Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Hosts Alabama on Wednesday Night in Oxford

The Ole Miss men’s basketball team plays its first home game in nearly a month Wednesday night, hosting Alabama at 6 p.m. in the SJB Pavilion. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

Ole Miss enters the matchup with an 11-12 overall record and a 3-7 mark in Southeastern Conference play, under third-year head coach Chris Beard. Alabama, ranked 26th in the AP poll, sports a 16-7 record and sits sixth in the SEC standings with a 6-4 conference record. The Crimson Tide are led by head coach Nate Oats, now in his seventh season with Alabama.

The series between the two programs dates back to 1921, with Alabama holding a commanding 127-59 lead. Ole Miss has a slight edge in Oxford, winning 44 of 87 games played there. The teams last met Jan. 14, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, with Ole Miss winning 74-64. In that game, Malik Dia scored 23 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for the Rebels.

Alabama brings a potent offense into Oxford, ranking third nationally in points per game at 91.8. SEC scoring leader Labaron Philon averages 21.5 points per game, while Aden Holloway adds 17.1. The Tide are also strong on the boards and defensively, with Aiden Sherrell ranking second in the SEC with 2.5 blocks per game.

Ole Miss coach Chris Beard’s squad has shown improved ball security, averaging just 9.8 turnovers per game this season. The Rebels have played four straight road games, a stretch not seen since the 1978-79 season. They aim to continue their recent success and secure their first SEC victory at home since Jan. 10 against Missouri.

Source: Original Article