SEC Flips Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss Basketball Game to Nashville

Winter Storm Fern forces schedule change for SEC matchup

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:47pm

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The Southeastern Conference has announced that the scheduled men's basketball game between No. 18 Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, originally set to take place in Oxford, Mississippi on January 31, will now be played at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on the same date. This change is due to the impact of Winter Storm Fern, which has caused power outages, hazardous road conditions, and school closures in the Oxford area.

Why it matters

The last-minute schedule change highlights the challenges that winter weather can pose for college sports programs and the need for flexibility in scheduling to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. It also showcases the SEC's ability to quickly adapt and ensure that marquee matchups can still take place despite logistical hurdles.

The details

The SEC announced that the Vanderbilt-Ole Miss game scheduled for March 4 in Nashville will now be played in Oxford instead. All tickets purchased for the original March 4 game in Nashville will be valid for the January 31 game. Fans can purchase additional tickets through the Vanderbilt athletics website.

  • The game was originally scheduled for January 31 in Oxford.
  • The game will now be played on January 31 in Nashville.

The players

Vanderbilt Commodores

The men's basketball team from Vanderbilt University, currently ranked #18 in the nation.

Ole Miss Rebels

The men's basketball team from the University of Mississippi, a conference rival of Vanderbilt.

Tyler Tanner

The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team.

Mark Byington

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team.

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What’s next

The SEC will monitor the situation in Oxford and determine if any additional schedule changes are necessary for the March 4 matchup between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss.

The takeaway

This last-minute schedule change highlights the importance of contingency planning and adaptability in college sports, as programs must be prepared to quickly adjust to unforeseen circumstances like severe winter weather in order to ensure marquee matchups can still take place.