Rebels Must Find Their Rhythm On Offense Tonight Against Tennessee

The Ole Miss Men’s basketball team has a chance to end their two-game SEC skid against Tennessee tonight at the Pavilion. The Rebels come into tonight’s game after scoring just 47 and 56 points in their last two games. Currently sitting at 1-4 in the SEC, the Rebels have been unable to establish themselves as a threat in conference play. A matchup against the 9-8 Volunteers may be just what the Rebels need to get back on track.
After shooting 27 percent against UGA, things didn’t get much better for Andy Kennedy’s Rebels as they shot a mere 30.9 percent in another losing effort against South Carolina. The Rebels were without leading scorer Deandre Burnett against the Gamecocks, and it appears he will miss tonight’s game but is listed as a “game-time decision” according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. If Burnett can’t go, it is unclear who can step up in his place. Against South Carolina just two Rebels scored in double figures, Cullen Neal with 12 and Sebastian Siaz finished with 11. 
If role players like Terrence Davis, Breein Tyree, and Rasheed Brooks can’t begin to score on a more consistent basis, even when Burnett is healthy, the Rebels offense is in trouble. An offense that has been unable to get into a rhythm has been further hindered by a turnover-plagued style of play. The Rebels turned the ball over 21 times in Saturday’s loss.
It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, you won’t win many games playing that brand of careless basketball. 
Rick Barnes is in his second year with Tennessee after spending 17 seasons as the head coach at Texas. The Volunteers are 2-3 in the SEC and looking to get back to .500 with a win over the Rebels. Guard Robert Hubbs III leads the Vols in scoring with 14.4 PPG. 
The Rebels return home to the Pavilion for tonight’s game, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. The game will be televised on the SEC Network and broadcasted on the Ole Miss Radio Network. 

---

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 
Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…