Kermit Davis and Tye Fagan look ahead to Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina
OXFORD – Head coach Kermit Davis and the Ole Miss men’s basketball team are looking to win their first home game since December 17th when they take the court Saturday against South Carolina.
The Rebels were victorious against the Gamecocks in Columbia on January 17th for what was then their first SEC win. However, Davis said that this game and this South Carolina team will be different this time around.
“South Carolina is a team I think is playing probably its best basketball,” Davis said at his Friday press conference. “They are shooting the ball from three really well. It will be a tough game, and our guys are excited.”
The Gamecocks currently sit tied for last with LSU in the conference at 1-10, and they have an 8-16 record overall. However, Davis noted how much better they have played since they last faced off, including close losses against Arkansas (65-63) and Missouri (83-74). He also mentioned their 37% shooting percentage from three over their last five games.
Davis did not understate the importance of this game in building momentum to end the regular season.
“We need to start a streak of trying to win some back-to-back games, and tomorrow is a great opportunity for that. We know we are going to play a South Carolina team that will play really good on Saturday.”
Head coach Kermit Davis
The Rebels have not won back-to-back games since November 24th and 25th in the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando against Stanford and Sienna. Davis said that in order to do this, his team will have to replicate the energy that they had in the win against Georgia.
Guard Tye Fagan reiterated the points that Davis laid out for the team on how to beat South Carolina, including guarding the three-point line.
“They are coming around,” Fagan said about the Gamecocks.
“They have been shooting the ball well. It’s a respectable team. We can’t let our guard down. They’ve got great shooters. I think we’ve done a great job for the most part this year guarding the three-ball. If we can guard the three-ball and eliminate second chances, we should be in good shape.”
Tye Fagan on facing the Gamecocks
Even with the lack of success lately, Davis showed confidence in his team’s ability to make this season right over the course of the last seven games and the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
“Everybody is in the NCAA Tournament right now,” Davis said.
“We know we are capable. Our goal is to play on Thursday in Nashville. We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
Coach Davis
Davis ended the press conference by making an appeal to the fans who will be vital in the Rebels getting their first home win in SEC play.
“This place is as good as any home court when it’s right,” Davis said. “I sure hope that our fans still appreciate our team and how they’ve tried to play. We haven’t been a great home team, for sure, in the SEC. Hopefully, tomorrow, we will have a good student crowd, and hopefully people come out and watch.”
Game info
The Rebels’ matchup with South Carolina this Saturday will tip-off at 12 p.m. CT at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford. The game will be televised on the 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!
