The Florida Gators versus the Ole Miss Rebels - Preview and OPEN THREAD

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 26, 2012 5:09 PM EST

It hasn't been an incredible season thus far. It hasn't been bad, but it hasn't been particularly great, either. There are a couple of good wins under this team's belt, just as there are a few embarrassing losses. Such is college basketball, I suppose, but such shouldn't deter anybody with the reasonable means to do so from making their way to the Tad Pad tonight to watch the Ole Miss Rebels take on the #13 Florida Gators in what could be a "swing" type of game regarding the remainder of this season and this squad's NCAA Tournament ambitions.

Going in Ole Miss' favor are a few key factors. First, Ole Miss us undefeated at home, while Florida is 1-3 on the road. The Gators' road losses, though, aren't exactly horrifying - a loss at Tennessee as well as losses at highly ranked Ohio State and Syracuse teams. Ole Miss should have the advantage off of the glass, with Florida being one of the SEC's worst rebounding teams, whereas our Rebels are, statistically, the best rebounding team in the conference (averaging 43.6 boards a game, whereas Florida averages 31.3). If the gameplans used against Mississippi State and Georgia are effective tonight, the Rebels should be able to control the ball below the bucket.

Florida does, though, shoot lights out from beyond the arc. In fact, they're one of the best teams in the country at three-point shooting, making them a top-10 team nationally in offensive output. Look for Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton, who average 13 and 18 points per game respectively, to shoot early and often from the perimeter. They're also much more reliable from the line than our Rebels which, perhaps, isn't saying much, considering Ole Miss' position as the SEC's worst free throw shooting team as of this point in the season.

Winning this game is a must for the Rebels. We're, per the usual, on the outside looking in with regards to March at this point. A victory tonight would cement "bubble" status and, at the very least, give us good position going forward. Rebel fans and students, y'all have no excuse to not be there. Get there early, get liquored up beforehand if you must, and be unbearably loud. The Tad Pad has been a great home court for us thus far; let's keep it that way.

For those of you who cannot make it to the game, it will be broadcast tonight at 6:00 PM Central on ESPN2. Again, the game will be on ESPN2 at 6:00 PM Central. Don't miss it. As for a score prediction... I'm too anxious to make one.

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Comments

In the words of Bart Scott

Can’t Wait!!!

by MCchoctaw76 on Jan 26, 2012 5:19 PM EST reply actions

FUCK FUCK FUCK

Why did I schedule a payroll audit of 2nd shift tonight?

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 5:28 PM EST reply actions

ill be in attendance

by RebelBlackBear on Jan 26, 2012 5:30 PM EST reply actions

Someone needs to go ahead and invent teleportation...

Little Rock is about an hour-and-a-half too far from Oxford for a down and back.

Oh well…I’ll be pulling for the Rebs in the 501.

by AR Rebel on Jan 26, 2012 5:42 PM EST reply actions

I stayed in Oxford last night,

but I had to come back to Madison today. I just got home and realized how bad I fucked up by not scheduling that trip for tonight instead.

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 5:52 PM EST reply actions

Key to winning?

If we can shoot at least 60% from the free throw line, we will win!

by BeastButler1865 on Jan 26, 2012 6:35 PM EST reply actions

I just bought a bottle of tequila

God I hope we play well

by ThePunter on Jan 26, 2012 6:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Per a rivals post

The student section is packed and they are turning away students at the gate.

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 6:52 PM EST reply actions

Did y'all see those gators disrespecting???

Fuck those guys. Let’s do this!

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by charlym on Jan 26, 2012 7:01 PM EST reply actions

I see a lot fucking empty seats

And they are not in the student section, come on old people.

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:03 PM EST reply actions

Fucking great block

followed up by a predictable turnover..

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:06 PM EST reply actions

Fuck em in their ear and fuck em in their other ear!!

HOTTY DAMN TODDY!!!! LET’S
GO REBS!!!

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing airplane glue

by The next, next Dex on Jan 26, 2012 7:10 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Reporting in from Costa Rica

You know what is on ESPN2 here? Freakin’ UNC v NC State. That’s the only ESPN I get here in San José. Anybody want to hook a brother up with espn3 access?

