Ole Miss to Open Season Against Alcorn State on Monday
Ole Miss is scheduled to begin its 2026-27 women’s basketball season Monday against Alcorn State in a Kids Day game at the SJB Pavilion. Tipoff is listed for 11 a.m. CT, with SEC Network+ carrying the game.
The Rebels, ranked No. 19 in one poll and No. 23 in another, enter the matchup with a 0-0 record. Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is beginning her ninth season at Ole Miss. Alcorn State also is 0-0, led by Nate Kilbert, who is in his seventh season as head coach.
Ole Miss holds a 19-1 advantage in the teams’ series, which began in 1980. Alcorn State won the first meeting, 70-66, and the Rebels have won the next 19. McPhee-McCuin is 5-0 against the Lady Braves, according to Ole Miss.
The Rebels’ 104-48 victory on Dec. 8, 2020, was their first 100-point game under McPhee-McCuin and the ninth-largest winning margin in program history, the school said. Ole Miss also said its 67.3% shooting performance against Alcorn State two seasons ago was the best field-goal percentage in program history.
Alcorn State is coming off a 17-14 season and a WNIT berth, according to the team information provided by Ole Miss. The Lady Braves were picked fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason poll and return nine players. Senior forward Lauren Nelson averaged 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds last season, while guard Chrishunti Walker averaged 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Ole Miss was picked seventh in the SEC preseason polls conducted by conference coaches and media. Guard Talaysia Cooper was named to the coaches’ preseason All-SEC first team and the media’s second team. Forward Richard was named to the coaches’ second team. Cooper also was named to watch lists for the 2027 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Year.
The Rebels have a 44-8 record in season openers and a 49-3 mark in home openers, according to the school. Ole Miss said it has won five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and five straight seasons with at least 20 victories.
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