It’s been a semi-busy day today in the world of Ole Miss sports considering the university is on Spring Break.
NIT BOUND:To start things off, the Ole Miss men’s basketball squad will be hosting Sun Belt Conference Champions Troy on Wednesday in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The men are a No. 1 seed, and should they beat Troy, they’ll host the winner of Memphis/St.Johns in the second round. Here is the University’s release.
In related news, junior guard Chris Warren was named to Associated Press’ All-SEC Second Team today. Warren averaged 17.2 points per game this season, good enough for third in the conference. He also averaged 3.2 assists per game.
HITTING THE ROAD: The Ole Miss women’s basketball team is expected to be 
announced as a member of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament tonight. They are expected to know who they’ll face and when tonight “between 9 and 11 p.m.”…or so I’ve been informed. They did not place a bid to host.
The women (17-14 overall, 7-9 SEC) were bounced from the first round of the SEC Tournament, losing to Tennessee 76-51. They were led all season by senior sharpshooter Bianca Thomas and her SEC-best 20.9 ppg (which ranked 9th in the nation).
The AP’s women’s three All-American teams and All-SEC teams are expected to be released in the next few days. As an AP voter, I was involved in the aforementioned teams and voted Thomas a 3rd team All-American and First Team All-SECer.
DROPPING IN THE RANKINGS: After dropping two of three to Top Ten-ranked Louisville this weekend, the Ole Miss baseball team has dropped a few spots in the following polls:
—Collegiate Baseball: No. 20 from 18.
—Baseball America: No. 21 from No. 18
—NCBWA: No. 22 from No. 20.
—USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll: No. 19 from No. 17
Also, head coach Mike Bianco announced prior to today’s practice that senior right-hander Rory McKean will start against Arkansas-Pine Bluff tomorrow (at 7 p.m.), and that the Rebels will keep the same weekend rotation (LHP Drew Pomeranz-RHP Aaron Barrett-LHP Matt Tracy) this weekend when they open up SEC play with a three-game series at Kentucky.
SHE’S FAAAST: Former Ole Miss All-American Brittney Reese won the World Indoor long jump Title today at the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Doha, Qatar. Here’s the release about her title. (March 15, 2010)
