Red Cup Rebellion

NIT Round 1 Preview and Open Thread

2010-03-17T20:55:51Z

The Trojans of Alabama visit the Rebels of Oxford tonight in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament or, as it's colloquially referred to, the "Never In Tourney" bracket (I know it's not funny. Neither are any of the other joke anagrams). Both teams are disappointed in their current situation--our Rebels were officially the second team out and Troy got upset big time by the Mean Green in the Sun Belt Tournament--but hope to salvage whatever sort of redemption they can muster by earning a few wins in barely-noticeable postseason play.

For a quick look on what to expect tonight and your evening's open thread, click away. Also, no Red Cup Radio tonight because a) we're lazy b) there's a game on and c) we're all gettin' our Irish on tonight.

Get it? Because they're Troy? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. It's really funny.

Troy's basketball team consists of a few former bigger league players who couldn't cut it with the ~~big boys~~moderately talented athletes of the SEC West. Most notably are former Mississippi State point guard, Richard Delk, who is averaging just over 12 points per game, and former Alabama center Yamene Coleman who is a 6'9" starter who sees a significant chunk of minutes down low. In fact, he sees nearly all of the minutes down low because he is unfortunately the only player for the Trojans who is over 6'6". To give you an idea as to how much of a size advantage this gives our Rebels, consider that we have six guys who are either 6'6" or higher on the roster.

I know, I know, one of them is Deaundre Cranston so that tally is a bit misleading. But, it is still significant.

Troy will not win underneath the basket. Buckner and Henry should both have good defensive games and Coleman will either be in significant foul trouble or exhausted down the stretch.

Guard Brandon Hazzard is the offensive weapon Troy will need to utilize if they're going to score enough points to win tonight. He is averaging over 16 points per game and has a season high tally of 30. He also shoots 38.9 from behind the arc (meaning he'll be about 50% against the Rebels, if not 100%) which is more than enough to make him dangerous. Antywan Jones, a Cleveland, MS native is also a dangerous shooter--although he doesn't see as many minutes as Hazzard--with a 40+% three-point percentage.

It is apparent that Troy's game is centered around perimeter and mid-range shooting, due to their lack of size underneath. If the Rebels can give them fits on the perimeter--something we can do fairly effectively--their interior game should be rendered fairly impotent (KA-ZING ANOTHER SEX REFERENCE!) against our post.

Prediction:
Old Piss Weebuls - 72
Troy Brojans (brah) - 60

If we win, and assuming the Memphis Tigers defeat St. Johns, the Rebels will play host to the Tigers in Oxford. Lulz.

Watch the Rebels vs. Troy for Frizzee

2010-03-17T14:38:43Z

Watch the Rebels vs. Troy for Frizzee

Red Cup Rebellion BRACKET CHALLENGE!

2010-03-17T13:41:15Z

Red Cup Rebellion BRACKET CHALLENGE!

The winner gets free beer. The password is "gonzohog".

Rebel Roundup - 3/17/10 - Keepin' it Irish

2010-03-17T12:48:58Z

You know what, Mr. Tortoise? I am.

Get Your Irish On
Do you like wearing green, tweed, or green tweed? Do you think James Joyce pwns Dickens, Hemingway, Dumas, and any other non-Irish fiction writer? Do you think the English are poncy bastards who deserve, if anything, a solid fist right in their poorly-maintained teeth?

No? None of those things?

Well, do you like drinking and singing songs 'n' other boisterous shit? You're damn right you do. We're gonna keep it Irish on the Cup today to celebrate the worlds greatest "Cultural of Alcohol" and their subsequent resistance to change thereof.

Rebels Pound Out Hits in 17-1 Win | OleMissSports.com
Who'da thunk that drawing fourteen walks and cranking fourteen hits is a winning baseball formula? Yesterday was essentially batting practice for our number 19-ranked Rebels as they embarrassed the Golden Lions at Swayze Field. I wouldn't take too much away from this other than a simple "hot damn, UAPB is bad."

Taylor Hashman Sets Run Record | GulfLive.com
Hashman scored six runs in last night's rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, breaking a record set by Bobby Wilson in 1948. Wilson could not be reached for comment on this Rebel baseball milestone because he is, presumably, dead.

Boone: Plan in Place To Combat Basketball Apathy | Brandt
Here's a plan: go to the NCAA tournament. Actually, I've got some ideas which I'll toss out in a longer, more full-posty form sometime today.

We Play Troy Tonight in the NIT | Montgomery Advertiser
Does anybody really care? Well I (sorta) do! HOT NIT ACTION LAST NIGHT as the number-one seed Arizona State got upset by the Jacksonville [MASCOT]s and their gritty cinderella bid! Jackson State also fell as Mississippi State pounded them in the Hump (while Dee Bost got "pounded" in his own right). Texas Tech defeated Seton Hall as The North Carolina Tarheells (are in the NIT, WTF LOL) got the better of William and Mary. NC State and UConn (also, the fuck are y'all doing in the NIT?) were also winner.

Wow, I've definitely (maybe) overdone the parentheticals. Regardless, the NIT bracket can be found here for the seven of you still watching. Is your bracket busted yet BECUZ MINES SO IS!

OMTB or Juco will have a preview of the game up later. Promise.

On Deck: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

2010-03-16T15:56:55Z

Srsly, guys? You're doing a preview of the Arky-Pine Bluff baseball team?

It's baseball season officially, so yes, we're doing anything we can to take our minds off the NIT, inane recruiting "updates"(Tobias Singleton likes macrownni n cheez) and a lack of meaningful football.

