5 *
* = Won SEC Freshman of the Year
| OLE MISS (0-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. BELMONT (1-0, 0-0 OVC) Thursday, November 11 • 7:00 p.m. • Oxford, Miss. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss 
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| Watch • Live Stats • Listen • Gameday Info Ole Miss Game Notes (PDF) • SEC Game Notes (PDF) |
TIP OFF
- Ole Miss kicks off the 2021-22 campaign off a run to WNIT Final in 2021, returning all five starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's squad.
- The Rebels enter the season picked to finish sixth in the SEC by its coaches, the highest preseason ranking by the coaches since the SEC Coaches Poll began predicting order of finish in 2007-08.
- Four newcomers join the squad in year four of the Yolett McPhee-McCuin era, including three transfers and one freshman. The four guards look to make an immediate impact on the court for the Rebels.
- Shakira Austin looks to continue the momentum from last season after earning Honorable All-American honors into her senior season. The center continues to garner national acclaim, earning Preseason All-SEC honors.
- Six-time SEC Freshman of the Week Madison Scott returns after she became the fourth Rebel to ever win Freshman of the Year, as well as the first since Armintie Price won in 2003-04.
Series History
Ole Miss leads, 4-0
Current Streak
Ole Miss, 4
First Meeting
Jan. 15, 2001 • Oxford, Miss.
W, 79-58
Last Meeting
Dec. 16, 2012 • Oxford, Miss.
W, 63-48
By the numbers
At Oxford: Ole Miss leads 3-0
At Nashville: Ole Miss leads 1-0
At Neutral Sites: Never Met
Longest UM Streak: 4 (2000-Present)
Longest BU Streak: Never happened
Biggest UM Win: 21 (1/15/00 - at Oxford)
Biggest BU Win: Never happened
Most UM Points: 79 (1/15/00 - at Oxford)
Most BU Points: 62 (01/04/84 - at Oxford)
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont enters the SJB Pavilion Thursday coming off of an 88-70 victory in Chatanooga Tuesday night. The Bruins return a talented roster after reaching the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament last season as a 12 seed, upsetting No. 5 seed Gonzaga 64-59 in the first round.
The Bruins were chosen to finish first in the Ohio Valley Conference, as Belmont has claimed four out of the last five league titles. Sophomore guard Destinee Wells was tabbed as the Preseason OVC player of the year, and joined teammates senior foward Conley Chinn and sophomore guard Tuti Jones on the preseason All-OVC Team.
Against the Mocs, four Bruins finished in double-digits being led by Madison Bartley finishing with 21 points after going 9-14 from the field.
THE REBELS IN SEASON OPENERS
Ole Miss has found themselves successful in season openers, winning the last 13 straight in a streak dating back to 2007.
This is the first time that the Rebels have opened up the season with a team fresh off an NCAA Tournament run since a meeting with Nebraska in Lincoln in 2007.
GROCERY LIST COMPLETE
Yolett McPhee-McCuin and Co. made sure to check everything off their list this off-season, scouring the transfer portal to bring in three new Rebel guards to Oxford. Bringing in more NCAA Tournament experience to the court, all three look to make a strong impact on the hardwood.
Angel Baker - Sr.*- Wright State
- Two-time First-Team All Horizon League.
- 2021 Horizon League Tournament MVP.
- Dropped 26 points in the win in First Round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 4 Arkansas.
- Grabbed 12 boards against the Razorbacks for her second double-double of the year.
- Drained 43 3's in 2020-21, shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc.
- Two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year, the first player in conference history to win the award multiple times.
- Four-time All-AAC honoree.
- Set the ECU single-season steals record with 125 in 2019-20.
- Enters the SEC as the active career leader in steals.
- Reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with the Lady Vols last season.
- Appeared in 24 games as a freshman.
- Became one of just 45 Lady Vols to score in double-digits in a debut, logging 10 points against Western Kentucky.
- No. 57 player and a four-star prospect by ESPN out of Jonesboro High School
NOT A TYPO
Shakira Austin had herself quite the Tuesday on November 9, earning herself a spot on three national award watchlists by the time lunch rolled around. The center found herself on the Wade Trophy Watch List, The John R. Wooden Award Watch List and the Naismith Watch List as one of the top players in women's college basketball.
