After loss to LSU, Ole Miss’ Coach Yo talks about the game and the rest of the season
OXFORD – Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s Rebel squad lost a hard-fought game in Baton Rouge Thursday night against No. 5 LSU, and afterward she said she enjoyed the competitive nature the game provided and the test of playing in a raucous road environment.
“It was a fun game to play and kind of see where you are at,” McPhee-McCuin said after the game Thursday. “I enjoyed coaching it. I like to think our players enjoyed playing in it.”
The Rebels now sit at 20-6 overall, 9-4 in SEC. Coach Yo thought her team had opportunities against the Tigers to take the lead and win.
“We will dust ourselves off and try again Sunday versus the number one team in the country,” McPhee-McCuin said.
On the defensive side, the Rebels had another great showing, holding LSU 17 points below their per game average. Coach Yo said that holding a team below average scoring is expected every game.
“That is our defensive system, and we take pride in it.“
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
The disparity at the foul line was the difference in the game, as the Tigers outscored the Rebels by 20 at the stripe. While Coach Yo did not explicitly say that they were on the wrong side of the calls, she said the physicality of the game played into the outcome.
“It is a physical game. It is the SEC. It is a big-girl game. Usually, when you are on the road, you don’t get the benefit of the doubt. We still had opportunities to take full advantage, and we didn’t.“
Coach Yo
The loss dropped the Rebels to fifth in the SEC standings, behind South Carolina, LSU, Tennessee, and Alabama, who holds the fourth spot due to a head-to-head win over the Rebels. This would mean that, if the season ended today, the Rebels would not receive a double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
While Coach Yo said that getting a double-bye and finishing in the top four in the conference two years in a row would be great for her program, it is completely necessary for her team.
“If I am really being transparent, I could care less,” McPhee-McCuin said about the double-bye.
“As far as we are concerned, over these next three games, we are going to try and win all three. If that happens to give us a double-bye, great. If it doesn’t, I am fine with it because we want to play.”
Coach Yo
Coach Yo said that she expects her team to make the NCAA Tournament, which has been the team’s goal all season. Getting “one percent better” every game is her goal to finish the season.
“We are trying to get one percent better every game so that we are not one-and-out when we go to the NCAA Tournament,” McPhee-McCuin said.
Up Next
The next step in the Rebels’ pursuit of the NCAA Tournament is this Sunday in Oxford against No. 1 South Carolina. Tipoff at the SJB Pavilion is set for 3 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!
