The Sports Bank’s “99 in 99” countdown ranks the 72 power conference college basketball teams and top 27 mid-majors in reverse power rankings order. It will lead right into the opening tip of the season and provide you with in-depth coverage on every team. Mississippi comes in at #68 despite playing in a very weak SEC West. Click here if you missed teams #69-#99.
By: David Kay
Mississippi Rebels (T-4th, 9-7 in SEC, 24-11 overall)
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Reginald Buckner (So)/ Demarco Cox (Fr)
PF: Terrance Henry (Jr)/Steadman Short (Jr)/Isaiah Massey (Fr)
G: Zach Graham (Sr)/Nick Williams (So)
SG: Trevor Gaskins (Jr)/Donald Williams (So)
PG: Chris Warren (Sr)/Will Bogan (So)/Dundrecous Nelson (Fr)
Gone: SG-Terrico White, SG-Eniel Polynice (transfer-Seton Hall), F/C-DeAundre Cranston, F-Murphy Holloway (transfer-South Carolina), F/C DeAngelo Riley (transfer-Azusa Pacific), C-Kevin Canintol (transfer-Florida Gulf Coast), SG-Michael Halford (transfer)
2010-2011 Outlook:
Last season was supposed to be a break-out of sorts for the Ole Miss basketball team. After getting off to a solid start, the Rebels hit a rough patch and once again fell on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble missing out on the Big Dance for the eighth straight season. Barring a serious surprise, that streak seems will likely extend to nine this year.
Part of the reason Mississippi faltered in 2009-2010 is because Terrico White failed to make the leap that most were expecting. Rather than trying to redeem himself as a junior, White chose to enter the NBA Draft and is one of several Rebels who left the program early. Eniel Polynice, Murphy Holloway, and DeAundre Cranston all decided to transfer leaving Andy Kennedy with some holes to fill.
Leading scorer Chris Warren is back to the run the show while fellow returners Terrence Henry and Zach Graham will likely be asked to play a bigger role after finding themselves in and out the starting line-up last season. Indiana transfer Nick Williams becomes eligible after sitting out a year while Will Bogan returns from a hand injury that cost him most of the 2009-2010 season. Both should add some needed depth and could possibly find themselves in the starting five.
Player to Watch: Terrence Henry, F/C
Ole Miss does not have a true low post presence. Reginald Buckner showed promise in his freshman season but if the Rebels are going to keep their heads above water this season, Henry will have to become more reliable. He is long and athletic, but has been unable to make his mark on the program after coming in as a top-100 high school recruit.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/17 vs. Murray State
11/20 vs. Dayton
11/26 vs. Penn State
11/30 at Miami (Fl)
12/4 vs. Southern Mississippi
12/23 vs. Colorado State/Appalachian State (Cancun Governor’s Cup)
12/24 vs. St. Louis/Northeastern/Southern Miss/East Tennessee State (Cancun Governor’s Cup)
Other 99 in 99’s:
#69 George Mason
#70 Colorado
#71 Weber State
#72 Alabama
#73 Bradley
#74 Central Florida
#75 Wake Forest
#76 Georgia Tech
#77 USC
#78 Oklahoma State
#79 Cal
#80 Oklahoma
#81 Virginia
#82 South Carolina
#83 Indiana
#84 Stanford
#85 Oregon
#86 Penn State
#87 South Florida
#88 Arkansas
#89 Boston College
#90 LSU
#91 Providence
#92 Michigan
#93 Oregon State
#94. Nebraska
#95. Auburn
#96. DePaul
#97. Iowa State
#98. Rutgers
#99. Iowa