'The Most Wonderful Time of The Year': Rebels' Coach Yo Ready For SEC Schedule

Ole Miss Rebels women's basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is preparing her team for their daunting SEC schedule which starts on Thursday.

OXFORD, Miss. -- New year means new schedule, as the Ole Miss Rebels women's basketball team is set to begin its SEC slate on Thursday with a road game versus the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Rebels earned an overall record of 10-3 through the non-conference portion of their schedule, and are currently on a four-game win streak following their dominant 76-37 win over Alcorn State.

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin was free to speak with the media on Tuesday and expressed her excitement for the second half of the Rebels' season. 

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"Christmas is over, but this is the most wonderful time of the year with SEC play," Coach Yo told reporters. "Every win, every loss matters. You have to bring your 'A' effort every game. If not, you lose, and it can take away your dreams and everything you've worked for."

Coach Yo is well aware that the stakes are high at this point in the season and knows it is going to be a battle for her team from here on out.

"I'm really glad to be apart of the Southeastern Conference," McPhee-McCuin said. "Our league is very deep this year. I don't know if there is a weak team, and that is just a testament to all of the coaches getting into the portal, recruiting, and building their teams."

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The Rebels now have a date set for Thursday night with the Crimson Tide, who are ranked No. 5 in the SEC with a 13-2 record. Ole Miss has won its last two meetings in Coleman Coliseum, yet the Crimson Tide still hold the advantage in Tuscaloosa, 15-13. If Coach Yo's Rebels win, it would be the first time the team has won three straight on Alabama's home court since 1987-91.

Ole Miss' road game versus Alabama is set to tip off at 6 p.m. CT, and the matchup will be televised on SEC Network plus.