Quick. Name Arkansas-Pine Bluff's mascot.

See? Maybe those things aren't so important – oops, broke the moratorium.

It's the Golden Lions in case anyone was wondering. Arky-Pine Bluff is a member of the SWAC, which means its Web site is tragically uninformative and hardly updated. Check out the baseball schedule, there's a few games without final scores beside them. Not really sure if it's because they played a non-D1 school or what, but we'll just go with a 1-5 overall record.

The Golden Lions are ranked just a smidge under 300 in the latest RPI rankings by Warren Nolan. Ole Miss sits pretty at #12...that's basically all you need to know.

Good players for UAPB? Hmm, let's see...Lloyd Burchett and Hinton Huckabee lead the team in batting average and anchor the left side of the infield defensively. This team has also stolen 14 of 20 bases in the six games recorded on its athletic Web site.

The UAPB offense averages nearly five runs a game, but pitching is not a strong point for the G-Lions giving up nearly six runs a game. There's no word yet on who will start for UAPB.

The Rebels will put Rory McKean on the mound for his second start and sixth appearance for the year. McKean is 1-1 with a 8.22 ERA. Most of the issues with McKean's ERA came from his first appearance of the year, which was absolutely an implosion, giving up several earned runs over less than an inning. He's settled down some since then and had a decent midweek start last week.

I feel confident McKean will give at least four strong innings of work tonight. Also, Taylor Hightower could have a busy night against a team that will be looking to cause havoc on the basepaths to stay in the game.

The news around the team is that Matt Snyder could be hitting off a tee as early as today to see how his shoulder is feeling after a dislocation during the Tulane weekend. Until we find out anything from this batting practice, it's hard to say whether or not this is good or bad news.

Head Coach Mike Bianco also shared with the EotC that the weekend rotation of Pomeranz, Barrett and Tracy will stay in place for the Kentucky series in Oxford this weekend.

But for now, let's await the bloodshed from this evening...should be fun.

Final prediction

Ole Miss 11

UAPB 1

Rebel Roundup - 3/16/10

2010-03-16T14:19:46Z

More photos » Michael H. Miller - ASSOCIATED PRESS

You know what I miss? Football season.

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Shep Smith Watching Underground Basketball Feed on Air | YouTube
Shep Smith is just like the rest of us, fuckin' off at work and whatnot. Except he is brazen enough to do it with millions of people watching. THAT IS DEDICATION, DAMMIT!

What's the Future For Eniel Polynice | Brandt
There has been speculation of the dynamic-scorer-and-perimeter-defender-turned-spastic-baller's future. Namely, rumors of him entering the NBA draft (yes, really) have surfaced. There is also a possibility that he'll transfer, albeit to a lower division in order to avoid sitting out a season per NCAA regulations. If so, I wouldn't be surprised. Polynice went from a true threat to a fish-lookalike liability and, with Nick Williams and Dundrecous Nelson coming in at guard spots, he may not have many opportunities for playing time next season.

The 2010 Bitter Bowl Bracket | Maize 'n' Brew
SBN's Michigan blog and another member of the elite society of blogs whose titles reference alcohol comsumption (Northwestern's Sippin on Purple is another) has taken fan bases who are bitter - and rightfully so - about the performances of their sports franchises as of late. Why are we in it? You know exactly why. Our longstanding tradition of beginning seasons ranked or with solid win streaks, only to fade down the stretch in every sport we care about has earned us an invite to this particular dance. Our first round matchup is against the Arkansas Razorbacks who, despite hiring quarterback Jesus to be their head coach and reruiting the tallest, cannon-armed cro magnan in the state of Arkansas to transfer away from Michigan, still kinda suck balls at football. Other teams invited are Michigan, Washington, Georgia, Indiana, UCLA, amongst others.

Full of Win II: The Cuppies

2010-03-15T20:28:36Z

It was in March of 2008 when Ivory Tower sent an email about to his fellow Ole Miss sports geeks and general comrades to gauge interest in starting up our own snarky, off-color Rebel blog. A few days later, Red [REDACTED] Cup was created. That would eventually grow to what you're looking at now which, quite frankly, is well beyond anything we expected.

So, how are we celebrating our second birthday? By giving out meaningless awards, that's how! In a way to re-visit the Best of the Cup series started during our first birthday celebration, we are going to let you nominate and vote on which posts, fanshots, comments, etc. will win Cuppies. Yeah, we're calling them "Cuppies" and there ain't shit you can do about that. Categories in which we are accepting nominations follow.

Best Post
Best Fanshot
Best Fanpost
Best Comment
Best Comment Thread
Best Rebel Commenter
Best Rival Commenter
Worst Commenter (also known as "The Gonzohog Prize")
Best use of profanity and/or snark*
Best use of images*
Most grammatically horrible pile of turds post*

So there they are, have at it. When nominating, please put the category of whatever you're nominating in bold and provide a link where applicable. An asterisk (*) denominates a category which applies to all media on the site (posts, fanshots, fanposts, and comments). And, as always, our hats are tipped to Goose for his quick turnaround on bizarre photoshop requests.

Rebel Roundup - 3/15/10

2010-03-15T13:20:48Z

More photos » Mark Humphrey - AP

Cue The Price is Right loser horns.

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SEC Tournament Quarterfinals: Tennessee Wins | Rocky Top Talk
It might have been close early, but the Rebels didn't even deserve to be on the same court as the Vols down the stretch as poor defense and perhaps the worst free throw shooting performance of the season doomed the Rebels. You know what that means!

