Crowded at the Top

Coach Andy Kennedy and his basketball team suffered a set back on Saturday as they were defeated by the Arkansas Razorbacks 83-66. This was not a good game for the Rebels. They struggled for alot of the game, but were able to cut the Hogs lead to one going into halftime. Arkansas kept that lead and never looked back as they dominated the second half and never let the Rebels get close.

The Rebels did not play like they had been playing over the last month or so. They seemed to be a little slow and not as focused as they had been in the past. Andy Kennedy took note of this and commented on it post game. He was very disappointed in the way his team played. All I can say is that I am glad I was not at practice today or tomorrow.

Clarence Sanders led the Rebels with 15 points. However most of these points did not come until late in the game, when the lead was already out of reach. The disappointing fact is that Bam Doyne has not produced lately. In his last game in his home state of Arkansas, Bam only produced 7 points and was 2 of 12 from the field. Bam has got to step it up if the Rebels are going to make a run at a divisional championship or NCAA tourney bid.

Arkansas deserves credit also. I felt like they played very well in a must win game for them. They were led by Patrick Beverly with 24 points and Sonny Weems who contributed 19.

The Rebels are now 17-9 and 6-6 in the SEC. They sit atop the SEC West tied with Alabama and Mississippi State. Who both had big wins this weekend. As I stated earlier, Saturday had the chance to go two ways, either Ole Miss would separate themselves or there would be a big jumble at the top. Well the later has happened. The final four games of the season are going to determine who wins the West. I feel like the winner of the West will go 9-7. And with MSU and Alabama playing the last game of the season on a Sunday, we will more than likely have to wait until that Sunday to figure out the seedings.

For Ole Miss, they face a Georgia team on Wednesday who is 7-5 in league play. The Rebels must protect their home court and win this game. I feel like Kennedy will have his team prepared to get things back to the way they were before the trip to Arkansas.