SEC Rivals on a Collision Course: Mississippi State and Ole Miss Set for High-Stakes Showdown in Starkville
STARKVILLE - Two teams. One rivalry.
Identical records. And a whole lot to prove.
Mississippi State and Ole Miss both enter Thursday night’s matchup at Humphrey Coliseum sitting at 10-7 overall and 2-2 in SEC play. It’s a mirror image on paper, but the paths they’ve taken to get here - and the momentum they’re carrying - tell a more layered story.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network, and make no mistake: this one matters, not just for bragging rights, but for two programs trying to find their footing in a wide-open SEC.
Two Teams, One Turning Point
Let’s start with Ole Miss. After a sluggish start to conference play, the Rebels have picked up steam with back-to-back SEC wins, including a dramatic overtime victory at Georgia capped by a buzzer-beating putback. That kind of win can do more than just improve the record - it can galvanize a locker room.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, opened SEC play with promise, grabbing two early wins. But the Bulldogs have since hit a wall, dropping back-to-back games to Kentucky and Alabama in lopsided fashion. Those losses exposed some defensive cracks and a need for more offensive balance behind their star guard.
Familiar Faces, Familiar Frustrations
Ole Miss is also looking to flip the script when it comes to this rivalry. The Rebels fell to Mississippi State 84-81 last season in Starkville, and head coach Chris Beard carries a 1-3 record against the Bulldogs. That’s a number he’d like to even out - and this could be the moment to do it.
But Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans knows how to get his team up for this game. The Bulldogs have typically played tough at home, and a bounce-back performance in front of the Humphrey Coliseum crowd could be just what they need to steady the ship.
Stars to Watch: Hubbard vs. Storr
This game has the potential to turn into a guard-driven shootout, and all eyes will be on two high-octane scorers: Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard and Ole Miss’ AJ Storr.
Hubbard has been electric all season, averaging 22.8 points per game while adding 3.8 assists and shooting 35% from beyond the arc. He’s the engine that drives the Bulldogs’ offense, and if he gets rolling early, it could be a long night for the Rebels.
Storr, on the other hand, is heating up at just the right time. He’s coming off a two-game stretch where he’s averaged 26.5 points, showing the kind of shot-making and confidence that can shift the momentum of a game in a heartbeat. He’s also shooting a strong 39.3% from three this season, and that could spell trouble for a Mississippi State defense that ranks near the bottom of the SEC in opponent 3-point percentage (35.8%).
This matchup could come down to which of these two guards can impose their will - and who gets more help from their supporting cast.
X-Factors and Matchup Notes
For Mississippi State, the key will be finding a second scoring option to complement Hubbard. When teams have loaded up on him defensively, the Bulldogs have struggled to generate consistent offense. If someone like Cam Matthews or DJ Jeffries can step up, MSU has a good shot to hold serve at home.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, will look to exploit MSU’s perimeter defense. Shooters like Travis Perry - who went 4-for-7 from deep against Georgia - and Matthew Murrell could be in line for big nights if they get clean looks. The Rebels’ ball movement has improved in recent games, and if they can keep the Bulldogs in rotation, the 3s will be there.
Injury Watch
Mississippi State could be without Jamarion Davis-Fleming, who is listed as questionable. Ole Miss enters the game with a clean bill of health.
What’s Next?
Regardless of the outcome, both teams face tough tests ahead. Ole Miss has a brutal stretch coming up, with games against Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas on the horizon. Mississippi State’s upcoming schedule hasn’t been released in full, but with the SEC as competitive as it’s been in years, there won’t be many breathers.
Final Thought
This isn’t just another SEC game. It’s a rivalry matchup between two evenly matched teams, both trying to find consistency in a conference that punishes even the slightest misstep. With two dynamic guards, a history of close games, and postseason implications already starting to simmer, expect fireworks in Starkville.
Buckle up. This one should be fun.