Why Ole Miss women may struggle to reach the Final Four in the 2024 March Madness predictions
The Ole Miss women’s basketball team, under the leadership of coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, has secured their third consecutive March Madness bid. As they gear up for their first-round matchup against Marquette, there is optimism surrounding their chances of surpassing last year’s Sweet 16 run. However, reaching the Final Four may prove to be a challenging task for several reasons.
Strong Momentum Heading into March Madness:
Ole Miss closed out the season on an impressive seven-game winning streak before narrowly losing to LSU in the SEC tournament semifinals. This strong finish showcased their potential as one of Coach McPhee-McCuin’s most complete teams yet. The Rebels boast a trio of talented scorers, and Yolett McPhee-McCuin’ improvement throughout the season has been instrumental to their success and makes them a formidable threat moving forward.
Interior Presence and Defensive Ability:
Defensively, the Rebels have proven themselves capable of making it difficult for any opponent. Their performance last season demonstrated their ability to cope even when shots are not falling. With an average of over 15 offensive rebounds per game and nearly 23 free throws per game, Ole Miss possesses resilience that presents challenges for opposing teams.
Limited Offensive Upside:
While this year’s Ole Miss team appears stronger on paper than last season’s squad, offensive limitations could hinder their Final Four aspirations. The Rebels shoot just 41.7% from the field, which ranks poorly compared to the elite teams they would face in the tournament. Successful teams often rely on strong three-point shooting; however, Ole Miss struggles in this area, with only five teams nationally making fewer three-point shots per game than them.
Difficulty against Elite Teams:
In recent years, it has been challenging for Ole Miss women’s basketball to defeat top-ranked opponents consistently. This season alone, they went 1-5 against top-30 NET teams and hold a record of 3-19 against such opponents over the past three seasons. Overcoming these formidable foes will be crucial if they have hopes of reaching further rounds in March Madness.
Predictions: Falling Short at Notre Dame
While expectations are high that Ole Miss can defeat Marquette in their first-round matchup, advancing beyond the second round becomes significantly tougher as away games require overcoming some of the country’s best teams on their home courts. Notre Dame represents a formidable challenge for Ole Miss in round two and is likely where they may meet their match.
Conclusion:
Although there is optimism surrounding Ole Miss women’s basketball as they enter March Madness once again with high aspirations after previous successes, there are significant obstacles standing between them and a potential Final Four appearance in 2024. Offensive limitations and difficulties against elite opponents make it challenging to predict an extended run deep into tournament play this year.