Ole Miss Women's Basketball Remains on NCAA Tournament Bubble

Rebels drop to 5-seed in latest 'Bracketology' but still in position to host first and second round games

Feb. 24, 2026 at 2:55pm

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Despite going 1-3 in a grueling week of four games against ranked opponents, the Ole Miss women's basketball team remains on the bubble to earn a host seed in next month's NCAA Tournament. ESPN's 'Bracketology' has the Rebels as a 5-seed in the Sacramento region, potentially facing 12-seed Miami (Ohio) in the first round with a matchup against 4-seed and host Ohio State in the second round.

Why it matters

Ole Miss has a chance to secure a host seed and first/second round games at home, which would be a major boost for the program. However, the Rebels will need to finish the regular season strong and make a deep run in the SEC Tournament to solidify their NCAA Tournament positioning.

The details

The Rebels went 1-3 last week, including losses to No. 7 LSU and No. 3 South Carolina. This caused them to drop a spot to a 5-seed in ESPN's latest 'Bracketology' update. But Ole Miss is still on the bubble for a host seed, which would mean first and second round games at home. The Rebels are currently the 6-seed for the SEC Tournament, and will have a bye until the second round on March 5.

  • Ole Miss completed a grueling week of four games in seven days on Sunday, February 26.
  • ESPN's latest 'Bracketology' update was released on Tuesday, February 28.
  • Ole Miss has two regular season games remaining, against Florida on Thursday, March 2 and Texas A&M on Sunday, March 5.
  • The SEC Tournament begins on March 1 and runs through March 5.

The players

Yolett McPhee-McCuin

Head coach of the Ole Miss women's basketball team.

Cotie McMahon

Ole Miss player who transferred from Ohio State last offseason.

Charlie Creme

ESPN women's basketball bracketologist.

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What they’re saying

“The brand of basketball we've been playing, like, you cannot take us lightly.”

— Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Head Coach (on3.com)

“If we get to host, great. We know what that feels like. If we got to go on the road, we done beat Oklahoma on the road. We beat (Vanderbilt) on the road. Like, we've won games on the road. So, it's nothing for us. We'll be ready to make a deep run.”

— Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

Ole Miss will look to secure wins in its final two regular season games against Florida and Texas A&M to improve its NCAA Tournament seeding. The Rebels will then turn their attention to the SEC Tournament, where they have a bye until the second round on March 5.

The takeaway

Despite a tough week, Ole Miss remains in position to host first and second round NCAA Tournament games, which would be a major accomplishment for the program. The Rebels have proven they can win on the road, and will be ready to make a deep postseason run if they can finish the regular season strong.