Coach Yo’s Rebels begin tough stretch in SEC play at Tennessee
OXFORD, Miss – With Selection Sunday just a little over a month away, the Ole Miss women’s basketball team sits in a very good position to make a run for the NCAA Tournament.
The Rebels improved to 18-4 and 7-2 in the SEC with an emphatic 19-point comeback win at Arkansas this past Sunday.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said that the Arkansas overtime win was by far the best win for the 2022-23 team this season. The comeback hinged on things that she has been preaching all year.
“They actually just followed the game plan that we had from the beginning,” McPhee-McCuin said Wednesday about the comeback win.
“Our defense is what we hang our hat on, and we were really able to clamp down in the fourth and overtime to seal the victory.”
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on the defense vs. Arkansas
Coach Yo saw her team grow during that win, and that growth will need to show itself as the Rebels are now getting into the latter half of conference play — which is much tougher than the first.
Ole Miss will face the current top-three teams in the SEC, starting with Tennessee Thursday night in Nashville.
She said that this part of the schedule could not have come at a better time.
“If I were to script how I would want my conference play to be, it would be the schedule that we’ve had. Playing the top teams in the latter part of the season, you’ve had an opportunity to learn stuff.”
Coach Yo on the Rebs’ schedule
Coach Yo has treated every game as a hunt, and, so far, the Rebels have played teams below them in the standings, causing them to be the hunted. Starting against Tennessee, they will finally be the hunters, as they sit one place behind the Volunteers in the SEC standings.
Tennessee currently sits at 8-1 in the conference, with that lone loss coming Monday night to the now 9-0 LSU Tigers. Coach Yo says this will be the biggest team size-wise that her team will have faced thus far this season.
“They are huge. They’ve got one little point guard, and then everyone is 6’1” or taller. This will be the first time that we are playing a team that matches us in rebounding. I expect it to be a good game.”
Coach Yo on facing the Vols
The Volunteers average about four-tenths of a rebound more per game (42.96-42.5) than the Rebels do, and they are just about even in offensive rebounds per game (15).
The game has a lot of significance for Coach Yo outside of her own team, as she mentioned legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summit. She cherishes any opportunity she gets to play on the court that bears her name.
“I have a lot of cool memories about Pat. Anytime I get to coach on her court is pretty cool, and I always enjoy it.”
Coach Yo on Pat Summt
Game info
The Rebels will take on the Tennessee Volunteers at “The Summitt” in Nashville Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT on 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!
