Rebels Tip Off Regular Season Against Western Michigan

By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com

Head coach Kermit Davis is taking over the program after former coach Andy Kennedy’s 12-year stint. Photo by Talbert Toole.

The Kermit Davis era for the Ole Miss men’s basketball team tips off regular season play on Saturday as they play host to Western Michigan at 3 p.m. inside the Pavilion.

Ole Miss looks to continue its success after a 101-52 exhibition win over Fayetteville State last weekend. Senior Terence Davis led the Rebels with 20 points in the exhibition and was named Preseason Second Team All-SEC.

Prior to the exhibition game, the Rebels completed a preseason tour in Canada in August going 3-1 over a five-day stretch.

Coach Davis is taking over the program after Andy Kennedy’s 12-year stint. Davis came to Ole Miss after spending 16 years at Middle Tennessee and became the winningest coach in school history, as well as the Sun Belt Conference history.

The 2018-19 season has already started for the Broncos. Behind 32 points and 22 rebounds from senior Seth Dugan, Western Michigan protected its home floor with an 89-76 victory over Detroit Mercy. Another senior, Josh Davis, recorded a double-double as well with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The front-court duo joins senior guard Bryce Moore as the three returning starters from last year’s team that went 17-15 (9-9 MAC). Moore, named to the All-MAC Defensive Team a season ago, is out until December. Western Michigan was picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference’s West Division, and Steve Hawkins is in his 16th season as head coach of the Broncos.

This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood.

Fans can watch all the action on the SEC Network + or listen to the call on the Ole Miss IMF Radio Network.