Ole Miss is 'on schedule' after fast start to SEC play with another tournament bid looming
When thinking about her answer to a question during Wednesday’s media availability Ole Miss women’s basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin realized there is a common thread to the program’s recent success and 15 years ago.
“There’s something about 2007,” McCuin said with a smile.
The smile is because Ole Miss (13-2) once again did something it had not done since that season and it was knocking off Mississippi State in Starkville. The win provided the Rebels its first 2-0 start to SEC since 2007 when it started conference play 5-0.
Erasing the smile off McCuin’s face might be difficult as Ole Miss is provided plenty proof of concept over the past season and a half, bringing the program out from the SEC basement that it has resided in for over a decade.
“We’re just getting started,” McCuin said. “I think we’re on schedule. I think we’re right where we need to be. Defensively, we’re figuring out some things. As a team, identity-wise, our girls are like, ‘Oh, maybe we can be pretty special,’ and that’s good because first you have to believe it and then put in the work to kind of see it through.”
With the win Ole Miss moved up to a No. 9 Seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology by Charlie Creme who bumped up the Rebels two spots from last week’s projections.
Related: Ole Miss women’s basketball makes a statement with first win at Mississippi State in 15 years
Having taken Ole Miss to the NCAA Tournament last season McCuin is using a different approach this year.
Last season McCuin asked her entire program who had been to the NCAA Tournament and she noted around three people — including staff — raised their hands. When she asked question to this year’s group only two did not raise their hands and one was a true freshman.
Being able to hang her hat on last year’s experience and a seasoned team who has been participated in the madness already,
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“That’s huge for us as far as experience is concerned,” McCuin said. “So there’s no need to make it a secret. …Our team wants to go to the tournament. Once you get there you want to get back. So, it’s no secret that’s what they want and I’m excited about this group and helping them get there.”
A quick 2-0 start to conference play is what any team wants but for this Ole Miss team that has a lot of new players via the portal and recruiting from a season ago, it is a confidence builder.
Through the first two months the goal has been to be playing tournament-caliber basketball come February. Starting January off the way Ole Miss has is nothing short of a confidence booster.
“It’s helped us tremendously. It’s the SEC, the best conference in the world,” said Madison Scott. “It’s good to go 2-0 in our first two games. What more could we ask for? It definitely is a great feeling and it definitely builds a lot of confidence. We still have a lot to on to still build camaraderie and stuff like that but it’s great to start 2-0. Looking forward to going 3-0.”
Ole Miss returns home to the SJB Pavilion on Thursday, hosting Vanderbilt (9-7, 0-2) at 6 p.m. CT before closing out the week at Texas A&M (5-7, 0-2) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
Watch McCuin’s full press conference from Wednesday below. Video provided by Ole Miss Sports Production.
