Tyree not afraid of the big moment

OXFORD - It’s as if Breein Tyree has flipped on a switch at halftime of the past two games.

Ole Miss’ freshman point guard scored six points combined in the first half against Mississippi State and Missouri.

He scored 20 points after halftime against the Bulldogs and 13 in the final 20 minutes against the Tigers as he made the necessary plays to help the Rebels pull out two close wins.

Ole Miss will need more of the second-half Tyree on the road against Alabama (7:30 p.m., SEC Network) Wednesday night.

The Crimson Tide (16-12, 9-7 SEC) are tied with the Rebels (18-11, 9-7) and Vanderbilt (16-13, 9-7) for fifth place in the SEC, so both teams are battling for position in the conference standings and tournament.

Tyree stepped firmly into the point guard role once Deandre Burnett went down with an ankle injury in January. His potential was on display during a 20-point effort against Baylor.

As far as the recent second-half surges go, Tyree, who is 6-foot-2, said it’s mostly because he’s feeling the game out and trying to play to his role.

“First half, I’m just looking to get guys involved, move the ball, get us in the offense. I’m a small piece of the machine, but that’s my job and I understand my role,” he said. “In the second half, I try to be more aggressive ... get to the rim and there will be more options open for me in the second half. Also, guys get tired on defense in the second half and I haven’t really been attacking yet, but I’m still ready to go and that’s the way I take it. And I just take what the defense gives me.”

Against Mississippi State, Tyree attacked the rim more than he had most of the season. Those drives resulted in a couple of dunks, including one on the Bulldogs’ Aric Holman.

He also scored eight consecutive points to open overtime against MSU.

Coach Andy Kennedy said the coaching staff felt Tyree could make an immediate impact with his athleticism. The progression was thrown off when he tore his ACL last year.

But now Tyree, who averages 6.5 points, is getting more comfortable and his role has developed.

“Based on the way our team has evolved, and he’s gotten healthier, he’s taking on more and more of the responsibilities,” Kennedy said. “I think we all see he’s not afraid of the big moment.

“(He’s ) never backed down from me coaching him hard, and I think he’s gotten more comfortable in that role.”

Tyree has helped keep Ole Miss’ slim NCAA Tournament chances alive a few more days, and he and his teammates will try to leave Tuscaloosa with them still intact.