THE NIT! | The Mississippi Press
It's pretty indicative of how down the SEC is when the two teams atop the SEC West cannot go dancing.

The SEC Gets Four In | Team Speed Kills
Kentucky is a number one seed while Vanderbilt and Tennessee were locks for the tournament weeks ago. But, Florida?! How in the hell did they get in?

Ole Miss Falls to Louisville | The Clarion Ledger
I'm really not devestated over this. Of course, Dan McDonnell kicking hass stings a little bit and it always sucks to drop a home series. But, it's baseball; you can drop a few. Furthermore, it's not as if the top-10 Louisville Cardinals dominated the Rebs. They won their two games by the skin of their teeth which I think is equally as demonstrative of our "rebuilding" as well as our resiliance.

Ole Miss Edges LSU Tennis | 2TheAdvocate
Naturally.

Rebs a 2 seed; to host Troy

2010-03-15T02:21:46Z

Rebs a 2 seed; to host Troy

I know the NIT doesn't matter, but we're still going to talk about it.

Going, Going, GONE! Louisville takes the series.

2010-03-14T22:08:04Z

This weekend, the Rebels tried to outdo the best squad from the Big East, but the Cardinals proved to be too much. A brief analysis of this weekend's action after the jump.

There's a reason that McDonnell has been here. What's your excuse?

This weekend, two coaches squared off. It was mentor versus mentee. It was Tommy Bowden versus Bobby Bowden (minus the championships). For fans, the series was a great one to watch.

However, it was a painful ending for Ole Miss fans as the mentee outdid the mentor. Louisville took the series to move to 14-1 on the year, and OM fell to 12-4.

Friday's game was exciting from start to finish. Drew Pomeranz and Thomas Royse both went about six innings and allowed one run a piece. Drew struck out twelve to bring his strikeout total to 40 in this young season. Royse struggled with his control a tad and had seven walks, but it was still a phenomenal outing since his first hit did not come until the sixth. Brett Huber did an outstanding job of filling in for 4.1 innings of relief and did not allow a run. The Cardinals did figure out Goforth in the top of the twelfth and tagged him for five runs, four of which were earned. The Rebels lost by a final of 6-1.

Saturday's game was tense as tense could be. Aaron Barrett had a strong showing on the mound with 6.2 IP and only allowing three runs. He had a career high 9 strikeouts and moved to 4-0 on the season. Eric Callender pitched the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run. Offensively, many Rebels had fun at the plate. Alex Yarbrough, David Phillips, Miles Hamblin, and Kevin Mort all had an RBI a piece. Tim Ferguson and Matt Smith both had two a piece. Taylor Hightower had a great day at the plate and went 3-for-4. The final was 8-3.

Sunday's rubber match did not disappoint those who like offensive showcases. The Cards chased Rebel starter Matt Tracy (who had an ERA of 1.08 prior to today) after 4.2 innings by scoring 7 runs. Bianco brought in Trent Rothlin who promptly allowed three runs the following inning to give the Cards ten runs. That proved to be enough as they withstood the offensive onslaught of the Rebels to prevail by a final of 10-8. Matt Smith helped the Rebel cause by going 2-for-4 with a hr and two RBIs. Taylor Hightower had another 3-for-4 day to bump his average up a bit. David Phillips also pitched in with a 2-for-4 performance and an RBI.

Weekend Thoughts.... Louisville is just that freaking good. It's not to say that we were unable to take the series as we had our opportunities and squandered them. We have to give Louisville credit for making diving catches, turning double plays, and making clutch hits. My question is this: why can we not recruit or play at or above the level of a Big East school that has no baseball tradition prior to 2007? Meaning, how did we get outdone by a Big East school?

As far as our guys are concerned, I am proud of their effort. Taylor Hightower is a great catcher who made many plays to throw runners out. Not only is he sound defensively, he also went 6-for-8 over Saturday and Sunday. Drew Pomeranz continues to dominate and his ERA has fallen to 1.54. Aaron Barrett fared well against good competition, and I am excited about our first two starters. Brett Huber has been outstanding in middle relief, but we need others to develop quickly.

On Deck... University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff @ Ole Miss on Tuesday @ 6:30

Tennessee 76, Ole Miss 65 - Brief Recap

2010-03-12T23:31:26Z

More photos » Dave Martin - AP

5 days ago: Mississippi defender Reginald Buckner (2) fouls Tennessee's Steven Pearl (22) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee won 76-65. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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We lost. It wasn't good.

Obviously, we needed this win to cement our ticket to the NCAA tournament. I guess it's still possible that the Rebs will get an at-large bid, but it's highly unlikely.

For the first half, we implemented the approach of trying to find Zach Graham or Chris Warren open for three, and it worked really well. Warren scored sixteen points but did all his damage in the first half. In the second, it was one turnover after another for the point guard. Warren finished with nine turnovers and looked inept when handling the ball. He was also a liability on defense, allowing Tennessee's guards to score at will.

Murphy Holloway went 0-5 from the charity stripe. That's just totally unacceptable. While I really like what Murphy has done this year, he needs to do a lot of offseason work on his shot, namely the free throw. I hope that he never, ever practices threes, because that's just a waste of time for him.

Zach Graham is the unexpected story of the game. Graham went 5-12 for 15 points and only two turnovers despite playing for 32 minutes due to the Eniel Polynice suspension. Graham also pulled down six boards. While one particular lazy pass that was intercepted sticks out, he didn't make too many mistakes on offense.

