The anticipation is building as the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off, with the Ole Miss Rebels preparing to take on the Texas Longhorns. Scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, this game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network.
The Series
This contest will mark the 18th all-time meeting between Ole Miss and Texas, with the Longhorns currently holding a slight edge in the series at 10-7. Notably, this matchup will be their first encounter in postseason play and within the SEC Tournament framework.
Their previous clash earlier this season saw Texas narrowly escape with a victory after Ole Miss mounted a spirited second-half comeback. The Rebels had taken a three-point lead late in that game but ultimately fell short. As they prepare for this pivotal rematch, both teams have plenty to prove.
Recap of Their Last Encounter
In their last outing on February 7, 2026, Ole Miss lost to Texas by a score of 68-79 in Austin. After trailing by twelve points at halftime, they surged back and even took a late lead before succumbing to a late-game push from Texas.
Key performances included Eduardo Klafke from Ole Miss scoring 16 points along with six rebounds and four assists. On the other side, Matas Vokietaitis led all scorers with an impressive 27-point performance for Texas.
Scouting Report: The Longhorns
Texas enters this tournament as the No. 10 seed following an up-and-down regular season that concluded with an overall record of 18-13 and a conference mark of 9-9. They struggled towards the end of their schedule, losing four out of their last five games but managed to secure one victory against Texas A&M.
Despite recent challenges, they are still considered contenders for an NCAA Tournament berth due to their NET ranking (41st) and KenPom rating (33rd). Leading them is Dailyn Swain—an impactful player who was named SEC Newcomer of the Year—averaging nearly 18 points and over seven rebounds per game.
Notable Team Stats
- Free Throws Made per Game: 19.8 (5th nationally)
- Rebound Margin: +7.6 (16th nationally)
- Points per Game: 84.4 (22nd nationally)
Head coach Sean Miller is navigating his first year at Texas after successful tenures at Xavier and Arizona where he consistently led teams deep into NCAA tournaments.
Ole Miss: A Season Full of Challenges
For Ole Miss fans, this season has been tumultuous yet promising as they look toward potential growth despite struggles throughout their campaign. With an all-time SEC tournament record standing at just above .500 (34-61), they have only claimed two titles since joining—the last being in 2013.
One bright spot has been their ability to minimize turnovers effectively; averaging just under ten turnovers per game places them among national leaders in ball security—a testament to head coach Chris Beard’s emphasis on discipline.
Bench Depth
The Rebels’ bench has been another area of strength this season, contributing over thirty points per game—ranking them third in the SEC for bench production. Senior guard AJ Storr has emerged as a key contributor off the bench during crucial moments throughout games.
Freshman Phenoms Making Waves
Ole Miss also boasts exciting talent among its freshman class, including Patton Pinkins who scored a career-high against Oklahoma earlier this season and continues to show promise as he leads qualifying players in low turnover rates among those logging significant minutes.
Looking Ahead
As they gear up for what promises to be an intense battle against Texas, expectations are tempered by reality checks reflected through ESPN’s win probability metrics, which give Ole Miss only a modest chance at victory of 32.2 % compared to Texas’ 67.8 % odds hovering around two-thirds favorability.
With tip-off approaching quickly, both teams will bring unique strengths onto the court, aiming not just for victory but for momentum heading into what could be critical matchups ahead—including potential NCAA Tournament implications hanging delicately in balance for both programs.
