The Mississippi Rebels were deemed as one of the better teams in the SEC going into conference play and if that's how they put up against Kentucky, we could be looking at an improved group of Wildcats.
Camp Cal Made Monsters
Kentucky spent a week of doing nothing but practicing before this game and it looked like it paid off. The defense was in rhythm and everyone communicated with one another.
The offense looked even better, with Tyler Ulis running the show as per usual. Ulis had 10 assists while dropping multiple dimes down low for big men to finish against a smaller Rebels team. Ulis' 20-point, 10-assist game is the first since John Wall did it in 2009.
Another difference Camp Cal might have made was seen in Skal Labissiere. Labissiere has not produced any sort of energy when on the court, and that changed in this game. The big man had nine points with three offensive rebounds. Labissiere did end up fouling out, but this game showed improvement for the freshmen.
Wildcats Injury Woes
Kentucky's Marcus Lee was shown sporting a questionable fashion statement before the game when he had a headband combined with a face-mask. It was later said that Isaac Humphries accidentally collided with him during one of the practices, which meant he needed the facewear. He did start against Ole Miss and seemed unbothered by the mask.
A more worrisome injury is to junior guard Dominique Hawkins, who went down in the second half against Ole Miss after seemingly landing on his own ankle. He was carried off by teammates Lee and Alex Poythress and was later taken off the court in a wheelchair. Hawkins was confirmed to have an ankle injury and his further status is unknown. After the game he had against Louisville, it would be terrible to see him out for extended time.
Ole Miss Offense
The Rebels did not perform well in the slightest on either end of the ball. Mississippi shot 40% from the field and 21% from the 3-point line. These shooting percentages likely came because of Kentucky putting their foot down against Stefan Moody for the majority of the game.
Keeping Moody from single-handedly beating you can be done, but stopping him from being the leading scorer on the floor is another story. Moody was given fits when Ulis was in front of him and caused him to commit five turnovers. However, the senior kept at it and scored 23 points on what could be called a quiet night for the guard.
Kentucky doubled up the Rebels on offensive rebounds 20-10. Kentucky's size provided multiple second chance and even third chance shots. Mississippi could not keep their big bodies off the boards.
Ole Miss' offense will continue to get better and Andy Kennedy will teach his group the deeper into SEC season we get. It's hard to win games when you have one of the best defenders in Ulis guarding the best scorer in the SEC in Moody.
Player Statistics
Stefan Moody- Moody continued his streak of 20-point games by scoring 23 points on 6-9 shooting and 9-9 from the charity stripe. The senior had trouble holding onto the ball but he made sure he got his baskets as it's the most difficult task in the world to stop this man from scoring from anywhere on the floor.
Tyler Ulis- Ulis matched his game against Louisville by putting up 20 points, 10 assists and six steals to flirt with a triple-double. The sophomore was the best player on the court both offensively and defensively and looks to be getting back into stride.
Jamal Murray- Murray has a way of silently working his way to the top of the scoreboard in every game. This time the star freshmen had 18 points and six boards on 7-17 shooting while nailing four threes. Murray's shot choice needs work, but you can't help but want this kid to shoot the ball every time.
Upcoming Schedule
#10 Kentucky at LSU 1/5/16
Alabama at Ole Miss 1/7/16