Men's Hoops Takes Winning Streak to Kentucky Saturday

			OLE MISS (13-11, 4-7 SEC) at #12 KENTUCKY (19-5, 9-2 SEC) Saturday, February 15 • 1 PM • Lexington, Ky. Rupp Arena (20,500)
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GAME 25
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Arena: Rupp Arena (20,500)
Television: ESPN
   Karl Ravech, play-by-play
   Jimmy Dykes, analyst
Radio: Ole Miss Sports Network (XM - 381, Sirius/XM Internet - 971)
   David Kellum, play-by-play
   Marc Dukes, analyst
Live Video: ESPN.com/ESPN app
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/TuneIn app
Series: Kentucky leads 107-13
Last Meeting: March 5, 2019
   Kentucky won 80-76
   Oxford, Miss.

TIPOFF TIDBITS
- Ole Miss is riding a three-game winning streak with all three victories coming by double digits; the Rebels have outscored the opposition by an average of 18.7 ppg (78.3-59.7) during the streak.
- Reigning SEC Player of the Week Breein Tyree is averaging 33.7 ppg over the past three games, including a career-high 40 points in the win over MSU Tuesday.
- The Rebels are coming off an 83-58 victory over rival MSU; the 25-point victory was the Rebels' fifth-largest margin of victory in the SEC's most-played rivalry (261 games) and their biggest in any SEC game since a 27-point win over MSU in 2017.
- Ole Miss starters scored all 83 points in Tuesday's victory; starters have scored 674 of the team's 748 points in SEC play (90.1 percent), including 224 of 235 (95.3 percent) during the winning streak.
- Ole Miss has jumped up 30 spots in the NET (No. 81) thanks to the three-game winning streak.
- The 179 points allowed (59.7 ppg) over the past three games equals the Rebels' best defensive output in the three-game stretch since 2015 (allowed 179 points during three-game winning streak from Jan. 28-Feb. 4, 2015).
- Breein Tyree is averaging 24.5 ppg in SEC play to lead the conference; he increased his scoring output from non-conference to SEC play in each of his first three seasons as well.
- Devontae Shuler is averaging 18.2 ppg over the past five contests.
- Ole Miss ranks 19th nationally in three-point percentage defense (29.1 percent).
- Khadim Sy is averaging 12.3 ppg and a team-high 6.2 rpg over the past six games.
- Breein Tyree is the SEC's leading active scorer with 1,646 career points, ranked eighth on the Ole Miss all-time scoring list; he is also sixth in program history in three-pointers made (194).
- On Valentine's Day 22 years ago (Feb. 14, 1998), current Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Rebels to a 73-64 win over No. 7 Kentucky; it was the Rebels' last win in Rupp Arena.
- Entering the All-Star Break, NBA Rebel Terence Davis is the only Toronto Raptor to play in all 55 games for the defending champs; Davis averages 7.9 ppg and his career high is 31 points (Feb. 2 vs. Chicago).

SEC LEADERS
- Breein Tyree leads the SEC in scoring in conference play (24.5 ppg) and ranks second overall (20.0 ppg); he is the SEC's active leader in career points (1,646) and field goals made (558).
- Tyree is the only SEC player to rank in the top 10 in all three shooting categories during conference play: three-point percentage (2nd-44.3), field goal percentage (5th-47.2), free throw percentage (10th-81.3)
- Devontae Shuler ranks second in the SEC in steals (2.1 per game) during conference play and fourth overall (1.8 per game).
- Shuler is one of two SEC guards (Ashton Hagans-Kentucky) to average at least 1.8 steals per game and boast at least a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio; both marks rank fourth in the SEC.
- Ole Miss ranks third in turnover margin (+1.2), second in SEC play (1.7).
- The Rebels are allowing only 68.4 ppg in conference play, ranking third in the SEC.

