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It’s easy to understand why Mark Pope isn’t making excuses, but he has plenty to make
Ole Miss Coach Assigns Blame for Loss to Mississippi State
After a dominant performance against the Kentucky Wildcats on Feb. 4th, the Ole Miss Rebels men’s basketball team has had a bit of a letdown in recent weeks. They squeaked out consecutive road wins against the SEC’s two worst teams but then lost in an ugly Egg Bowl matchup on Saturday against Mississippi State. While the final score on Saturday only showed a difference of 10 points, the Rebels were dominated in every facet of the game against their geographic rival. Head coach Chris Beard acknowledged that fact after the loss and took his share of the blame for
Ole Miss’ performance. “Not taking anything away from Mississippi State. They have great role definition. It’s a winning team,” said Beard. “Who brought their ‘A’ game? This team wasn’t well coached today.” The defeat on Sunday was unexpected considering that Ole Miss has several impressive wins this season and a roster full of veteran players. Still, the Rebels, who have only one underclassman in the rotation, lost by failing to do the little things. Such a performance was a bit concerning for a team that is hoping to make a serious tournament run but coach Beard seems to have things under control. His awareness of the team’s shortcomings and willingness to adapt should benefit the team as the most important part of the season arrives. Ole Miss has essentially clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament already but they have the hardest portion of their schedule coming up. If they can finish strong, starting next Saturday at Vanderbilt, then Beard’s team can position themselves for an easier road for March Madness.
In the wake of Kentucky’s recent 82-78 loss to Texas, the Wildcats’ standing in the AP Top 25 is under scrutiny. Despite the setback, a significant drop in rankings is unlikely. Kentucky currently resides at No. 15, The midweek win over a top 5 Tennessee is enough to avoid the big drop, but it is showcasing their ability to compete against top-tier teams and flop against non-ranked teams. Additionally, the team’s recent challenges, including the absence of their top three point guards due to injuries, provide context that voters are likely to consider, even though Kentucky has lost 5 of their last 8.
Looking beyond the Wilcats for a moment, Auburn maintains its stronghold at No. 1 for sure, followed closely by Alabama who they defeated. Florida breaks the tie with Duke who falls to number 4 with Tennessee dropping to number 7. Given all that, it’s projected that Kentucky will experience a modest decline, potentially settling in at No. 17 in the upcoming poll tomorrow. This projection accounts for their recent loss while acknowledging their resilience amid roster challenges, and big time wins.
Texas probably does garner some votes after knocking off the Cats to stop their losing streak, but I do not think they will have enough to get into the top 25. Along with the AP poll the coaches poll also will be coming out, and the Cats will sit in that 18-20 range there as well.
