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No. 19 Ole Miss, Riding Offensive Depth, Faces Southern Miss
No. 19 Ole Miss looks to continue its strong early-season form when it takes on in-state rival Southern Miss on Saturday afternoon in Biloxi, Miss. The Rebels have relied on a balanced, high-powered offense to surge to an 8-1 start under second-year head coach Chris Beard.
Ole Miss: Diverse and Prolific Offense
The Rebels (8-1) are among the SEC’s best offensive teams, averaging 83.3 points per game and ranking fourth in the conference in 3-point shooting at 36.6 percent. Ole Miss has topped the 80-point mark six times, including a 96-85 overtime thriller against BYU and an 86-63 rout of Louisville earlier this month.
“Our offense is versatile,” Beard said after a recent win over Lindenwood. “We’re figuring out what works best for us in the flow of the game.”
The Rebels feature a balanced attack, with four players averaging double-digit scoring:
- Sean Pedulla (14.0 ppg): The team’s leading scorer is coming off a 19-point performance in the win over Lindenwood.
- Jaylen Murray (13.1 ppg): While inconsistent recently, Murray showcased his potential with a 28-point effort against BYU.
- Tye Fagan and Myles Burns round out the double-digit scorers, highlighting the team’s depth and versatility.
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Ole Miss has shown it can compete at the highest level, nearly toppling then-No. 3 Purdue in a 79-77 loss in November. The team’s ability to stretch the floor and score from multiple areas makes it a tough matchup for any opponent.
Southern Miss: Defensive Struggles
Southern Miss (4-5) has faced challenges defensively, allowing 78.7 points per game—the worst in the Sun Belt Conference. The Golden Eagles struggled in an 86-58 loss to Tulane on Tuesday, surrendering 49.2 percent shooting from the field.
The Golden Eagles are led by Denijay Harris (15.0 ppg), who has been a consistent force this season. Harris posted back-to-back dominant performances with 44 points and 28 rebounds across two games before being held to 12 points against Tulane.
Key contributors include:
- Christian Watson (10.3 ppg): A consistent starter, Watson has struggled recently, shooting just 7-for-25 over his past three games.
- Neftali Alvarez: An integral part of the starting lineup, Alvarez played just four minutes against Tulane due to an injury and is questionable for Saturday.
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Southern Miss has found success against ranked teams in the past, including a win over then-No. 19 James Madison earlier this season. However, their last victory over a ranked opponent on a neutral court came against Marquette in 2004.
What to Expect
Ole Miss enters as the heavy favorite, boasting a well-rounded offense and a defense that should be able to handle Southern Miss’ inconsistent scoring. For the Golden Eagles, the key will be slowing down the Rebels’ offensive rhythm and finding a way to contain Pedulla and Murray. If Alvarez is unable to play, Southern Miss will need other players to step up in his absence.
Prediction
The Rebels’ depth, shooting efficiency, and defensive discipline give them a significant edge over a Southern Miss team struggling to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Expect Ole Miss to dictate the pace and secure a comfortable victory.