SCOUTING KENTUCKY
No. 12 Kentucky enters Saturday's matchup with a 19-5 record, including 9-2 in SEC play to sit atop the conference standings alongside Auburn and LSU. The Wildcats have matched the Rebels' winning streak by winning three straight of their own. Kentucky is 13-1 at home, the lone loss coming to the hands of Evansville (Nov. 12). Kentucky is the one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country, ranking second nationally in free throws made (456) and fourth in free throw percentage (78.9 percent). Immanuel Quickley is the nation's second-best free throw shooter (92.5 percent) and leads the Wildcats in scoring (14.9 ppg). Nick Richards is right behind Quickley with 14.5 ppg behind a 66.3 field goal percentage (fifth nationally). Tyrese Maxey adds 13.9 ppg, while Ashton Hagans averages 12.4 ppg to go along with an SEC-leading 6.8 assists per game. John Calipari is in his 11th season as Kentucky's head coach. With 727 wins through 28 seasons, Calipari has previously coached Memphis (2001-09), the New Jersey Nets (1997-99) and UMass (1989-96).

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game will be the 121st meeting between the two schools. The Wildcats hold a 107-13 lead in the series, but two of the Rebels' 13 all-time wins have come in the last 14 meetings. Ole Miss has two victories in Lexington, including a memorable victory nearly 22 years ago to the day (Feb. 14, 1998). However, Kentucky has won the last 11 matchups in Rupp Arena.

VALENTINE'S WIN IN RUPP
It's been 22 years since the Rebels delivered a Valentine's Day victory in Lexington, and the current Ole Miss team will be looking for some of that mojo on Saturday. On Feb. 14, 1998, the No. 18 Rebels went into Rupp Arena and escaped with a 73-64 victory over the No. 7 Wildcats. Keith Carter, Ole Miss' current athletics director, scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Rebels to the upset win. Ansu Sesay, the 1998 SEC Player of the Year who came back to school this past fall to complete his degree and serve as a student assistant, added a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds). Also scoring 16 points in the win was current Florida head coach Mike White.

LAST TIME WE MET
On Senior Night (March 5, 2019), in front of a sold out crowd at The Pavilion, Terence Davis delivered a memorable performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds. However, it was not enough against No. 6 Kentucky. Ole Miss took a one-point lead into the halftime locker room, but the Wildcats prevailed 80-76 in a battle of SEC heavyweights. Terence Davis and Breein Tyree, the highest scoring duo in SEC play, accounted for 46 of the Rebels' 76 points. After Davis' game-high 25 on 8 of 15 shooting, Tyree added 21 points to go along with a team-high four assists. Devontae Shuler added 10 points and six boards. As a team, the Rebels continued their trend of making free throws. The SEC's best free throw shooting team went 20 of 22 throughout the night for a 90.9 percent clip. Kentucky shot 55.4 percent (31 of 56) from the field behind a pair of 20-point games by Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro. Johnson tallied 22 points and seven rebounds, while Hero recorded 20 points with three steals.

REBELS ROMP RIVAL MSU
The Pavilion was electric, reigning SEC Player of the Week Breein Tyree could not be stopped, and Ole Miss turned a halftime deficit into a blowout victory over its archrival. Behind a career-high 40 points from Tyree, the Rebels rolled to an 83-58 victory over Mississippi State Tuesday night (Feb. 11). The 25-point win was the fifth-largest margin of victory for Ole Miss in the SEC's most-played rivalry. Ole Miss starters scored all 83 of the team's points with Tyree leading the way. Facing the rival Bulldogs for the final time in The Pavilion, the senior saved up his best game one day after being named conference player of the week. Tyree made 13 of his 22 shot attempts, which included four three-pointers. He knocked down his free throws as well, going 10 for 11 from the stripe. The Somerset, New Jersey, native outscored MSU by himself 27-24 in the second half. Khadim Sy played his best SEC game, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the first half to keep Ole Miss within striking distance. The junior added a team-high eight rebounds to match his career best. Classmate Devontae Shuler tallied 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and zero turnovers. On the defensive end of the floor, the Rebels limited MSU to 36.7 percent clip (18 of 49) that included only seven second half field goals.

