Ole Miss Basketball Survives Murray State 78-73: Three Takeaways from the Rebs Win

Dec 11, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Rasheed Brooks (14) drives to the basket while being defended by Virginia Tech guard Justin Robinson (5) in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Ole Miss basketball team survived a late comeback attempt by the Murray State Racers and won the game 78-73. Here are three takeaways from the win.

The Ole Miss basketball team has been a weird one all year. From the abundant turnovers to the poor perimeter defense.

Ole Miss came into the game against the Racers looking for their 7th win this season.

The Rebels (7-3) started the game out hot, taking a 43-31 lead at halftime over the Racers (5-6). Ole Miss started to extend that lead early in the 2nd half, but would soon allow the Racers back in the game.

In the last nine minutes of the game, the Racers outscored Ole Miss 29-14, in large part to forcing turnovers on full court press defense.

Ole Miss was offered no favors by the referees, but the Rebels would stay composed and continued to play like a tournament team.

The most impressive player of the night to me was Breein Tyree. Tyree, a freshman, was magnificent running the point at times.

While his stats did not show it, Tyree showed spurts of greatness at times. He will be a good one for years to come.

Deandre Burnett was the stat master of the night, scoring 24 points in 31 minutes. Burnett was seen after the game wearing a cast on his left hand.

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy offered some interesting thoughts after the game.

One of the most important quote from Kennedy to me was pertaining the missed layups.

“We missed eight layups. Eight layups. Eight layups. And for an SEC scholarship player. Layups I can make right now in this tie and these slippery shoes. Eight layups. Really? Gotta get better.”

The Rebels sat forward Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey for the game. When asked about why, Kennedy said “just trying to win.”

Ole Miss got out of the Pavilion with a win over a lesser opponent, something that tournament teams do. The Rebels have to keep it up.

Dec 11, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Sebastian Saiz (11) looks to pass the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Sebastian Saiz is a star at Ole Miss.

Most college basketball fans know who Sebastian Saiz is. He is a double-double machine for Ole Miss.

Saiz racked up 15 points and 15 rebounds against the Racers, leading the Rebels to the victory.

This is something that Ole Miss fans have come to know Saiz for, as he is a fan-favorite and he showed why tonight.

One can see how valuable Saiz is when he is off the court, as the Rebels struggle greatly to produce anything on offense without him.

Freshman Nate Morris is backing up Saiz now that Karlis Salins is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Morris is young and has potential, but he made some mistakes tonight that any freshman would make. He will get better.

But while he is improving, Saiz is making a name for himself at Ole Miss.

Dec 11, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Deandre Burnett (1) shoots against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss is a tournament team

The Ole Miss basketball team can make the NCAA tournament this season. They have the team and depth to do so, but will they?

The Rebels will have to turn down the turnovers and will have to juice something out of Nate Morris, but the Rebels are in a good position.

Andy Kennedy and the Rebels have a team that can score a lot, starters and bench players can score and that is an asset.

If Ole Miss can cut down the errors that the team has been making, Ole Miss will be a tournament team.

How far will they go? No clue. Barring major injury, Ole Miss could easily make it to the second weekend. Remember how they played against Creighton?

If they bring that to the NCAA tournament, Ole Miss could be looking at a Sweet 16 birth.

Despite all of this praise, I still think Ole Miss is a year away from competing, but man would it be fun?

Dec 11, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech forward Zach LeDay (32) grabs the ball from Mississippi Rebels guard Cullen Neal (2) in the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Cullen Neal has to improve

Ole Miss brought in Cullen Neal to run the point guard position for the Rebels, and so far, he has not met expectations.

Neal is the most streaky player on the team. He will hit three three’s in a row and then won’t make another one the rest of the night.

His passing can be some of the best in the nation, and then he will throw one into the defenders hands.

ICYMI: Ole Miss Hires Phil Longo as OC

Ole Miss has to have a point guard to run the offense, and Neal has not been that guy.

Breein Tyree got the start over Neal tonight, a sign of things to come for Ole Miss.

Tyree excelled in his limited role, but Neal can back in the game and lit things up. After scoring a quick six points, Neal end the game with 8 points on 10 field goal attempts.

Neal cut down on turnovers tonight, as he did not turn it over one time. But he has to get his contributions under control if Ole Miss wishes to make a tournament run.