Mississippi

Ole Miss Basketball Preview: #46

Joel Welser — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:41:29 -0700

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Mississippi Rebels

Overall Rank: #46

Conference Rank: #5 SEC

2007-08: 24-11, 7-9, 3^rd West

2007-08 postseason: NIT

Coach Andy Kennedy has done a great job turning Mississippi into a successful program. During his two years in Oxford, Coach Kennedy has led the team to 45 victories. The 2007-2008 campaign started out great as the Rebels won their first 13 games. The season ended well too when Ole Miss made it to the semifinals of the NIT. The heart of schedule was not so good and it will take a consistent effort for this team to the reach the NCAA Tournament.

Who’s Out:

The experienced group on the perimeter will help with consistency, but the Rebels have some major contributors to replace in the frontcourt. Dwayne Curtis was the consistent scorer under the basket and averaged 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds his senior campaign. Kenny Williams was usually the starter next to Curtis. He was not as great of a scorer, but Williams still averaged 8.5 points per game, blocked the occasional shot and did his fair share of dirty work around the basket. When Williams was not on the floor, Jeremy Parnell usually was and now he is gone too. Little used Brian Smith is the only other departing senior, but Rodney Jones, Will Poole and Terrence Watson are not returning this season.

Who’s In:

Just about everybody who saw minutes in the frontcourt is gone and that means the group of newcomers better be ready to play. Terrance Henry highlights a decent class. The 6-9 forward will add a dynamic to the team that they have not had in a long time. He has the size of a forward, but the skills of a guard. He will step back and consistently hit the three-pointer and can even lead the fast break. If he is not starting in November, he probably will be by January. It would not be surprising to see Kevin Cantinol, DeAundre Cranston or Murphy Holloway starting at some point either. Cantinol added some muscle during his redshirt season in 2007-2008 and will have to at least clog the paint off the bench. Cranston is the most experienced option after spending a couple years at Daytona Beach Community College in Florida. Cranston is a wide bodied player who is a great rebounder. Holloway, at 6-7 and 215 pounds, is not your typical big man, but he is a good defender who can guard the four and five spots. Due to the lack of depth, he will probably see most of his minutes at the four spot, but ideally he would be a three. Shooting guard Terrico White and point guard Will Bogan are capable players, but they will have some time to learn from the more experienced players on the perimeter.

Who to Watch:

The top five returning scorers are guards. And all of them have starting experience. Chris Warren had an amazing freshman year, leading the team with 15.8 points and 4.5 assists. With a year of experience under his belt, the sky is the limit. And having David Huertas and Eniel Polynice on the wings makes Warren’s job easier. Like Warren, Huertas is a quality three-point shooter, but it is Polynice who will hold the team together this year. The 6-5 junior can get to the basket with ease and find his teammates, but it his ability to rebound that will help out the most this year. Polynice grabbed 5.3 boards per contest last season and with all the questions in the frontcourt, he will need to play a big part on the glass. With sharpshooting Trevor Gaskins and emerging sophomore Zach Graham on the bench, few teams in the SEC can match the talent and depth of the Ole Miss backcourt.

Final Projection:

Malcolm White only averaged 6.7 minutes per contest last year as a freshman, but he is the most experienced forward on the roster. White showed some promise early in the conference season, but his minutes decreased as the season progressed. If White and the newcomers struggle to take on a big role, the Rebels will not reach the NCAA Tournament. But if they can at least play a little defense and occasionally score, the backcourt has enough weapons to lead the way.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

Projected Starting Five:

Chris Warren, Sophomore, Guard, 15.8 points per game

David Huertas, Junior, Guard, 10.7 points per game

Eniel Polynice, Junior, Guard, 10.7 points per game

Malcolm White, Sophomore, Forward, 2.2 points per game

Terrance Henry, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2008-09 Preview & Awards | Coach Interviews | Discuss the Preview

State of '08: Mississippi

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:17:52 -0700

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Duke or Carolina? BC or UMASS? Gonzaga or Washington.. or Washington State? What is the best program in each state? While there's not much competition in Hawaii.. there are great debates to be had in loaded regions like California, North Carolina, and Texas. The State of '08 is a ranking of every program in every state.. based mostly on recent success (the last five years) mixed in with subjective factors such as conference prestige, historical success, and overall program direction.

