TUSCALOOSA | Demetrius Jemison learned a little about fame on Wednesday night.

The University of Alabama sophomore forward didn’t exactly become a household name in the Crimson Tide’s win over Arkansas, but his 19-point, 11-rebound performance did have people talking. That included the public unveiling of Jemison’s nickname, “Meat.”

“I guess Richard told you that,” Jemison said, laughing and correctly identifying the culprit, teammate Richard Hendrix. “It isn’t a team nickname. It’s been with me ever since the time I was playing Pee-Wee football. It comes from my name — Meat is just short for Demetrius — and I was a big kid, so it just sort of stuck.”

Jemison’s performance definitely beefed up Alabama’s front line numbers in that game. The supplement to Hendrix, who seems to be tiring slightly after carrying the scoring and rebounding load all season, comes at an opportune time as Alabama heads into this afternoon’s Southeastern Conference game at Ole Miss.

Jemison had actually been out of the starting lineup in the Crimson Tide’s previous loss at Auburn. He was benched after arriving late for a practice.

“Demetrius responded to that the way you want someone to respond.” Tide head coach Mark Gottfried said. “He came back and had two very good practices, then played at a high level in the game.”

“I feel like I am in a good situation,” Jemison said. “Teams are double-teaming Richard so much, and when they do, that leaves me open at the free throw line to shoot a jump shot or come in and crash the boards for an offensive rebound.”

When Jemison provides an offensive threat, as he did against Arkansas, Alabama (15-12, 4-9 SEC) can use its inside game to help control the tempo. That will be important against the Rebels, who press vigorously in the friendly confines of Tad Smith Coliseum.

While the game does not have championship ramifications, it is important in terms of seeding for the upcoming SEC Tournament. Both the Crimson Tide and the Rebels (18-9 overall) are 4-9 in league play along with LSU and Auburn, leaving the third through sixth positions in the SEC West undetermined.

Ole Miss lost its last game at Kentucky on Wednesday 52-48. The Rebels scored just four points in the first 14 minutes of the game and trailed by 17 at halftime but rallied and had a chance to tie or win the game in the second half. Freshman guard Chris Warren led the Rebel comeback, scoring 23 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.

“It boils down to our inability to make shots,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said on Thursday’s SEC teleconference. “In our last two road games we shot 26 and 31 percent. Realistically, you’re just not going to be able to get it done at that rate. We’ve got to get better looks.”

The Rebels, who won 13 straight non-conference games to start the season, are a longshot for NCAA consideration, particularly if they fail to win out over the final three SEC games.

Ole Miss is 4-2 in SEC home games this season and 0-7 on the road.

Alabama won the first meeting between the two teams 76-67 in Tuscaloosa on Feb. 13. Mykal Riley scored 22 points, and Alabama made seven of eight foul shots down the stretch to hold off the Rebels. Ole Miss was hampered by center Dwayne Curtis’ foul trouble, which kept him on the bench for most of the game.



Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0225.