Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Ole Miss Rebels and the Tennessee Volunteers will face off in their first game of the SEC season on Wednesday, January 9.
The Tennessee Volunteers will be coming off a close loss to Memphis, where the speed of the Tigers sliced through the Vols strong defense. The Volunteers’ offense has been disappointing to say the least so far this season and the Rebels defense will not make it any easier on Tennessee. Jarnell Stokes, Trae Golden, and Jordan McRae have to start having consistently good scoring games if Tennessee wants to keep winning in the SEC.
The Ole Miss Rebels are 11-2 to start the season. The Rebels offense is one of the best in the SEC with Nick Williams, Marshall Henderson, Murphy Holloway, and Reginald Buckner all averaging double digit scoring a game. This will be tough to continue, because Tennessee’s defense is so tough. Ole Miss has to prove that they are a tournament caliber team rather than a team that is lucky to already have double digit wins.
Tennessee should win this game. Although the Rebels have an amazing offense, defense wins games, and Tennessee’s defense is the best in the SEC. If Ole Miss can get Stokes into foul trouble, the Rebels have a chance. Skylar McBee for Tennessee must start hitting threes. The team said that he was one of the best three pointers in the country, but lately he hasn’t been playing anywhere close to that. This game will decide which team is ready for the NCAA Tournament.
