Coach Yo discusses her team’s expectations heading into season opener
OXFORD, Miss. – The Rebel women’s basketball team kicks off its season Monday against Kennesaw State. While many are looking past this game and the regular season toward potential tournament expectations, head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is taking a different approach to the season.
“Right now, what is allowing me to have a clear focus is I am going one day at a time,” McPhee-McCuin said at her press conference earlier this week. “I can’t even really focus on Kennesaw [State] yet. I am so indulged in my team and us having a great practice today.”
The Rebels were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by South Dakota back in March, and, since then, the excitement in Oxford for this team has grown. While she expected her team to be in that position a year ago, McPhee-McCuin feels different about this year.
“Last year, I could confidently say, ‘It’s NCAA Tournament or bust,’ because I felt like we had done enough, [and] it was our group’s second year. This year, I have nine new players. What I don’t want to do is give them an expectation to think far beyond.”
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
McPhee-McCuin explained that a successful day-to-day approach would lead her team to the NCAA Tournament, so she did not specify full-season expectations for her 2022-23 team. However, she did set one goal for her players while also sticking to her approach.
“Postseason, for sure, is the goal,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“There is no doubt about it. I think we are two years away from saying, ‘Every year, they are going to go to the tournament.’ But, right now, my focus is today.”
Coach McPhee-McCuin
With Kennesaw State on the horizon, McPhee-McCuin acknowledged the challenges her team will face this Monday.
“I am very familiar with Kennesaw State because I was in the ASUN,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I am also very familiar with the head coach. They have three Division I Power Five transfers. I expect it to be a competitive game, and if we do what we are supposed to do, hopefully we come out on top.”
As McPhee-McCuin alluded to, the Rebels are returning only four players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. One of her new players is Tyia Singleton, a senior transfer from Rutgers. She expressed the confidence in her team and what they will bring to the table.
“I feel like we are coming along pretty well,” Singleton said.
“The exhibition games were really good for us. Coming in on Monday, we are going to be more explosive, more together, [and] more trustworthy with each other. I am really excited for us.”
Ole Miss senior transfer Tyia Singleton
Up Next
Coach Yo’s Rebels will begin their 2022-23 campaign at the SJB Pavilion Monday evening against the Kennesaw State Owls as the first game of a double-header with the men’s squad. Tipoff is for 5pm on SEC Network+.
(Feature image credit: Kiana Dale/Ole Miss Athletics)
Trevor Terminie
Trevor is a senior at Ole Miss pursuing a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Promotion. He has previous experience covering sports for another site, including a variety of Ole Miss sports. Growing up in New Orleans, La., he has the Pelicans and Saints running through his blood. He also grew up in an LSU family, but his love for Ole Miss continues to grow. Trevor hopes to cover sports back in his hometown after college. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