For more info, check out the State of '08 introduction.

MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI STATE - MSU returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first since 2005, when they made 4 trips in a row. This year though, both Ole Miss and Southern Miss could/should be better teams.

OLE MISS - The Rebels don't have the best history when it comes to basketball. Outside of 2001's surprising Sweet Sixteen run, NCAA Tournament wins have been extremely rare. But the last two seasons have been solid under Andy Kennedy (despite last year's post 13-0 collapse), and a Tourney trip would not be a surprise in 2009.

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI - Many expected a swift turnaround under Larry Eustachy, but he enters his fifth season at USM without a postseason trip. While 19 & 20 wins looks impressive each of the last two years, the win totals have been padded with joke non-conference wins against DII teams and SWAC opponents.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE - They've met Jackson State in the SWAC finals the last two seasons, splitting the Tourney bids. MVSU was unfortunate to face UCLA in the first round, losing 70-29, and shooting just 19% from the field.. the lowest Tournament output in over 20 years. Still, MVSU hasn't finished below .500 in SWAC play since 2000.

JACKSON STATE - JSU is coming off two solid seasons. In 2007, they made the Big Dance, knocking off legit non-conference foes (a rarity for the SWAC) like UTEP, Rutgers, and UIC. Last year they were one basket away from a return trip.. losing to in-state rival MVSU. The Tigers should once again be in the running for the conference title in 2009.

6. ALCORN STATE - It wasn't that long ago that Alcorn was one of the better teams in the SWAC, making the Big Dance in 99 & 02 for example with consistent top of the table finishes. But the last four years have been brutal, with sub-300 RPIs. The Braves haven't won a non-conference game against a D1 team since December 2004.

Last: Michigan - Next: Missouri

State of '08: The Introduction (& State list/links)

Rise and Fall: SEC Program Review

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:58:57 -0700

Like civilizations, all great basketball programs eventually fall.. replaced by an upstart newcomer. In this week's Rise & Fall series, we'll take a look at which BCS programs are rising, falling, or merely treading water. Up today, the:

SEC

ALABAMA - DECLINING (SLOWLY )

Since 2002, when Bama was a Top 10 team, the results have steadily been going in the wrong direction. Last season was the low of the low, a 5-11 SEC record and a sub-100 RPI. Despite the graduation of Riley and the departure of Hendrix to the NBA, everyone expects improved play in 08-09 due to the return of Ronald Steele, and some intriguing prospects such as future pro Jamychal Green. Still, I see this as a make or break year for Gottfried and the Tide. Another sub-.500 season in SEC play and the big recruiting hauls will be harder to come by.. and Gottfried won't have a job.

ARKANSAS - STATUS QUO

A year or two ago, I would have said that the Razorbacks were an improving program. But now that the extremely lean 03-04-05 teams are in the past, the program has settled into being a middle of the SEC squad. Too many seniors depart to list them all, so what you're left with is Patrick Beverley and a whole bunch of recruits. While only 5 or 6 SEC wins should be expected, a return to the NCAA Tournament should be expected in the following season. Anything less and the 'Backs will return to the declining bin.

AUBURN - STATUS QUO

While Tiger fans have hoped for a breakout in recent seasons, it's simply not happening. Last year's experienced roster struggled to a disappointing 4-12 league record.. and their overall 14 win total was boosted by some brutally easy non-conference games. Though some solid recruits join the program in '08 and Andre Malone could be a steal in '09, there's simply no reason to expect anything spectacular this season. Another sub-100 RPI ranking (the 6th in a row) should be a lock.

FLORIDA - STATUS QUO

Even though last year's group exceeded the expectations of many, the so-so results broke a streak of eight Top 25 teams in a row from 2000 to 2007 (and 9 Tourney bids in a row as well). Led by Nick Calathes, a return to the Big Dance is a lock, and the Top 25 is certainly within reach. This year's class is easily the cream of the SEC's crop, and Billy Donovan is already lining them up for 2009. So long as Billy maintains the recruiting magic, there's no reason not to expect another long streak of Top 25 teams to commence.

