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Oxford Today
By the People, for the People
Ole Miss, Mississippi State Seek to End Slumps in Rivalry Matchup
Both teams have struggled recently and are outside the NCAA Tournament picture.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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In-state rivals Ole Miss and Mississippi State will face off on Saturday in Oxford, Mississippi, as both teams look to end their recent slumps. Ole Miss has lost six straight games, while Mississippi State has dropped eight of its last nine. Both teams are currently outside the top 80 of the NCAA's NET Rankings, making this a crucial game for their fading NCAA Tournament hopes.
Why it matters
This matchup between the two in-state rivals is important as both teams try to revive their seasons and keep their slim NCAA Tournament hopes alive. With both teams struggling, this game could have major implications for their postseason aspirations.
The details
Ole Miss has lost six consecutive games, with the last three losses coming by a combined 48 points. In their most recent game, they lost at home to Alabama 93-74, allowing the Crimson Tide to drain 17 3-pointers. AJ Storr scored 27 points off the bench for the Rebels, while Eduardo Klafke added 12 points and nine rebounds. Mississippi State has also faced its share of challenges, with four of its recent losses coming by 20 or more points. In their last game, they fell to Tennessee 73-64, though they did go on an 18-0 run to close the gap in the second half. Josh Hubbard led the Bulldogs with 31 points in the loss.
- Ole Miss has lost six consecutive games.
- Mississippi State has dropped eight of its last nine games.
The players
Chris Beard
The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels.
Chris Jans
The head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
AJ Storr
A player for the Ole Miss Rebels who scored 27 points off the bench in their most recent game.
Eduardo Klafke
A player for the Ole Miss Rebels who scored 12 points and had 9 rebounds in their most recent game.
Josh Hubbard
A veteran guard for the Mississippi State Bulldogs who scored 31 points in their most recent game.
What they’re saying
“Our defense not only didn't do a good job defending the three tonight, we couldn't force turnovers as well.”
— Chris Beard, Ole Miss Head Coach (statenews.net)
“This team continues to fight ... I appreciate how (the players) approached the tough times that we've gone through this season.”
— Chris Beard, Ole Miss Head Coach (statenews.net)
“We certainly have been inconsistent.”
— Chris Jans, Mississippi State Head Coach (statenews.net)
“It's got to be from the get-go. It's got to be all the time.”
— Chris Jans, Mississippi State Head Coach (statenews.net)
What’s next
The winner of this game will take a step towards reviving their NCAA Tournament hopes, while the loser will face an uphill battle to make the postseason.
The takeaway
This rivalry matchup between Ole Miss and Mississippi State has added significance this season, as both teams are struggling and need a win to keep their fading NCAA Tournament dreams alive. The game will likely come down to which team can find more consistency and make the necessary plays to end their recent slumps.