Terrico White played well, but his shots just didn't fall. He was 6-14 with seven boards and 13 points, but that's really all that White contributed. You would like to see more production from a guy that everyone else says is our most talented player.

Terrance Henry generated offensively, and Trevor Gawskins did too, but neither was enough of an impact to change the game. Reggie Buckner was out of position all night, drawing four fouls and blocking zero shots. He's got a lot of growing up to do.

Deaundre Cranston made no significant contribution other than his surprising ability to not foul out this game.

Tennessee deserved the game. They played disciplined basketball and made their free throws.

Open thread: SEC Tournament Game 1

2010-03-12T19:35:31Z

Here it is. Make or break time for the Ole Miss Rebels. Put all snark, comments and predictions below.

THIS...

VERSUS

THIS...

Around the SEC in Tennis

2010-03-12T18:07:31Z

Last, Ole Miss suffered its first SEC loss in Men's Tennis is almost two years, falling to Kentucky in Lexington. However the Ole Miss women are out of the gate with a 2-0 conference record. The Cup takes a look around the SEC to see how the Rebels' conference rivals fared during the first weekend of SEC play and looks forward to this weekend's matches.

The SEC is running neck-and-neck with the PAC-10 for the title of "strongest conference in the nation" in Men's Tennis. Out West there are five teams in the ITA Top 25 - including defending national champion USC at #5. The SEC also has five in the Top 25 with Tennessee leading the way at #2. The Rebels' top rivals for the SEC Championship - Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky - all finished the weekend with 2-0 conference records and East teams beat West teams in all but three matches (Arkansas and LSU got wins over South Carolina, Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt). Despite the loss, the Rebels actually moved up in the ITA rankings to #13. Kentucky jumped two spots to #6.

In the West, every team lost at least once last weekend. Alabama, State, and Auburn lost twice, while LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss sit at 1-1. That won't last long as the Hogs and Tigers visit the Chad Pad this weekend. Wins this weekend should put the Rebels in the driver's seat for a ninth straight SEC Western Division Championship.

The SEC will know exactly how good Kentucky is after this weekend. The Wildcats go on the road to face Georgia and Tennessee. Florida, meanwhile, should coast to 4-0, hosting Auburn and Alabama.

The women, meanwhile, have a tall order on Friday against the ranked Arkansas women's team in Fayetteville. On Sunday, they will be in Baton Rouge. If the women are going to compete for an SEC title, they will be staring down Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Vanderbilt. With a win over the Lady Commodores behind them, the Lady Rebels can take a big step forward if they notch a victory against Arkansas.

On Deck: #8 Louisville @ #17 Ole Miss

2010-03-12T17:56:48Z

Dan McDonnell's top ten team has traveled south to face Bianco's top twenty squad. Louisville is 12-0 on the season, and they have ascended as high as 8 in the polls.

That's a coaching god. His name is Dan McDonnell.

Coach McDonnell comes back to Oxford where he spent six years helping Bianco build the Ole Miss program. In fact, any program he has been a part of as a player or a coach has succeeded. In his twenty one years as a player and coach, his teams have averaged 38 wins per season and have advanced to a regional in 10 of the last 12 seasons. Louisville had never been to the NCAA tournament prior to McDonnell, and he took them to the CWS in his first season! It will be a match-up for the ages. More about the teams after the jump.

Can we win the first one and hope for rainouts?

McDonnell will not be the only one making a homecoming trip of sorts to Oxford as former 1B Andrew Clark and current Louisville volunteer coach Xan Barksdale who played catcher for the Rebels in 2003 and 2004. As a freshman in 2007, Clark hit .311 and 4 HRs in early season action. Midway through the season, he was dismissed from the team and transferred to Louisville. Now, he's hitting .364 in 7 games played but is currently injured.

Louisville was picked in the preseason to be the class of the Big East, and it has lived up to the hype. Though they've only faced one team in the RPI top 50, they're 12-0 record is still impressive. At the plate, the Cardinals are led by junior infielder Phil Wunderlich who is hitting .388 with 6 HRs and 18 RBIs. Another big hitter is senior second baseman Adam Duvall who has a .400 average and 10 doubles on the year. Stewart Ijames (.386) and Ryan Wright (.356) give the Cardinals a total of four players who are hitting better than .350. As a team, they average 8.8 runs a game.

Defensively, UL is phenomenal. Their pitching staff sports a 2.54 ERA, and the only chink in their armor is a .962 fielding percentage. Otherwise, they only allow 3.5 runs a game.

For Ole Miss, we are paced offensively by freshman phenom Alex Yarbrough who is batting .432. Leadoff specialist Tim Ferguson is batting .385, and youngster Tanner Mathis is batting .379. Somehow, senior Taylor Hashman is batting .350 putting Ole Miss even with Louisville at four players a piece with a .350 average or higher. As a team, the offense averages 8.4 runs a game.

Defensively, the Rebels have been sharp as well. The team ERA is 2.79 and fielding percentage of .976. Ole Miss allows 3.2 runs a game.

To make these stats easier to compare, see chart below:

McDonnell and Louisville v Ole Miss and Bianco
Category	Louisville	Ole Miss
RPI	17	23
SOS	139	87
Batting Avg.	.331	.301
Fielding %	.962	.976
ERA	2.54	2.79
#times to CWS	1	0

Pitching Match-ups

Friday @ 6:30 p.m.

Ole Miss: Jr. LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-0, 1.59 ERA)

Louisville: Jr. RHP Thomas Royse (3-0, 0.50 ERA)

Saturday @ 1:30 p.m.