GEORGIA - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

Last year's freak Tourney bid aside, this is still a program lacking any semblance of direction. Sundiata Gaines graduates, Billy Humphrey was finally dismissed after managing to clog up the court system by himself, and Jeremy Jacob (one of last year's big recruits) transferred. While the recruiting class, led by the highly-athletic Howard Thompkins, provides hope, there's not enough returning talent to even think that an NIT bid is in reason. Compared to the all-time bad 2005 season, anything is an improvement, but this might be the Dogs worst season since then.

KENTUCKY - RISING (SLOWLY)

Going purely by results, Kentucky is in the midst of a downward spiral since peaking in '03 & '04. But it would be misleading to suggest the program is declining. In reality, and this is mainly due to the respect I give Billy Gillispie, the program is now back on the up and up. While last year's tourney bid was simply not deserved, it's still an impressive feather for Gillispie's cap. With the program fully in his hands, big time recruits like Liggins and Miller aboard, and Patrick Patterson returning to full health, the Top 25 should be attainable.

LOUISIANA STATE - DECLINING (SLOWLY)

Considering the Tigers RPI has dropped from 13th in 2006 to 174th last year, the program might appear to be in a freefall. But I see this dip more as a result of some bad luck (players leaving school too early or getting hurt), as opposed to the utter collapse of LSU basketball. Getting a healthy Tasmin Mitchell back will be a major help, as will the handful of underrated recruits joining the program. An NIT bid is certainly within reason, which would be a major improvement over last year, but still worthy of the "Declining Slowly" category considering the Final Four run in 2006.

MISSISSIPPI - RISING (SLOWLY)

After starting the season 13-0, last year's putrid finish was a major downer. But its not enough to complete quash the positive momentum that's been building in recent seasons. Don't forget that this was a simply horrendous program from 03 to 06. With players like Chris Warren aboard, and one of their best recruiting classes ever about to step onto campus, the Rebels best seasons in almost a decade are just around the corner.

MISSISSIPPI STATE - STATUS QUO

In ten years under Rick Stansbury, the Bulldogs have never advanced past the 2nd Round. With so many important players departing, due to graduation (Rhodes), poor NBA decisions (Gordon), or transfer (Hansbrough), that streak will definitely continue. But hope springs eternal due to to the recruitment of Osby and Bost. While this could be one of the worst Bulldog teams in awhile, the program should continue to flutter in the fringe-NCAA/NIT range for awhile.

SOUTH CAROLINA - STATUS QUO

Darrin Horn did a great job at WKU, but he's got his hands full with a sputtering Gamecocks program. Perhaps its the curse of Coppin State, but South Carolina hasn't had a legitimately good team since 1997 when they lost in the opening round as a 2 seed. If Dave Odom was still around, SC would definitely be in the "Declining" category, but I'll give Darrin Horn the benefit of the doubt and assume he'll stop the bleeding.

TENNESSEE - RISING (SLOWLY)

The only reason Tennessee isn't rising quickly is because of the huge strides that have already been made. While a deep talent base and big-time recruiting prestige (see Scotty Hopson as an example) are now solidified, the next major step is busting through the Sweet Sixteen barrier. Despite a couple of senior departures, this could be Bruce Pearl's first Final Four team.

VANDERBILT - RISING (SLOWLY)

The Shan Foster era, which culminated in back to back 10-SEC win seasons, is over.. but the future is as bright as ever in Nashville. The impressive Aussie Ogilvy returns, and he'll be joined by what is probably Kevin Stallings' best ever recruiting class. For whatever reason, big-time prospects are taking Vandy more seriously now, which will lead to impressive results in the near future.

- Up Next: Rise & Fall: BCS -

Additional Resources:

Rise & Fall: ACC

Rise & Fall: Big East

Rise & Fall: Big Ten

Game Predictions: NIT Semifinals

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:10:24 -0700

A companion to our daily Three Stars of the Day, we present the top three Games of the Night.

