(Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)
Considering the Rebels' limited success under Andy Kennedy, the team seems to be facing a relatively high amount of expectations heading into 2009-10.
The Rebels have overachieved under Kennedy, this much is true. After struggling for years at the bottom of the SEC West, Kennedy took the team in his first year at the helm to 21 wins and its first postseason appearance in five years.
This, however, was in a downturn in the conference's strength. In fact, Kennedy has yet to finish above .500 in the league, or make the NCAA Tournament.
Most agree Kennedy has coaching talent, but off-the-court issues and injuries are holding his teams back, and Ole Miss fans are beginning to wonder when excuses won't be enough to explain the poor performance.
Last year handed the Rebels one of the worst cases of bad luck of any team in the nation.
Sophomore Trevor Gaskins dropped to a knee injury before the season began. Versatile wing Eniel Polynice had to have surgery after playing one game. Eleven games into the season, the Rebels' most important player in Chris Warren also fell to a knee injury and was done for the season.
After the season, Zack Graham underwent surgery after playing most of the season with a patella tendon tear.
And then there was the Cincinnatti incident.
Depending on whose story you believe, the details differ. The facts are that Kennedy was out late, past his team's curfew in fact. He had been drinking, and ordered a cab. Words were exchanged between the cabbie and Kennedy, the police were called. Kennedy was arrested, and is currently on probation.
The cabbie claims Kennedy verbally and physically assaulted him, Kennedy denies this.
The problems didn't end there. Not long after, the head coach's wife filed a lawsuit against the cabbie, claiming the whole fiasco was hurting, among other things, their love-life.
Imagine the jokes he heard after that one.
Regardless, it's easy to see why the Rebels struggled to a 16-15 overall record, 7-9 in the SEC.
With several Rebels returning from injury, suddenly the team is receiving votes for the Top 25 and expectations are growing.
If the team can avoid injury and the injured players can return to their former selves (and that's a big "if"), the Rebels might actually make a push for the postseason.
The Rebels' top scorer, David Huertas, opted to travel back home and play in Puerto Rico's professional league. Malcolm White, who would have been the team's anchor under the basket this season, also decided to leave and transferred to LSU.
Here's a look at the two newcomers for the Rebels.
Reggie Buckner
(No. 25 PF—Four stars—6'9"—205lbs)
Buckner was Tennessee's Mr. Basketball, and set the state's high-school career blocking record. That says enough.
Buckner is a very talented player and is highly athletic for his size. He's quick, handles the ball well, and rebounds tremendously.
On the flip side, his offense needs a lot of refining to be competitive in the SEC. Should start due to the team's lack of talent/depth up front.
DeAngelo Riley
(PF—Two stars— 6'9"—235lbs)
Riley also comes in with a reputation for blocking shots, though his career began at the junior college level.
Like Buckner, Riley is a work in progress offensively, but has further to go. Will provide depth.
While the Rebels may be lacking in experienced, talented depth under the basket, the same can not be said for their backcourt. Ranked by many outlets as the best in the league, it will need to carry the squad this year.
Chris Warren : 5'10", 168lb Junior PG
(19.6ppg—1.5rpg—1.63 A/TO—85.5% FT)
Warren has more potential than almost any player in the league. His masterfulness with the basketball sets him apart, and his leadership skills were second last year only to now-departed Florida starter Nick Calathes..
While during his freshman campaign he shot almost 39 percent from behind the arc, that percentage dropped nine percent last season. He only played barely a third of the season last year, but his offensive efficiency should improve to maximize his impact on the floor.
Warren was chosen Second-Team All-SEC by the media pre-season and will start for the Rebels at the point.
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