Ole Miss: Sr. RHP Aaron Barrett (3-0, 0.98 ERA)

Louisville: Jr. LHP Dean Kiekhefer (1-0, 2.50 ERA)

Sunday @ 12:30 p.m.

Ole Miss: Jr. LHP Matt Tracy (1-0, 1.08 ERA)

Louisville: So. RHP Tony Zych (0-0, 10.12)

Predictions: I will continue to do predictions even if I continue to fail. As for this weekend, I hope I'm wrong about us losing 2-of-3 to the higher ranked Cardinals.

Rebel Roundup - 3/12/10 - ADDENDUM

2010-03-12T14:20:45Z

More photos » April L. Brown - AP

We're going to need a big game from Reginald Buckner if we're going to stop Wayne Chism and the Tennessee Volunteers today.

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Big Rebel Sports Weekend
I'm very, very excited about today's action. For starters Andy Kennedy's roundball Rebels are looking to finally break through their glass ceiling of sorts and earn a trip to the NCAA tournament, of which a win over Tennessee today in the SEC Tournament will all but guarantee. Then, the diamond Rebels begin a weekend series against a highly-ranked Louisville team coached by former Rebel assistant Dan McDonnell. I want to check my optimism at the door but I can't. I'm too ready to get this underway. Open threads to commence shortly after lunchtime so come in, prognosticage, curse, and drop some snark.

Bloggers React to Day One | SBNation
The SBNation NCAA Basketball hub has put together the reactions of SBN's SEC bloggers to yesterday's opening day of the conference tournament. To put it briefly, Bama feels vindicated, South Carolina is upset, LSU has long since diverted their attention to baseball, Tennessee is unnerved, Georgia is taken aback, and Arkansas has already moved into the acceptance stage.

Vols Need to Take a Better Shot Against Ole Miss | Go Vols Xtra
All accross the Tennessee blogosphere a unifying attitude prevails concerning last night's game which can best be summed up as "we played like crap despite the victory." They're a bit nervous, as they should be, about today's game. They're not playing well whereas we have been. Furthermore, we're rested which could prove to be the key to victory down the stretch.

Louisville Cardinals at Ole Miss | U of L Card Game dot Com
I'm not linking this for the coverage or analysis of the series (there isn't much anyway), but rather I'm linking this to show you what their ridiculous mascot looks like. A few things:

There is no way that damn bird isn't on steroids. Mascots are supposed to be representatives of the community and great role models for our children (right?) and I don't think an obvious user of illicit performance enhancers fits that bill quite nicely.
That bird took Dexter McCluster's "L" hand gesture. That's bullshit. This bird is lucky Dex is a really nice guy.
How in the fuck did a bird grow teeth?\

Changes could be coming to SEC schedule | SEC Blog - ESPN
(HT: The Drake) Unbelievable.

Charles Bloom, an SEC associate commissioner, said Thursday that the league is trying to provide some relief for Alabama so that the Crimson Tide won't have to play six of their eight conference games next season when the opponent is coming off a bye week.

Hey, Alabama, y'all just won a national title so stop being football pussies. Kthxbai.

SEC Tournament: Predictions and prognostications

2010-03-11T20:48:14Z

More photos » Rogelio V. Solis - AP

RUN! NOW! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU DID BUT HE WILL MAKE YOU PAY!

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Analysts have tabbed Ole Miss as a darkhorse candidate for SEC Tournament championship.

They're wrong.

We're not sure just yet if these are the same analysts who had Jevan Snead as a darkhorse Heisman candidate or Enrique Davis as a first-team all SEC halfback, but that's very likely the case. But, on the positive side, we can hope that these are the same analysts who predicted State and Ole Miss to finish atop the SEC West - which, technically, both teams did, albeit in a not so fantastic fashion.

The SEC Tournament will be held in Nashvegas this year – a city of dreams for local musicians chasing a neon rainbow. Also, the Pancake Pantry, the official breakfast of Red Cup Rebellion, is there. Ole Miss along with a few other teams are just chasing one marquee win to solidify chances for the postseason. Will we get there? How will we look? What can Rebel basketball fans expect?

Jump on it and see.

One Man To Beat

Kentucky is obviously a favorite to win the tournament, but I don't think they have to win it to secure a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. They could lose in the finals to Vandy, and they would have still proven over its 30 plus game schedule that the Cats are a #1 seed. I think John Calipari will be looking to make some kind of statement, and his former Memphis teams rarely ever disappointed in C-USA tournament action.

Every analyst has a list of sleeper picks for the tournament, so I guess I'll throw in my two cents. Tennessee is probably playing some of the best ball out of any team in the SEC right now, but with a top 15 ranking, I can't hardly call them a sleeper pick. The winner of the possible UK-UT semifinal, however, will most likely win the tournament.

I can't help but think Ole Miss has at least a shot to make some noise in the tournament. It may just mean upsetting Tennessee and then pushing UK in a close game or overtime match-up, but I think this team has faced enough diversity in the last two seasons to have them poised and ready to make a run.

Mississippi State will play its way into the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs haven't looked good recently, but they always seem to play well at the SEC tournament. Beating Florida is not an incredibly tall task, but a possible semi-final game win against home crowd backed Vanderbilt could be the cherry on top of its resume.

I'm still going to go with my gut in predictions, however.

