Why Coach Yo said Ole Miss women's basketball's collapse down stretch makes sense

Ole Miss basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin feels like she's coaching a different team without guard Sira Thienou. Here's when she could return

Story byThe Clarion Ledger

Why Coach Yo said Ole Miss women's basketball's collapse down stretch makes sense

Why Coach Yo said Ole Miss women's basketball's collapse down stretch makes sense

Sam Hutchens, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 1:06 AM UTC·
3 min read

OXFORD — Ole Miss women's basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has a simple explanation for her team's sudden stumble down the stretch.

The No. 20 Rebels lost 66-58 to Texas A&M on March 1 at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion.

Ole Miss (21-10, 8-8 SEC) has lost four consecutive games to close the regular season since winning at home against Tennessee on Feb. 17.

The four-game losing streak has resulted in a tumble in the polls. The Rebels were ranked No. 16 but are now in danger of falling out of the polls and on the outside looking in at a top-16 host seed in the NCAA Tournament.

According to McPhee-McCuin, Ole Miss became a different team vs Tennessee. That is the last game sophomore guard Sira Thienou has played. She is dealing with a bone bruise.

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) reacts to making a three-pointer against LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) scores between LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley (23) and LSU's Mikaylah Williams (12) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Students cheer before Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

A Rebelette cheers before Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) is fouled by LSU's Kate Koval (13) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Students cheer before Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU's Flau'jae Johnson (4) is fouled by Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey against the Ole Miss Rebels in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith talks with an fan at Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss forward Latasha Lattimore (8) is defended by LSU's ZaKiyah Johnson (11) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey against the Ole Miss Rebels in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Stephen A. Smith, left, talks with a fan at Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) shoots vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin yells instructions against LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey yells against the Mississippi Rebels in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss guard Denim DeShields (22) dribbles vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU's Mikaylah Williams (12) is defended by Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against Ole Miss in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss guard Denim DeShields (22) is defended by LSU's Bella Hines (3) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

A baton twirler performs at Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU's Mikaylah Williams (12) is defended by Ole Miss guard Denim DeShields (22) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Students cheer before Ole Miss vs. LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU's Flau'jae Johnson (4) is fouled by Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) scores between LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley (23) and LSU's Mikaylah Williams (12) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey looks back to the bench against Ole Miss in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss women's basketball vs LSU, Cotie McMahon vs Flau'jae Johnson see top photos

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) reacts to making a three-pointer against LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

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Ole Miss women's basketball vs LSU, Cotie McMahon vs Flau'jae Johnson see top photos

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) reacts to making a three-pointer against LSU in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

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Ole Miss women's basketball vs LSU, Cotie McMahon vs Flau'jae Johnson see top photos

Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon (32) scores between LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley (23) and LSU's Mikaylah Williams (12) in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

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