Arkansas’ Jimmy Dykes says strong post play making Rebels a much better team
OXFORD, Miss. – On Sunday, after his Arkansas team fell to the Rebels, Razorbacks’ head coach Jimmy Dykes said he saw something different in this year’s Ole Miss women’s basketball team.
In Ole Miss’ 73-64 victory over the Razorbacks in both programs’ Southeastern Conference opener, Dykes and his Razorbacks witnessed tremendous presence from the post position of the Rebels, stemming from the additions of Taylor Manuel and Shelby Gibson to returning players Shequila Joseph, Cecilia Muhate and Bretta Hart.
A season ago, the Rebels lost 60-49 to Arkansas in Fayetteville and shot 27.9 percent (19 of 68) from the field, including 6 of 27 from 3-point range. Joseph, Muhate, and Hart combined to score 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting. The trio also grabbed 21 rebounds.
Shelby Gibson had 12 points and five rebounds in the win over Arkansas. (Photo credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)
But this past Sunday, Ole Miss had more balance and better luck against the Razorbacks, going 30 for 72 from the field, out-rebounding Arkansas, 50-33.
Dykes, who is in his third season coaching the Razorbacks, thinks the Rebels are a much tougher opponent than last year because of the Ole Miss post players.
In Sunday’s win, Joseph finished with 15 points on 7 of 13 shooting and grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds, her second career double-double and fourth double-double for Ole Miss this season. Gibson added 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting, and snagged five rebounds.
Manuel finished with six points and six rebounds, and Arkansas definitely felt her physicality as she helped the Rebels make things difficult for the Razorbacks’ leading scorer, Jessica Jackson, who managed only 11 points on 3 of 15 shooting.
“They are a good ball club,” Dykes said.
“They are a lot better than they were last year.”
Arkansas head coach Jimmy Dykes on this season’s Ole Miss team
Moments later, Dykes was asked, “what specifically makes this Ole Miss team different than the one you saw last year?”
“Their inside play,” Dykes quickly said, while looking at the final box score.
“Those two post players (Manuel and Gibson), one of them had six, the other had 12. I think Gibson is a really good player. Their post position this year, between those two young ladies, is a lot better than what their post play was last year.”
Dykes on the post play of the Rebels
Insell’s prediction holds true for 2016-17 Rebels
Last season, before the arrival of Gibson and Manuel, Ole Miss head coach Matt Insell reiterated after each loss in league play that the Rebels would be a much better team in the 2016-17 college basketball season.
Insell said that even before Manuel announced her pledge to transfer from Loyola Chicago last June.
Now, Insell’s predictions have turned into solid production on the floor. Ole Miss is currently sitting at 12-2 overall (1-0 in the SEC), and quite possibly could be an elite contender in the conference if things continue to go as planned.
“I told everyone to listen to me last year, that we had help coming in the paint—and it came in a bigger way when Taylor decided to come. We have a lot of depth in there.”
Ole Miss head coach Matt Insell
Quick notes for matchup against Alabama
Ole Miss and Alabama (12-2, 0-1) are meeting for the 57th time tonight (7:00 p.m., SEC+ ) with the Rebels leading the series, 34-22. The Crimson Tide won the last meeting, 47-38, in Tuscaloosa, and owns a 3-1 advantage in the last four meetings. Alabama leads the series, 13-11, at home. The last time Ole Miss won in Tuscaloosa was a 69-55 win in 2012.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)
Courtney Smith
Courtney is from Memphis and received his Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Memphis in May of 2014. He began his journalism career covering the Memphis Tigers Men's basketball team, which landed him an intern position on 730 Yahoo Sports Radio and a position with Rivals.com. A freelance writer for the Associated Press, Courtney is also a member of The Rebel Walk team and reports regularly on Ole Miss football and basketball. Courtney, the father of a six-year old girl named Soniyah, prefers to cover NCAA basketball and football, but is happy to report on any other sport that comes his way.
