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No. 24 Vanderbilt Looks to Regroup at Ole Miss After Tough Stretch
Commodores aim to bounce back from recent defensive struggles against struggling Rebels
Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:15pm
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No. 24 Vanderbilt, currently projected as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, has had a rocky stretch over the past two months after a torrid start to the season. The Commodores look to regroup on the road against Ole Miss, who is fighting to keep its slim tournament hopes alive.
Why it matters
Vanderbilt is still firmly in the NCAA Tournament field, but its recent defensive struggles have raised concerns about its ability to make a deep run in March. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is desperate for a signature win to bolster its tournament resume, making this a crucial game for both teams' postseason aspirations.
The details
Vanderbilt is coming off a 91-77 loss at Kentucky in which the Wildcats shot 58.8% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. The Commodores' leading rebounder, Devin McGlockton, was held scoreless and fouled out in that game. However, Vanderbilt is still ranked 18th in the NCAA NET rankings and 19th in Wins Above Bubble. Ole Miss, on the other hand, snapped a 10-game losing streak with an 85-79 win at Auburn in its last game, led by career-high 26-point performances from freshman Patton Pinkins and AJ Storr.
- Vanderbilt and Ole Miss first met on January 31 in Nashville, with the Commodores winning 71-68.
- This rematch will take place on Tuesday, March 3 in Oxford, Mississippi.
The players
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Devin McGlockton
Vanderbilt's starting forward and leading rebounder.
Tyler Tanner
Vanderbilt's leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game.
Patton Pinkins
Ole Miss freshman who scored a career-high 26 points in the Rebels' last game.
AJ Storr
Ole Miss's leading scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game.
What they’re saying
“A lot of times, it wasn't just our defense. Sometimes it was dumb offense and that hurt our defense. Bad shots or turned them all over. And this place (Rupp Arena) gets loud when you do that.”
— Mark Byington, Vanderbilt head coach
“Obviously a good win for us in a year filled with a lot of adversity. Not too many high points the last couple months. Just proud of our guys. A lot of respect for the Auburn program, so to beat a team like this, this time of year, I think speaks really highly of our players.”
— Chris Beard, Ole Miss head coach
What’s next
The winner of this game will have momentum heading into the SEC Tournament, which begins in two weeks. A strong performance could help solidify Vanderbilt's NCAA Tournament seeding, while a win would be a much-needed boost for Ole Miss's postseason hopes.
The takeaway
This game represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to build positive momentum heading into the postseason. Vanderbilt is looking to shore up its defensive issues, while Ole Miss is desperate for a signature win to keep its NCAA Tournament dreams alive. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for both teams' March Madness aspirations.
