The Delta Devils

Well my two favorite teams play this weekend, as the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils roll into Oxford for the Rebels first true game of the season. The Delta Devils, come into Oxford off of a season in which they won the SWAC regular season title narrowly missed the NCAA tourney. The Devils, coached by former Rebel player, James "Doughboy" Green should not be much of a matchup for the Rebels. With the run and gun offense the Rebels play, they should not have much trouble, since SWAC teams historically do not play much defense.

For those of you that have never attended a game at the HPER Complex on the campus of Mississippi Valley State, you have missed out. It is always good entertainment to watch the Devils play. I expect the Devils to be even better than last year as they have added a couple of juco transfers. Look for the Devils to be in the field of 65 this year.

As for the Rebels, I expect Kennedy will get to play all players like the Delta State game. It will probably take a few games before Kennedy narrows down the 7-10 players who will see most of the action for the Rebels. All in all if you are in the Oxford area, go check out the Rebels opening game.

UMAA Notes:
LAST TIME OUT: OLE MISS 110, DELTA STATE 65 Ole Miss jumped out to a huge 36-point halftime lead and did not look back in a 110-65 exhibition win over Delta State Friday night at Tad Smith Coliseum. Six Rebels scored in double figures in the blowout, led by sophomore guard David Huertas’ 18 points. Freshman point guard Chris Warren poured in 17 points and nine assists. Sophomore Eniel Polynice, freshman Trevor Gaskins and freshman Zach Graham chipped in 13 points apiece, and senior Dwayne Curtis added 12. The Rebels displayed a fast-pace attack and had major contributions from several of the newcomers that are looking to fill the void left by last year’s senior backcourt leaders Todd Abernethy, Bam Doyne and Clarence Sanders.

SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE The Delta Devils return four starters and six lettermen from last year's 18-16 squad that won the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship with a 13-5 league record. Valley fell to Mississippi State in the first round of the NIT. Among the returnees is senior Stanford Speech, who led the team a year ago with 12.3 points per game. Included among the team’s seven newcomers are four freshmen and junior college transfers Dwayne Harmason (Cincinnati State CC), Eric Petty (Hartnell CC) and Joseph Reed (Odessa CC).

OLE MISS-MVSU SERIES Ole Miss won the teams’ first ever meeting with last year’s 72-49 season-opening victory in Oxford. Bam Doyne led the way with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Jermey Parnell and Xavier Hansbro added 11 points apiece and Brian Smith had a career-high 10 points for the Rebels. Ole Miss won big despite the loss of starting point guard Todd Abernethy three minutes into the contest when he suffered a slight concussion and a blow that required five stitches over his left eye.

REBEL-DELTA DEVIL TIES MVSU head coach James Green, in his second year with the team, was a three-year letterwinner as a guard for Ole Miss from 1980-82 and a member of the 1981 SEC Tournament Championship squad.

REBELS VS. THE SWAC Ole Miss enters Saturday’s season opener against Miss. Valley State with a perfect 26-0 record against teams that currently comprise the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Rebels have faced every SWAC school except Texas Southern, while having played Prairie View A&M the most times at six, followed by five contests with Alabama State and four against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.