Just getting tucked in here at C.M. “Tad” Coliseum for tonight’s nationally televised game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels. Tonight’s game is on ESPN2. Rece Davis and Bobby Knight are calling the action here in Oxford.A few notes to look at before game:
Ole Miss enters with a perfect 4-0 mark in Southeastern Conference play. The Rebels are 15-2 overall. Tennessee is 1-3 and 9-7 and looking to even the series with Rebels, who defeated the Volunteers 92-74 in their SEC opener on Jan. 9.
The Rebels are off to their best start in SEC play since the 1936-37 team started 5-0. They are also ranked for the first time since Feb. 1, 2010.
Rebound Watch
It’s not likely Ole Miss senior forward Murphy Holloway grabs 21 or more rebounds tonight, but he is that close to breaking the school rebounding record of Walter Actwood, who garnered 945 in his career. Thanks to 11 boards against Arkansas, Holloway now has 924 in his career.
SEC’s Best
Junior guard Marshall Henderson leads the Rebels and the SEC in scoring (18.9 points per game) and he enters tonight’s game as the reigning SEC Player of the Week.
Winning ways
Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy is now just four wins away from tying B.L. Graham (144) for the most wins in school history. Kennedy is 140-80 in his six plus seasons, while Graham went 144-168 in 13 seasons.
Ranked foes
Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin has led his team to four wins over teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 since he took over last season. The Volunteers have played two ranked teams this year and own a win over one of them, No. 23 Wichita State, 69-60, on Dec. 13.
Very defensive
The Volunteers have held 13 of its 16 opponents to fewer than 70 points or less this year. Of course the Rebels’ 92 points in the first meeting was the most the Volunteers have allowed all year.
Leading the Way
Junior guard Jordan McRae leads the Volunteers in scoring (13.8) while sophomore forward Jarnell Stokes is second in scoring (11.2) and tops on the team in rebounding (7.8).
For an final update on tonight’s game, check back shortly after the contest. (January 24, 2013)
