We continue our SEC basketball non-conference schedule preview series with a look at the road ahead for Ole Miss.
The Kermit Davis era is officially underway for the Rebels, as they try to rise up the SEC standings after a 12-20 season.
Let’s run through the entire list of non-conference opponents on this year’s schedule.
For Ole Miss’ full schedule, visit the team’s official website.
vs. Western Michigan (Nov. 10)
2017-18 Record: 17-15
Season Outlook:
Injuries were the main theme for the Broncos last season, and now they’ll have to lean on one returning starter in Josh Davis (10.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) to stay on track in the MAC.
Unfortunately, Bryce Moore – the team’s leading returner in minutes played and second-leading scorer – may miss the entire season due to injury.
All the question marks could make things a bit difficult for a Western Michigan squad that struggled defensively at times last year in allowing opponents to shoot 45.4 percent from the floor (259th nationally) and 37.2 percent from beyond the arc (301st nationally).
at Butler (Nov. 16)
2017-18 Record: 21-14
Season Outlook:
Replacing Kelan Martin will be priority number one for the Bulldogs this season, but the return of Kamar Baldwin (15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is certainly a nice boost.
Getting more consistent on the defensive side of the court will also be a major point emphasis for LaVall Jordan and his staff, as Butler had trouble guarding the perimeter (302nd nationally in 3PT FG defense) throughout the year.
The good news is that a lot of players coming back who were regular part of the rotation last season, with Duke transfer Jordan Tucker likely to make a big impact as well.
vs. Nicholls (Nov. 20)
2017-18 Record: 21-11
Season Outlook:
Austin Claunch takes over for the Colonels after Richie Riley departed for South Alabama. One fact worth noting? Claunch will enter the season as the country’s youngest head coach at just 28 years old (he turns 29 in November).
But that shouldn’t deter anyone from thinking that Nicholls will take a step back, as the team has a lot of talent to work with after a season that featured its highest win total in 23 years.
The roster will feature an assortment of newcomers from the JUCO level, but there’s little doubt that the Colonels will keep pushing the pace (13th nationally in average offensive possession length at 15.4 seconds) like they did last season.
vs. Baylor (Nov. 23, Emerald Coast Classic)
2017-18 Record: 19-15
Season Outlook:
The Bears are picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, but it’s hard to ever count out a Scott Drew-coached team.
Baylor always plays with an aggressive and physicality that can be tough for opponents to handle, so even with three double-digit scorers gone, there may still be a path to success.
Yale transfer Makai Mason and Mississippi State transfer Mario Kegler should provide immediate contributions for a team lacking experience.
vs. Cincinnati or George Mason (Nov. 24, Emerald Coast Classic)
2017-18 Record: Cincinnati 31-5, George Mason 16-17
Season Outlook:
The Bearcats may not hit the 30-win mark this season, but Mick Cronin still has a squad that’s capable of winning the AAC thanks to the return of Jarron Cumberland (11.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and several other rotation players.
Meanwhile, George Mason has high expectations with all five starters returning. The Patriots have the offensive balance and firepower to content for an Atlantic 10 title, and how far they progress on the defensive side of the floor will decide if they’ll be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
vs. San Diego (Nov. 28)
2017-18 Record: 20-14
Season Outlook:
The Toreros have a new head coach in Sam Scholl, but he’s no stranger to the program having played and coached for the school. That familiarity should allow him to keep this program moving in the right direction after its first 20-win season in 10 years.
Four starters return, with the double-digit scoring trio of Isaiah Pineiro (15.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Isaiah Wright (13.4 ppg, 39.3 percent 3PT), and Olin Carter III (12.4 ppg, 35.7 percent 3PT) all expected to expand their skill sets even further.
San Diego will also pack a punch defensively, as it finished fifth nationally in 3-point field-goal percentage defense (30.3 percent) and 46th in overall field-goal percentage defense (41.5 percent).
vs. ULM (Dec. 1)
2017-18 Record: 16-16
Season Outlook:
There’s reason to believe that the Warhawks will get back to their winning ways this season after some ups and downs the past few years.
