Mississippi College A.D. Jones undergoes bypass surgery; Choctaws prepare to open 07-08 season

Breaking news on the Choctaw basketball front. Mississippi College Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Jones underwent triple bypass heart surgery Tuesday afternoon. A hospital visit earlier that morning determined the procedure would be necessary. The surgery was successful and Coach Jones is expected to make a full recovery. He will remain in the hospital for the rest of the week. Jones is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Associate Head Coach Don Lofton will resume head coaching duties in his absence.

Tonight, the Choctaws played an exhibition game against Division II Arkansas-Monticello. MC came up just short, falling 77-72 to the Boll Weevils (I kid you not).

The first game of the regular season is Friday, November 16, against Pensacola Christian. Tipoff at the Golden Dome is set for 7 o’clock. Mississippi College enters the season No. 23 in the D3hoops preseason poll, and the far-and-away favorite to win the American Southwest Conference East Division. The Choctaws have been to three straight Division III Sweet Sixteens, won two straight ASC Tournaments, three straight regular season conference championships, been ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation, and can boast the NCAA’s best overall record (all divisions) the past 3 seasons (I don’t have the exact number with me… roughly 79-9).

Only three Choctaws return from last season’s 26-3 team. Point guard Jonathan Collins, forward Prince Trotter, and forward Tyler Winford, this year’s ASC East Preseason Player of the Year and three-time All-American. The new faces, including 13 transfers, are collectively considered the most talented recruiting class since MC’s move to D-III.

The bottom line: this team will compete for a national championship again. Be at the games. And keep Coach Jones and family in your prayers.

Do it like a Choctaw!