Arkansas Razorbacks vs Ole Miss Rebels Picks and Predictions January 8th 2025

No. 23 Ole Miss seeking first SEC road win at Arkansas

After contrasting results in their SEC openers, No. 23 Ole Miss and Arkansas are set to clash Wednesday night in Fayetteville, Ark., in a game packed with high stakes and compelling storylines.

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Ole Miss: Riding High on Defensive Dominance

The Rebels (12-2, 1-0 SEC) enter the matchup with momentum after a 63-51 home victory over Georgia. This win propelled them up one spot in the Associated Press rankings, reflecting their strong start to the season under head coach Chris Beard.

Despite a sluggish first half that saw them trailing 28-26, Ole Miss rallied in the second, showcasing suffocating defense and disciplined play. They held Georgia to a dismal 29.3% shooting overall and a shocking 11.1% from beyond the arc. Notably, the Rebels amassed 10 steals and 10 blocks, highlighting their defensive prowess.

Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Brakefield each contributed 15 points, but Beard emphasized the collective effort over individual heroics:

“We didn’t have any special performances tonight. … We just played really hard as a team and played some great defense,” Beard said.

The Rebels are fueled by balanced scoring. Sean Pedulla leads with 14.1 points per game, followed by Jaylen Murray (12.5), Murrell (12.0), and Dre Davis (10.8). Their depth and defensive tenacity make them a formidable opponent.

Arkansas: Searching for Redemption

The Razorbacks (10-4, 0-1 SEC) face a crucial test after a humbling 76-52 loss to No. 1 Tennessee. Head coach John Calipari didn’t mince words about his team’s struggles, particularly their inability to rebound effectively.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a team get beat by 30 rebounds,” Calipari lamented, referring to Tennessee’s 52-29 advantage on the boards.

Arkansas’ defensive rebounding woes were compounded by offensive inefficiency. They shot just 20.7% from three-point range (6-for-29) and couldn’t convert crucial opportunities. Calipari also admitted to tactical missteps, such as skipping a pre-game shootaround, which may have contributed to the lackluster performance.

The Razorbacks’ top contributors include Adou Thiero (16.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG), Boogie Fland (15.6 PPG, 5.9 APG), and D.J. Wagner (10.4 PPG). Calipari acknowledged the challenges ahead:

“In this league, every game you play is going to be a hard game. … We’ve got work to do.”

Key Matchups to Watch

• Ole Miss Defense vs. Arkansas Rebounding: Ole Miss thrives on defensive stops and transition opportunities, but Arkansas will need to win the battle on the boards to control the game’s tempo.
• Backcourt Scoring: Sean Pedulla and Matthew Murrell are crucial for Ole Miss, while Arkansas will rely on Adou Thiero and Boogie Fland to generate offense.
• Turnovers and Transition: Ole Miss’ ability to create turnovers with their aggressive defense could spell trouble for Arkansas if the Razorbacks can’t protect the ball.

Historical Edge Favors Arkansas

Arkansas holds a 52-34 all-time record against Ole Miss, including nine wins in their last 11 meetings. However, Ole Miss dominated their most recent matchup, a 77-51 rout in January 2023 in Oxford, Miss. This history adds an intriguing layer to Wednesday’s game, the only regular-season meeting between the two teams this year.

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What’s at Stake

For Ole Miss, a road win would solidify their SEC standing and prove they can succeed away from home. Meanwhile, Arkansas is desperate to bounce back and avoid slipping further behind in a fiercely competitive conference.

Prediction and Outlook

Both teams face significant pressure, albeit for different reasons. Ole Miss brings confidence and a well-rounded approach, while Arkansas will aim to use home-court advantage to rebound from their struggles. Expect a fiercely contested battle where defense and rebounding will likely determine the winner.

Tip-Off: Wednesday, 7 PM CT, Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.

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Conclusion

As Ole Miss and Arkansas prepare to face off, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ole Miss seeks to maintain its upward trajectory, while Arkansas hopes to regroup and defend its home turf. Regardless of the outcome, fans can expect an intense and thrilling SEC showdown.