This Ole Miss basketball team has promise.

We watched the Rebels easily beat North Alabama in an exhibition game Sunday and determined this is not head coach Andy Kennedy’s typical squad.

Appearances may be the same, since this Ole Miss team was picked to finish 10th in the SEC this year due in part to several newcomers that nobody is sure what to make of. Typically, Ole Miss under Kennedy would overachieve, slightly, finishing higher in the league than expectations and winning 21 or 22 games, but missing the NCAA Tournament then starting over again.

But Sunday, we saw that this Ole Miss team is different. They are more talented. They have more depth. And they have key returners like Terance Davis and Breein Tyree.

It’s the newcomers that caught our eye, though. Freshman Devontae Shuler is a star. Kennedy said he is one of the best freshman guards ever signed by the Rebels. He said he could lead the SEC in scoring, one day.

We agree. Shuler is an immediate star and fans will like his talent and hustle. The same goes for community college transfer Bruce Stevens, who will play and impact immediately. Fans will like his game and style as well.

These Rebels will beat preseason expectations but they may be much better than that.