Second in a series previewing SEC basketball teams.
HOOVER, Ala. — When Chris Warren helped Ole Miss reach the NIT semifinals as a freshman in 2008, it was an exciting time.
“Going to New York, that was big,” Warren said at SEC media day. “I thought, ‘This is good for my first year. This is going to help us make NCAA Tournament trips in the years to come.’ ”
But it hasn’t worked out that way for Warren and the Rebels, and going back to New York for the NIT semifinals last season wasn’t nearly as much fun for him as the first time.
“Playing in the NIT just means that we were almost to the NCAA Tournament,” said Warren, a senior point guard. “We were a few games off.”
The Rebels finished 24-11 in both Warren’s freshman and junior seasons and were 16-15 when he missed most of his sophomore season with a knee injury.
Warren, an All-SEC second-team pick last season when he averaged 17.2 points and 3.5 assists per game, said he hopes now is the time he can lead the Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.
“I’ve got one more year, and if we don’t make to the NCAA Tournament, what have I done?” Warren said. “It’s about what I’ve got to do for us to be successful as a team to make it to the NCAA Tournament.”
Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy said he likes the Rebels’ chances of getting to the NCAA Tournament, especially with Warren leading the team.
“Our goal is like most every teams’ as you approach themonth of November,” Kennedy said. “We all have aspirations of competing for league championships with the opportunity to get to the NCAA Tournament and advance.
“As I look at our personnel, I do think we have the pieces. Now it’s just a matter of us, putting those pieces together. But it’s not a bad play to start when you can give the ball to the best point guard in your league.”
Kennedy said for the first time in Warren’s career, he’s the clear team leader.
It was tough for Warren to lead as a freshman because of his inexperience. His sophomore season was cut short by injury, and last season there were questions of whether the team was led by Warren, sophomore guard Terrico White or senior guard Eniel Polynice.
White left for the NBA and Polynice - who had a fifthyear of eligibility and earned his degree from Ole Miss - transferred to Seton Hall.
“We’ve needed someone to have that take-charge mentality,” Kennedy said. “This year, there’s no question this is Chris’ team.”
The Rebels’ backcourt rotation also will include senior Zach Graham (9.2 points per game last season), junior Trevor Gaskins and sophomore transfer Nick Williams, who started at Indiana two years ago.
Experienced players inside are sophomore Reginald Bucker, who had a school-record 65 blocked shots last season, and senior Terrance Henry (6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds).
Forward Murphy Holloway, who averaged 10.1 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds last season as a sophomore, has transferred to South Carolina to be closer to his family inIrmo, S.C.
Ole Miss will be counting on freshman forward Demarco Cox to help make up for Holloway’s loss.
“There’s not a lot of silliness or playfulness in Demarco when you get between those lines,” Kennedy said. “You appreciate that.
“His capacity for work is so great that I think he’s going to have an immediate impact.”
Kennedy said the key for Ole Miss winning enough to make the NCAA Tournament is to play more consistently the whole season.
“We’ve been close,” he said. “I’m hopeful this year the experience we’ve gained from going through that will reap the rewards.”
Kennedy said Warren deserves to end his career by playing in the NCAA Tournament.
“Not one time have I left the practice floor in four years, and said, ‘Chris Warren didn’t bring it today,’ ” Kennedy said. “That doesn’t mean he’s always perfect ... but his approach, his consistency day in and day out, I know what he’s going to do.
“He’s been taught how to work hard, he’s low maintenance. He’s a big shot taker, but more importantly a big shot maker, and I hope he’s got a few more in him.”
Next: Kentucky
Ole Miss at a glance
COACH Andy Kennedy (85-50 in four seasons at Ole Miss, 106-63 in five seasons overall) LAST SEASON 24-11, 9-7 SEC KEY LOSSES G Terrico White, F Murphy Holloway KEY RETURNEES G Chris Warren, G Zach Graham, F Reginald Buckner, F Terrance Henry KEY NEWCOMERS G Nick Williams, F Demarco Cox PROJECTED FINISH Second in SEC West
Sports, Pages 23 on 10/23/2010