Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Advances to SEC Tournament Second Round

The Ole Miss men’s basketball team defeated Texas 76-66 in the first round of the SEC Tournament Wednesday night in Nashville. The Rebels advanced to face Georgia in the second round Thursday at 6 p.m. in Bridgestone Arena, with coverage on the SEC Network.

Ole Miss, with a 13-19 overall record and a 4-14 mark in SEC play, earned the victory behind a strong defensive effort and a season-high 50 points in the paint. The team committed just three turnovers, tying an SEC Tournament record, and forced 12 steals and six blocks.

The Rebels’ next opponent, Georgia, finished the regular season with a 22-9 record and a 10-8 conference mark. Georgia is seeded seventh in the SEC Tournament and is projected to earn a seven seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. The Bulldogs are led by Jeremiah Wilkinson, who averages 17.3 points per game, and All-SEC Defensive Team honoree Somto Cyril, who leads the conference with 74 blocks.

Ole Miss and Georgia have never faced each other in the SEC Tournament before. Their last meeting was a 97-95 overtime win for Ole Miss in Athens on Jan. 14, 2026. In that game, AJ Storr scored 27 points for the Rebels, while Georgia’s Jeremiah Wilkinson had 32.

Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard, in his third season, praised his team’s effort and resilience. The Rebels are known for their disciplined play, averaging just 9.6 turnovers per game this season, which ranks 22nd nationally. Senior guard AJ Storr has been a key contributor off the bench, averaging 17.9 points per game and posting seven 20-point performances in his last 18 games.

Freshman Patton Pinkins has been a standout, scoring a career-high 25 points in the SEC opener at Oklahoma and making crucial plays throughout the season, including game-winning shots. The Rebels will aim to continue their momentum against Georgia in the upcoming second-round matchup.

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