INSIDE THE RIVALRY VICTORY
Ole Miss had a special rivalry win over Mississippi State, beating the Bulldogs for the 10th time over the past 13 meetings. Here are some other notable nuggets from the 83-58 victory.
- The 25-point win was the Rebels' fifth-largest margin of victory in the 261-game history of the rivalry, the SEC's most-played rivalry.
- The 25-point win Ole Miss' largest margin of victory in any SEC game since beating MSU by 27 (88-61, Jan. 31, 2017).
- Ole Miss trailed by 13 twice in the first half. It was the Rebels' largest deficit overcome in SEC play since rallying from down 13 to beat Mississippi State 64-58 (Jan. 6, 2018).
- Reigning SEC Player of the Week Breein Tyree became the first Rebel to score 40 points in an SEC game since Stefan Moody dropped 43 against MSU (March 3, 2016).

A PERFECT HOMESTAND
The Rebels had a perfect homestand, earning double-digit victories over South Carolina (Feb. 5), Florida (Feb. 8) and Mississippi State (Feb. 11). Here are some key stats to the three victories.
- Ole Miss won by an average of 18.7 points.
- Defensively, the Rebels limited the opposition to 59.7 ppg; the 179 points are their fewest allowed in a three-game conference stretch since surrendering 179 points through three victories in 2015 (Jan. 28-Feb. 4).
- The Rebels shot 43.8 percent (21 of 48) from beyond the arc, while holding the opposition to 22.0 percent (13 of 59) from three-point land.
- Starters recorded 224 of the team's 235 points (95.3 percent).
- Ole Miss scored 63 points off turnovers.
- Breein Tyree led the team in scoring in all three games, averaging 33.7 ppg.
- Freshman Antavion Collum averaged 21.3 minutes per game to lead the bench in playing time; prior to the winning streak, Collum was averaging 7.5 minutes per game.

TYREE THE TERROR
Reigning SEC Player of the Week Breein Tyree has been unstoppable during the Rebels' current three-game winning streak. Leading Ole Miss to victories, the senior has averaged an astounding 33.7 ppg. Tyree has shot 54.8 percent (34 of 62) from the floor, including 52.4 percent (11 of 21) from beyond the arc. Getting to the charity stripe, he is shooting 84.6 percent (22 of 26) during the winning streak.

BREEIN LOVES SEC PLAY
Ole Miss senior Breein Tyree thrives during conference play. Not only is he the leading active scorer in the SEC (1,646 points), but he paces the conference in scoring during league games. This isn't new to Tyree as his scoring output increased from non-conference action to SEC play in each of his first three seasons. He has kept the trend going as a senior, scoring 26 points against Texas A&M (Jan. 7) in the conference opener before tallying 27 versus Arkansas (Jan. 11). After missing the Florida game due to a back injury, Tyree returned better than ever and scored 36 points versus LSU (Jan. 18). With those performances, Tyree became the first Rebel to score at least 25 points in each of the first three SEC games of the season since Joe Harvell (1992). During the 1991-92 campaign, Harvell started conference play with four consecutive 30-point games. Since then, Tyree added a 38-point performance against South Carolina (Feb. 5) and a 40-point night versus Mississippi State (Feb. 11).

Tyree's Seasons	Non-Conference	SEC
2016-17 (Freshman)	5.1 ppg	9.3 ppg
2017-18 (Sophomore)	9.0 ppg	12.3 ppg
2018-19 (Junior)	16.5 ppg	19.1 ppg
2019-20 (Senior)	16.5 ppg	24.5 ppg

