Coach Yo, Madison Scott talk Rebels’ win over Georgia, look ahead to Alabama
OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Yolett-McPhee McCuin and her squad went into Athens, Georgia, looking to start 5-0 in SEC play and 3-0 on the road during that stretch. After the 66-58 victory over the Bulldogs Thursday night, Coach Yo said after the game that she understood just how difficult it was to come out with the win.
“I told our girls that we would have to play forty minutes if we wanted to get a win,” McPhee-McCuin said. “Georgia stayed true to that.”
The victory over the Bulldogs did not come without its challenges. The Rebels got a little careless with the basketball at times in the final minutes of the game, but, ultimately, they were able to hang on in the end.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game for us, and we would need to come out and play our best basketball in order to get a win here. I am just really grateful for that.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
Beating Georgia’s press was a big factor for the Rebels’ game plan, and Coach Yo wanted her team to consistently run the floor to evade the press. The 14-5 point differential in fastbreak points showed that her team did just that.
“You need to meet it [the press] head on and be aggressive,” McPhee-McCuin said. “That’s why we were able to score 22 points in the first quarter.”
Even though the Rebels are seemingly rolling through SEC play right now, Coach Yo said that she wants to keep her team grounded and not get satisfied with the undefeated start. She even went with an interesting analogy to explain the hunger that her team needs to continue to play with.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of an alligator getting killed, but they usually get killed when they get fat after they eat. We want to stay hungry. We don’t want to be the fat alligator.”
Coach Yo
Forward Madison Scott seemed to have this same mentality, as she preached her coach’s philosophy of a short memory and moving on to the next game, which is Alabama.
“Our next task is beating Alabama. We are going to enjoy this win on the way back, but it’s on to the next. We have a lot of goals, and we are trying to keep breaking barriers. We are hungry. We are not satisfied.”
Madison Scott
Up Next
The Rebels face Alabama this Sunday (Jan. 15th) at the SJB Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
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!
