Mississippi
Who wins Ole Miss vs Mississippi State rivalry basketball game? Our prediction
The first game between Ole Miss basketball and Mississippi State last season was the first time that both teams were ranked in the Top 25 for a matchup.
The Bulldogs and Rebels are in a different situation entering their first meeting of the 2025-26 season on Jan. 17 (7:30 p.m., SEC Network) at Humphrey Coliseum.
Ole Miss (10-7, 2-2 SEC) and MSU (10-7, 2-2) both got off to slow starts this season. Neither team has been ranked. They need really good SEC seasons to reach the NCAA tournament as an at-large bid.
Here are our score predictions and what else to know for the game.
Where Ole Miss, Mississippi State stand before rivalry game
The Rebels enter the game perhaps playing their best basketball of the season. They’ve won two straight SEC games, while the Bulldogs have lost their last two games.
Ole Miss beat Missouri at SJB Pavilion on Jan. 10 then upset No. 22 Georgia on the road on Jan. 14. Freshman guard Patton Pinkins won the game on a buzzer-beating putback in overtime for the Rebels’ first win against a ranked opponent this season.
MSU lost 92-68 at Kentucky on Jan. 10, its 20th consecutive regular season loss to Kentucky, and 97-82 against No. 18 Alabama on Jan. 13, its ninth straight loss to the Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs held double-digit leads in the first half of both of those games.
Josh Hubbard vs AJ Storr is matchup to watch
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State could have an intriguing guard battle.
Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard, a former Ole Miss signee, leads the SEC with 22.8 points per game. He has three 30-point games this season and five consecutive games with at least 20 points.
Ole Miss’ AJ Storr, a Kansas transfer, is second on the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game behind forward Malik Dia. But Storr has scored 26 and 27 points in Ole Miss’ last two games despite coach Chris Beard moving him to the bench.
Chris Jans has advantage over Chris Beard so far
Mississippi State coach Chris Jans has fared well against Ole Miss. He’s 5-1 against the Rebels with three straight wins.
Ole Miss coach Chris Beard is 1-3 against Mississippi State.
None of the games in the last three seasons has been decided by more than 12 points. MSU was up by 19 in the second half of last season’s game at Ole Miss before winning 81-71. Two of the games have gone to overtime.
Jayden Epps, Jamarion Davis-Fleming injuries for Mississippi State
MSU starting guard Jayden Epps exited the Alabama game in the second half after rolling his right ankle and did not return. Backup forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming also exited with an unspecified injury and didn’t return.
Jans did not have an update on their statuses after the game.
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State score predictions
- Sam Hutchens: Ole Miss 80, Mississippi State 75: Ole Miss has found a groove after starting SEC play 0-2. The Rebels will do well to exploit MSU’s 3-point defense. The Bulldogs allow their opponents to shoot 35.8% from deep, which is No. 15 in the SEC. Look for sharpshooters Travis Perry (4-for-7 on 3-pointers vs. Georgia) and Pinkins (3-for-3) to stay hot.
- Sam Sklar: Mississippi State 74, Ole Miss 70: Despite the two recent losses, MSU has still played better over the last month than it was before. Jans will find a way to beat Ole Miss again, as long as another player besides Hubbard can step up as a second scoring option.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells.
“We we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on or near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward, especially if they saw Wells, spoke with him, heard or saw any type of disturbance or have original photos or videos from the island.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division at 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours.
This is a developing story. Check back as we continue to update this story.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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