Wed Jan 2 11:01:17 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Perfect Rebels return home to face struggling Bulldogs

---

Oxford, MS (Sports Network) - The surprising Ole Miss Rebels have risen to the 18th position in the latest AP poll, and they are clearly favored in tonight's non-conference clash with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

Alabama A&M has been idle since December 22nd when it dropped a 67-56 decision to Auburn, a team from Ole Miss' Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs have now lost their last three games to fall to 3-6 overall, including an 0-4 mark in true road games.

As for Ole Miss, it has won its first 12 games, the best start in school history. The Rebels have played six straight games away from Oxford, so they are undoubtedly eager to return home this evening. On Friday, the club cruised to a 78-58 decision over Southern Miss.

Ole Miss has won its only two previous meetings with Alabama A&M, including an 81-57 romp over the Bulldogs last season.

Alabama A&M has struggled mightily shooting the ball this season, as the squad has connected on only 36.7 percent of its field goal attempts thus far. The Bulldogs have even had some trouble at the foul line, as their 63.9 percent efficiency can certainly stand some improvement. The top offensive performer on the roster is Evan Hilton, as he is posting 14.0 ppg on the strength of his 40.5 percent shooting from three-point range. However, the fact that he has missed more than half of his 31 free throw attempts is puzzling. The only other double-digit scorer in the mix for A&M is Trant Simpson, who checks in with 10.7 ppg. In the loss to Auburn back on December 22nd, Hilton scored 18 points, while Simpson was close behind with 17 points to go along with six assists. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs connected on only 35.5 percent of their field goal attempts and were outscored 11-5 from the foul line. They also permitted the Tigers to shoot 50 percent from the field.

Ole Miss has been extremely productive at the offensive end of the court this season, as the club is generating 86.2 ppg. Defensively, the Rebels are limiting opponents to 71.0 ppg, and they are outrebounding them by 8.3 rpg. Dwayne Curtis leads a balanced offensive attack with 15.6 ppg on his stellar 67.6 percent shooting from the field, and he is pulling down 8.1 rpg as well. Chris Warren is close behind with 15.3 ppg, and Eniel Polynice is posting 12.0 ppg to go along with 52 assists and 5.5 rpg. Polynice also leads the club with 24 steals, proof of his versatility. The fourth and final double-digit scorer for the Rebels is David Huertas with 10.1 ppg. Against Southern Miss on Friday, all four of those mentioned netted at least 12 points. Warren posted 17 points and four assists with zero turnovers, and Polynice nearly notched a triple- double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.