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SEC Basketball: Takeaways from the 2017-18 Tip-Off Event

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 24: Head coach Andy Kennedy of the Mississippi Rebels reacts as he coaches against the La Salle Explorers during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 24, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 24: Head coach Andy Kennedy of the Mississippi Rebels reacts as he coaches against the La Salle Explorers during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 24, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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SEC Tipoff Southeastern Conference basketball
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Head coach Andy Kennedy of the Ole Miss Rebels reacts during their game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 11, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Andy Kennedy is the Dean of Southeastern Conference basketball

Ole Miss Head Coach Andy Kennedy was a media favorite and displayed the comfort that comes from spending twelve years at one school as head coach. Davis Potter of The Oxford Eagle shared video of Andy Kennedy’s time with reporters.

Kennedy bantered with a reporter about Ole Miss’ new arena, saying that “it is well lit. The AC works.”

About the predicted tenth place finish in the SEC, he quipped, “I’m fired up for being preseason top ten in the country, that’s a great selling point. Are you saying tenth in the SEC?” Then after some laughs, “I’m not going to lose a lot a sleep over preseason rankings, and I’d appreciate it if you guys would work with me on the top ten thing (More laughs).”

When asked, “Do you dream of the day you don’t have to come in and talk about how you compare to Kentucky,” he responded, “I dream of the day I don’t have to come to this thing.” After more laughs he clarified he wasn’t hoping of unemployment, but,  “I think there are better ways to do this.”

Kennedy even found a lighter moment when discussing the FBI investigation, explaining he could not reveal the most interesting text he received that day because he would need to have his attorney present.

Finally, after explaining why he thinks this is his best team, Kennedy said, “My wife says you always like your team in October, get back to me in November.”

Kennedy is a breath of fresh air in the smog of college basketball, plus he’s a good coach. Ole Miss and the SEC are lucky to have him.