Champions: Kentucky over Vanderbilt

MVP: Demarcus Cousins, UK

Improves NCAA chances: Ole Miss, Mississippi State

Flops NCAA chances: Florida

Ghost of Jay Cutler

I'm feeling homerish and optimistic right now, so I'm going to say that the Rebels will defeat the Volunteers in their opening matchup. It won't be pretty, and will likely be just as frustrating as nearly every one of our SEC wins, but it will be a win and it will be enough of a win to put our Rebels in position to lose to Kentucky in their next round right before getting knocked out of the first round of the tournament by a four or five seed.

However, bleak that last bit may sound, it will still be a huge accomplishment. Rembmer, we haven't been to the big dance since yours truly was a sophomore in high school. We are suffering through the longest such streak in the conference right now.

I do not think State will play their way in. Even a win over Florida won't be enough of a boost to their resume to get them off of the bubble, especially with teams like St. Mary's getting in as of late. Florida has an easier way in than either school, as I see it, but I would not be surprised were they NIT bound.

A team which I truly think is dangerous is Vanderbilt. Yes, Kentucky's freshmen are incredible, but Vanderbilt's seniors aren't half bad and their experience in tournament play will take them pretty far, barring a wild upset.

Champions: Kentucky over Vanderbilt

MVP: John Wall, UK

Improves NCAA chances: Ole Miss

Flops NCAA chances: Florida, Mississippi State

Juco All American

We're going to lose to Tennessee and go to the NIT. We'll all be really bummed out about it.

Hecklin': Louisville

2010-03-10T15:29:59Z

[Thanks again to Freak A Leak for this]

I know it is merely Wednesday (ED: Frontpag'd on Thursday), but I wanted to give you all plenty of time to study up, because this one is a biggie. Don't let this keep you from Austin Peay tonight (ED: I've gotta get to these things sooner), but, gentlemen, start yer learnin'.

Here is your outfield lineup according to the Louisville roster. They all play exclusively in the outfield, unless they are specifically mentioned as playing other positions on the team. Other people of interest for this team are: Andrew Clark (#24, 1B) and Coach Dan McDonnell are both former Rebels, so be sure to give them a warm welcome home. Also, RHP Matt Lea (#15) is a former Mississippi State bulldog, so if and when he plays remind him that he likes humping legs or drinking peepee (ED: I added that second part) or something.

Louisville's site gave plenty of good info to use. It's almost like they invite hecking.

1. Drew Haynes, #1: Born in Louisville to Paula and Richard Haynes, he is the youngest of three siblings. He can do back flips, and wears #1 because he likes Ozzie Smith. Like any baseball player with half of a brain, he doesn't have a facebook or, if he does, he hides it well.

2. Stewart Ijames, #5: Born in Owensboro, KY, to George and Joan Ijames on 8/21/88.

Says his facebook info, and I quote:

My name is Stewart Ijames i attend the University Of Louisville and i graduate in 2011. I am an athletic person and hate to loose, so i will try till it is over. My main goals in life are to become an Major League Baseball Player. I was drafted out of High School by the Brewers but turned it down to get my education. If there is anythig else you want to know feel free to ask.

Do what you'd like with that. (ED: Ijames, is that kinda like the iPod?! HA BURRRRRN BITCH)

3. Mike Morrison, # 14: Also plays 1B. Son of Randy and Jackie Morrison. Has one sister, Amy. Tread lightly when talking about Amy, because I couldn't find her age. Majoring in sport administration at U of L. His dad was a professional kickboxer. Mike played at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City before he ended up at UL. One of the "bullpen boozers"* likes screaming "go back to community college", so consider using this on Mike. Couldn't get much out of his facebook, but he likely doesn't use it much, as his picture is still of him in the bullpen at GCCC.

4. Jarred Clarkson, #17: Jarred smiles like a dumbass. He has a brother, Grant, who I assume is in that picture with him. His father Tim played college basketball at Cumberland College and his mother Lori played softball at Western Kentucky University.

5. Josh Richmond, #32: Is a Junior education major. His favorite cereal (?) is frosted mini wheats. He is the only person ever that still watches MTV. The son of Heather and Jim Richmond. Jim played ball at EKU.

6. Nate Holland, #37: Born in Decatur, AL to Dean and Teri Holland. He has an older brother and a younger sister. He is a relatively boring guy until I checked his birthday. 3/14/89. That means the kid will be celebrating his 21st birthday on Sunday.

7. Phil Wunderlich, #44: Also plays 3B. I dare you to try not to use the phrase "wunderlich my balls." His parents are named Lary and Mary. Hidden on Facebook.

8. Drew Fitzpatrick, #45: He wants to be a biochemist, but he's only a freshman, so give him time to change his mind. He also loves to landscape(?). Son of Thomas and Linda Fitzpatrick. Has one brother, Michael.

There's your list. These guys must have a team rule to have their facebook locked, because there wasn't much to work with. Good luck.

*This is the group of Louisville Baseball fans who are making the trip for the game. They are called the Louisville Bullpen Boozers. Obviously, they will be drinking heavily. Show ‘e m how it's done, boys.

Rejected Mascot Selection Committee Applications

2010-03-11T15:45:10Z

[ED: Written by a committee consisting of Juco, IT, Ghost, WW, and OMTB. Feel free to submit your own. This should be fun. And, yeah, we're once again breaking our self-imposed moratorium on mascot talk. We don't care. Whatever. Oh, and y'all know how "satire" works, right? Alright then, no bitching.]

Upon the heels of students voting to have a voice in determining which on-field mascot would replace the departed Colonel Reb, the University of Mississippi decided to let said students apply to become a part of the what is being called the "Student Mascot Committee." Tuesday, the University released the applications for said committee and by Wednesday evening, completed forms began to fill the Associated Student Body offices.