BREEIN TYREE NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After leading Ole Miss to a pair of home victories last week, Breein Tyree was tabbed SEC Player of the Week by the conference office (Feb. 10). Averaging 30.5 ppg during the week, the senior guard collected the accolade for the second time in his career. Tyree was on fire throughout the week, shooting 52.5 percent (21 of 40) from the field and 63.6 percent (7 of 11) from beyond the arc. He also got to the line, making 12 of 15 free throws for an 80.0 pecent clip. Tyree was the highest scorer in both contests, continuing to lead the conference in scoring during SEC play at 22.8 ppg. The senior started the week off with his best game as a Rebel, scoring a career-high 38 points to guide Ole Miss to an 84-70 win over South Carolina (Feb. 5). It was the fourth-highest scoring game by an SEC player this season and the most by a Rebel in a game since 2016. Playing all 40 minutes, Tyree finished 12 of 21 from the field, including 11 of 13 at the free throw line. It was his third 30-point game of the season. Tyree followed that up with a game-high 23 points to lead the Rebels past Florida (Feb. 8), moving into ninth on the program's all-time scoring list. He recorded his 12th 20-point game of the season and 34th of his career; it was also the sixth out of 10 conference games for the leading scorer in SEC play. On the defensive end, Tyree recorded a pair of steals and limited Florida's Andrew Nembhard to five points on 2 of 9 shooting. He helped the Rebels hold the Gators to a season-low 51 points, their best defensive effort in an SEC game since 2015. As a junior, Tyree began conference play as the SEC Player of the Week (Jan. 7, 2019) after scoring 31 points in a league-opening win over Vanderbilt. It was the first time he eclipsed the 30-point plateau. He became the seventh Rebel to earn SEC Player of the Week honors multiple times, joining the likes of Dwayne Curtis, Terence Davis, Murphy Holloway, Stefan Moody, Justin Reed and Ansu Sesay.

BALANCED SCORING LEADS TO VICTORIES
It's no secret that a balanced offense helps in seeking victories. When Ole Miss finds that balance, it usually leads to positive outcomes. In wins, all five Rebel starters average double figures: Breein Tyree (21.0 ppg), Blake Hinson (12.1 ppg), Devontae Shuler (11.5 ppg), KJ Buffen (11.5 ppg) and Khadim Sy (10.3 ppg). In losses, Tyree (18.6 ppg) and Shuler (11.7 ppg) are the only Rebels scoring in double digits.

CONSISTEN-SY
Khadim Sy has provided consistency in the post throughout the past three weeks. The junior forward has averaged 12.3 ppg and a team-high 6.2 rpg over the last six games, scoring in double figures in five of those contests. He has shot 47.5 percent (28 of 59) from the field, while also going 16 of 21 (76.2 percent) from the free throw line. Sy started the stretch with 16 points to help Ole Miss earn a road win at Georgia (Jan. 25). Facing rival Mississippi State for the first time (Feb. 11), he had his best game in conference play. Sy tallied 14 points in the first half to keep the Rebels down one within striking distance. He ended the contest with 18 points, his most in SEC play, while matching his career high with a team-high eight rebounds in the 25-point win.

REBELS STYMIE GATORS
Ole Miss turned in arguably their best game of the season, using an all-around performance on both sides of the floor to roll past Florida 68-51 in The Pavilion (Feb. 8). Holding the Gators to their lowest point total of the season, the Rebels allowed their fewest in an SEC game since 2015 (67-47 win at Missouri). The Ole Miss defense forced 15 turnovers, which led to 16 points on the other end. Florida was limited to a 33.3 percent clip (18 of 54) from the field, including only 21.7 percent (5 of 23) from beyond the arc. The Gators entered the contest averaging 77.2 ppg in SEC play, ranked third in the conference. Senior guard Breein Tyree finished the Rebels' perfect week with another solid performance. The SEC's leading scorer in conference games increased his average with a game-high 23 points. KJ Buffen continued to play strong against the Gators, falling one rebound short of a double-double (14 points, nine rebounds). The sophomore also added four assists without committing a turnover. Devontae Shuler stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting as well as five assists, three steals and three rebounds. As a team, the Rebels shot 47.3 percent (26 of 55).