UMASS (24-10) vs Florida (24-11)

7:00 PM ESPN2

You have to respect these teams for making to the Garden by actually winning road games. The win at Syracuse wasn't shocking for UMASS as they already beat the Orange at the Carrier Dome and generally had a better season. Florida's win was a bit more surprising considering the final 70-57 margin wasn't even close, it was across multiple time zones, and ASU had been very successful at home. UMASS will need a big effort from CHN Fourth Team All-American Gary Forbes, who has struggled during the NIT run. He's just 6-24 over his last two games, which won't cut it against a Billy Donovan team. The Gators are favored by 4 but I like the Minutemen.

Prediction: UMASS

Ole Miss (24-10) at Ohio State (23-13)

9:00 PM ESPN2

Ole Miss hasn't been very good away from home this season, but they did have to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg to get here. I don't put much stock into that win because I have little respect for the Hokies talent. Tonight should be a big challenge for the Rebels against an OSU team that returns to the Garden after playing here in the Preseason NIT. Unlike VT, Ohio State has similar strengths (PG & C) as Ole Miss. The individual Chris Warren vs Jamar Butler and Dwayne Curtis vs Kosta Koufous matchups should be worth watching.

Prediction: Ohio State

There's a CBI finals game tomorrow night, but really, does anyone care?

Previous Game of the Night (Predictions, 108-66)

March 24th - Dayton at Illinois State (3-0)

March 23rd - Davidson vs Georgetown (2-1)

March 21st - Davidson vs Gonzaga (0-3)

March 19th - New Mexico at California (1-2)

March 18th - Mt St Mary's vs Coppin State (2-1)

March 14th - Kansas vs Texas (2-1)

March 14th - St. Joseph's vs Temple (1-2)

March 13th - Ohio State vs Michigan State (2-1)

March 12th - Arizona State at USC (2-1)

March 12th - Syracuse vs Villanova (2-1)

March 11th - IUPUI at Oral Roberts (3-0)

March 10th - Gonzaga at San Diego (1-2)

March 9th - Florida at Kentucky (1-2)

March 8th - UNC at Duke (2-1)

March 5th - Tennessee at Florida (2-1)

March 4th - UNLV at New Mexico (3-0)

March 3rd - Texas Tech at Kansas (3-0)

March 2nd - Clemson at Maryland (1-2)

2008 NIT Capsule: Ole Miss

Joel Welser — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:52:37 -0700

Mississippi Rebels

Southeastern Conference (21-10, 7-9)

Big Wins: 11/13 South Alabama (81-78), 12/22 vs Clemson (85-82), 1/30 Vanderbilt (74-58)

Bad Losses: 2/2 South Carolina (77-80), 2/16 Auburn (78-90), 2/23 at LSU (49-69)

Coach: Andy Kennedy

Probable Starters:

Chris Warren, Freshman, Guard, 15.5 ppg, 4.5 apg

David Huertas, Sophomore, Guard, 10.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg

Eniel Polynice, Sophomore, Guard, 10.8 ppg, 3.8 apg, 5.5 rpg

Kenny Williams, Senior, Forward, 8.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg

Dwayne Curtis, Senior, Center, 15.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg

Key Roleplayers:

Brian Smith, Senior, Guard, 1.0 ppg, 1.4 apg

Trevor Gaskins, Freshman, Guard, 6.4 ppg, 1.1 apg

Zach Graham, Freshman, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Jermey Parnell , Senior, Forward, 4.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Why They Can Surprise:

The Rebel’s backcourt is really young, but they have some dynamic scorers. Chris Warren, just a freshman, leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Warren hits nearly three three-pointers per contest, but he will do plenty of damage inside the arc as well. David Huertas is not as consistent of a scorer, but the sophomore can put up some big numbers when his shot is falling. Eniel Polynice does not depend on his shot falling and the wing will get to the basket effectively just about every day.

Polynice is a solid rebounder from the wing and with the experience in the front court, Mississippi is a great rebounding team. Dwayne Curtis leads the way with 9.4 boards per game and any time he does not get a double-double is a surprise. With fellow senior Kenny Williams by his side, Ole Miss will outrebound most teams they play. Williams is not as effective of a scorer as Curtis, but he still averages 8.1 points per game.

