Ole Miss men’s basketball to face No. 15 Vanderbilt on the road
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Ole Miss men’s basketball team is set to play its next game on the road against No. 15 Vanderbilt on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium, with coverage on the SEC Network, according to the university’s athletic department.
Ole Miss, with an 11-9 overall record and a 3-4 mark in SEC play, will face a Vanderbilt team that sports an 18-3 record and a 5-3 conference record. The Rebels are led by third-year head coach Chris Beard, who has a 55-33 record at Ole Miss. Vanderbilt is coached by Mark Byington, in his second season with the Commodores, with a 38-16 record at Vanderbilt and a 14-year career total of 258-153.
The all-time series between the schools dates back to 1925, with Vanderbilt holding an 80-49 advantage. The Commodores have won their last meeting with Ole Miss, a 77-72 victory in Nashville on Feb. 22, 2025. The Rebels’ last win at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym was in 2019.
Vanderbilt enters this game ranked No. 15 in the Coaches Poll and No. 18 in the AP Poll. The team boasts notable victories over UCF, VCU, Saint Mary’s, SMU, Memphis, and Wake Forest. Four players average double figures in scoring, led by Tyler Tanner at 17.5 points per game. The team ranks among the nation’s best in several statistical categories, including points per game (89.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.85).
Ole Miss has been strong in limiting turnovers this season, averaging just 9.9 per game, which ranks 31st nationally. Senior guard AJ Storr has been a key contributor, averaging 21.6 points over the last five games, and played a critical role in recent SEC wins. The Rebels also showcased resilience in their recent game against Georgia, overcoming a five-point halftime deficit to win in overtime, with Storr scoring the game-winning basket in the extra period.
The team secured its first SEC victory of the season with a 76-69 win over Missouri on Jan. 10. In that game, Storr scored 26 points, and Malik Dia recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Rebels’ defense has been a strength, averaging 4.7 blocks per game, led by James Scott with 25 blocks this season.
Ole Miss is preparing for a challenging stretch in SEC play, with upcoming games against Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, and other top-ranked teams, as they aim to improve their conference standing.
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