No. 23 Ole Miss Hosts No. 1 Auburn in Historic SEC Showdown

OXFORD, Miss. – The No. 23 Ole Miss men’s basketball team will face its toughest challenge of the season as it hosts the No. 1 Auburn Tigers on Saturday, February 1, at 1 p.m. CT in the SJB Pavilion. The game, which is already sold out, will be televised on ESPN and marks a pivotal moment for the Rebels, who are seeking their first-ever victory over a top-ranked team.

Ole Miss (16-5, 5-3 SEC) enters the matchup with momentum after a 72-69 win over Texas, while Auburn (19-1, 7-0 SEC) rides a 12-game winning streak. The Tigers, led by preseason SEC Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, boast a dominant record against Quad 1 opponents (12-1) and lead the nation in blocks per game (7.0).

“It’s a great opportunity to play against the No. 1 ranked team in the country,” said Ole Miss assistant coach on Thursday’s RebTalk. “They’re really talented. Johni Broome is probably right now player of the year across the country. It’s not just him, it’s an entire team around him.”

Broome, who averages 18.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, is a force on both ends of the court. Auburn also features five players averaging double-digit scoring, including Chad Baker-Mazara (12.7 PPG) and Tahaad Pettiford (11.7 PPG). The Tigers’ depth and defensive prowess have made them the unanimous top-ranked team in the nation.

Ole Miss, meanwhile, has relied on its defense and ball control to stay competitive. The Rebels rank third in the NCAA in turnover margin (+6.6) and fourth in turnovers per game (9.3). Senior guard has been a standout defensively, averaging 2.24 steals per game and ranking 20th nationally in total steals.

This will be the 148th meeting between the two programs, with Auburn holding an 83-64 all-time series lead. However, Ole Miss has a 43-26 advantage when playing in Oxford. The Rebels last defeated Auburn during the 2020-21 season, but the Tigers have won the last six matchups, including a 91-77 victory in Oxford last February.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early, with gates opening at 11 a.m. for students and 11:30 a.m. for ticketed guests. The first 1,600 students will receive powder blue t-shirts as part of the “Stripe the Pavilion” initiative, which aims to create a sea of red and powder blue in the stands.

With both teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament, Saturday’s game could have significant implications for seeding. Auburn is currently the No. 1 overall seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology, while Ole Miss is projected as a No. 5 seed in the South Region.

“We always talk about it being an 18-round fight, and we just finished the eighth round,” said Ole Miss assistant coach. “Glad to get back on the winning side. I thought it was a real competitive game. Texas is really talented, but our guys really executed, especially late.”

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT, with coverage on ESPN and the Ole Miss Radio Network (Sirius XM 84).