Austin recently also earned a spot on the Lisa Leslie Watch List, awarded to the best center in women's college basketball at the end of the season.
HIGH RESULTS, HIGH EXPECTATIONS
With all five starters from last season returning, the coaches through SEC recognized the potential of this year's Rebs, picking them to finish sixth in the SEC in the preseason coaches poll.
Sixth is the highest preseason ranking by the coaches since the SEC Coaches Poll began predicting order of finish in 2007-08, and the best overall since being picked fifth in the 2005-06 media poll.
Ole Miss was also picked to finish eighth in the SEC Preseason Media Poll, its best in that poll since 2015-16.
Austin also earned herself Preseason All-SEC honors in both polls, adding to her collection of preseason acclaim.
POSTSEASON RUN FOR THE REBS
Ole Miss rebounded from an 0-16 SEC season in 2019-20 in demonstrative fashion, putting the SEC on notice with an exciting 2020-21 season that saw the Rebels advance to the WNIT final -- the furthest postseason run in program history. Ole Miss ultimately fell to Rice in the title game, 71-58, but still made a lot of noise along the way in head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin's fourth season in Oxford.
WNIT Team Notes
• Advanced to the WNIT Semifinal and Final for the first time in school history
• First NCAA or WNIT semifinal or final in school history
• Outscored opponents +7.2 per game
• Shot 39.5 percent from the field
• Defense allowed just 56.6 PPG and .179 clip from beyond the arc
• Defense averaged 19.2 turnovers
• Out-rebounded opponents +9.0
• 16.4 free throws made per game
• 6.0 blocks per game
• Shakira Austin: All-Tournament and All-Memphis Regional
• Donnetta Johnson: All-Memphis Regional Team
WNIT Individual Notes
• Shakira Austin: 20.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, .514 FG, .833 FT
• Donnetta Johnson: 10.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, .365 FG
• Madison Scott: 9.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG, .447 FG
• Mimi Reid: 5.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.6 APG
BRUTAL FINAL STRETCH
Ole Miss came up short of its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2007 after putting together a strong resume, particularly down the stretch in February. The Rebels ended with a NET of 43 and a strength of schedule of 82, which included a 4-8 record against the NET Top-50, a 3-6 record against ranked teams and a 5-6 record against current NCAA Tournament teams. Over their last eight games prior to the WNIT, the Rebels were 4-4 against an average NET of 16.8 (only two games at home), and over a brutal stretch of the last five games Ole Miss was 2-3 vs. an average NET of 13.4 (only one game at home).
EXCITEMENT BREWING IN OXFORD
Ole Miss captured imaginations during its spectacular late season run in 2020-21, ending with its first winning season in four years at 15-12 amid a slew of impressive team accomplishments along the way.
• Furthest postseason run in school history (WNIT Runners-Up, lost to Rice in title game)
• Went from 0-16 in SEC play in 2019-20 to first SEC Quarterfinal appearance since 2010 last season (and nearly beat Tennessee for first semifinal appearance since 1993)
• Largest win increase (+8) at Ole Miss since 1990-91 – 1991-92 (+9); went 7-23 in 2019-20
• Beat three top-25 teams in a month; season sweep of Kentucky, beat No. 13 Arkansas in First Round of SEC Tournament (nearly beat No. 14 Tennessee in Quarterfinal)
• Ended regular season with NET of 43, five top-100 wins, four top-50 wins and a 4-4 stretch in their last eight games against an average NET of 16.8
• Most All-SEC selections since 1991-92
WHO'S BACK FOR 2021-22?
• Five starters, 10 letterwinners
• Shakira Austin: Media Preseason All-SEC, Coaches Preseason First-Team All-SEC, Preseason Lisa Leslie Award Watch List
• Austin in 2020-21: WBCA Honorable Mention All-America, First Team All-SEC, WNIT All-Tournament, Lisa Leslie Award Top-10 List, Gillom Trophy Winner (best player in Mississippi)
• Madison Scott: 2020-21 SEC Freshman of the Year (first at Ole Miss since Armintie Price in 2003-04)
• Snudda Collins: 2020-21 SEC All-Freshman team
WHAT'S BACK FOR 2021-22?