Why They Can Disappoint:

Despite the youth, turnovers are not a huge problem. However, on the defensive side of the ball, the youth really shows. The Rebels allow their opposition to shoot extremely well from the floor and if a team is patient with the ball, they will almost certainly find an open look against Mississippi. Free-throws are not as big of a concern, but still can be an issue. Most of the team is decent from the charity stripe, but Polynice, Williams and reserve Jeremy Parnell all hover around the 50 percent range. Coach Andy Kennedy will keep the ball out of their hands at the end of games, but that trio still gets to the free-throw line quite a bit and every point matters during the tournament.

Who To Watch:

Ten players have started at least one game this year, but most of that depth is in the backcourt. Curtis and Williams do a decent job of staying out of foul trouble, but Jeremy Parnell is the only other forward who sees quality minutes. When the starters need a break, it is up to Parnell to provide a presence in the paint. Freshmen Trevor Gaskins and Zach Graham can provide a spark off the bench. Gaskins is a solid three-point shooter, while Graham will usually work closer to the basket and help out on the glass.

- More 2008 NIT Coverage & Team Capsules

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- All 2008 Tournament Capsules

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Beyond Beasley: Underrated Freshmen

Jason Brubaker — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:22:59 -0800

The success of the current freshmen class has been well documented. Between Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, Jerryd Bayless, Donte Green, and O.J. Mayo, the class boasts plenty of future lottery picks and likely NBA stars. Even the second-tier of players, guys like Jonny Flynn, Kyle Singler and Nick Calathes, have made major impacts, and will likely be suiting up for NBA squads sometime in the near future.

But there's another group of guys deserving of a little recognition also. Guys who maybe weren't considered "can't miss" prospects are making a huge impact on their teams as well. Here's a list of some players who might have been overlooked on the national stage, but who are making their fans plenty happy.

Robbie Hummel, F Purdue

A multi-talented forward, Hummel has been one of the keys to the Boilermakers surprising run this season. Although not a fantastic athlete, Hummel's combination of size and ball skills make him a tough match-up and his hard-nosed style of play has endeared him to fans. In a big home win over Michigan State, Hummel not only dropped 24 points, but he also provided the highlight of the game with his hustle. Chasing down a missed shot, Hummel managed to save it to a teammate as he was leaping out of bounds. Never once breaking stride, he came back-in bounds, spotted up at the three-point line, received the pass and drilled the shot, setting off the fans. With fellow freshmen E'Twaun Moore and Scott Martin also chipping in, these Boilers are going to be heard from for a long time.

Patrick Mills, G St, Mary

St. Mary's fans were plenty excited for "Patty" to join the team, and he hasn't left them disappointed. Mills, a slight point guard with excellent ball skills, was named Australia's Under-21 Player of the Year prior to this year, and he's quickly shown why. Mills leads the team in scoring at just over 15 points per game, including outbursts of 23 against Gonzaga and 37 against Oregon. Even more important, the Gaels are sitting at 23-3, and have found themselves in the Top 25 for most of the season. Mills may not possess Rose's athleticism, or Bayless' scoring ability, but there's little doubt the Gaels are pleased with their freshman point.

A.J. Ogilvy, C Vanderbilt

Like Mills, Vandy fans knew plenty about this recruit heading into the season, even if most of the basketball world didn’t. Ogilvy, a smooth center with a polished post game, has turned in a fantastic freshman campaign, averaging just over 17 points per game while helping Vandy to 23-4 record. Like fellow Aussie and former National Player of the Year Andrew Bogut, Ogilvy has tremendous body control under the basket, and his ball skills make him a tough match-up for most other bigs. Although not a fantastic athlete, he is a smart player who typically plays with the poise of an upperclassman…no surprise considering his performance at the Under-19 FIBA World Championships last summer, where he posted six double-doubles in nine games. Ogilvy’s size and talent have him fairly high on the NBA radar, but Vandy fans are hoping they can enjoy him a little longer.

