Since the Rebels had gone through most of the season without much of a signature win or super impressive record, many fans had checked out before the SEC tournament even started. At best, the year was seen as an opportunity to develop some of the younger players, particularly Breein Tyree and Terence Davis, in preparation of better days to come for the program.
The team’s recent play, including an upset over South Carolina, gave viewers a brief glimmer of hope for an extended postseason, as Ole Miss finally beat Missouri in a way that reflected the actual gap between the two teams.