The college basketball season has taken a disappointing turn for Mississippi State, and as they prepare to face Ole Miss on Saturday night in Oxford, the Bulldogs are feeling the urgency to alter their course. Both teams are teetering on the edge of missing out on the NCAA Tournament, but Mississippi State finds itself with slightly more to gain from a win, which would invigorate their hopes for a postseason berth. Conversely, a loss would likely consign them to competing for pride come SEC Tournament time.
After beginning the season with a promising 2-0 record, Mississippi State has faltered, losing eight of their last nine SEC games. Ole Miss similarly struggles, having dropped six consecutive games since narrowly defeating the Bulldogs by a single point in Starkville. Notably, Saturday’s matchup presents an opportunity for one of these teams to finally end their losing streak.
The Bulldogs’ challenges have been persistent, marked by scoring droughts and unreliable shooting. Heading into this crucial game, they sit at the bottom of the SEC in field-goal percentage and three-point shooting, making each offensive possession feel tense and critical. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has managed to remain competitive through solid defense, allowing opponents only 42 percent shooting. Mississippi State must work to create better scoring opportunities and avoid lengthy scoring lulls against the Rebels’ staunch defense.
Though the Bulldogs average slightly more points per game than Ole Miss, both teams find themselves among the least prolific scorers in the league, setting the stage for a tightly contested rivalry game rather than an offensive showcase. The stakes are high; Mississippi State is desperate for a victory to prevent their season from unraveling, while Ole Miss seeks to halt their downward spiral.
Fans are eager to watch this critical matchup, which will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Mississippi State leads the all-time series 152-121, with the most recent meeting resulting in a narrow victory for Ole Miss, who triumphed 68-67 on January 14, 2026. Both teams enter this showdown looking for redemption and the hope that victory could spark a resurgence in their seasons.
Mississippi State’s top performers include Josh Hubbard, who averages 21.0 points per game and leads in assists, while Achor Achor contributes 6.7 rebounds per game. On the other hand, Ole Miss is led by AJ Storr, with an average of 14.3 points per game, and Malik Dia, who pulls down 6.0 rebounds per game.
As these two rival schools gear up for what promises to be a hard-fought battle, both teams are determined to secure a much-needed win. The outcome could serve as a turning point, providing renewed hope for the season ahead.