• Points: 1,645 of 1,878 (87.6%) – Shakira Austin accounted for 503 of 1,878 (26.8%)
• Rebounds: 964 of 1,060 (90.9%)
• Assists: 291 of 384 (75.8%)
• Steals: 193 of 240 (80.4%)
• Blocks: 102 of 103 (99.0%) – Shakira Austin accounted for 48 of 103 (46.6%)
• 3-Pointers: 95 of 104 (91.3%) – Snudda Collins accounted for 43 of 95 (45.3%)
vs. RANKED TEAMS IN 2020-21
• Record: 3-6
• 64.6 PPG / 68.0 PPG allowed
• .409 FG / .394 FG allowed
• .298 3PT / .313 3PT allowed
• .748 FT
• +2.3 rebounding
• Shakira Austin: 18.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, .513 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, .382 FG
• Madison Scott: 7.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, .432 FG
ON NATIONAL TV IN 2020-21
• Record: 4-5
• 64.9 PPG / 63.3 PPG allowed
• .420 FG / .376 FG allowed
• .325 3PT / .344 3PT allowed
• .786 FT
• +1.8 rebounding
• Shakira Austin: 16.9 PPG, 8.7 RPG, .486 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, .368 FG
• Valerie Nesbitt: 8.3 PPG, 3.1 APG, .462 FG
• Madison Scott: 7.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, .447 FG
PROOF OF CONCEPT
A strong turnaround season for Ole Miss was rewarded thusly by the SEC coaches, with three Rebels earning all-conference honors following the conclusion of the regular season: Shakira Austin (First-Team All-SEC), Madison Scott (Freshman of the Year, All-Freshman) and Snudda Collins (All-Freshman). The three total team selections (All-SEC, All-Freshman) are the most by a Rebel squad since 1992, and trail only the 1988 team's five members and the 1990 team's four members since the All-Freshman team began in 1987.
Shakira Austin
• First-Team All-SEC (first Rebel since Tia Faleru in 2014-15)
• WBCA Honorable Mention All-America
• First Gillom Trophy winner in Ole Miss history (best player in Mississippi)
• Lisa Leslie Award Top-10 List member
• WNIT All-Tournament and All-Memphis Regional
• 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.6 steals, 1.3 assists and shot 51.9 percent overall and 75.9 from the free throw line
• 13 double-doubles, 13 games with 20+ points
• First Rebel to score 20 or more in four straight games since 2009-10 (Bianca Thomas), doing so in a stretch from Dec. 15 to Jan. 7
• First Rebel to record five straight double-doubles since All-American Armintie Price in 2006-07, doing so from Jan. 31 to Feb. 21
• Nearly averaged a double-double vs. ranked opponents at 18.1 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting .513 in nine such contests
• Averaged 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot .476 on national TV
• Ended season as only active SEC player with 1,000 career points (1,171), 700 career rebounds (787) and 150 career blocks (178)
Madison Scott
• SEC Freshman of the Year
• SEC All-Freshman
• Six-time SEC Freshman of the Week, one of three six-time winners in SEC history
• Led SEC freshmen in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game
• Seven double-doubles
Snudda Collins
• SEC All-Freshman
• Two-time SEC Freshman of the Week
• Dropped a career-high 23 points in her collegiate debut against McNeese, draining five threes -- the most points by any Rebel in their freshman debut
• Nine games with three or more made threes
• Led all SEC freshman in the regular season at .425 from beyond the arc (fifth nationally)
• Led Ole Miss in threes per game (1.6)
OLE MISS EARNS PROGRAM WIN NO. 850
The Rebel win vs. Samford in the First Round of the WNIT marked the 850th win in program history. All-time, Ole Miss is currently 852-583 (.594) in 46 years of NCAA Division I competition. Entering the 2020-21 season, only 44 programs have eclipsed the 850-win threshold.
