Sports

Coach “Yo” And the Rebels Fall, King and the Jays Keep Dancing

USA – Grand Bahama’s Yolette McPhee McCuin and her Ole Miss Rebels’ historic season came to a close in the NCAA Women’s tournament.

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2023

Taige Adderley

Bahamians Face Different Fates in the NCAA Sweet 16

USA – Yolette “Coach Yo” McPhee McCuin, head coach of the University of Mississippi Rebels and Frederick King, center for the Creighton University Bluejays both played in the Sweet 16 round of the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments respectively last night. Both Bahamians had entirely different outcomes with the Rebels losing to Louisville 72-62 and the Bluejays beating Princeton 76-65.

Grand Bahama’s Yolette McPhee McCuin and her Ole Miss Rebels’ historic season came to a close in the NCAA Women’s tournament with the loss to the Louisville Cardinals in the Women’s Sweet 16 in Seattle.

The Rebels were back and forth with the Cardinals for the entirety of the first half. Although they did fall by 9 less than 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter, they pulled themselves back in, finishing the first half down 34-29.

Things didn’t go the Rebels’ way in the 2nd half, however as they never managed to retake the lead, being outscored 38-33. They did come close on a couple of occasions, most notably when they made they brought the game within 3 points, making the score 41-38 in a pair of free throws by Marquesha Davis in the 3rd quarter, they also managed to cut the lead to 5 with less than three minutes left in the 4th.

Swiped! @myah_taylor cuts the lead to five! pic.twitter.com/TXLCmW1D6Z

— Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB) March 25, 2023

However, Louisville scored timely bucket after timely bucket to put the Rebels away

The Rebels’ trademark stifling defense did not hold up this game as they allowed Lousiville to shoot a robust 45% from the field and an outrageous 41% from three-point land. They also couldn’t harass Louisville’s ballhandlers the way they usually do, forcing 12 turnovers, down from their average of 16. In the end Louisville was the better team.

Senior Guards Marquesha Davis and Myah Taylor, possibly playing their last game, led Ole Miss with 19 points apiece. Davis added 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Queen of the Sip putting in work

👑 @myah_taylor pic.twitter.com/dyXREbVtUd

— Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB) March 25, 2023

Ole Miss had one of their best seasons in program history, going 25-9, winning a record 11 conference games, and going to their first Sweet 16 in 16 years. With Coach “Yo’s” infectious enthusiasm for the game, a knack for recruiting and genuine care for her players, look for her teams to be on national TV a LOT next year.

War Mode: Activated pic.twitter.com/9kN9uOTzKt

— Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB) March 25, 2023

Frederick King of Mangrove Cay Andros and his Creighton University Bluejays punched their ticket to the Elite 8, securing a win against the Princeton Tigers 76-65.

Creighton was a big favorite coming into this game holding a 6 seed with Princeton being a 15. Princeton was a Cinderella story, stunning 2 seed Arizona and then beating Missouri, they weren’t going to sneak up on Creighton, who handed them a pretty hearty loss, despite some back-and-forth in the first half.

King got 5 minutes off the bench, he managed to score 2 points, pull down 3 boards and swat an astounding 3 blocks. Ryan Kalkbrenner, who sits ahead of King on the depth chart and is one of the best centers in the country, scored 22 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. Senior guard Baylor Schierman scored 21 points grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Trey Alexander added 19 points.

King may not get many minutes sitting behind one of the best big men in college, but he’s a key contributor to one of the 8 best teams in college, leading the team in bench minutes and being incredibly productive with the time he is given. You can watch him in the Elite 8.