Red Cup Rebellion -- Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics

by BrianWalker'sElbow on Jan 26, 2012 7:10 PM EST reply actions

JEALOUS!

I did summer school in Costa Rica and am dying to go back – especially when it’s cold and raining like it is today.

by Catfish Row on Jan 26, 2012 7:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It's pretty nice. We'll be here until August and then on to Ecuador.

Red Cup Rebellion -- Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics

by BrianWalker'sElbow on Jan 26, 2012 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah. A lot of empty seats but the Tad Pad sounds like the fucking Forum right now.

Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow, and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis...

by 7thYearJunior on Jan 26, 2012 7:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions

After that last three, yes, yes it does.

16-4 Rebs

Red Cup Fat head is front row..

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

RED CUP FAT HEAD

clap clap, clapclap

Let’s get this chant going.

Your Ad Here - only $29.99

by charlym on Jan 26, 2012 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

I LOVE THE RED CUP FAT HEAD

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Sports are chaotic and stupid; and we're bad at them.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 26, 2012 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

Whoa whoa whoa

Where did all this offense come from?

by bball1984 on Jan 26, 2012 7:18 PM EST reply actions

And now where did it go?

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

Jerry Palm

The guy who runs cbssports.com’s NCAA bracketology page, currently has us as an 11-seed in the tournament according to his most recent update today.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

by bball1984 on Jan 26, 2012 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Little early for that I would think

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Ballsy play by Cox

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 7:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Anytime you can work the word “ballsy” into a sentence about Cox it’s an automatic rec.

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

They’re making me care about sports again tonight. Playing well. Have to keep the defensive pressure up. Florida can shoot back into this quickly.

by chiefcuda on Jan 26, 2012 7:47 PM EST reply actions

Just. Keep. Making. Threes.

That’s it and that’s all. We’re owning them down low.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Sports are chaotic and stupid; and we're bad at them.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 26, 2012 8:07 PM EST reply actions

Oh, and I'm checkin' in now. Drinkin' a Lagunitas Pils

and eating pizza. I love pizza.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Sports are chaotic and stupid; and we're bad at them.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 26, 2012 8:09 PM EST reply actions

Jesus, Patric Young is a big ass dude.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing airplane glue

by The next, next Dex on Jan 26, 2012 8:11 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

This half sucks.

Can we go back to the first half please?

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 8:15 PM EST reply actions

I'm hoping that it starts raining in Oxford so they'll have to end the game right now.

/tadpad’d

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Let it rain Henry

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Nicely done, sir.

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Time for AK to step up and earn his pay

This game is winnable, let’s see if our guys can take care of business.

by bball1984 on Jan 26, 2012 8:22 PM EST reply actions

Fuck anyone named scotty

Drop that fucking “y” asshole, your an adult.

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

Reply fail

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck

Come on Rebs….

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 8:27 PM EST reply actions

Jarvis is very heady for a freshman.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Sports are chaotic and stupid; and we're bad at them.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 26, 2012 8:28 PM EST reply actions

I thought we were supposed to have the advantage underneath.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing airplane glue

by The next, next Dex on Jan 26, 2012 8:31 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Outrebounding them 31-15 so far

by WrigleyvilleReb on Jan 26, 2012 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

I meant specifically as far as playing defense but it seems like they get the important rebounds

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing airplane glue

by The next, next Dex on Jan 26, 2012 8:51 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

WOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I always say 'beer me.' It gets a laugh, like, a quarter of the time.

by BeerMeAHottyToddy on Jan 26, 2012 8:35 PM EST reply actions

Lol at the fat guy in the spandex body suit

Your Ad Here - only $29.99

by charlym on Jan 26, 2012 8:35 PM EST reply actions

I am that guy in the spandex suit

I am a rowdy Rebel. I am also a college student that is studying to be a journalist. I am also that guy wearing that suit. I show my support through the form of my spandex suit. You can laugh at me, but I support my Rebels any way I can. Just to let you know that I am not mad at you. You have the right to your opinion about me. But I am there for my Rebels. And I will be there tonight when they take on Vanderbilt at 8 in the Tad Pad, with my suit on. ///ALL FAITH, NO DOUBT, OLE MISS\\

by OleMissSpandexGuy on Feb 16, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions