Ole Miss men’s basketball faces Arkansas in SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Ole Miss men’s basketball team continues its postseason run by facing Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Bridgestone Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, with Ole Miss aiming for a fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.

The Rebels (15-19, 4-14 SEC) advanced after upsetting No. 2 seed Alabama 80-79 in the quarterfinals. Ole Miss also defeated Georgia and Texas in previous rounds, marking just the second time in school history that the team has won three games at the SEC Tournament. The team remains undefeated in Nashville during this year’s event, not trailing in any game.

Ole Miss is set to face Arkansas (24-8, 13-5 SEC), the No. 3 seed and 15th-ranked team nationally. The Razorbacks are led by head coach John Calipari, in his second season at Arkansas. The teams have a long history, with 89 meetings since 1937, and Arkansas leading the series 53-36. The last meeting was in January, with Arkansas winning 94-87 in Oxford.

Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard has led the team to three SEC Tournament wins during his tenure, including last year’s victory over Alabama. The Rebels are known for their disciplined play, averaging 9.7 turnovers per game this season, second-best in the SEC. Freshman guard Patton Pinkins has been a standout, scoring a career-high 25 points in the opener and hitting crucial game-winning shots during the season.

The team’s defensive efforts continue to be a strength, with an average of 4.3 blocks per game. Senior Malik Dia has matched his career double-double total this season, adding to the team’s balanced effort. Ole Miss also recently signed two top recruits for the 2026 class, signaling a promising future for the program.

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