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NCAA Basketball: 2019 NIT Season Tip-Off preview and predictions

By Donovan Darlington

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels speaks to Terence Davis #3 in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels speaks to Terence Davis #3 in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Ole Miss

Record: 4-1

Despite the fact that they are heading into the NIT Season Tip-Off with a loss, this year’s Ole Miss squad looks better than they have in previous years. In the second season under Kermit Davis, the Rebels seem to be deeper and much more sound offensively. This will bode well for them, not only the NIT Season Tip-Off but throughout the entire year as they look to improve off of last year’s season in which they competed in the NCAA Tournament.

In the first four games of the season, Ole Miss handled its mid-major opponents just as they should have. They won each game in convincing fashion by double digits. A few years ago, they may have received more of a scare from those teams.

On Saturday, Ole Miss traveled up the road to take on the young, but highly talented Memphis Tigers. Despite the absence of James Wiseman, the fiery freshman for Memphis was still too much for the Rebels. They fell 87-86 in a very exciting game that went to the final whistle.

The NIT Season Tip-Off will be a great opportunity to see how the battle-tested Rebels recover. Senior guard Breein Tyree is an incredible leader, and I feel like he’s ready to respond and produce a solid outing in Brooklyn. Additionally, the Memphis game was the first game of the season for Sophomore forward, Blake Hinson. Hinson’s return may provide Ole Miss with a solid boost in the tournament.

The experienced backcourt of the Rebels makes them a huge threat to the three other teams in the field. Breein Tyree leads the team in scoring with 16.2 ppg, and Junior guard, Devontae Shuler adds 12.6 ppg. The duo has an extremely high basketball IQ, they move the ball well, and use their speed to create open looks in dribble-drive situations.

Down low, the Rebels are deeper and more physical. K.J. Buffen averages 14.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Blake Hinson makes the frontcourt even more solid, and newcomers Khadim Sy and Sammy Hunter are capable of stepping up and giving good minutes when called upon.

I am excited to see how the Rebels show up in this tournament now that they are at full health. It will also be great to see how they respond after taking a heartbreaking loss to such a talented Memphis squad. They will use this week to show that they are an NCAA Tournament team once again.

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