For the first time in the history of Andy Kennedy at Ole Miss the head coach caught a break from the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.
Not a one of us would have been surprised if the Rebels hadn't made it after losing four of their last five to sputter to a 20-12 (11-7 SEC) finish.
We'd seen this movie before.
Andy Kennedy wins 20 games. Andy Kennedy leads team to NIT.
But not this time.
Credit those early-season road wins against Cincinnati, Oregon and Creighton.
Credit the dynamic Stefan Moody. When he's on, he's must-see TV.
Credit Kennedy's ability to patch a team together with senior transfers like M.J. Rhett and Terence Smith who made up some of the slack lost when Jarvis Summers lost his way to the basket.
Somehow, someway, the Selection Committee overlooked that awful finish and handed Ole Miss that coveted invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd time in three years.
Andy Kennedy finally caught a break.
It doesn't matter how they got here, now. The Rebels have new life, a clean slate and a chance to play the role of Cinderella at the biggest dance in the college sports Kingdom.
It starts Tuesday night in Dayton against BYU (8:10 p.m. truTV).
FACT: In the last 10 months, only 1 school has been to Omaha, a New Year's 6 Bowl Game & the NCAA Tourney! Your @OleMissRebels! #WAOM
— Michael Thompson (@mtjrolemiss) March 15, 2015