The Rebels have had a roller coaster ride of a season thus far, winning their first 2 out of the gate, and then losing the next 3 regular season games, they have managed to go 4 and 1 over the last 5 and find themselves in a 3 team tie for 3rd place in the Great 8. However, things have been a lot more consistent in this year's national Cup tournament where the Rebels are still competing by winning their first 4 matches and find themselves up against the Princeton Tigers tonight for a team record 5th tournament win, which would be the furthest the Rebels have ever gotten in the Cup. And the BBB has also been good with the Rebels thus far 4 and 1 and in contention for the BBB tournament if they can manage one more win against a scrappy French team next Wednesday. GM Dale Brown is convinced the biggest reasons for the turn around are the acquisition of veteran PG Benito Di Stefano, who the Rebels got by selling long time PG Wiley Crook and then spending a team record to acquire Di Stefano who is the highest paid Rebel in club history. "Di Stefano gave us what we needed which was a stopper on the perimeter. I mean we could score with anybody, but we were having trouble stopping anybody and he has just come in and gave us a mindset on defense that we frankly have never had before," said Brown. "But coach Johnsons decision to go to a motion based offense after we got Di Stefano has really really paid off as well, everyone is playing better, especially Jimmy Proffit, and Ross Marks" Brown added. Indeed many fans felt that The Profitt was unhappy as his play had not been up to his normal game. Profitt has been the heart and soul of the Rebels for 12 seasons and his resurgance has been a key factor in the Rebels achieving their highest ranking ever as they sit at #185 in the US. Prior to this season the Rebels had never broken into the top 200 clubs and now they sit poised for much more. Proffit himself attributes it to Coach Johnson, the club's investment in a nutritionist and a psychologist and the motion offense. "I think I am having more fun than I have in years, even more fun than winning championships at the D IV level. I love the new offense, I love the team, especially the young guys, Skutt and Bunn have been amazing to watch grow, and I love the Captain Kirkland, he is going to be a beast in this league for a long time" The smile on Proffits face will be a lot bigger if Kirland and Skutt can help lead the Rebels to the promised land the 6th round of the Cup tournament with a win tonight against Princeton. The Princeton Tigers will be starting their normal starters again tonight, a system that has gotten them this far, but at a steep cost to their league record and the game shape of those starters. Still the Rebels do have Skutt to go along with a scrappy bunch of backups that are hungry for this win. Also the Rebels let go of Jean Beaugois, he was on his second stint with the Rebels and ended last year playing the best basketball of his career. He wanted and needed more playing time and the Rebles just didnt have the room right now. The Rebs will keep an eye on bringing him back in the future.
Last edited by Rebs at 6/4/2026 1:56:00 PM
Last edited by Rebs at 6/4/2026 2:01:03 PM