Story from The Commercial Appeal
By Bobby Hall
OXFORD, Miss. - Third-year coach Rod Barnes wants to find out quickly how good his Ole Miss men's basketball team will be.
That's part of the reason that during an eight-day stretch in early December, the Rebels will host Oklahoma (Dec.2) and Kansas State (Dec. 5) and travel to Memphis (Dec. 9). Check out the entire 2000-01 schedule here.
"I want these kids to be challenged early . . . I want to find out how good we are," Barnes said Monday during Media Day for the Rebels and Lady Rebels.
"And I want to challenge our fans to come out and see us early. In the past we've had some seasons where the schedule wasn't that tough early, and our fans didn't really want to come out and support us."
Last season was one of those years when the early opponents were easy.
"We were on cruise control, and we started 12-1," said junior guard Jason Harrison.
Then the virtually untested Rebels started Southeastern Conference play with a 0-5 mark.
"Anytime you let Prairie View score 70-something points on you, you need to realize that you're not playing much defense, you're just out-scoring 'em," Harrison said. "We found out in the conference."
The Rebels regrouped for an 17-13 regular-season record and got a bid to the National Invitation Tournament, where they went 2-1.
"We'll find out early whether we'll be able to make the NCAA Tournament or not because we're going to play teams early that are going to be in the NCAA Tournament," Barnes said.
"If we beat them, we should be in. If we don't, we'll have to battle late in our conference to get there, and that's what you don't want to do."
Either way, Barnes believes the young but athletic Rebels will have a good chance for postseason play.
Key newcomers are 6-8 prized freshman Justin Reed and sophomore guard David Sanders, a junior college transfer.
"Justin Reed is the best freshman I have ever coached," Barnes said. "If he stays here for four years, he'll be one of the greatest players that has ever played here, barring injury."
Reed was a Parade magazine All-America and ranks as one of the most heralded recruits in Ole Miss history.
Another key newcomer is 6-7 guard/forward Aaron Harper, a freshman who enrolled in January and practiced with the team during the spring semester.
Key returning players, at least those with the most experience, are senior low post player Rahim Lockhart, senior guard Jason Flanigan and Harrison.
"Last year the way we started off was with a little false security," Barnes said. "This year when we go into SEC play, I want us to be as good as we can be. We don't want to have to dig out of a hole like last year.
"Last year we scheduled easier teams early because I thought that from a mental standpoint the team wasn't sure we could be good. These kids this year believe thay can be good. We're not lacking for self-confidence."
The Lady Rebels of fourth-year coach Ron Aldy are coming off a 12-16 season. Replacing leading scorer and rebounder Frankie Boyd, who completed her ability, will be a priority.
"Our kids seem to have a better attitude toward working this year, and I think that's a little carryover from the disappointment of last year," Aldy said. "That disappointment may have ignited a little more fire and determination."