Andy Kennedy's Ole Miss Rebels will board a plane to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday as one of 14 undefeated D-1 teams left.

Kennedy's team got past Winthrop last night in Jackson - the first time that Mississippi had played in the city since 1989.

There's a chance that the Rebels could crack the Top 25 next week and if it happens, it'll be the first time since the 2001 season that the program was nationally ranked. That team, featuring Justin Reed, started out 11-0.

Kennedy said that the key has been balance. Five players are in double figures, led by freshman point guard Chris Warren (15.3 ppg, 6.0 apg) and senior big man Dwayne Curtis, who had 22 points and 11 boards last night.

"Our depth has been what's gotten us to 8-0," Kennedy said. "It's been different people on different nights. One night it's Warren, the next it's another freshman, Trevor Gaskins, and last night it was our senior."

Kennedy's team will get three games in Puerto Rico next week in the four-team San Juan Shootout. The final game on Dec. 20 could be a matchup of unbeatens when Mississippi plays Clemson.

SINGLETARY PRESSING

Virginia senior point guard Sean Singletary is still getting used to playing without J.R. Reynolds.

"A lot of it has to do with J.R. not being here," Cavaliers coach Dave Leitao said. "He didn't have to shoulder all the responsibilities when J.R. was here that he has now."

Singletary's numbers are still impressive. He's averaging a career-high 19.3 points and 7.2 assists - which is a major improvement from the 4.7 he averaged last season.

However, he's also averaging 5 turnovers per game.

"He's turning it over at a higher rate," Leitao said. "But I don't think he's hit his stride yet."

Singletary wasn't at full-strength in at least two games - the win at Arizona and the home loss to Syracuse.

"I'm not worried at all," Leitao added.

VCU'S GRANT STAYS EVEN-KEEL

One of Anthony Grant's greatest attributes is his ability to remain even-keel.

The VCU second-year coach had plenty of expectations placed upon him and his young team (he's got six first-year players) after the Rams ride to the second round of the NCAA tournament a year ago, but he hasn't been swayed by any of the outside influences.

VCU started out the season 3-3 after losses to Miami, Arkansas and at Hampton. However, the Rams have won three straight - including a victory over Maryland. The guard tandem of Eric Maynor and Jamal Shuler are combining to average 34.1 points per game.

"I feel like I'm still figuring this team out," Grant said. "We're playing a lot of young guys, so there are a lot of unknowns."

"It's like a Rubik's Cube," he added. "I'm moving pieces around and trying to make it solid. I keep coming up one peg short."

Grant starts two freshmen - guard Ed Nixon and forward Larry Sanders.

Senior forward Will Fameni, who averaged 8.9 points and 5.4 boards a year ago, has been hampered by a severe case of tendonitis in his knee. He sat out the wins against Maryland and William & Mary and was only able to play eight minutes in the last game - a win over Richmond.

RANDOM NOTES:  Umass coach Travis Ford had ex-Minuteman standout guard Carmelo Travieso speak to the team prior to the win against BC on Wednesday night. ... Duke sophomore forward Lance Thomas may miss Monday's game against Albany with a sprained right ankle. The Blue Devils will face Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. ... South Florida will get the services of talented shooting guard Aaron Holmes for the Bulls game against Wake Forest on Dec. 19. Holmes sat out the first semester after transferring from Florida State. ... Providence is still without starting point guard Sharaud Curry, who still isn't fully back practicing with the team.