From the Locker Room: Kermit Davis and Matthew Murrell on Mississippi State, Ole Miss point guards
The first two games of the Southeastern Conference schedule has not gone well for Ole Miss but it has featured an interesting starter at point guard.
A freshman has gotten the nod to start alongside junior guard Matthew Murrell and it is not Amaree Abram. Instead, TJ Caldwell has earned the start based off performances in practice leading up to the games against Tennessee and Alabama.
The strategy has been implemented by head coach Kermit Davis, landing Caldwell into the starting five. But once the game tips off what he did during the practices is not carrying over into game performances.
In the SEC opener against Tennessee Caldwell finished with one point, attempted two shots and made one free throw. Against the Crimson Tide Caldwell did not score a point and missed all seven of his shot attempts, including two from three-point range.
“TJ was 0-for-7 the other night and he had some shots, I think Alabama’s length bothered him a little bit,” Davis said on Friday. “He’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing. We’ll make our decision whether it’ll be him, Amaree or Daeshun and even go with like a smaller lineup if we wanted to. He’s just got to keep practicing. That’s the maturity level of just bringing it every night, everyday in practice and it’s going to click for him.”
The rotating door of the second point guard starter has been an issue for Ole Miss since the return of Ruffin.
Prior to Ruffin’s return from a bone bruise injury the lineup regularly featured Murrell and Abram at guard. Once the sophomore got back on the court last month it has caused a flux and even a disruption, according to Davis, in what they were doing the first six games.
Trying to mix a player back in with the rest of the team has also aided in Ole Miss’ struggles on offense. Consistency is lacking by committee.
“We just need to have more guys on the same night,” Davis said. “Matthew, Daeshun, Amaree, TJ all kind of get it going on the same night. That’s when your offensive production will go up.”
Ole Miss gets its next shot at improving the offensive production on Saturday when it travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State at 1 p.m. CT on CBS.
Watch Davis and Matthew Murrell’s full interviews from Friday below. Videos courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Production.
