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The University of Mississippi Athletics
The Splash Sisters
11/17/2017 | Women's Basketball
By Brian Scott Rippee, OleMissSports.com
Matt Insell has his own version of the NBA's splash brothers on his hands as the Rebels gear up for the 2017 season.
Coming off a year in which the two combined to make 99 three-point shots, Shandricka Sessom and Madinah Muhammad are known as 'The Splash Sisters' by their teammates. It began with a game at Florida last season in which the two combined for 40 points and each buried four three pointers.
"We were both knocking down shots, and you hear Splash Brothers from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson," Muhammad recalled. "They actually made a poster on Twitter calling us that and we just kept it.
In addition to the nickname, the two are earning a reputation as a potent duo on the offensive end for Ole Miss. The two combined for 758 points a season ago and have become a formidable duo for a team trying to take the next step.
"They're both extremely talented players," It is their third year now playing side-by-side. It is something they started because they shoot it very well. When teams game plan for us it is about how they are going to stop them. It is hard to stop both of them. If one of them isn't going, the other is. When they both get going, that is when we are really good."
Their chemistry is as good as it has ever been, mostly thanks to being able to play together the last two seasons. Sessom is a senior and Muhammad is a junior. Both were talented enough to play early on in their careers. They stretch the floor and give Ole Miss a good bit of fire power on the offensive end. They know they have the green light at all times.
"We both have the blessing to shoot the ball," Muhammad said. "That is what Coach (Insell) wants us to do. Of course we try to get everyone else involved too. When we are hitting shots it is big for momentum for the team and it also helps others knock down shots too."
It's changed Insell's style offensively to a degree. Their ability to shoot prompts the team to play faster, to get out into transition and see if they can get them shots on the perimeter.
"We want to get our point guards out in transition and get those kids spotted up," Insell said. "I think that is a big weapon for us is their shooting ability."
Insell gives them eight to ten seconds in their primary fast break before wanting to get into the half-court offense. The two are mature enough now in their decision making to be able to balance that.
"Now he has given us more freedom to go play," Muhammad said. "He says try to score within the first eight seconds. If we don't have anything, then we set up the offense. I think running in transition just gives us an opportunity to score."
Opposing teams cannot afford to double the post with Muhammed and Sessom on the perimeter.
"It is just about what we can do together," Sessom said. ""We realize that with having Promise and Shelby down there, it will be hard for teams to go help down there."
Insell prefers to play inside out and this certainly helps Ole Miss do so. Maybe the most invaluable aspect of this duo is the effect they have on each other. They are constantly battling each other in practice and learn a lot as a result. Insell admires Muhammad's ability to get to the rim and would like Sessom to emulate that more.
"She is more versatile than me," Sessom said. "I have learned from watching the moves that she makes and try to be more aggressive like she is."
Both of them know what the goal is for this team. They want to take a step forward and finish towards the top of the SEC. They are upperclassmen now and will be called upon to spearhead a good portion of this team's scoring.
"We work hard every day in practice and we don't work that hard to be at the bottom," Muhammad said. "I think we do a good job each year of making improvements. We have a lot consistency this year. We have a lot of the same players and have added some and are going to try to make a run."
Insell thinks the pieces are in place at the offensive end. The Rebels have size in the post and a lot of firepower in the backcourt, at the very least he knows he can lean on them to give them a chance in every game they are in.
"It is a dependable thing," Isnell said. "I know those two kids are going to show up and play every single night."
Both Muhammad and Sessom point toward consistency as being the difference in winning and losing close games in the SEC. The two know this team has the pieces to be successful, it will be about trying to be consistent.
"Consistency will be the main thing this year. Last year one day we'd beat Tennessee and then lose to Alabama," Sessom said. "We have to bring that consistency in scoring and defense and even the little things. We can make the NCAA Tournament. It is all about us doing it."
Ole Miss tips off its season November 10 against Northwestern State.
