Rebel Report podcast: Ole Miss still in GREAT shape despite losses

Rebel Report Podcast: Ole Miss Still in GREAT Shape Despite Losses

Opening Theme Music
Sound fades out…

Host 1 (Jonah):
Welcome back, Rebels fans, to another episode of the Rebel Report Podcast! It’s Jonah and Alex here with you, breaking down all things Ole Miss basketball. Now, we know the past few games haven’t gone exactly as planned, with a couple of tough losses in SEC play, but we’re here to tell you that Ole Miss is still in great shape for the rest of the season. So, grab a seat, relax, and let’s dive into why this team is still positioned for success, even with a few setbacks.

Host 2 (Alex):
That’s right, Jonah. A couple of rough outings don’t define a season. And before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a deep breath. Yes, the losses stung, but if we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, Ole Miss has all the pieces to make a strong push down the stretch.

Jonah:
Exactly. I mean, when you look at this Ole Miss squad, there’s a lot to be optimistic about, even if the record isn’t perfect. So, what we’re going to do in today’s episode is break down why Ole Miss is still in great shape, despite some tough losses. We’ll look at key strengths, the bigger picture in the SEC, and the potential for Ole Miss to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Alex:
Alright, let’s jump into it!

1. Resilient Defense: Still One of the Best in the SEC

Jonah:
First and foremost, Ole Miss is still one of the best defensive teams in the SEC. Yes, there have been a couple of slip-ups here and there, but let’s not forget this team is built on defensive principles. Coach Kermit Davis has made defense a staple of this program since his arrival, and that hasn’t changed.

Alex:
That’s absolutely right. Even in the losses, Ole Miss’ defense has largely been effective. They’ve been able to force turnovers, contest shots, and limit their opponents to tough looks, especially around the rim. Now, I’ll admit, there have been moments where Ole Miss struggled to contain some perimeter shooters, but they are still a top-tier defensive team in terms of field goal percentage allowed and defensive efficiency.

Jonah:
The Rebels are currently holding opponents to just over 40% shooting from the field, which ranks them in the upper half of the SEC. And when you’re able to limit easy buckets and force difficult shots, you give yourself a chance in every game. Take the Alabama game for example—they were down early, but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to find its rhythm.

Alex:
Absolutely, Jonah. This defensive foundation is key. With their ability to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and rebound at a high level, Ole Miss is always in the game. And defense can travel, right? As we get into the later parts of the season, especially on the road, having that strong defense will be essential, even if the offense isn’t clicking as much.

2. Offensive Progress: Jarkel Joiner is Heating Up

Jonah:
Now, let’s talk about the offense. We’ve seen Ole Miss struggle to put up consistent points at times, especially against some of the tougher defenses in the league. But there’s one major reason for optimism on the offensive end, and that’s the emergence of Jarkel Joiner. This guy has been on fire lately. Over the past few games, he’s been stepping up as the leader Ole Miss needs him to be.

Alex:
Right, Jonah. Joiner is the type of player who can carry a team when things aren’t going well. His ability to score in a variety of ways—whether it’s hitting threes, driving to the basket, or creating for others—makes him such a dynamic threat. And let’s not forget, when Jarkel is hot, he can go on scoring runs that change the course of a game.

Jonah:
Exactly, Alex. And when Joiner is playing with confidence, the whole team seems to feed off that energy. It also opens up things for guys like Daeshun Ruffin and Matthew Murrell, who are both capable of scoring in different ways.

Alex:
That’s right. The key for Ole Miss is getting all of these guards to play well together. When Joiner is able to draw attention and collapse the defense, it opens up easy looks for guys like Ruffin or even Ty Fagan. Ruffin’s quickness is hard to contain, and if he can get to the rim consistently, it will open up more opportunities for the rest of the team.

3. SEC is Wide Open: The Race is Far From Over

Jonah:
Now, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture, particularly the SEC standings. Yes, Ole Miss has dropped a few games in conference play, but the SEC is a deep and competitive league, and there are still plenty of opportunities for Ole Miss to climb up the standings.

Alex:
Absolutely. The SEC is stacked this year, with teams like Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee all making noise. But here’s the thing: the SEC isn’t settled. Many of these teams have shown weaknesses, and the race for those top spots is far from over. This means that with a few key wins down the stretch, Ole Miss can very much be in the mix for a top-half finish in the SEC.

Jonah:
Right. And remember, the SEC is going to beat up on each other as we get into the middle and end of the conference slate. So, one or two wins over those teams near the top could propel Ole Miss back into the conversation for NCAA Tournament contention. Let’s not forget, the Rebels have shown they can compete with some of the best teams in the league, even if the results haven’t always gone their way.

Alex:
Exactly. If Ole Miss can steal a couple of big wins—whether it’s against Tennessee, Kentucky, or even a road win at Alabama or Arkansas—that would be huge. And with the SEC Tournament in Nashville at the end of the season, you never know what can happen in a one-and-done format.

4. The Bench is Stepping Up

Jonah:
Another thing we’ve seen recently is that the Ole Miss bench has really started to make more of an impact. Guys like Nysier Brooks and James White have had strong performances off the bench, giving the Rebels depth that they didn’t have earlier in the season.

Alex:
That’s been huge, Jonah. Having reliable contributors coming off the bench gives Ole Miss the flexibility to maintain energy throughout the game and gives Coach Kermit Davis more rotation options. When you have guys who can come in and make an immediate impact, whether it’s scoring or defending, it really elevates the whole team.

Jonah:
And when you’re facing teams that are deep themselves, having that added bench strength is crucial. It prevents players like Joiner from burning out and ensures the team doesn’t lose its defensive edge when the starters take a rest. Depth is an underrated factor that could make a huge difference for Ole Miss as they continue to play through the season.

5. Ole Miss Can Still Make a Run

Alex:
Jonah, I think it’s time we address the elephant in the room: NCAA Tournament hopes. With the way things are shaping up in the SEC, it’s not out of the question for Ole Miss to make a push for an at-large bid, especially if they can string together a few quality wins. The team has the talent, the defense, and the depth—it’s just about putting it all together.

Jonah:
I completely agree. Let’s be clear: a few losses don’t mean the season is over. Ole Miss has been competitive in nearly every game, and as long as they can build some momentum, particularly in February, the Rebels are very much alive in the NCAA Tournament conversation. They’re going to need to win some big games, especially on the road, but I believe this team has the potential to make a late-season surge.

Alex:
For sure. And even if the NCAA Tournament doesn’t happen this year, Ole Miss is building a foundation for future success. With players like Joiner, Ruffin, and Murrell, along with a talented incoming recruiting class, Ole Miss is setting itself up for continued success in the coming years.

Jonah:
That’s right. There’s always a silver lining, and even when things don’t go perfectly, it’s about seeing the bigger picture. And right now, that picture looks bright for Ole Miss basketball.

Closing Remarks

Alex:
Well, that’s all for today’s episode of the Rebel Report Podcast! We hope you’re feeling better about where this team is headed. There’s plenty of season left, and Ole Miss is still in great shape to make a run. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and keep supporting this team.

Jonah:
We’ll be back soon to break down more Ole Miss basketball action. Until next time, keep the faith, Rebels fans. Hotty Toddy!

 

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