TYREE LEADS OLE MISS PAST SOUTH CAROLINA
On a night when Morgan Freeman was honored, two other Rebels reached milestones for the Ole Miss men's basketball team. Senior guard Breein Tyree jumped into the top 10 on the program's all-time scoring list with a career-high 38 points, leading the Rebels to an 84-70 victory over South Carolina. Playing all 40 minutes, he finished 12 of 21 for the game, including 11 of 13 at the free throw line. The win was the 500th career victory for Kermit Davis as a head coach. Blake Hinson added 13 points and seven rebounds. Khadim Sy tallied 10 points to go along with eight rebounds that tied his career high. As a team, Ole Miss shot 47.4 percent (27 of 57) from the field, while making 24 of 32 free throw attempts (75.0 percent). On the defensive end of the floor, the Rebels limited South Carolina leading scorer AJ Lawson to just five points on 2 of 10 shooting.

TYREE'S BIG GAMES
Breein Tyree has 13 20-point games on the season, producing three such contests in November and three in December to go along with seven in SEC play. He has 35 20-point games over his Ole Miss career. His biggest game as a Rebel was a career-high 40 points to lead Ole Miss to a blowout win over rival Mississippi State (Feb. 11), the most points by a Rebel since Deandre Burnett scored 41 points against Oral Roberts (Nov. 18, 2016). It was the most scored by an Ole Miss player in an SEC game since Stefan Moody dropped 43 to lead the Rebels over MSU on his senior night (March 3, 2016). Tyree also had 34 against Middle Tennessee (Dec. 14), 36 versus LSU (Jan. 18) and 38 against South Carolina to give him six 30-point games for his career.

DAVIS EARNS 500TH CAREER WIN
Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis picked up his 500th win as the Rebels defeated South Carolina at home (Feb. 5). In his 25th season as a college basketball head coach, Davis has collected 502 wins over 789 games (.636 winning percentage). His head coaching career started as a 24-year old at Southwest Mississippi Community College in 1984, the youngest junior college coach in the country, and he earned 66 victories over three season in the junior college ranks. Four years later at the age of 28, Davis became Idaho's head coach and was the youngest Division I head coach in the nation. Through 22 seasons as a Division I head coach, which includes becoming the winningest coach in Middle Tennessee and Sun Belt Conference history, Davis has 436 wins. He ranks 38th in victories among active Division I head coaches.

SHULER STATS
Junior guard Devontae Shuler leads the Rebels in assists (3.6) and steals (1.8). The Irmo, South Carolina, native is one of two players in the SEC to record at least 1.8 steals per game and a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio, joining Kentucky's Ashton Hagans in the conference's top five of each category. He has recorded at least two steals in 10 of the last 12 games. Shuler has provided some consistency offensively, reaching double figures in 12 of the past 16 games which include the best two games of his career. Over the past five games, Shuler is averaging 18.2 ppg. Against No. 16 Auburn (Jan. 28), he took over after Breein Tyree fouled out and finished with 26 points in 48 minutes of the double overtime battle. Shuler followed that performance with a career-high 28 points at No. 22 LSU (Feb. 1). He now has five 20-point games over his career, including four this season.

VETERANS LEAD THE WAY
The Rebels are led by a veteran cast. Senior guard Breein Tyree (20.0 ppg), junior Devontae Shuler (11.6 ppg), sophomore Blake Hinson (10.4 ppg) and sophomore forward KJ Buffen (9.7 ppg) have accounted for 70.3 percent of the team's scoring this season. Tyree ranks second in the league in scoring, while Buffen leads the team in rebounding (6.0 per game) and blocks (0.9 per game). Shuler also paces the Rebels in assists (3.6 per game) and steals (1.8 per game), both top 10 in the SEC, while ranking fourth in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.7). After missing four games due to injury, Hinson has put together 10 double-digit scoring performances, starting 19 games following the injury to Luis Rodriguez.