Austin Daye, F Gonzaga

Gonzaga has always attracted elite talent who may have slipped just below the radar, and Daye is the perfect example of that. The son of former NBA player Darren Daye, Austin boasts a game similar to last year’s Player of the Year Kevin Durant, yet was lightly recruited compared to the Beasleys and Mayos. A lithe 6’10” forward, Daye has range that extends to the three-point line, and he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. His averages of 11 points and just under five rebounds on a balanced squad don’t do justice to his overall talent. Like many freshman, Daye has had his ups and downs as he adjusts the speed of the college game, but there’s no doubt he’s a special player. His small frame may be a hindrance at the next level, but for now, he’s got the makings of a future college star.

Chris Warren, G Mississippi

Another point guard who took a backseat to Rose and Bayless, Warren has been the catalyst for a surprising Ole Miss squad that zoomed to 13 straight victories to open the season. Lightly recruited largely because of his size (5’10”), Warren has more than held his own against bigger guards all season, posting averages of 15 points and nearly five assists per game. Included among those averages are a 24-point effort against Tennessee, 26 points against Arkansas, and a 20-point showing in a big win over Vandy. With the secret out, Warren will no longer sneak up on anybody, but with his talent, he may not have to.

Player of the Week: Dwayne Curtis

Jeff Borzello — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:24:03 -0800

After a dull period in which there were only few scattered great games and standout individual performances because of final exams, this past week more than made-up for it. Saturday was filled with Top-25 contests and must-see match-ups, and there were also plenty of quality games during the week. With the increase in important games came several impressive individual performances. Stanford’s Brook Lopez came back from academic suspension to make an immediate impact; Ohio State freshman Kosta Koufos led the Buckeyes to back-to-back wins; Shaun Pruitt of Illinois and K.C. Rivers of Clemson were impressive; and, of course, Michael Beasley had an absurd 40-point, 15-rebound game Saturday. But the best week of all came from one of the biggest surprise teams in the country – Mississippi and its senior center Dwayne Curtis.

Mississippi was 8-0 heading into the week, but there were many people across the country who were still skeptical of the Rebels, who hadn’t really beat anyone overly impressive. However, Ole Miss headed to Puerto Rico this weekend for the San Juan Shootout and went 3-0, including a solid win over previously unbeaten Clemson. The main catalyst was the 6-foot-8 Curtis, who scored 19 points and had nine rebounds in the championship game against the Tigers. Curtis also put up 21 and seven against DePaul and 14 and five against a game La Salle team. He shot 61% from the field and 88% from the free-throw line in three games.

On the season, Curtis is averaging 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and is shooting 68% from the field and 81% from the charity stripe. The Rebels wrap up 2007 against Southern Miss and open 2008 with Alabama A&M, but Curtis and Mississippi will certainly be pushed once the SEC opens up on Jan. 9 vs. Tennessee. Will the Rebels be able to continue their undefeated run, and can Curtis continue his dominance down low?

2007-08 Collegehoops.net Players of the Week

December 16th - Gary Forbes, SR, F, UMASS

December 9th - Joe Alexander, JR, F, West Virginia

December 2nd - Jerryd Bayless, FR, G, Arizona

November 25th - DJ Augustin, SO, G, Texas

November 18th - Jon Brockman, JR, F, Washington
November 11th - Michael Beasley, FR, F, Kansas State

SEC Player & Freshman of the Week

Press Release — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:52:07 -0800

SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Dwayne Curtis, Ole Miss
C * 6-8 * 262 * Sr. * Chicago, Ill.

Curtis posted season highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds in helping Ole
Miss remain perfect at 8-0 on the year with a hard-fought 76-71 win over
Winthrop in a neutral-site game in Jackson, Miss.

He has collected four double-doubles in the last six games.

The senior center finished three points shy of his career high and
made good on 10-of-12 from the floor to improve his season field-goal
percentage to .712, which ranks second in the SEC.

Leads the team with 14.8 points per game, while Ole Miss as a team is
tied for second in the nation with North Carolina at 89.9 points per
game.

