Kermit Davis talks team’s mindset and improvements heading into Georgia game
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team and head coach Kermit Davis are currently 8-8 and 0-4 in conference play. To avoid an 0-5 start, the Rebels will have to beat Georgia on Saturday.
Davis said that practices since the Auburn game Tuesday night have been good and spirited, despite a five-game losing streak.
“I can only sense it [momentum from losing streak] at practice, and I have not sensed it at all,” Davis said at his press conference on Friday. “You see physicality, and guys are together and trying their tails off.”
He also mentioned that opportunities have been there to end the losing streak, but finishing games has been an issue for his team during the streak.
“We have played four [SEC] teams, and three of them have been ranked. You have to make plays down the stretch to beat those teams, and we had opportunities, but just didn’t do it.”
Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis
The Rebels had leads in the second half against then-No. 7 Tennessee, Mississippi State, and most recently No. 21 Auburn on Tuesday, but they lost each of these games by margins of four, ten, and 11 points respectively.
Consistency is one area that this Rebels team has been lacking in SEC play, and Davis said that it was the focus in practices leading up to Georgia.
“We have had pockets of really good play,” Davis said.
“We will go through two or three minutes of turnovers that lead directly to baskets. It is pockets of two to three minutes that the games get separated. We have had some good play, but we need to get more consistent, tougher down the stretch, and we have to lean on our defense when shot making is not there.”
Coach Kermit Davis
Davis said that in order for consistency to change, practices need to be great to gain momentum heading into games.
“Our last win was Temple about three weeks ago,” Davis said. “Getting the winning taste back in your mouth, we can only control that. We just need more guys to play at their peak level in these games.”
Up Next
The Rebels will look to find that winning taste again for the first time since December 17th this Saturday (Jan. 14th) against the Georgia Bulldogs. Tipoff at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford is set for 12 p.m. on the SEC Network.
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!
