February 29, 2008

University, MS (UWIRE) -- As Trevor Gaskins' 3-point attempt with seven seconds sailed off the back-iron, it not only cut Ole Miss' second-half comeback short against Kentucky, it also secured a losing Southeastern Conference record for the Rebels.

It's become a stark reality for a team that spent a month in the top 25 to be in a third-place tie in the SEC West at 4-9 with Alabama, Auburn and LSU.

Hopes of an NCAA Tournament appearance once seemed like a certainty.

Now Ole Miss must aspire to ride a three-game winning streak into the SEC tournament in hopes of pulling off the same trick Arkansas did to sneak into the NCAA's last season with a 7-9 conference record.

In spite of finishing in a tie for second in the SEC West a season ago, Arkansas jumped over both Ole Miss and Mississippi State during the NCAA selection process. The Razorbacks won the final two games of the regular season before making a run to the finals of the SEC tournament to gain a 12 seed.

Arkansas benefited from a weak tournament resume for the conference as only four SEC teams received bids. This season the SEC has no shortage of potential tournament teams.

Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt all have RPI numbers in the top 64.

The Rebels currently sit at 49 according to realtimerpi.com, but a 0-7 record on the road in conference hinders the Rebels' chances.

Ole Miss will host Alabama (15-13, 4-9) on Saturday at 1 p.m. to kick off the final three-game stretch. The Rebels will also host Arkansas on ESPN's Super Tuesday before the regular season finale at Georgia.

The Crimson Tide defeated Ole Miss 76-67 in Tuscaloosa two weeks ago. Alabama guard Mykal Riley lead all scorers with 22 points in a game in which the Rebels were limited, with forward Dwayne Curtis only playing 17 minutes and scoring just three points due to foul trouble.

Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried said that despite the Tide's win earlier in the season over the Rebels, there was nothing to take for granted.

"I think we have our hands full," Gottfried said. "They have played awfully well at home with Curtis and Warren. We've got to go on the road, and we haven't had much success on the road this season in league."

Along with Ole Miss and Georgia, Alabama is the only SEC team not to win on the road this season.

Alabama is coming off of a 59-56 home-win over Arkansas on Wednesday. Sophomore forward Demetrius Jemison scored 19 points, 14 higher than his season average to lead the Tide in the win.

"I know when we all get to this point we are all looking for guys to step up and make contributions," Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy said.

"When you think of Alabama and the success they have had, you think about Richard Hendrix, Mykal Riley, and Alonzo Gee are the three staples providing a lot of offense for them. Any time you can get a guy averaging four or five points to step up will help them down the stretch."

(C) 2008 Daily Mississippian via UWIRE