Curtis' Season Stats
PPG RPG APG BPG SPG
14.8 8.4 0.9 0.0 1.5

SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Brian Williams, Tennessee
C * 6-10 * 267 * Fr. * Bronx, N.Y.

Williams recorded his first career double-double with career-highs of
16 points and 14 rebounds in Tennessee's 88-82 win over Western
Kentucky.

Seven of his 14 rebounds were at the offensive end and his 14 rebounds
were the most by a Vol since Vincent Yarbrough had 15 during the 2000-01
season.

Leads Tennessee with 5.7 rebounds per game. Entered the Western
Kentucky game averaging 2.8 points and 4.3 rebounds and hadn't played in
UT's previous two games.

Williams' Season Stats
PPG RPG APG BPG SPG
4.7 5.7 0.4 0.6 0.3

Daily Poll: Most Surprising Undefeated Team?

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:11:21 -0800

Programs dealing with some injury/off-field issues

Raphielle Johnson — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:01:16 -0700

Mid-August is here, and that means that we're that much closer to the beginning of the 2007 college football season. One team that may not have the best outlook on the upcoming year is Pittsburgh. In the first two years of the Dave Wannstedt era, the Panthers have failed to qualify for a bowl game, going 5-6 and 6-6 respectively. This despite Wannstedt bringing in some highly-regarded recruiting classes, and the new certainly hasn't gotten any better the past week or so. First, it was highly touted freshman QB Pat Bostick heading home to deal with personal issues, which were later reported as having something to do with anxiety. Of course, when he returns, leading receiver Derrick Kinder goes down with a torn ACL. Pitt lost quite a bit due to graduation, and whether it was junior Bill Stull or Bostick calling the shots on offense, there were concerns as to who would make plays on offense. College Football News had the Panthers tabbed for fourth in the Big East, but I'm thinking this was all done before the recent issues. Even so, the voters at Big East Media Day had them sixth, which seems much more realistic to me. Staying in the Big East, UConn head coach Randy Edsall has decided to go with junior college transfer Tyler Lorenzen at quarterback, ahead of Dennis Brown and Cody Endres. Hopefully there won't be the "musical chairs" situation that went on last season for the Huskies, but we'll see how it all turns out in the season opener at Duke. As for once-starter D.J. Hernandez, look for him to be a contributor at wide receiver. Hernandez is an exceptional athlete, and the Huskies are in need of playmakers on the outside. In a bit of bad news, linebacker Jarrell Miller will have to sit out this season as a transfer, but will have four years of eligibility beginning in 2008. Miller, who originally committed to North Carolina, took a summer school course at UNC before changing his mind and going to Fork Union Military Academy last year. Adding Miller to the ranks would have given some more depth to a defensive unit that struggled mightily at times last year. There's no quarterback controversy at Clemson...yet. Cullen Harper is firmly in control of the race there, but of course you have your legions of fans clamoring for freshman Willy Korn. Sorry, but with the opener being a divisional game against Florida State, unless Harper is injured I see no way in which Korn takes the first snap. Could he see action? Maybe, but there's a better chance of that happening in the Tigers' next two games: Louisiana-Monroe and Furman. Speaking of quarterback issues, can anyone explain what's happening at Ole Miss these days? Brent Schaeffer, the incumbent, struggled so much last year that the competition was opened up in spring and fall camp, with Seth Adams looking to be the guy at this point. Then the funny stuff began. Schaeffer switched to receiver for a couple of days, then returned to QB. He's a very good athlete, so of course the Rebels want to find some way to get him onto the field. It just doesn't look like they want him throwing the ball much anymore. This is why you don't promise a guy the starting nod in order to get him to sign (in the Rebels' defense, they really needed a QB at the time, and I don't think they expected him to not be ready to enroll until the beginning of August). It was looking like a tough year for Ole Miss in 2007, but now they may be hoping that Mississippi State doesn't pass them this year. Lastly, Oregon State, a darkhorse to compete for the Pac-10 crown this year, took a heavy hit when star wideout Sammy Stroughter left the team to deal with personal issues. None of the coaches know when, or if, to expect the All-Pac 10 performer back this season. Hopefully he finds a solution to his issues at some point, and not worry about football at this time.