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Ole Miss

Ole Miss at Auburn: How to watch, start time, TV channel, spread

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett02/26/25SpiritBen
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Chris Beard and Bruce Pearl (Photo credit: USA Today Images)

Ole Miss basketball for the first time in 14 weeks isn’t ranked in the AP Top 25. 

The streak was the longest for the Rebels since 1997-98 — one of just nine seasons with an NCAA Tournament berth in the program’s 100-plus-year history.

The Rebels (19-8, 8-6 SEC) are all but a lock to get back for the first time in six years. They’re ranked No. 24 in the NET this week despite back-to-back SEC losses and current projected as the 7-seed with a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament in just over two weeks.

But their seeding is taking a hit. Ole Miss was in the 4-seed conversation just two weeks ago. The Rebels have dropped to a 7-seed in the latest bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Up next is one of their toughest tests to date. Ole Miss is at top-ranked Auburn Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT. Last the Rebels were in the state of Alabama they came away with their first-ever road win over a Top 5 opponent.

HOW TO WATCH

Television/Online: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Karl Ravech
Analyst: Jimmy Dykes

HOW TO LISTEN

Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Analyst: Marc Dukes

SERIES HISTORY

Wednesday is the 149th all-time meeting between Ole Miss and Auburn. The teams first faced off in 1928 — a 43-42 Rebel win.

Auburn holds an 84-64 series advantage, including a 56-17 at home. The Tigers have won seven in a row over the Rebels, whose last win are in 2020-21. Ole Miss swept both games that year. 

Auburn left Oxford with a 10-point win three weeks ago.

GAME SPREAD

Auburn is a -12.5-point favorite over Ole Miss, according to ESPN Bet. 

Money Line: Ole Miss +550 | Auburn -900
Over/Under: 153.5

SCOUTING AUBURN

Auburn is 25-2 (13-1) on the year. The only red marks on the Tigers’ resume are losses to a pair of Top 10 teams in Duke and Florida.

They had ranked wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina and Purdue during their non-conference schedule. Also included was a win over Memphis. The Tigers were responsible for the Rebels’ worst out-of-league loss.

Auburn not only sits atop the AP and Coaches polls. The Tigers are No. 1 in the NET, too. They’ve held the post since December 10.

Fifth-year forward Johni Broome was a preseason candidate for SEC Player of the Year and NCAA All-American. He’s third in the SEC with an Auburn-best 18.6 points per game. His 11.1 rebounds per game lead the SEC, as do his 2.6 blocks. He’s No. 1 in the SEC and No. 5 in the nation in double-doubles (17).

Auburn is the sixth-highest-scoring offense in college basketball. Six players are averaging double-digit points. Broome is joined by Chad Baker-Mazara (12.4), Tahaad Pettiford (11.0), Denver Jones (10.9), Miles Kelly (10.8) and Chaney Johnson (10.3).

Auburn is also Top 10 nationally in blocks per game (6.5, second), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.83, third), turnovers (9.1, fifth) and scoring margin (+16.2, seventh).

Bruce Pearl is a 30-year coaching veteran in his 11th season leading the Tigers. His 687 wins are 12th-most among active coaches. His 72.1 percent winning percentage is 13th. 

Pearl served as head coach at three previous stops: Tennessee (2005-2011), Milwaukee (2001-2005) and Southern Indiana (1992-2001). He’s an eight-time conference coach of the year, including three in the SEC.

Pearl’s won three regular season SEC titles, two SEC Tournament titles and secured 13 career NCAA Tournament berths.

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