The University of Mississippi Athletics
Kennedy Talks Practice, Start of Season
10/10/2017 | Men's Basketball
By Brian Scott Rippee, OleMissSports.com
Andy Kennedy is molding his guard-heavy team into shape as Ole Miss prepares for its upcoming season. This is the deepest backcourt Kennedy has had in his tenure in Oxford, a group he hopes can carry a hefty portion of the scoring.
"Last year our biggest issue was turnovers and that has been uncharacteristic for us because typically we have had a lead guard," Kennedy said. "Last year, we just did not have a lead guy that we felt comfortable with that was going to do the things we needed game in and game out. Once Breein (Tyree) got healthier at the end of the season, some of those things took care of themselves".
The Rebels landed Memphis transfer Markel Crawford as well as freshman Devontae Shuler out of Oak Hill Academy, who Kennedy says is the best on-ball defender on the team. Those two additions will be a nice compliment to returning starters Tyree, Deandre Burnett and Terence Davis. The team returns 31.4 points per game between Burnett and Davis alone.
Kennedy noted that Tyree is noticeably healthier after playing last season less than a year removed from a torn ACL.
"It is like night and day," Tyree said. "My body is healthy, and every day I feel more explosive. It is a huge difference."
Ole Miss will also boast more size in the post this year. It gets 6-foot-11 forward Karlis Silins back from a knee injury he suffered early in the season last year and 7-foot center Dominik Olejniczak is now eligible after sitting out last season because of the transfer rule. Both will add rebounding and rim protection.
"Dom gives us something from a shot-blocking standpoint," Kennedy said. "I don't think Dom is going to do what Reggie Buckner did, Reggie is still top five in the history of the SEC as far as shot blocks, but he does give us a real presence as far as length and athleticism, which allows us to do more things aggressively and defensively."
Kennedy likes the blend of young and old on this team. It is an athletic group with some versatile players. The guard-heavy likeness of this team will allow Ole Miss to play some smaller lineups at times.
"There are opportunities for Markel (Crawford) to play a phase-four. He is 6-foot-4, 210 lbs, he's strong and understands how to guard," Kennedy said. "There are times if we wanted to put a guard-oriented group I could see Breein, Markel, Deandre Burnett and Terence Davis all together and then still have Devontae Shuler who could be in that mix as well as one of those four."
But the addition of junior college transfer, 6-foot-8 forward Bruce Stevens along with Marcanvis Hymon and Justas Furmanavicius will provide some depth in the front court. Stevens is a physical, wide-bodied product that will give Ole Miss a presence in the post behind Olejniczak.
"Bruce is a guy that we are trying to get where we can play Dom, "Bruce and Karlis together," Kennedy said. "Bruce came here as a five. He is 6-foot-8, 260 lbs, athletic, he can shoot it. If you had to categorize it, he is probably a stretch five and we need him to play some stretch four."
Ole Miss tips off its season Louisiana on November 10.
