UM’s Kennedy Dismisses Nelson, Jones From Hoops Squad

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With back to the wall career-wise, Andy Kennedy has dismissed two members of the Ole Miss basketball team… including the squad’s leading scorer.  Dundrecous Nelson was arrested at his home and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia just hours after the Rebels beat SMU on Wednesday night.  The arresting officer said he found eight cigarillos of marijuana in the apartment when he entered.  He also said he’d been in the same apartment on another occasion and let Nelson off with a warning.  Freshman Jamal Jones and two women were in the apartment with Nelson on Wednesday.  And that was all Kennedy needed to hear. 

Kennedy dismissed Nelson and Jones for a violation of team rules:


“When you see guys that have to be dismissed for things that are just poor decision that they make at very influential times of their life, it’s hurtful.  It’s hurtful to me as their coach.  It’s hurtful for me as a guy who brought them into our extended family.  I’m terribly disappointed.”


This is a body blow for Kennedy. 

In his sixth season in Oxford, most believe the coach will need to reach the the NCAA Tournament to save his job.  Two weeks ago, leading rebounder Murphy Holloway suffered the dreaded, slow-to-heal high ankle sprain.  Now Nelson — who was averaging 11.6 points per game — is gone.  All from a team that ranks fifth in the SEC in rebounding and just 10th in scoring.

Ole Miss opens SEC play tomorrow afternoon at LSU.