The Rebels dropped three spots to No. 21 in this week’s Baseball America Top 25. They are at home tomorrow night at 6:30 against Mississippi Valley, and I will see them for the first time. SEC play starts this weekend at Kentucky. …

The basketball presser brought forth a lot of disppointment, as those leading up to an NIT opener usually do.

Last week a story out of Sarasota, Fla., dealing mostly with the suspension of Eniel Polynice speculated, almost in passing, that Chris Warren would not return next season and would opt for pro ball in Europe and that Terrico White would enter the NBA draft.

Word is those are just rumors, but neither player gave a firm “yes” on whether they’ll be back next season.

White is expected to explore his NBA stock, which is not expected to be enough for him to leave early. On this matter I return to my theory that you just never know on things like this. White may very well return, but don’t assume that as absolute truth. Nobody thought Jevan Snead would leave early either.

Warren’s response to the question was interesting.

“I don’t know the future. I’m just going with the flow,” he said.

I suspect the flow will lead Warren back to Ole Miss for a senior season and not to Europe. That’s not a surprising answer from Warren, who has a very laid-back personality.

Here’s what Andy Kennedy had to say on the NIT.

“It’s tough because, as a coach, you want to put this goal up. We put this NCAA Tournament up there as the apple. Obviously, we didn’t get the apple. So, now, you kind of come back. I told the team today. I said, ‘obviously you’re disappointed. I’m disappointed.’ People, truly, have no idea what it takes to get a team on the floor. Basketball kind of gets the spotlight around here for a couple of months, but it’s a 12-month, 10-15 hour job for my staff, simply because of the process. We’re distraught that we got this close – one game away. As we look at things, I told our team, I’m a basketball coach. As long as there’s basketball left to be played, I’m going to do my job and prepare you guys for the game. You’re here for a basketball scholarship. It’s your responsibility to adhere to your part of the equation. As long as there’s basketball left to be played, let’s go play. Let’s represent the university and every time you go play, you’re representing yourself. Kids like to play. We had a good workout today. And as we get closer to game time, I hope the competitive nature will take over. Teams that have the most success in the NIT are the ones who have the best opportunity to move forward the quickest.”