The No. 23 Ole Miss men’s basketball team is gearing up to face the top-ranked team in the nation, No. 1 Auburn, on Saturday, February 1 at 1 p.m. at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi. The highly anticipated game will be televised on ESPN.
Team Facts:
– Ole Miss Rebels (Record: 16-5, 5-3 SEC)
– Head Coach: Chris Beard (2nd Season at Ole Miss, 36-17 record, 273-115 career record in 13th Season)
– Auburn Tigers (Record: 19-1, 7-0 SEC)
– Head Coach: Bruce Pearl (11th Season at Auburn, 219-120 record, 691-265 career record in 30th Season)
On the Air:
– Television/Online: ESPN
– Play-by-Play: Dave O’Brien
– Color: Cory Alexander
Ole Miss Radio:
– Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
– Play-by-Play: David Kellum
– Color: Marc Dukes
Tickets for the game are sold out through the Ole Miss Athletics ticket office. Fans can check SeatGeek, the official secondary marketplace of the Rebels, for other options. It is recommended that fans arrive early, as gates open at 11 a.m. for students and 11:30 for ticketed fans.
The Series History vs. Auburn:
This will mark the 148th meeting between Ole Miss and Auburn in men’s basketball. While Auburn leads the overall series 83-64, Ole Miss holds the advantage when playing in Oxford with a 43-26 record. The Rebels are seeking their first victory over Auburn since the 2020-21 season when they swept them in two games.
Scouting the Tigers:
Auburn, the top-ranked team in the nation, boasts an impressive 19-1 record overall and a perfect 7-0 record in SEC play. Led by standout player Johni Broome, Auburn has picked up significant wins over top-ranked teams, including No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, and No. 12 North Carolina. Broome averages 18.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, among the best in the SEC.
The Tigers rank first in the nation in blocks per game (7.0) and fourth in assist-turnover ratio (1.82). Head Coach Bruce Pearl has a stellar coaching record and has guided Auburn to multiple conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ole Miss Highlights:
– Ole Miss excels in defense, ranking third in the nation in turnover margin and fourth in turnovers forced per game.
– Head Coach Chris Beard’s emphasis on defense has been evident in Ole Miss’ performance this season.
– The Rebels have held opponents to 60 points or less in five games this season and have a strong defensive field goal percentage.
In the latest top-25 polls, Ole Miss is ranked No. 23 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Rebels have a challenging schedule ahead, with one of the toughest remaining strength of schedules in the nation.
Key Players:
– Senior guard Sean Pedulla has been a defensive force for Ole Miss, recording 47 steals this season.
– Junior forward Malik Dia has excelled in SEC play, scoring 17 or more points in four conference games.
– Seniors Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Brakefield have each surpassed the 1,000-point mark in their careers at Ole Miss and continue to make their mark on the program record books.
Looking Ahead:
Ole Miss is projected as a six seed in the Midwest Region in the latest bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. The Rebels face a tough road ahead but are determined to make a statement in the NCAA Tournament.
As the season progresses, Ole Miss continues to climb in the NET Rankings, currently sitting at No. 21 in the nation. The SEC as a whole is well-represented in the rankings, with 13 of the 16 programs ranked among the top 100.
Senior guard Matthew Murrell has been an ironman for Ole Miss, setting records for games played and minutes on the court. His leadership and performance on the court have been instrumental in the Rebels’ success this season.
The Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team is gearing up for a challenging matchup against Auburn and is prepared to showcase their talent and determination on the court. Fans can follow the latest news and updates on social media channels for the team.