Ole Miss point guard Daeshun Ruffin available to play vs. Arkansas

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•01/21/23

Poor Daeshun Ruffin just can’t stay healthy. The Ole Miss point guard is a vital part of this Rebels team, yet hasn’t been able to be on the court as much as he’d hoped due to injuries. However, after missing the last game due to an illness, he’s back in the lineup today as Ole Miss faces Arkansas in Fayetteville — according to college hoops insider Jon Rothstein, who reported the news straight from head coach Kermit Davis.

Here was Rothstein’s update, which he sent out in a tweet:

“Ole Miss’ Daeshun Ruffin (illness) will be available for today’s game against Arkansas, per Kermit Davis. Averages 8.6 PPG. DNP in last game.”

Ruffin hasn’t been able to pick up enough steam to return to his 2021-22 form, a year which was also cut short by injuries. And Ole Miss desperately needs him. The team already struggles in the front-court and really has no point guard presence aside from Ruffin. Any chance of turning their 1-5 conference record around starts with getting a consistent and healthy Daeshun Ruffin.

Kermit Davis says he’s trying everybody in the front-court

After the Ole Miss loss to Georgia where the Rebels simply failed to get to enough 50-50 balls down the stretch, Coach Davis admitted he’s just trying out all of his guys down low.

“Yeah, so actually, we’re trying everybody. We keep trying everybody. I’ve never been this point in the season and just, I mean, every big, trying to try them all,” an exasperated Davis shared after the UGA loss before pointing to some specific forwards he gave a chance.

“Josh Mballa, thought to use his physicalness because we have trouble catching (entry passes). You know, I mean, games we’ve won, we forced a tough shot, he rebounds over Jayveous (McKinnis), you know.”

But in the end, it was the loose balls that Georgia got and Ole MIss didn’t that decided the game, at least in Kermit Davis’ eyes.

“And with a one-point game and 50-50 balls, we got beat again tonight on 50-50 balls. And so, you know, it’s just those kind of plays, just you know, man, just shot-making. When you just gotta have shots that go in, and we didn’t do it. And give Georgia credit.”