Ole Miss basketball dominates Arkansas State in season opener, 71-43

Devontae Shuler scored 20 points, cold beers were served, and Rebel fans were introduced to several new players in a 71-43 rout in the Ole Miss season opener against Arkansas State.

Yes, it was the first time ever someone legally bought and consumed a cold beer in the Pavilion. Thank you, SEC. The beer selection is exactly the same as football for those of you wondering who couldn’t make it to the game tonight.

Thirteen Rebels saw action in the game that was out of reach fairly early. The Rebels led 39-19 at the half with Shuler and KJ Buffen each scoring 11 in the first 20 minutes. Buffen finished with 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 from the free throw line.

Transfer big man Khadim “Dream” Sy started in the first game of the year and chipped in eight points and four rebounds in his Ole Miss debut. Sophomore Luis Rodriguez also started alongside Sy, Buffen, Shuler and senior Breein Tyree.

Tyree just had a very off night, scoring only six points on two of nine shooting from the field. His sluggish offensive play was picked up by the rest of the team, plus the Red Wolves turned the ball over 23 times while only managing to shoot 32 percent for the game.

Freshman Austin Crowley fouled out with about five minutes left in the game, but his debut posted six points and two rebounds. Other freshmen and redshirt freshmen seeing their first minutes included Antavion “Dude” Collum, Carlos Curry, Franco Miller Jr., and Sammy Hunter who combined with Crowley for 14 points on the night.

The Rebels have just four games to start the season before its road trip to FedEx Forum to play the No. 14 ranked Memphis Tigers, a massive early test for the team that has several new faces on the squad this year.

Ole Miss is now 1-0 on the young basketball season, and it’s next game will come Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. against Norfolk State who shocked Alabama last season in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.