While those receiving applications obtained a large number of high-caliber applications, we here at the Cup have managed to (snarkily) get our hands on some of those that have already been rejected.

Here's the application (HT: David. for being a damned trooper). Click after the link for more.

OLE MISS STUDENT MASCOT COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Name: ~~Bria~~ I mean... Ryan Nerguson. Yes, that's it, Ryan Nerguson.

Age: I mean, I'm still a student at heart which is all that matters

Phone Number: [REDACTED]

E-mail Address: BRINGHIMBACK@SaveOleMiss.com

Major: Undecided

Classification: Senior++

Hometown: Dixie

What are your weekly commitments (class and regular meetings)?
I work at Campus Bookmart. I go to the gym about three times a week or so. I also go to First Baptist on Easters.

Would you be available to regularly meet during the summer? Yes/No
Hell yes.

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Typed answers on a separate sheet are recommended.

1. Please describe the Ole Miss/University of Mississippi culture in FIVE words.
The University is respected, but Ole Miss is loved. The University gives a diploma and regretfully terminates tenure, but one never graduates from Ole Miss.

2. How can the future Ole Miss mascot contribute to school spirit and culture (that you described above)?
What a dumb question. Without a mascot our culture is destroyed! Do you not get this?!

3. How do you view tradition, and what role should it play in developing a new mascot?
We're nobody without our Rebel traditions! I mean, these are big time traditions! Like Christmas Trees and New Years Eve and the Internet!

4. Do you consider your typical role in a group as more of a leader or as part of the team? Why?
Definitely a leader. Let's just say that I belong to a certain secret society. I don't believe I gotta mention its name, you know?

5. Please describe any views or opinions you presently hold concerning the mascot or the mascot development process.
BRING BACK COLONEL REB... if possible. I mean, I'm willing to compromise here and junk, right? Is that what I'm supposed to say?

6. Please describe any personal attributes or qualities that you believe would contribute to the success of the committee.
Age, guile, stubbornness, experience, dashing good looks, a razor-sharp wit

***

OLE MISS STUDENT MASCOT COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Name: Ivory Tower

Age: 25

Phone Number: [REDACTED]

E-mail Address: [REDACTED]

Major: LIBERAL Arts with a minor in Obama

Classification: White, regrettably.

Hometown: San Francisco, spiritually.

What are your weekly commitments (class and regular meetings)?
Every Tuesday night I lead a discussion group at old Jubilee to talk about atheism and how Dan Jones and the William Winter Institute are dragging their feet.

Would you be available to regularly meet during the summer? Yes/No
Yes. But never during my afternoon spiritual reflection/nature-tuning.

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Typed answers on a separate sheet are recommended.

1. Please describe the Ole Miss/University of Mississippi culture in five words.

New Name: Ole Qaeda

2. How can the future Ole Miss mascot contribute to school spirit and culture (that you described above)?

The new mascot must reflect a turn from the white paternalistic society that has existed since Jesus. It must reflect the down-trodden minority and the oppressed. Consequently, it must be brown. Also, I suggest that it be changed every five years, so that we can honor different groups suffering under white oppression every few years. I suggest the first mascot term be occupied by a tree, to remind all the white tyrants of the insensitive way they gawk at and abuse the trees by using their shade without first obtaining consent.

3. How do you view tradition, and what role should it play in developing a new mascot?

Tradition is a construct of the white power majority. It is an attempt to bind the white social structure together emotionally, so that its lower class members will be distracted from their oppression of other cultures/racial groups. Tradition is outdated and evil. We must destroy it. Hence, my suggestion of developing a new mascot every five years. Maybe every two years.

4. Do you consider your typical role in a group as more of a leader or as part of the team? Why?

As a white man, it would be oppressive and racist for me to lead the group. I am a follower. Like sheep. But black sheep.

5. Please describe any views or opinions you presently hold concerning the mascot or the mascot development process

Dan Jones secretly leads the Ku Kux Klan.

6. Please describe any personal attributes or qualities that you believe would contribute to the success of the committee.

White guilt.

***

OLE MISS STUDENT MASCOT COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Name: Johnny McAtlanta

Age: 19 (but it's cool because I've got friends who are 21 dude)

Phone Number: (404) SIXTY NINE!

E-mail Address: AtlEp@aol.com

Major: Bangin' chicks

Classification: Freshman by hours, Sophomore by years LOL

Hometown: Hotlanta, bitches

What are your weekly commitments (class and regular meetings)?
Screw class! I'm here for the bitches! On Monday, I have chapter meetings! On Tuesday, ladies night at Funky's! On Wednesday, penny pitchers! Thursday through Sunday is the weekend!

Would you be available to regularly meet during the summer? Yes/No
Only after 4 PM and before 5 PM!

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Typed answers on a separate sheet are recommended.

1. Please describe the Ole Miss/University of Mississippi culture in five words.

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!

2. How can the future Ole Miss mascot contribute to school spirit and culture (that you described above)?

Dude, he could yell TSWRA and shit!

3. How do you view tradition, and what role should it play in developing a new mascot?

Traditions are there for a reason! We have to show our Mississippi pride!

4. Do you consider your typical role in a group as more of a leader or as part of the team? Why?

I was the t-shirt chairman last semester! It was really creative! We had shirts that looked like beer labels, whiskey labels, and even one that looked like it was a poster from The Hangover!

5. Please describe any views or opinions you presently hold concerning the mascot or the mascot development process.

I don't really know! Just something to represent our great state!

6. Please describe any personal attributes or qualities that you believe would contribute to the success of the committee.

