Kermit Davis reveals why TJ Caldwell was benched vs. Arkansas

Ole Miss had finally snapped a six-game losing skid with a mid-week win over South Carolina, but the Rebels couldn’t follow it up with a win over the Razorbacks on Saturday. Arkansas controlled the game from the jump, ultimately winning 69-57 and it didn’t help that TJ Caldwell was benched for the Rebels.

Coach Kermit Davis explained the reason TJ Caldwell was benched following the game.

“Coach’s decision not to play TJ (Caldwell) based on being late for workout, so without him we tried to give James White and Tye Fagan and tried to play Amaree (Abram) and Daeshun (Ruffin) together,” Davis said. “Daeshun got going a little bit in the second half and then that helped.”

Ruffin managed to score 10 points for the Rebels, but it took him nine shots to get there. Worse, that was the team-high for Ole Miss in the game, with Jayveous McKinnis also chipping in 10 in the loss.

The Rebels just had a tough time getting clean looks, and an in-game injury also hurt, especially with TJ Caldwell benched already.

Matthew Murrell injured his knee against Arkansas

Davis revealed after the game that guard Matthew Murrell suffered a right knee injury during the game against Arkansas.

He contributed just three points and did not have a rebound in the game, really taking away some production the Rebels can usually count on.

Davis credited Arkansas for making things tough defensively, as well.

“Even before Matt got hurt we still didn’t have a great rhythm,” Davis said. “They did a good job on him.”

Ole Miss will return to action on Tuesday with a home game against Missouri, with the game slated for a 7 p.m. ET tip on the SEC Network.