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Posted: Sunday November 07, 1999 08:47 PM

Mississippi

1998-99 record

20-13 overall, 8-8 SEC (lost to Michigan State in NCAA second round)

Coach

Rod Barnes, 20-13 (1 season at Mississippi); 20-13 overall

Projected starting lineup

G Jason Flanigan, 6-1, Jr. Started 18 of 19 games last year and ranked fourth on the team with 78 assists; one of the top defensive players in the SEC. G Darrian Brown, 6-6, So. Has quality outside game and needs to take the ball to the basket to open up 3-point shot; averaged 4.1 points per game last year. G/F Lataryl Williams, 6-7, Sr. Has yet to start on Division I level, must increase offensive output from 3.1 points per game last year. F Marcus Hicks, 6-6, Sr. The Rebels' top returner, Hicks will have to carry the load this season if they want to match last year¹s record in Oxford; top returning scorer at 11.7 points per game. F Rahim Lockhart, 6-8, Jr. Will have to provide inside presence for size-challenged Rebels; averaged 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds last year.

Top guy off the bench

G Jason Harrison, 5-5 So. Listing Harrison at 5-5 is being generous, but the Little Rock, Ark. native gets the job done, provides not only spark off the bench but also production (86 assists, 6.3 points per game last year).

Key Newcomer

G Jason Holmes, 6-5, Tylertown, Miss. Junior college product has good range on his jump shot and should help offset the loss of guards Keith Carter and Michael White.

Key Games

at Oklahoma (Dec. 4). Only real non-conference test. vs. Mississippi State (Jan. 12). After opening SEC slate at Arkansas and against Florida, Rebels get archrivals. at LSU (March 4) SEC regular-season finale very winnable and could provide boost into tourney.

Outlook

It seemed like Keith Carter, Michael White and Jason Smith would never leave Oxford. Now that they have, the Rebels would sure like them back because they took 34.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game (and 256 assists) with them. A fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament isn¹t likely. "We have a really young basketball team this year and not a lot of experience," second-year coach Rod Barnes said. "Practice has gone well and the tone has been set. We feel like we have talent at every position, we are just looking for some depth." Ole Miss has nine newcomers on its roster and how quickly it can work them into the mix will go a long way to deciding what kind of season it will be.

Rebels' 1999-00 schedule

 

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