Ole Miss Rebels vs Georgia Bulldogs Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

No. 24 Ole Miss Hosts Georgia to Begin SEC Play

The SEC schedule kicks off Saturday with No. 24 Ole Miss looking to rebound from a loss as it hosts a surging Georgia team in Oxford, Miss. Both programs are riding strong non-conference campaigns into what promises to be a challenging league slate.

Rebels Seeking a Reset

Ole Miss (11-2) dropped its most recent game, falling 87-70 to Memphis on Dec. 28. Despite being down just two points at halftime, the Rebels were outrebounded 45-34, an issue coach Chris Beard identified as a key concern.

“We got outrebounded tonight, and I don’t think rebounding was Memphis’ strength,” Beard said. “No doubt about it, that’s a concern of mine.”

The Rebels, who fell seven spots in the latest AP poll, rely on balanced scoring with Sean Pedulla (14.7 points per game), Jaylen Murray (13.2), and Matthew Murrell (11.7) leading the way. Malik Dia anchors the boards with 5.4 rebounds per game.

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Ole Miss aims to improve upon its 7-11 SEC record from last season, a performance that kept the team out of the NCAA Tournament despite a strong start. Beard emphasized the need for a physical edge as the Rebels prepare for a tough SEC schedule featuring 11 ranked teams.

Bulldogs Riding Momentum

Georgia (12-1) is off to its best start in nearly a century, with its lone blemish coming against Miami. The Bulldogs have won seven straight games, including a 79-72 comeback victory over South Carolina State on Sunday. Trailing by 17 points at halftime, Georgia used a dominant second half, outscoring its opponent 55-31.

Coach Mike White hopes the close call serves as a wake-up call ahead of SEC play.

“Our culture came through, it really did,” White said. “We didn’t give our crowd much to cheer for in the first 20, but in the second half, we responded.”

Georgia boasts a deep roster with contributions from Mount St. Mary’s transfer De’Shayne Montgomery, who has averaged 16 points since debuting on Dec. 19. Asa Newell (15.5 ppg), Dakota Leffew (12.8), Silas Demary Jr. (12.4), and Tyrin Lawrence (10.7) round out the Bulldogs’ double-digit scorers.

Key Matchup and Implications

Rebounding could play a pivotal role in this game. Ole Miss has struggled on the glass, an area Georgia exploited in its recent wins. The Rebels will look to Dia and Dre Davis to step up against Georgia’s depth and size in the frontcourt.

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Both teams are well-positioned in the NET rankings, with Georgia at 27th and Ole Miss at 39th. The Rebels aim to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume with a win, while Georgia hopes to prove its historic start is no fluke by earning a quality road victory.

What to Watch

• Rebounding Battle: Can Ole Miss fix its rebounding woes against a Georgia team with size and depth?
• Scoring Depth: Both teams feature multiple double-digit scorers, making defensive execution key.
• Momentum vs. Reset: Georgia looks to maintain its winning streak, while Ole Miss seeks to bounce back and assert itself in conference play.

The game promises to set the tone for both teams as they navigate a competitive SEC schedule.