Kentucky Looks to Extend Rupp Arena Dominance Over Ole Miss in SEC Clash
It’s been 26 years-yes, 26-since Ole Miss walked out of Rupp Arena with a win. That was back in February of 1998, when the No.
18 Rebels stunned No. 7 Kentucky in a ranked showdown.
Since then, Lexington has been a house of horrors for Ole Miss. Kentucky has rattled off 13 straight home wins in the series and holds a commanding 57-2 all-time record against the Rebels at Rupp.
The Wildcats' dominance in this matchup isn’t just about home-court advantage, either. They lead the all-time series 111-15 and have taken 26 of the last 31 meetings since the turn of the millennium. But despite the lopsided history, Ole Miss comes into today’s game with one important reminder: they won the last time these two teams faced off.
That 98-84 win in Oxford last season wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. Ole Miss controlled the game from the jump, even with Kentucky big man Amari Williams putting up one of the rarest stat lines in program history-a triple-double, just the fourth ever for a Wildcat. That performance wasn’t enough to save Kentucky on the road, but it did highlight the kind of frontcourt versatility they’ve leaned on this season.
Fast forward to today, and the stakes are different. Kentucky enters the game at 13-6 overall and 4-2 in SEC play, trending upward in NCAA Tournament projections.
Ole Miss, at 11-8 and 3-3 in the conference, is still looking for a resume-boosting win. The Rebels are just 2-7 in Quad 1 and 2 games this season, and today’s matchup at Rupp is a Quad 1 opportunity for them.
For Kentucky, it’s a Quad 3 game-one they can't afford to let slip.
Tipoff Time Change Due to Winter Storm Fern
Originally scheduled for noon, today’s tipoff was bumped up to 11 a.m. due to Winter Storm Fern. So if you’re tuning in, make sure you’ve got your coffee ready early-this one starts before lunch.
Scouting the Rebels
Chris Beard’s squad brings a familiar identity to Lexington: gritty defense and careful ball control. Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing just over 71 points per game. They also take care of the ball, averaging under 10 turnovers per contest-tied for third fewest in the league.
But it’s on the offensive end where the Rebels struggle to keep pace. They’re last in the SEC in scoring at 75.5 points per game and near the bottom in field goal percentage (44.7%).
Only Mississippi State shoots it worse. That lack of offensive firepower could be a serious problem against a Kentucky team that, even while tinkering with its rotation, can score in bunches.
Kentucky’s X-Factor: Malachi Moreno
With Kam Williams sidelined after breaking his foot, Kentucky has had to shuffle its lineup again. That’s opened the door for freshman center Malachi Moreno to step into a larger role-and he’s responded with poise and playmaking. In two of the last four games, the big man from Georgetown has dished out six assists, showing flashes of the versatility that made Amari Williams so valuable.
Today, Moreno is expected to flirt with a triple-double of his own. Don’t be surprised if he ends up just shy in all three categories-nine points, nine rebounds, nine assists. Even if he doesn’t hit the mark, his ability to impact the game across the board could be a difference-maker.
Prediction: Kentucky 76, Ole Miss 65
This feels like a game where Kentucky’s firepower eventually wears down a defensively sound but offensively limited Ole Miss team. The Rebels have the defensive chops to keep it close for a while, but they simply don’t score enough to pull off the upset-especially not at Rupp, where history is firmly on the Wildcats’ side.
Kentucky’s depth and size should carry the day, and if Moreno continues to grow into his expanded role, the Wildcats could be even more dangerous down the stretch of SEC play.
What’s Next
After today’s early tip, Kentucky hits the road for a Saturday night matchup at Vanderbilt. Ole Miss, meanwhile, will try to regroup and keep their postseason hopes alive with a critical stretch of conference games ahead.
But first, all eyes are on Rupp Arena. History says Kentucky should handle business. Ole Miss will try to write a new chapter.