Opinion
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Clash at The Pavilion: Ole Miss Rebels Host Mississippi State Bulldogs

As the Mississippi State Bulldogs prepare to face off against the Ole Miss Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a riveting encounter. The Rebels, coming off a string of impressive performances, look poised to continue their dominance on their home court.


Feb 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Dashawn Davis (10) drives to the basket as Mississippi Rebels guard Amaree Abram (1) defends during the first half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The recent form of the Ole Miss team has been nothing short of spectacular. In their last game on December 23 against Southern Miss Golden Eagles, they put up an astonishing 89 points with an outstanding three-point shooting percentage of 58 percent. Their offensive prowess was on full display as they capitalized on turnovers, scoring 26 points and demonstrating a solid assists-to-turnover ratio of 2.43.


Defensively, the Rebels have shown tenacity and skill. With a total of 11 steals in that game and limiting their personal fouls to just 19 while not allowing any player to foul out shows discipline and tactical awareness that will be crucial against the Bulldogs.


Feb 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Eric Reed Jr. (left), forward D.J. Jeffries (0) and Mississippi Rebels forward Robert Allen (21) battle for a rebound during the second half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Comparing this performance with another recent victory over Troy Trojans on December 20 where they scored 74 points and had an even more impressive defensive showing with 16 steals suggests that Ole Miss is in formidable shape both offensively and defensively.


The Bulldogs will certainly pose a challenge; however, if we consider how the Rebels performed against California Golden Bears back on December 17 — scoring an impressive total of 88 points — it's clear that when playing at home, this team knows how to turn up the heat. They shot over half from two-point range (50 percent) and were nearly as lethal from beyond the arc (57 percent), which could spell trouble for any visiting defense.


Feb 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Amaree Abram (1) walks off the court after being defeated by the Mississippi State Bulldogs at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

It's evident that if Mississippi State wants to stand a chance in Oxford, they'll need to bring their A-game defensively and find ways to disrupt Ole Miss' rhythm without getting into foul trouble themselves.


Looking ahead at what's in store for January 31st at The Pavilion — expect high energy play from both teams but particularly watch out for how well Ole Miss leverages its home-court advantage. With such strong recent performances buoying them forward, it would not be surprising if they manage another high-scoring affair filled with strategic defensive plays.


Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into SEC Network channel number is available nationally or join live at The Pavilion when tip-off commences promptly at 7:30 PM local time (8:30 PM ET).

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