A sub-par shooting night as a team, lead to Ole Miss losing their sixth home game of the year. The Rebels fell to the Georgia Bulldogs 76-72. As a team, Ole Miss shot 34.8% from the field and 20.7% from the three point line.
The statistic of the game was that Ole Miss went 6-29 from the three point line. Georgia on the other hand, went 11-23 for three.
“We’re nine and six in this building, the most loses I have had in my nine years here,” said Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy. “In fifteen games now we have shot 45 percent or better, which is kind of the benchmark. We’ve done that [only] three times in fifteen games in our own building.”
Ole Miss is averaging 69.6 points per game at home in SEC play compared to 76 per game on the road. The Rebels are also only shooting 38 percent from the field at home and shooting 47 percent from the field on the road.
“We have practiced a lot in here [The Tad Pad],” said Coach Kennedy. “We have tried everything we can physiologically. We just have not been able to be as efficient offensively as we need to be.”
Georgia made their free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory. The Bulldogs finished their shots they were fouled on, shooting multiple “and one” free throws. Georgia forward Marcus Thornton, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds on the night, went 7-9 from the free throw line.
“He [Thornton] was a man.” remarked Kennedy. “He made plays through us.”
“When was the last time we had an angle on him?” Kennedy pondered about Marcus Thornton. “When was the last time we had contact and finished a play?”
Ole Miss is firmly in the NCAA tournament at this point. The Rebels are considered a seven seed by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, who correctly predicted every team in the tournament last year. On the flip side Georgia is considered a nine seed and is fighting to stay in the NCAA tournament.
“When guys want to get to the NCAA tournament they step up and make plays,” said Kennedy. “We better play like we are playing for our NCAA tournament lives. We have to play with a hunger.”
Aaron Jones saw his first action tonight since playing in playing in the Mississippi State game on January 28th. He started the second half tonight.
“[I was] just trying to find some energy.” said Kennedy on A.J.’s second half start. “I’m sick and tired of being the most energetic guy in the building. After nine years, it is wearing on me, when I have to have fire, when I have to bring external fire.”
Ole Miss returns to action on Saturday, February 28th at LSU. The Tigers Forwards Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin, scored a combined 29 points when LSU beat Ole Miss on January 14th.
“We will battle, they [Mickey and Martin] are a big, fast, and strong,” said Kennedy. “They are a handful for everybody, we will have a chance to try to game plan and put our guys in position to be successful.” 
All Photographs by Newt Rayburn – February 25, 2015 – © The Local Voice – Rayburn Publishing. For licensing and usage, please email newt@thelocalvoice.net or call The Local Voice office 662-232-8900.
All Photographs by Newt Rayburn – February 25, 2015 – © The Local Voice – Rayburn Publishing. For licensing and usage, please email newt@thelocalvoice.net or call The Local Voice office 662-232-8900.
