'Not Enough Offensive Possessions': Rebels' Chris Beard Reviews Loss to Wildcats

The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team is in a bit of a hole halfway through its February slate after losing its third straight game on Tuesday night.

The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team has started the month of February off on the wrong foot, as the group lost its third straight game on Tuesday night to the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats, falling 75-63 at Rupp Arena in Lexington. This skid comes after the Rebels won three consecutive contests to close out the month of January on a promising note.

Tuesday night's loss to Kentucky moves the Rebels down to No. 8 in the Southeastern Conference with an overall record of 18-6 (5-6 SEC). Kentucky was the better team defensively, and Ole Miss coach Chris Beard gave his take on the Rebels' offensive performance from Tuesday.

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"I thought Kentucky was aggressive," Beard told reporters. "From our point of view, the combination of a high turnover game and getting our shot blocked - which seemed like 100 times from where I was sitting - just didn't give us enough offensive possessions. We didn't shoot it great tonight, but if our turnovers are lower and we don't get our shots blocked quite as many times, we get enough shots to hang a little bit more in a game."

Rebels Lose Early Lead vs. Kentucky, Drop Third Straight Game

Kentucky finished the game with 12 total blocks and forced 12 Ole Miss turnovers. Beard also gave high praise to senior Kentucky forward Trey Mitchell, who notched five points, six rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes of action versus Ole Miss. 

"I think Trey Mitchell's one of the best players in college basketball," Beard said. "He's not a stat sheet guy, but there's no denying the poise and composure he gives this young, really talented team. Trey did a good job just doing what he does, he's a veteran player who makes plays."

Ole Miss will get a chance to ice this losing streak on Saturday night when the Rebels welcome the Missouri Tigers to Oxford in the Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on SEC Network.