After improving to 15-3 overall and 4-1 in the SEC following a dominant win over the Arkansas Razorbacks, Mizzou basketball jumped from unranked to No. 22 in the AP poll, marking their first Top 25 ranking in over two years.
The Tigers couldn't maintain their level of play in their next contest, suffering an upset loss to the Texas Longhorns. In that game, Mizzou struggled offensively, barely surpassing 50 points and finishing with just 53—their lowest total in a game this season by a significant margin.
In their first game as a ranked team this season, both sides of the ball fell well below Mizzou’s usual standards, leading to a severely disappointing performance that let down both the fans and the team itself.
Scoring struggles extended across the perimeter, inside, and even in the paint—a surprising downturn for a Mizzou team that has been among the NCAA’s best in that area this season.
It will be interesting to see how head coach Dennis Gates and the Tigers respond in their next game, which comes against a top SEC opponent this season, the Ole Miss Rebels.
The Rebels enter the matchup ranked No. 16 overall with a 15-4 record, including a 4-2 mark in SEC play, identical to Mizzou's record this season.
Their losses have come against strong competition, including No. 11 Purdue, No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 13 Texas A&M, and No. 24 Memphis, which defeated the Tigers in the season opener.
The Rebels also boast several impressive wins, including victories over top-ranked opponents No. 4 Alabama and No. 25 Louisville, along with strong performances against non-conference teams.
Ole Miss has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament in five seasons and has only made five appearances since the start of the century. In their last tournament appearance, they entered as a No. 8 seed but were eliminated in the first round with a 95-72 loss to No. 9 Oklahoma.
Head coach Chris Beard, who took over at the start of the 2023-24 season, has positioned the Rebels for their best record in over a decade.
In his first season last year, Chris Beard led the team to a 20-12 record, with seven of those losses coming in conference play. In contrast, under former head coach Kermit Davis, the Rebels failed to win more than 16 games in a season over four years and reached double-digit conference wins just once.
Coach Chris Beard, previously the head coach at Texas, Texas Tech, Little Rock, and other schools, has implemented a solid plan and positioned the program to be highly competitive within the SEC.
The last meeting between these teams marked the 16th of 18 consecutive SEC losses for the Tigers. Mizzou fell 84-78 after going cold from the field in the final minutes.
Ole Miss isn’t known for its offensive prowess, lacking prolific scorers and ranking No. 80 in offensive efficiency. In contrast, Mizzou ranks much higher at No. 10 on the same list.
The key player to watch offensively is guard Sean Pedulla, who is in his first season with the Rebels after posting impressive numbers during his three years at Virginia Tech.
While Sean Pedulla's numbers have dipped compared to the past two seasons, he still leads the team in scoring with an efficient 14 points per game on 43% shooting, including 39% from beyond the arc.
The senior, who stands just over 6 feet tall, often makes an even greater impact on defense than he does on offense.
The senior, who stands just over 6 feet tall, makes his presence felt on defense, arguably more than on offense. He leads Ole Miss with over two steals per game and contributes three assists and three rebounds per contest, showcasing his versatility as an all-around player determined to make an impact in every facet of the game.
Jaylen Murray, another undersized senior guard, relies on a shifty offensive style due to his 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame. While his size can be a disadvantage, he excels as a playmaker, averaging over four assists per game.
Complementing his passing ability, Jaylen Murray contributes 12 points per game and nearly two steals, shooting an efficient 43% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. Now in his second season with the Rebels, Murray previously spent two years playing for St. Peter's.
The team is highly efficient on offense but truly makes its presence felt on the defensive end.
While the Tigers boast a perfect 15-0 record on their home court this season, the Rebels present a serious challenge as Mizzou seeks a victory in the first of four consecutive matchups against top-25 ranked opponents.
While the Tigers maintain a flawless 15-0 record at home this season, the Rebels pose a significant challenge as Mizzou aims for a win in the first of four consecutive games against top-25 ranked opponents.