Today : Feb 01, 2025
Sports
01 February 2025

Rebels Face No. 1 Auburn In Key Showdown

No. 23 Ole Miss aims for first victory over Tigers since 2020-21 season

OXFORD, Miss. – The excitement is palpable as the No. 23 Ole Miss men's basketball team prepares to host the top-ranked team in the nation, No. 1 Auburn, at the SJB Pavilion this Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. This contest, set to be televised on ESPN, promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Rebels look to add some much-needed top-tier credentials to their season.

The backdrop of this face-off features Ole Miss holding a record of 16-5 and 5-3 within the Southeastern Conference (SEC), under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Beard, who is now in his second season with the squad, boasting a career record of 273-115. Auburn, on the other hand, rolls in with an impressive 19-1 record, managing to remain undefeated at 7-0 within conference play, coached by Bruce Pearl, who has accumulated 691 wins across his 30 years of coaching experience.

This matchup marks the 148th meeting between the two storied programs, dating back to their first matchup in 1928 when Ole Miss emerged victorious with a close 43-42 game. Historically, Auburn leads the series with 83 wins to Ole Miss's 64. Nevertheless, the Rebels fare slightly favorably when playing on their home court, holding the record at 43-26.

Ole Miss is on the hunt for redemption, having lost the last six meetings against Auburn since they swept the series during the 2020-21 season. Their last encounter on February 3, 2024, saw Ole Miss squandering a 44-35 halftime lead, where they outshot Auburn 51.5% to 38.2% initially. A second-half surge by the Tigers, shooting 73.3% from the floor, allowed them to retake control and win the game 91-77.

Leading the charge for Auburn is Johni Broome, who is averaging 18.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, ranking second and first, respectively, within the SEC. Broome is not just dominating on the scoreboard but also showcasing his defensive prowess with 2.8 blocks per game, which sits fifth nationally. Assisting him are key players like Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford, both of whom average double digits.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss has been consistent on both ends of the court, particularly with their defense. They rank third nationally with a turnover margin of +6.6 and have managed to hold opponents to just 66.3 points per game, showcasing the team's capacity to contain scoring threats. Sean Pedulla has been instrumental on defense, averaging 2.24 steals per game and consistently pressuring opposing offenses.

The Rebels' defensive strategy is something Coach Beard has instilled with emphasis this season, which has paid off significantly. The Ole Miss coaching staff will check off multiple factors from the scouting reports, aiming to disrupt Auburn’s high-efficiency scoring game, which has been evident throughout their remarkable season.

The excited fanbase will be out in full force this Saturday, with tickets reportedly sold out through the Ole Miss Athletics ticket office. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to catch all the action, as gates will open at 11:00 AM for students and 11:30 AM for general ticket holders. For those wanting to support the team visually, the "Stripe the Pavilion" initiative is underway, with fans encouraged to don red and powder blue.

Ole Miss’ strongest point this season has been their ability to force turnovers, ranking third nationally by averaging 9.9 steals per game. They’ve also shown impressive adaptability across SEC games, being able to hold their ground against some of the strongest teams. Since jumping out to a hot start against formidable opponents, the Rebels appear battle-tested and ready for this highly anticipated showdown.

This game is positioning itself as more than just another regular-season challenge; it’s presenting itself as a statement moment for Ole Miss. A victory would not just mark their resurgence against Auburn but also strengthen their NCAA Tournament positioning. Biden and Lunardi from ESPN predict them to be around the sixth seed as they eye the postseason.

With all of these elements at play – impressive records, standout player performances, and the competitive rivalry history – this matchup between Ole Miss and Auburn is gearing up to be one of the highlights of the college basketball season. This Saturday, fans at the Pavilion and viewers tuning in from home are set for what promises to be a memorable game.