Ole Miss basketball hit the road this weekend to take on No. 22 Missouri and suffered its third-straight loss in SEC play, falling 83-75 at Mizzou Arena.

Despite jumping out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, the Rebels couldn’t maintain it, falling behind 38-31 going into the intermission. After multiple rallies, Ole Miss never trailed by less than three points.

As a team, Ole Miss shot 47.4 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from three-point range, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. Sean Pedulla led the Rebels in scoring with 14, followed by Malik Dia with 11, and Jaemyn Brakefield with 10.

Missouri shot 44.7 percent from the floor, 43.5 percent from three-point range, and 64 percent from the free-throw line. Tamar Bates led the Tigers in scoring with 26 points followed by Caleb Grill with 18.

The Rebels were simply out-rebounded and out-shot from three-point range on Saturday night. Ole Miss was out-rebounded 11-4 on the offensive side, and were out-shot from three-point range by over 15%. While bad shooting nights happen, being out-rebounded can’t be overcome.

With this loss, the Rebels drop their third-straight game in SEC play, falling to 4-3 overall, tied for fifth alongside Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. The Rebels will have to bounce back in a big way this Wednesday against Texas if they want to regain some positive momentum that has been essentially lost over the last week.

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Two upstart SEC teams will look to continue its fine form on Saturday at the expense of the other. 

Both Ole Miss and Missouri have been much better than expectations this season, but in a loaded SEC, consistency is key. Who will show it on Saturday as both teams come off of losses, including the Rebels blowing a late lead at home to Texas A&M. 

Missouri is a small home favorite, will the team be able to take care of business? Here’s our betting preview. 

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 143.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Ole Miss

Sean Pedulla: The Virginia Tech transfer continues to be relied on for floor spacing, a 38% three-point shooter, but in the two straight losses, the Rebels offense is far too reliant on him. Pedulla has taken 21 shots from beyond the arc in the last two games, and while he has scored 34 points in those two, the Rebels offense needs to show more variety. 

Missouri

Mark Mitchell: The Duke transfer is off one of his worst games of SEC play against Texas, but will face an Ole Miss defense that has been vulnerable on the interior and on the glass. Mitchell is in good shape to get back on track at home following his seven-point effort against Texas.

I’ll side with the home favorite in this one on the heels of Ole Miss losing back-to-back tight games to Mississippi State (in overtime) and Texas A&M. 

This is due in large part to the looming regression for Ole Miss, who has held opponents to a staggering 24% from three-point range in SEC play. The Rebels no-middle defense is strong for SEC standards, also leading the league in turnover rate, but this is a physical Missouri offense that plays inside and out and does a good job of getting to the free throw line. 

Missouri is shooting over 40% from three-point range at home in SEC play, a team that thrives on its home court and may be the team that can hand the Rebels aggressive defense some much needed correction defending the perimeter. 

On the other end of the floor, look for the Tigers to do a good job of funneling the Rebels inside into contested shots on the interior as the team has been forced more and more into relying on its perimeter shooting. The Ole Miss offense is generating 37% of its points from the three-point line, second in SEC play, per KenPom, ranking last in points generated from free throws and 12th on two-point shots. 

I’ll back the home favorite to hand Ole Miss a third straight loss. 

PICK: Missouri -3.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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