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Print This StorySouth Alabama (1-0) At Ole Miss (1-0)
GAME NOTES: A set of teams gunning for a 2-0 start to the season collide in Oxford tonight, as the South Alabama Jaguars meet up with the Ole Miss Rebels in a non-league matchup at Tad Smith Coliseum. The Jaguars come into the contest with some confidence on their side after defeating Alcorn State 87-79 on Friday. It was the fourth straight opening-night victory for USA, which has never dropped its first game of a season when playing on campus. While the triumph was certainly a positive, it wasn't unexpected, as the Jaguars return three starters from a team that won school-record 26 games in 2007-08. As for Ole Miss, it too came out on top in its season opener, recording a 65-52 win over Arkansas State on Friday. It was the 22nd straight non-conference home win for the Rebels, who are coming off a fine 2007-08 campaign themselves. Ole Miss notched 24 wins last season, the second-highest total in program history, and with three starters back, it should be every bit as good in 2008-09. The Rebels lead the all-time series with USA, 3-1, and that includes an 81-78 victory in Oxford last season.
The Jaguars drained 50.8 percent of their total shots and 18-of-26 at the foul line, as they defeated Alcorn State in their opener. The team also won the battle on the boards, 51-29, including a 17-10 edge on the offensive glass. Brandon Davis headed the charge with a double-double that consisted of 21 points and 14 rebounds. It was a tremendous start for Davis, who averaged 10.8 ppg and 6.2 rpg a year ago. DeAndre Coleman posted 14 points and eight rebounds in the victory, and juco transfers LaShun Watson and Bryan Sherrer chipped in 13 points apiece. Coleman was a key contributor to USA's success last season, as he logged 7.7 ppg and 7.8 rpg.
The Rebels clamped down on defense in their opener, generating 15 turnovers and holding Arkansas State to only a 35.0 percent shooting performance from the floor in a victory. The stingy defensive effort was much needed, as Ole Miss made just 36.1 percent of its attempts from the floor and only 3-of-22 from downtown. David Huertas led Ole Miss and all scorers with 24 points and six rebounds. Huertas, who contributed 10.7 ppg last season, finished the game 8-of-11 from the field. Chris Warren also got involved with 14 points, although he went just 3-of-16 from the floor and 0-of-8 from three-point range. An emerging star, Warren is coming off a tremendous freshman campaign in which he led the Rebels in scoring (15.8 ppg) as well as assists (4.5 apg).
Ole Miss has been dominant on is home floor against non-league foes and it should be able to continue that trend behind the efforts of Warren and company tonight.
Predicted OutcomeOle Miss 78, South Alabama 68Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
