You'll have to forgive Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy if you see him today and he seems disoriented. He's somewhere he's never been before - 1-0 in the SEC. The Rebels shredded Tennessee in Knoxville 92-74 behind an impressive 32-point display by shooting guard Marshall Henderson and free throws, lots and lots of free throws. It was as though the Rebels had entered another dimension, crushing an SEC opponent on the road and making 38 of 44 free throws. Ole Miss hadn't won an SEC opener under Kennedy in his previous six seasons, and hadn't won in Knoxville since 1991.
Yesterday, I wrote that last night's game was a chance for this team to prove it was different. It's different alright.
Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner were a combined 14 of 17 from the free throw line and the team scored a game's worth of points from the line {insert Twilight Zone music}.
Ole Miss scored 90+ points in another SEC school's gym (never happens).
An Ole Miss player scored 32 points by himself.
This team looked different alright. And credit that to Henderson who could very well prove to be the missing link Kennedy has been searching for all these years.
Henderson, who leads the SEC in scoring, did most of his early damage with foul shots (13 of 14 from the free throw line) and layups. He was 0-for from 3-point land for most of the night, but he never gave up on himself or his shot and eventually hit three crucial 3-pointers midway through the 2nd half that put the game out of reach. Henderson hit the big shots when they mattered the most, and that's a quality this team will need time and again over its next 17 conference games.
Jarvis Summers had 16 for Ole Miss, including 8 of 9 from the free throw line. Holloway (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Buckner (13 points, 15 rebounds) had double doubles.
But it was Henderson's show, and for all he did with his scoring, Henderson also added a mental component to the game. In other words, he drove Tennessee and its fans smoky mountain crazy.
@wesrucker247 total tool bag.
— Zach Cornute (@ZACCHK) January 10, 2013
@wesrucker247 never hated someone this much since Tebow
— Jacob Lackey (@CaddilLackey) January 10, 2013
@wesrucker247 couldn't stand that guy after how giddy he was after jumping into McBee to draw a foul in the first half
— Phillip Tucker (@mcbuff44) January 10, 2013
@wesrucker247 this guy makes me want to watch every Old Miss game until he gets hit in the face.This could be a fun year.
— Jonathan Wiesehuegel (@jonweezie) January 10, 2013
Tennessee isn't the best team in the SEC. Far from it, but if there's anything Ole Miss fans have learned over the years it's that all SEC wins are precious, especially SEC road wins, and especially early season SEC road wins.
The win was significant.
Ole Miss will jump several spots in the various RPI ratings. Now it's up to the Rebels to follow the great start with a win over 10th ranked Missouri in Tad Smith Coliseum on Saturday (7 p.m. Fox Sports Net).
Here's the rest of your Ole Miss Headlines:
1. Ole Miss flies past Tennessee.
2. Rebels jump to No. 46 in Warren Nolan RPI.
3. Missouri's best player out for Saturday game against Ole Miss.
4. Star high school receiver Laquon Treadwell to announce on January 17.