Coming off back to back SEC victories, the Ole Miss Rebel men’s basketball team is feeling good. They entered conference play with more questions than answers, which is not where any team wants to be at that point, and didn’t seem to start answering many of those answers until late in their second conference game against Arkansas.
Now, the Rebels return to conference play looking to keep that momentum rolling in a major rivalry showdown against Mississippi State on Saturday night. This game doesn’t just carry in-state bragging rights, but it has real implications in a rugged SEC that’s packed with tournament caliber teams.
Ole Miss has shown real progress during this recent stretch. The offense has begun to click more consistently, finding balance between getting downhill, operating in the half court and finding quality looks from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Rebels have taken significant strides, forcing turnovers and contesting shots better than they did earlier in league play which is a trend that’s been noticeable in their last two wins.
Coach Chris Beard’s squad has done a strong job protecting the ball and dictating tempo at key stretches. The Bulldogs have one of the worst assist-to-turnover ratios in the league, the Rebels will have to capitalize on miscues by the Mississippi State team to leave Starkville with a win.
Know The Foe
Mississippi State presents a daunting test. The Bulldogs bring physicality, size and sharpshooting — led by sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, who paces the team in scoring and is among the SEC’s top three-point threats. State is at their best when they’ve out rebounded opponents and has shown it can score in bunches both inside and out. Their defense also creates opportunities, forcing turnovers and turning them into easy points.
Ole Miss must be prepared for that physical brand of basketball. In their last meeting in Starkville, the Bulldogs dominated the boards and controlled the pace in the second half, pulling away late. The Rebels will need to match Mississippi State’s energy on the glass and close out on shooters to keep this game within reach.
What To Watch
How Physical Will The Rebels Get?
Ole Miss’ improved offensive rhythm versus Mississippi State’s physical half-court defense will be one of the defining battles of the night. If the Rebels can generate early offense and knock down open shots, it could open up driving lanes and prevent the Bulldogs from packing the paint.
Will The Offense Continue?
Against Georgia the Rebels had their best shooting game in conference play thus far, knocking down 36 of their 70 field goal attempts for a 51.4 percent clip. Mississippi State has held opponents to just 41.2 percent from the field this season. Can the Rebels continue to make shots at a high level?
The Rotation Has Developed
Earlier this season there was no apparent rotation from coach Beard, but the team has developed quickly in SEC play. Pay close attention to the Rebels who have earned their floor time on Saturday night, there will be opportunities for them to prove why they earned it.
Notes
– Ole Miss is looking for its first win against its in-state rival since 2024.
– AJ Storr is coming off a season high 27 points scored against Georgia.
– Mississippi State leads the all-time series 152-120. – The Rebels are 5-1 when out-rebounding their opponents.