SEASON. SWEEP.
The Rebels shocked the Wildcats for a second time in the month of February, taking down a ranked Kentucky squad yet again to complete the season sweep with a 73-69 victory on Feb. 28. The sweep was the first for Ole Miss over Kentucky in program history, and it helped improve Coach Yo's record over the Wildcats to 3-1 -- with all three of those wins coming while Kentucky was ranked.
In those two games, Ole Miss:
• Out-scored UK by a +8.0 margin
• Out-rebounded UK by a +8.0 margin
• Shot .459, held UK to .326
• Shot .429 from 3PT, held UK to .256
• Shakira Austin: 21.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, .517 FG
• Donnetta Johnson: 13.0 PPG, .478 FG
• Madison Scott: 10.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, .455 FG
AIN'T WASTING TIME NO MORE
The new crop of Rebels on the floor for Ole Miss last season wasted no time in establishing their presence, scoring a combined 78.3 percent of all scoring last season (1470 of 1878).
vs. McNeese State: 88 of 99 (88.9 percent)
vs. Kansas: 56 of 70 (80.0 percent)
vs. Alcorn State: 77 of 104 (74.0 percent)
vs. MVSU: 66 of 86 (76.7 percent)
vs. Jackson St.: 65 of 89 (73.0 percent)
at George Mason: 53 of 64 (82.8 percent)
vs. LSU: 51 of 69 (73.9 percent)
vs. Auburn: 43 of 62 (69.4 percent)
at #14 MSU: 38 of 56 (67.9 percent)
vs. Mizzou: 74 of 77 (96.1 percent)
at Georgia: 36 of 57 (63.2 percent)
vs. Florida: 39 of 68 (57.4 percent)
at #20 Tenn.: 53 of 67 (79.1 percent)
at LSU: 49 of 66 (74.2 percent)
vs. #14 Kentucky: 49 of 72 (68.1 percent)
at Alabama: 53 of 67 (79.1 percent)
at #18 Arkansas: 50 of 74 (67.6 percent)
vs. #5 Texas A&M: 39 of 55 (70.9 percent)
at #5 South Carolina: 31 of 43 (72.1 percent)
at #17 Kentucky: 64 of 73 (87.7 percent)
vs. #13 Arkansas: 60 of 69 (87 percent)
vs. #14 Tennessee: 63 of 72 (87.5 percent)
vs. Samford: 58 of 64 (90.6 percent)
vs. Tulane: 60 of 72 (83.3 percent)
vs. Colorado: 51 of 65 (78.5 percent)
vs. UNI: 53 of 60 (88.3 percent)
vs. Rice: 51 of 58 (87.9 percent)
Furthermore, the quartet of Shakira Austin (503 points), Donnetta Johnson (324 points), Madison Scott (230 points) and Snudda Collins (179 points) together accounted for 65.8 percent of all season scoring last year.
AUSTIN NAMED TO LISA LESLIE TOP-10 LIST
Rebel junior and reigning SEC Player of the Week Shakira Austin earned national attention after making the first cutoff list for the Lisa Leslie Award on their Top-10 list, released on Feb. 5, but missed the final top-five released in early March. Austin joined South Carolina's Aliyah Boston -- the 2020 winner -- as the lone SEC representatives on the Top-10 list.
RARIFIED COMPANY
Ole Miss freshman and SEC Freshman of the Year Madison Scott's sixth SEC Freshman of the Week honor put her into a special group of three players in SEC history to have won the honor at least six times.
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky (2019) – 8 *
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri (2016) – 6 *
Madison Scott, Ole Miss (2021) – 6*
Candace Parker, Tennessee (2006) – 5 *
Angie Bjorklund, Tennessee (2008) – 5 *
C'eira Ricketts, Arkansas (2009) – 5 *
Jasmine James, Georgia (2010) – 5
Danielle Ballard, LSU (2013) – 5
Alaina Coates, South Carolina (2014) – 5 *
A'ja Wilson, South Carolina (2015) – 5 *
Jordan Lewis, Alabama (2017) – 5
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina (2020) – 5 *
* = Won SEC Freshman of the Year
