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Ole Miss Rebels vs. DePaul Blue Demons Game Preview

By Juco All-American Updated
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Brandon Young #20 of the DePaul Blue Demons commits a charging foul on the falling Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Brandon Young #20 of the DePaul Blue Demons commits a charging foul on the falling Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
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Ole Miss (5-1, #32 RPI) takes on Depaul (4-1, #95 RPI) in Chicago Illinois at 8 PM CT. It is sure to be a tough game, but I think the Rebels will likely pull this one out due to their advantage on the glass.

Depaul is a strong team offensively, and the Rebels can't get into a shootout against them. The Blue Demons average 80 points per game to Ole Miss' 67. They have two players averaging 18 or more points in sophomores Cleveland Martin (19.2) and Brandon Young (18.2). If the Rebels can slow down these two players and keep Moses Morgan (8.0) from having too much success at the three point line, the game will be much easier. Essentially, we need to play solid perimeter defense and keep Martin in check down low. I'm looking at you, Demarco Cox.

Speaking of Cox, I got a chance to rewatch our game against Miami the other day (ESPN3 FTW) and was quite pleased with Cox's play early. Make no mistake about it. Miami missed several good shots early, but Demarco played great defensively down low for the first 6 or 7 minutes of the game. He rotated well and made good choices with positioning. If he can continue to do that, maybe we won't need to rush Buckner back from his knee injury.

As far as what we need to do on offense, the key to our game has been made apparent in our past two victories. Dribble-penetrate with one of our height mismatches, draw an extra defender, and get fouled while shooting or pass the ball to an open player who can (in theory) shoot. As long as we stick with that style of offense, we'll continue to produce enough points to remain in every game and win most of the ones we're supposed to win until Jelan Kendrick and Snoop White are eligible for us.

My somewhat bold predictions for the game:

1. Jarvis Summers will score fifteen or more.

2. Terrance Henry will log more than four turnovers.

3. We will shoot 70%or better on free throw tries.

Final Score: Ole Miss 75 - Depaul 69