Luke Dunavant
After wrapping up a top-three finish in the Southeastern Conference, the Ole Miss Women’s Basketball team has a date with Marquette on Saturday, March 23 at 3:45 p.m. ET in the Albany 1 Region of the NCAA Tournament.
Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has led her squad through an impressive season with a record of 23 wins and eight losses. They rolled their way into the SEC Tournament, easily rallying past the Florida Gators and beating them by double digits.
Ole Miss then faced the ever-tough LSU Tigers, led by stars Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith. Rebel guards Marquesha Davis and Madison Scott led the charge for Ole Miss, but the Tigers pulled away late, winning 75-67.
It was a very good regular season for the Rebel, with key wins over Tennessee and Florida. In the games that the Rebels lost, they were always competitive. McPhee-McCuin also secured another 20+ win season, garnering even more momentum for the upcoming run in the big dance.
Ole Miss slides in as a No. 7 seed, which is certainly lower than the players, coaches and fans had hoped, and the Rebels lie in the same bracket as overall No. 1 seed South Carolina. While this is no doubt a daunting placement, but Ole Miss has to focus on the task at hand: beating Marquette.
The Golden Eagles, who are the No. 10 seed, are very good in their own right. Marquette also had 23 wins to only eight losses with key players such as Liza Karlen and Rose Nkumu.
The biggest difference between the two teams is the level of play. Ole Miss’ experience against tough challengers in the SEC should elevate them past Marquette, but March Madness could always chart a different path.
Predictions for the team
After last season’s appearance in the Sweet 16, this year’s Lady Rebels have a chance to make the Elite Eight or the Final Four, but the pathway to victory is treacherous. McPhee-McCuin has steadily improved as a coach over the years, hinting at a possible deep run in the NCAA Tournament – for proof, consider the Rebels’ upset over No. 1 Stanford last year, only to lose to No. 5 Louisville in the Sweet 16. In order to replicate or even surpass last season’s success, the Rebels will have to lean on both Scott and Davis as the offensive engines and defensive anchors, as they have all season.
Ole Miss should be able to take care of Marquette with the overall experience, talent and coaching advantage. Time will only tell how far those qualities will take them in the NCAA Tournament.
