Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson has earned a reputation for more than his scoring.
Henderson, who has averaged a Southeastern Conference-best 21.3 points per game in league play, has become infamous for his controversial on-court antics.
As the buzzer sounded in Ole Miss’ 63-61 victory against Auburn on Saturday, Henderson taunted the Tigers student section..
During Ole Miss’ 87-74 home loss to Kentucky on Tuesday, Henderson argued with Rebels coach Andy Kennedy on the sideline and at one point threw ice cubes into the Ole Miss student section.
Under the 6-foot-2 JUCO transfer’s leadership, Ole Miss (17-3, 6-1 SEC) is off to its best start in program history.
“Every player is different,” point guard Scottie Wilbekin said. “I don’t like to be like that. That’s not my style, but every player can have his own style.”
Junior forward Will Yeguete added: “We play with a lot of energy and emotion in the game. Sometimes, you do things you don’t realize you do until after. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”
No. 4 Florida (17-2, 7-0 SEC) will look to contain Henderson when it hosts No. 16 Ole Miss on Saturday night at 7 in the O’Connell Center.
Henderson has been a dynamic scorer this season but is a volume shooter, shooting 38 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from behind the arc. He averages 14.6 field goal attempts per game and has taken 25.9 percent of the Rebels’ shots in SEC play.
Henderson gets to the free throw line often, making 85.3 percent of his 5.1 attempts per contest. As a deep threat, he thrives in catch-and-shoot situations when coming off of staggered screens.
“He’s got great feet,” coach Billy Donovan said. “In terms of coming off screens, he can get his feet down, get them set. He’s got the ability to kind of get himself squared up pretty quickly.”
The Gators have successfully limited volume shooters this season.
Missouri point guard Phil Pressey and Texas A&M guard Elston Turner, who each average roughly 12 shots per game, went a combined 2 of 17 from the field with six points against UF.
Wilbekin said he plans to chase Henderson off screens like he did with Turner.
“You just have to stay up on him and always be ready,” Wilbekin said.
Henderson has proven clutch in key situations. Down three points against Vanderbilt on Jan. 15, he drilled a desperation heave at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. In extra time, he scored three more points as the Rebels cruised to an 89-79 victory.
But Ole Miss has scoring options besides Henderson. Senior forwards Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner have provided inside scoring for the Rebels, tallying a combined 24.3 points per contest.
Holloway averages a double-double for the Rebels with 14.6 points and an SEC-high 10.3 rebounds.
Donovan said Ole Miss is spaced well on offense because opposing teams have to account for both the three-point line and the post.
“When they beat you off the dribble, that creates all sorts of problems,” Donovan said. “There’s a reason they’re 6-1 in the league.”
Guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) attempts a layup during Florida’s 75-36 win against South Carolina on Wednesday night in the O’Connell Center.
