Mississippi head coach Matt Insell talks to a referee during an NCAA college basketball game against Florida in Oxford, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (DM Photo/Ignacio Murillo)
It’s year two for Ole Miss women’s basketball with head coach Matt Insell at the helm, and he believes this year’s team is better than last years squad that struggled to a 2-14 record in SEC play.
“The journey in year two is a lot more exciting because the talent level from top to bottom is so much better,” Insell said. “We’re having 13 players active in practice, and our top 10 rotation changes everyday.”
With six returners this season, Insell studied how much his team has progressed from year one to year two.
“I went back and watched practice film from last year to this year, and there is so much more energy, excitement, athleticism and more capable players on the floor,” Insell said.
As a an assistant coach at Kentucky, Insell helped guide the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances and played a huge role in recruiting. Needless to say, Insell is a proven winner.
However, as a head coach last year at Ole Miss, Insell had to deal with a new roster that had not seen a lot of winning. Insell stresses that last year’s learning experience helped him prepare for his young team this year with eight newcomers.
“The biggest thing I’ve developed is patience. Last year, I wanted it so bad for that team to win that I pushed them too hard,” Insell said. “This year with a younger team, as you continue to grow in this league, you have to understand that it’s going to take some growing pains. You’re not going to get to the top over night.”
Speaking of young players, Insell will have a new starting point guard this season with Valencia McFarland now graduated. Insell will turn the keys over to freshman Toree Thompson, who has shown promise thus far in the preseason.
“Toree’s really developing. She has good days and bad days like any freshman will have,” Insell said. “She played really well in the exhibition against Christian Brothers University, and the hard work she’s been putting in allowed her to play the way she played with 25 points and nine assists.”
Veteran leadership will be key from players like senior point guard Amber Singletary, senior power forward Tia Faleru and senior Danielle McCray. Before Insell arrived, these players suffered through three coaching changes with Renee Ladner, Adrian Wiggins and Brett Frank. There’s no question that there was some negative turmoil during those years. However, Insell insists that he has installed trust within his players.
“I tell the players that I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be here for you,” said Insell. “I know I’m on you on the court, and I push you on the court everyday. But I’m going to be here helping you with whatever you need.”
There are big expectations for one of those players in Tia Faleru, who was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team earlier this month. With an improved roster, Insell thinks Faleru won’t be as stressed on the basketball court this season.
“She came to me in practice one day and said, ‘Coach, I have help this year,’” Insell said. “Last year, she didn’t have the help that she needed, and she was getting double and triple-teamed.”
Insell also thinks that Faleru may have her best season yet as an Ole Miss Rebel.
“There’s no player that’s been pushed harder in preseason than she has. I’ve been on her butt every single day to take her game to new levels, and she knows that,” Insell said. “She said her goal coming to Ole Miss was to make the NCAA Tournament, and whatever it takes for us to get there, I’m going to do that.”
With the improved player development and recruiting seen in the last year, Insell says that he wants a new reputation to be created for his team.
“We want to gain a reputation as a team that when you play Ole Miss, you’re going to be pressured defensively,” Insell said. “A team that’s going to push the ball in transition and try to score real fast offensively, and one that’s going to get the offensive boards.”
