OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball coach Andy Kennedy was crying foul Saturday afternoon.
It wasn”t because he was upset with the officiating during the Rebels” 80-75 loss to Mississippi State, but it was more directed to his team.
The Bulldogs made more free throws (22) than Ole Miss attempted (13) and Kennedy was concerned that MSU had 33 attempts.
“Our opponents have made 120 more free throws than their opponents, which speaks to fouling and (Saturday) we continued that trend,” Kennedy said. “(MSU) comes into our own building and shoots 33 free throws by being more aggressive and we foul. That”s something we”ve got to continue to work on.”
Prior to the game against the Rebels, the Bulldogs have made more free throws (206) than opponents have attempted (197) for the season.
With that continuing Saturday in Oxford, MSU coach Rick Stansbury knew it was one of the differences.
“That”s a huge stat on the road,” Stansbury said.
Varnado getting closer
With six blocked shots against Ole Miss, MSU senior center Jarvis Varnado now has a nation-best 80 for the season.
Varnado now has 474 career blocks and is 61 shy of tying the NCAA mark of 535 held by former Louisiana-Monroe player Wojciech Mydra (1998-2002).
The ability of Varnado has the respect of opponents and know he can make a difference in the paint.
“Jarvis has more blocks than our whole team,” Kennedy said.
First double-double
When MSU junior forward Kodi Augustus recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds against the Rebels, it was the first double-double of his career.
“He was huge in the second half particularly,” Stansbury said. “In the first half, he was struggling when we had him on (Eniel) Polynice. He couldn”t guard him.
“The second half, he was much more comfortable playing the way we playing. He made some instinctive plays and he”s capable of doing that.”
No Lewis on road
Stansbury said it was a coaches decision that MSU freshman forward Wendell Lewis didn”t play against Ole Miss.
In an attempt to get fellow freshman and 7-foot-1 John Riek playing time, Stansbury said he decided to just let Lewis sit out.
“Whatever we ask him to do, it”s not (Lewis”) fault right now,” Lewis said. “He”s a freshman and he wasn”t recruited to play this year. He was put in this role because of our injuries, suspensions and guys not eligible yet.”
Ole Miss tidbits
The 9,360 in attendance at Tad Smith Coliseum was the second highest total in Ole Miss history. … The 12 points from sophomore forward Terrance Henry tied a career-high.
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