Not being a faggot! Sexual appetite!

***

OLE MISS STUDENT MASCOT COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Name: Gerald Pow

Age: 25? 26?

Phone Number: 601-CAT-FISH

E-mail Address: MARSHMELLOWS@hotmail.com

Major: International Studies with an emphasis on the geopolitical economics and migration patterns and effects on southeast Asia and Micronesia [Ed: That's a really long title for a major]

Classification: JR

Hometown: WAYNESBORO YOU HONKEY

What are your weekly commitments (class and regular meetings)?
Practice, video sessions, throwing dump trucks at a local landfill, avoiding Terry Price.

Would you be available to regularly meet during the summer? Yes/No
Yes.

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Typed answers on a separate sheet are recommended.

1. Please describe the Ole Miss/University of Mississippi culture in five words.

WHITE PPL ERRYWHERE HELP ME

2. How can the future Ole Miss mascot contribute to school spirit and culture (that you described above)?

MAKE ME MASCOT I SEE HOTTY TODDY MAN I TACKLE HIM, PROLLY KILL HIM, HILARIOUS. I would then imagine that the ensuing hilarity will boost morale at sporting events until my unfortunate departure. It is at that time during which I would hope for another "mascot" of sorts to place in my stead.

3. How do you view tradition, and what role should it play in developing a new mascot?

Traditionally, Ole Miss fans really love people like me, so I think I'm a prototypical mascot. I BIGGER THAN SHIT TOO ACT LIKE YOU KNOW

4. Do you consider your typical role in a group as more of a leader or as part of the team? Why?

I'M PART OF A TEAM OF LANDSHARKS! FINS UP YOU STUPIDASSES!

5. Please describe any views or opinions you presently hold concerning the mascot or the mascot development process.

I just don't understand it. Why would a black guy go to a Save Colonel Reb Foundation rave? Or any rave for that matter.

6. Please describe any personal attributes or qualities that you believe would contribute to the success of the committee.

I WILL SCARE MUHFUKKAS INTO SUBMISSION DON'T LOOK AT ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU

***

OLE MISS STUDENT MASCOT COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Name:Henry Grossenbacher III, esq.

Age:101001010110011 years. Yeah, I know binary.

Phone Number: what, so you can track my location via satellite? Nice try, Ole Miss!

E-mail Address: SmarterThanU@StAndrewsEpiscopalSchool.edu (sorry, their webmail is way better)

Major:18th Century Engineering, with minors in Arabic and Gender Studies

Classification: are we counting the 2.5 years I've studied abroad?

Hometown: THE WORLD

What are your weekly commitments (class and regular meetings)?

I'm on the DM editorial board, I chair 3 honor societies, and I'm way into intramural quiddich. I've attached an excel spreadsheet detailing my availability over the next 6 months. It's linked to my blackberry, updated automatically on your computer as my schedule adapts.

Would you be available to regularly meet during the summer? Yes/No

I could get a sat. feed from Prague, sure.

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. Typed answers on a separate sheet are recommended.

1. Please describe the Ole Miss/University of Mississippi culture in five words.

Ackbar. IT'S NOT A TRAP! (I thought that was funny and ironic way before other people did. Now that people have started picking it up, I've started cooling off a little bit.)

    2. How can the future Ole Miss mascot contribute to school spirit and culture (that you described above)?

Having Ackber as a mascot would be really, really funny, and everyone around the world would respect us for keeping it nerdy and ironic and hip, you dig? You see, it's an internet meme. It's from the Internet. INTERNET! In fact, we've organized a benefit rave at the Lyric to support him as a mascot. AIRSHIPS DUDE!

     3. How do you view tradition, and what role should it play in developing a new mascot?

Traditions are only important when I like them. Otherwise, screw 'em.

     4. Do you consider your typical role in a group as more of a leader or as part of the team? Why?

I'm not some bitch-ass sheep, I ain't a part of your system. On the other hand, I'm not one for hegemonies so put me somewhere in between.

     5. Please describe any views or opinions you presently hold concerning the mascot or the mascot development process.

Normally, I'd never just come right out and say this, but I want to keep it ironic because I'm a white suburbanite who lives some Euro-centric bohemian lifestyle. That's irony, dude. Oh and I want to make a shit-load of money off of it which is double-irony.

     6. Please describe any personal attributes or qualities that you believe would contribute to the success of the committee.

Most people just don't "get it." I do.

Rebel Roundup - 3/11/10 - Brief Rebel News and Notes

2010-03-11T15:13:55Z

More photos » Ed Reinke - AP

Eric Bledsoe, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will win the SEC Tournament.

Browse more photos »

No Red Cup Radio Last Night
Apologies to the four of you who listen to the podcast. We had stuff to talk about, but we've also been busy with some shit. Our bad.

No. 17 Rebels Down Austin Pee (that sounds gross) | OleMissSports.com
BWE sums this up fantastically so scroll down to check his stuff out. I'm just throwing up the corporate headquarters' link because it'll make me.

Connor Vogel (total hottie) named SEC PotW | OleMissSports.com
Yeah, we're good at women's tennis too.

Bubble Watch Update | SBNation
Chris Dobbertean has us "in" per his latest projections, but still points out how crucial our upcoming matchup with Tennessee ~~or LSU~~ is to our tournament resume.

SEC Tournament Preview | SBNation
"It's more than the 'Kentucky Invitational'?" No, it is. They'll win it.

Coach O's tweetin

2010-03-11T15:12:30Z

Coach O's tweetin

Nothing good can come from this.