In an all-important SEC matchup before the Big 12/SEC Challenge this weekend, Alabama and Ole Miss will face off in Oxford on Tuesday.
The Crimson Tide currently have the longest winning streak in the SEC, winning their last four contests by an average of 8.3 points per game, as well as their best win of the season over Auburn in Tuscaloosa by a 76-71 margin.
The last two games, however, have seen the Tide manage to win without their All-SEC point guard in Collin Sexton, who has been sidelined with an abdominal injury.
It is currently unknown whether or not he will play on Tuesday, but most signs point to him missing his third consecutive game against the Rebels.
Ole Miss has struggled as of late in losing three of its last four contests in conference play, albeit the last two being close losses on the road. The Rebels have been up and down this season, coming into this matchup with a 10-9 record, but are playing probably as well as they have all season.
Let’s look at the players to watch, the keys to victory, and a score prediction for Tuesday’s contest in Oxford.
Players to Watch
Daniel Giddens (Alabama)
Giddens has been starting in the place of Donta Hall (wrist injury) over the past few games, and he has been excellent for the Tide in the starting center role.
In Giddens’ last game out, he posted a career-high 13 points, as well as four rebounds (three offensive) and three blocks.
With Ole Miss having one of the smallest frontcourts in the SEC, it will be important for both Giddens and Hall to dominate the glass on both ends of the floor and score at a high rate around the basket.
If the big men for Alabama can run up a significant margin on the boards and limit the inside scoring for the Rebel guards, the Tide can provide a significant challenge for Ole Miss.
Terence Davis (Ole Miss)
One of the longest tenured Rebels on the roster, Davis has been the leader of the team this season as a junior.
His scoring punch has guided the Rebels throughout the season, and they’ll need to rely on him in this contest against the long wings of the Crimson Tide.
Davis exploded to tie his second-highest scoring output of his career against Arkansas, dropping 30 points against the Razorbacks in the four-point loss at Bud Walton Arena.
As the leader of the Rebels’ backcourt, Davis’ role will be to maintain a sense of calmness and control against the Tide’s aggressive defense.
How Alabama Can Win
Alabama needs to use its size and length to expose the rebounding woes of Ole Miss.
The Rebels rank dead last in the SEC in rebounding, and with the likes of Giddens, Hall, Alex Reese, and Galin Smith, as well as guard Dazon Ingram, the Tide need to own the glass on both sides of the court.
If the Tide can end Ole Miss possessions on one shot and create extra possessions for themselves, they have a great chance to go on the road and grab a decisive victory.
How Ole Miss Can Win
The Rebels need to have big performances from their deep backcourt in order to keep up with the Tide.
Ole Miss has five guards that can individually beat you scoring the basketball, but if the Rebels can put two or three of those guards together on offense and put up 70 to 80 points, they’ll have a great chance to pull out the win.
Prediction
The Crimson Tide and the Rebels both have their respective strengths and weaknesses, and the Pavilion will be electric for this one.
While Collin Sexton may not play in this contest, the Tide have played well enough without him to not cause too much concern on the offensive end.
The Tide should make enough defensive plays on the Ole Miss guards to sneak out a close victory on the road before a huge matchup with freshman point guard sensation Trae Young and Oklahoma on Saturday.
Prediction: Alabama 72, Ole Miss 65