Ryan Malashock by Ryan Malashock

It’s Gameday: Ole Miss

For an audio preview of tonight’s contest, click here to hear Gameday Insider with Morning News sports writers Nathan Allen and Ryan Malashock.

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Ole Miss has no Chris Warren, no Eniel Polynice, no Trevor Gaskins. All three of those Rebels were starters before going down with injuries this season. But if history teaches us anything, it’s that the Arkansas Razorbacks won’t have an easy time tonight at the Tad Pad.
The Hogs have won only once the past 12 seasons in Oxford, Miss. Plus, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey brings six freshmen with him to Ole Miss for their first Southeastern Conference road contest. This may be only the Razorbacks’ second SEC game, but it’s significance can’t be underestimated.
They surely won’t want to head to Florida on Saturday with an 0-2 mark in the league.

Arkansas (12-2, 0-1) at Ole Miss (9-6, 0-2)
When:
7 p.m.
Where: Tad Smith Coliseum, Oxford
TV: None
Radio: 107.9-FM, 92.1-FM, 105.3-FM, 1290-AM for those in our readership area
Line: Ole Miss by 2.5

About Ole Miss

As discussed above, third-year coach Andy Kennedy is without three of his most talented players. In fact, they were his top three point guards, leaving that duty to freshman Will Bogan, an expected redshirt this season. Still, Kennedy’s team has shown a willingness to continue fighting. Led by junior guard David Huertas, sophomore guard Zach Graham and freshman forward Murphy Holloway, the Rebels rallied to give Florida a game last Saturday before losing by 10 points. The Rebels are 5-5 over their last 10 games, alternating wins and losses during that span. The defeats have come to West Virginia, at New Mexico, vs. Louisville, vs. Southern Mississippi and at Florida.

Players To Watch

Arkansas
Courtney Fortson, 5-11, 180-pound freshman point guard
It’s bounce-back time for Fortson, who had his worst game as a Razorback in Arkansas’ 70-56 loss Saturday night against Mississippi State. Fortson was 2-for-13 from the field for five points, missing all five of his 3-pointers and three of his four free throws. He also had four turnovers. Fortson must set the tone tonight on both ends of the floor.
Ole Miss
David Huertas, 6-5, 200-pound junior guard

Heading into the season, Huertas’ role for the Rebels was expected to be substantial. But with Warren, Polynice and Gaskins out, Huertas is now being counted on as Ole Miss’ main scoring threat. And he has come through. Huertas ranks second in the SEC in scoring with an average of 19.9 points per game. He is fifth in free throw percentage (79.0) and third in 3-point percentage (41.3).

Gameday Links
• In today’s Morning News, I had a story about the advice Stefan Welsh and Marcus Monk had for Arkansas’ six freshmen regarding their first road trip. Also, here are my keys to victory for UA and a scouting report on Huertas from Robbie Neiswanger.
• David Brandt of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger examined the increased ways in which Graham is being asked to contribute.
• In case you didn’t see it, Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks went off for a school-record 54 points last night at Tennessee. Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader has the details.

Categorized | Basketball, Blog



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