Ole Miss Heads to Rupp Arena Looking for a Statement Win Against Kentucky
Two teams that danced into the Sweet 16 last March now find themselves fighting for footing in a crowded SEC landscape. Ole Miss (11-8, 3-3 SEC) travels to Lexington to take on Kentucky (13-6, 4-2 SEC) this Saturday in a matchup that feels more like a measuring stick than a marquee clash.
Tipoff is set for 10 a.m. CT on ESPN, moved up an hour earlier due to winter weather concerns.
Both squads are still searching for consistency in a season that hasn’t quite lived up to the promise of last year’s postseason runs. Neither team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament at this point. Kentucky, under first-year head coach Mark Pope, is currently projected as a No. 8 seed, while Chris Beard’s Rebels are on the outside looking in.
Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing 78-66 home loss to Auburn, a game that snapped a three-game win streak and exposed some glaring issues - particularly on the glass and in the paint. Kentucky, meanwhile, heads into this game with some momentum after a gritty 85-80 road win at Texas.
So what do we need to watch for in this SEC showdown?
Physicality Is the Name of the Game for Ole Miss
Chris Beard didn’t mince words after the Auburn loss. He called out his team’s lack of physicality, and the numbers backed him up. The Rebels were out-rebounded 42-26 and outscored 38-14 in the paint - a recipe for disaster in SEC play.
Expect Beard to look for solutions that bring more toughness to the floor. One option?
Freshman guard Zach Day. He came in late against Auburn and gave the Rebels a jolt of energy and aggression.
Beard admitted postgame that he should’ve gone to Day earlier, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the freshman get more minutes against Kentucky.
The Wildcats aren’t exactly dominant on the boards themselves - they rank 10th in the SEC in rebounding at 37.9 per game - so there’s an opportunity here for Ole Miss to make up ground. But it’ll take a more assertive effort in the paint and on the glass.
Defense Should Set the Tone
Don’t expect a shootout in this one. Both teams hang their hats on defense, and the numbers reflect that.
Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC in scoring defense (71.2 points allowed per game), while Kentucky is right ahead at No. 2 (70.7).
Kentucky has only allowed more than 80 points once in SEC play - an 89-74 loss at Alabama - and they’ve been particularly stingy at home. For Ole Miss, the defensive focus will center on 7-foot freshman Malachi Moreno.
He’s not the most-used player on the roster, but he’s been quietly efficient, leading Kentucky in field goal percentage at 61.2% and ranking fourth in minutes played. If the Rebels can keep him in check around the rim, they’ll have a shot to slow down the Wildcats’ interior scoring.
Can Travis Perry Stay Hot From Deep?
If Ole Miss is going to pull off the upset, they’ll need to hit shots - especially from beyond the arc. That starts with Travis Perry.
The Kentucky transfer had been in a slump to start the season but found his rhythm in a big way against Auburn, going 5-for-8 from three and finishing with 15 points. If Perry can carry that momentum into Rupp Arena, it could give the Rebels a much-needed scoring punch.
Kentucky has its own perimeter weapons, though. Four Wildcats are shooting 38% or better from deep, led by guard Collin Chandler, who’s hitting at a 41% clip (34-for-82). In a game where points could be hard to come by in the paint, the three-point line could be the great equalizer.
Prediction: Kentucky 75, Ole Miss 68
This one has all the makings of a physical, grind-it-out SEC battle. But Kentucky has the edge in depth, shooting, and - not to be overlooked - home-court advantage. Rupp Arena leads the SEC in attendance for a reason, and that crowd could be a factor, especially if Ole Miss struggles early.
If the Rebels can match Kentucky’s physicality and get another strong showing from Perry, they’ll be in it. But right now, Kentucky looks just a bit more balanced - and a bit more battle-tested - in the key moments.
Expect the Wildcats to pull away late and hold serve at home.