Opinion
3 min read

Rebels Set to Battle Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville Showdown

As the Ole Miss Rebels prepare to face off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Rebels have been on a tear recently, and their performance in past games suggests that they might just have what it takes to come out on top in this upcoming clash.


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

Looking back at the December 23rd game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Ole Miss showcased an offensive masterclass, putting up 89 points with a field goal percentage of 49 and an impressive three-point percentage of 58. Their defense wasn't too shabby either, amassing a total of 11 steals and limiting turnovers to just seven. This kind of performance is exactly what fans hope to see replicated when they take on their rivals.


The Rebels' game against Troy Trojans on December 20th further solidified their reputation as a formidable force. With another victory under their belt, they demonstrated tenacity on defense with eight blocks and an astounding 16 steals while maintaining offensive efficiency by scoring 74 points.


Feb 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Robert Allen (21) handles the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs guard/forward Cameron Matthews (4) and forward Will McNair Jr. (13) defends during the second half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Even when faced with tougher competition like the California Golden Bears on December 17th, Ole Miss stood strong. They managed to secure an impressive win by scoring heavily from beyond the arc—57 percent from three-point range—and showcasing depth in playmaking with a total of 21 assists.


MISS has shown time and again that they can maintain high-scoring games while keeping turnovers low—an essential strategy for winning tough matches. Their ability to score both inside the paint and from long-range makes them unpredictable and difficult for opponents like MSST to defend against.


Feb 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Jayveous McKinnis (0) shoots as Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Will McNair Jr. (13) defends during the first half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side of the court stands Mississippi State Bulldogs who will undoubtedly put up a fierce fight in front of their home crowd. However, given MISS's recent form—particularly their ability to convert opportunities into points off turnovers—the Bulldogs will need more than just home-court advantage.


With all eyes set on February 22nd at Humphrey Coliseum where tip-off is scheduled for prime time viewing at ESPN2 channel number 209; fans should expect nothing less than an electrifying encounter between these two teams vying for supremacy. It's going be one heck of a battle where only one team can emerge victorious—and if recent performances are anything go by—the Rebels have every reason feel confident about adding another win their record.

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