MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Mettetal, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Flowers, Burton, Stone, Hopson, Tollison, Watson, Davis, Butler, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Ward
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ANDY KENNEDY FOR WINNING THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE (SEC) WESTERN DIVISION TITLE.
WHEREAS, Chris Warren scored 31 and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, as Ole Miss rallied from 11 down with 5:02 left for a 68-66 road win at Arkansas on March 6, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the victory secured the University of Mississippi Rebels Basketball Team (21-9, 9-7 SEC) a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament in Nashville and clinched Ole Miss the SEC Western Division Crown; and
WHEREAS, it marks the Rebels' fifth Western Division Title and second under Head Coach Andy Kennedy; and
WHEREAS, the Rebels held on when Murphy Holloway blocked Julysses Nobles' shot as the Arkansas guard drove into traffic in the final seconds. It was one of seven blocks by the Rebels, career-high three by Holloway and four by Reginald Buckner. The Razorbacks, who led by as many as 14 in the first half, entered halftime with a 43-33 advantage; and
WHEREAS, riding a four-game win streak, Ole Miss will be the West No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament; and
WHEREAS, the Arkansas game is the fourth time in 2009-2010 SEC play the Rebels have erased a double-digit second-half deficit and won. "I saw a team that didn't give in," UM Coach Andy Kennedy said. "We've been behind in these situations as much as any team I've ever been a part of, and we continue to battle. We were scoring points in the second half, but finally started to get some stops. We really defended down the stretch"; and
WHEREAS, the 2009-2010 Ole Miss Basketball Coaches are: Head Coach Andy Kennedy; Assistant Coaches: Michael White, Owen Miller and Torey Ward; Coordinator of Basketball Operations, Bill Armstrong; Operations Assistant, Robi Coker; and Assistant Athletic Trainer, Clarke Holter. The Ole Miss Rebels Basketball Team roster is: Will Bogan, Reginald Buckner, DeAundre Cranston, Trevor Gaskins, Zach Graham, Michael Halford, Terrance Henry, Murphy Holloway, Eniel Polynice, DeAngelo Riley, Chris Warren, Terrico White and Nick Williams; and
WHEREAS, this team is far from perfect, but there's little doubt the Rebels are resilient. As they've proven multiple times this season, no deficit is too big to overcome; and
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we note the accomplishments of this young team which has brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi "Rebels" Men's Basketball Team and Coach Andy Kennedy for winning the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division Title and for their 2009-2010 Regular Season and extend our best wishes to them in post-season tournament play and in their future athletic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to Coach Andy Kennedy and Chancellor Dan Jones and to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.