NEEDING BUFFEN
KJ Buffen was a primary bench player during his freshman campaign, but the 6-foot-7 forward is an important piece of the Ole Miss lineup as a sophomore. Starting all 24 games, one of only two Rebels to start each game, Buffen is averaging 9.7 ppg along with a team-best 6.1 rpg. His rebounding average is 18th in the conference. The Gainesville, Georgia, native is also leading the team in blocks (0.9). Buffen tallied a career-high 23 points in a win over Norfolk State (Nov. 12) before producing his second career 20-point game to close out the calendar year against Tennessee Tech (Dec. 29). In the return to his home state, Buffen was 5 of 6 from the field and made all four of his free throws, tallying 14 points to help Ole Miss beat Georgia (Jan. 25). His play factors into the outcome of games. Buffen averages 11.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg in wins, while tallying 7.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg in losses.

CLIMBING THE CAREER CHARTS
In his final year as a Rebel, senior guard Breein Tyree ranks eighth on the all-time scoring list with 1,646 points. That career output leads all active players in the SEC. The Somerset, New Jersey, native scored a career-high 40 points in the blowout victory over Mississippi State (Feb. 1) to pass Jarvis Summers (1,629). Next on Tyree's climb up the charts is current Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter (1,682). Through 122 games in an Ole Miss uniform, Tyree has knocked down 194 three-pointers to sit sixth in the program's rankings. He drained a trio of three-pointers against Tennessee (Jan. 21) to pass Stefan Moody (181).

YEAR TWO OF THE DAVIS ERA
Kermit Davis is in his second season at the helm of Ole Miss Basketball. A nine-time conference coach of the year, Davis is 38th among active Division I head coaches with 436 career wins over 22 seasons, including stints at MT, Idaho and Texas A&M. In 25 seasons as a college basketball head coach, he has amassed 502 wins. Davis wasted no time making an impact in Oxford. With the Rebels coming off a last-place finish in 2017-18, the media picked Ole Miss to land at the bottom of the SEC standings again in 2018-19. However, the Rebels posted a 20-13 record to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. With a return to March Madness for the sixth time in his career, Davis joined a list of 63 coaches in college basketball history to take three different schools to the NCAA Tournament. Davis was named SEC Coach of the Year by his peers and the Associated Press, earning conference coach of the year accolades for the ninth time in his career. He became the sixth Ole Miss coach to earn SEC Coach of the Year honors, while joining Andy Kennedy as the only Rebel coaches to collect the award in their first year in Oxford.

TD IN THE NBA
The Rebels are without 2018-19 Second Team All-SEC guard Terence Davis, who ranks 13th on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,512 points. After going undrafted, Davis turned heads in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and quickly earned a multi-year deal with the reigning champion Toronto Raptors. Davis has become a regular in the Raptors' rotation to start the NBA season. The Southaven, Mississippi, native matched LeBron James with 13 points in the Raptors' win over the Lakers (Nov. 10). Last month (Jan. 8), Davis was called upon to make his first career start, and boy did he deliver. The NBA Rebel scored 23 points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds, both team highs, to record his first double-double and lead the Raptors to a victory over the Hornets. Kicking off February, Davis tallied a career-high 31 points off the bench to help the Raptors beat the Bulls (Feb. 2). He made his second career start last week (Feb. 8), tallying 20 points in the franchise's record-breaking 14th straight win. Averaging 7.9 ppg, he is only Raptor to play in all 55 of the team's games. Davis is the first Rebel to play in the NBA since Justin Reed (2005-07).

NEXT ON THE HARDWOOD
The Rebels remain on the road Tuesday (Feb. 18), beginning a home-and-home series with Missouri in Columbia. It will be the second of three road games over a two-week stretch (four games). Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

RebelsCalendar

Players Mentioned

KJ Buffen

Antavion Collum

Terence Davis

Blake Hinson

Luis Rodriguez

Devontae Shuler

Khadim Sy

Breein Tyree

The University of Mississippi Athletics