Mississippi forward Sebastian Saiz blocks during a game last week. (File Photo | Ariel Cobbert)
Tonight’s basketball matchup against Georgia (17-9, 8-6 SEC) instantly becomes the most important game of the season for Ole Miss (19-8, 10-4 SEC). The Bulldogs enter this matchup ranked 37 in the RPI rankings, while they trail the Rebels, who stand at 32.
Entering tonight, ESPN “Bracketoligst” Joe Lunardi has Ole Miss as a 7 seed and Georgia as a 9 seed. This ranking could easily switch if the Rebels lay an egg against Georgia. Considering the magnitude of this game, neither team can afford to drop this game.
However, there is extra motivation for Ole Miss, who led by as many as eight points in their 69-64 loss to Georgia in Athens on Jan. 20. Since then, we’ve seen a brand new Ole Miss team as they come into this matchup winning eight of their last nine SEC games for the first time since 1937-1938.
Meanwhile, Georgia has been struggling, losing two out of their last three SEC games, including losses to bad Auburn and South Carolina clubs. With a future game against Kentucky slated on the schedule in March, Georgia must win tonight’s game to avoid dropping two more conference games.
The key statistic for Ole Miss in this game will be rebounds, as the Rebels have lost the boards battle in the last two games. Winning tonight’s game is crucial as Ole Miss and Georgia could be tied in the SEC standings if they end up with the same record once the season ends. If you’re an Ole Miss fan, you would have to be pleased if they split this week’s games between Georgia and LSU considering how hungry the Bulldogs will be tonight and the Tigers on Saturday.
Impact Player Ole Miss – Terence Smith
Senior wing Terence Smith has been caught in a little bit of a slump as of late. Smith averages just over 16 minutes per game and has been a consistent rotation player for the Rebels, yet he’s not doing much with those minutes. Smith hasn’t scored in double-figures since a home win over Florida back on Jan. 24. Sometimes he hesitates to shoot when the Rebels need him the most. It would be nice to see the senior step up and have a big game because you know that teams will be eyeing on junior shooting guard Stefan Moody, who just won his second SEC Player of the Week award.
Impact Player Georgia – Marcus Thornton
In this first meeting between the two teams, senior power forward Marcus Thornton gave Ole Miss all they can handle, scoring 16 points for the Bulldogs. On the season, he averages seven boards per game, and with the recent rebounding struggles by Ole Miss, expect Thornton to be all over the glass. This is a talented big that can score in a variety of ways. Thornton won’t take a lot of shots, but he will be efficient from the field. Ole Miss better be ready to throw multiple guys at him as he will be a huge threat to Georgia’s offense tonight.
Tip Off: 8:00 p.m. C.T.
Where: Tad Smith Coliseum
TV: SEC Network
