Mississippi State Bulldogs Face Ole Miss Rebels in High-Stakes SEC Showdown

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels clashed in a high-stakes SEC basketball matchup Saturday evening at Humphrey Coliseum, with both teams ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in their rivalry history. The Bulldogs, seeking redemption after two consecutive losses, faced off against the surging Rebels, who entered the game with a 15-2 record and a four-game SEC winning streak.

Mississippi State (14-3) came out strong, building an early 37-29 lead. The Bulldogs, averaging 82.8 points per game this season, aimed to rebound from a tough 88-66 loss to Auburn earlier in the week. Despite the defeat, standout performances from players like Josh Hubbard, who scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds, provided a glimmer of hope for the team.

Ole Miss, on the other hand, arrived with momentum after a 74-64 victory over Alabama. Malik Dia led the charge with a career-high 23 points and 19 rebounds, including four offensive boards. The Rebels have won nine of their last ten games, showcasing their dominance in the conference.

Both teams boast high-powered offenses, with Mississippi State averaging 82.8 points per game and Ole Miss close behind at 78.7. The game’s over/under was set at 146.5 points, reflecting the expectation of a high-scoring contest. Mississippi State entered as a 6-point favorite, with a 6-3 record against the spread in their last nine matchups against Ole Miss.

This matchup marked a historic moment for the rivalry, as both programs were simultaneously ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time. The Rebels, ranked No. 21, aimed to continue their best conference start since 2013, while the No. 15 Bulldogs sought to regain their footing after recent setbacks.

Tipoff was scheduled for 5 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on ESPN2. Fans eagerly anticipated a thrilling contest between two of the SEC’s top teams, with playoff implications on the line.