The duo of Travis Munnings (15.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Michael Ertel (11.6 ppg, 35.8 percent 3PT) will be among the best in the Sun Belt, and the team’s depth in the backcourt will be a huge strength.
ULM struggled to find a rhythm offensively last season (251st in adjusted offensive efficiency), but those problems should be in the rear-view mirror with the talent Keith Richards has returning.
at Illinois State (Dec. 8)
2017-18 Record: 18-15
Season Outlook:
Dan Muller has his three top scorers back in the fold, and that should result in the Redbirds having a legitimate shot at their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.
Milik Yarbrough (16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Phil Fayne (15.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), and Keyshawn Evans (15.2 ppg, 41.9 percent 3PT) are all game-changers for Muller and company, which should give Illinois State plenty of options in how it attacks offensively.
Last year’s shooting percentages weren’t great, so consistency and improvement will be important in that area.
vs. Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 12 in Jackson, MS)
2017-18 Record: 22-12
Season Outlook:
Stephen F. Austin might be getting all the attention in the Southland heading into the season, but it would be wrong to overlook the Lions, who bring back all-conference guard Marlain Veal (12.8 ppg, 6.1 apg).
The 5-9 senior played around 34 minutes per game last season and will once again lead a strong SE Louisiana backcourt. Moses Greenwood (10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) also figures to take a step forward.
The Lions will need to improve on the defensive glass and at the free-throw line (337th nationally at 65.1 percent) to go dancing for the first time since 2005.
vs. Chattanooga (Dec. 16)
2017-18 Record: 10-23
Season Outlook:
Lamont Paris’ first year with the Mocs was certainly less than ideal, as the program endured its worst season since 2000.
He’ll rely on transfers and many newcomers this season after losing his top six scorers, and building chemistry between all the new pieces will be crucial during the pre-conference slate.
Paris, who worked under Bo Ryan and Greg Gard at Wisconsin, should continue to implement the Badgers’ efficient approach on offense.
vs. Middle Tennessee (Dec. 21 in Nashville, TN)
2017-18 Record: 25-8
Season Outlook:
It’s safe to say that Kermit Davis has some familiarity with the Blue Raiders after he coached them for 16 seasons.
However, this team will look a bit different in Nick McDevitt’s first season on the job, as the former UNC Asheville coach will insert a lot of newcomers into the rotation.
That will likely result in Middle Tennessee taking a bit of a step back this season, but that shouldn’t last long with a good amount of young talent and transfers on the roster.
vs. Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 29)
2017-18 Record: 23-12
Season Outlook:
The reigning Atlantic Sun regular season champions lose all five starters and their head coach in Joe Dooley, so there are some obvious question marks entering the Michael Fly era.
Luckily, Fly has been immersed in the program since becoming an assistant with the team in 2011, and that should make the transition much easier.
Dinero Mercurius (7.9 ppg, 41.4 percent 3PT) is the team’s top returning scorer, and RaySean Scott Jr. (6.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) could have a breakout junior season.
vs. Iowa State (Jan. 26, SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
2017-18 Record: 13-18
Season Outlook:
The Cyclones are going to be a much different team this season after missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Lindell Wigginton (16.7 ppg, 40.1 3PT), Cameron Lard (12.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg), and Nick Weiler-Babb (11.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.8 app) are all back, which gives Steve Prohm an excellent nucleus.
There’s also a talented freshman class (28th nationally) to go along with several other key returners. The growing pains of last season should result in a step forward for Iowa State this year.
Overall Schedule Analysis
Calling this a transition year may not be entirely correct when assessing the Rebels’ outlook this season.
Yes, Davis has a lot of new faces to work into the mix, and creating a chemistry on both sides of the court may take some time.
But there’s a solid core group that returns, and players like Terence Davis, Breein Tyree, Devontae Shuler, and Bruce Stevens can all create matchup problems.
There aren’t any highly-ranked teams on the non-conference schedule, but there’re enough challenges to help Ole Miss be ready for the grind of SEC play come January.
For more SEC basketball coverage follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell. If you want more knowledge heading into the 2018-19 season, visit our full catalog of previews.