Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Ole Miss Rebels – SEC Tournament Preview – March 13, 2025
Arkansas and Ole Miss will meet Thursday afternoon in the second round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Ole Miss enters as the No. 8 seed with a 21-10 record, while Arkansas is the No. 9 seed at 20-12. This will be their second meeting this season, with Ole Miss winning 73-66 on January 8.
Arkansas advanced to this game by defeating South Carolina 72-68 in the first round. The Razorbacks built a 20-point lead before surviving a late comeback. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is looking to rebound from a 90-71 loss to Florida in its regular-season finale.
Arkansas Preview – Razorbacks Finding Momentum
Arkansas has found form late in the season, winning five of its last six games. Trevon Brazile led the team with 16 points against South Carolina, while Davonte Davis added 14 points. The Razorbacks have been inconsistent offensively but are averaging 76.5 points per game this season.
Arkansas’ strength comes from its ability to force turnovers and defend inside the paint. They average 5.7 blocks per game, one of the best marks in the SEC. The Razorbacks will need strong play from Brazile and Davis to challenge Ole Miss.
Arkansas has struggled in close games, often losing late leads. They must manage their possessions better down the stretch to avoid repeating those mistakes in this SEC Tournament matchup.
Ole Miss Preview – Rebels Seeking a Strong Start
Ole Miss enters this matchup with a solid resume, including four wins against Top 25 opponents this season. The Rebels beat Arkansas 73-66 earlier this year and have been competitive against top teams like Alabama and Tennessee.
Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Murray are key scoring threats for Ole Miss. Murrell is averaging 7 points over his past three games, while Murray has been productive with 12 points in his most recent outing. The Rebels rely on strong defensive pressure and rank well in defensive field goal percentage.
Ole Miss has faced issues with rebounding, often giving up second-chance opportunities. The Rebels will need better effort on the glass to slow down Arkansas’ inside attack.
Key Matchup – Trevon Brazile vs. Jaemyn Murray
Brazile has been a consistent presence for Arkansas and led the team in scoring against South Carolina. Murray’s ability to stretch the floor and attack the paint could challenge the Razorbacks’ defense. The winner of this battle may tilt the momentum in their team’s favor.
Betting Prediction
Arkansas enters this game with momentum after its first-round win. However, Ole Miss has the advantage of extra rest and holds the head-to-head win this season. Arkansas has struggled to hold leads late, while Ole Miss’ defensive consistency could keep the game in control.
Expect a competitive matchup, but Ole Miss’ experience and balanced scoring make them the safer pick to advance. Arkansas may struggle to close out another tight game.
Pick: Ole Miss -2.5 / Under 148.5
Trends to Watch
- Arkansas: Has covered the spread in five of its last six games.
- Arkansas: The total has gone under in eight of their last ten games.
- Ole Miss: Has won four games against Top 25 teams this season.
- Ole Miss: The total has gone under in six of their last eight games.
- Head-to-Head: Ole Miss has won three of the past five meetings between these teams.
What’s Next
The winner of this game will advance to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, where they will face the No. 1 seed Alabama. Both Arkansas and Ole Miss are hoping to boost their NCAA Tournament resume with a deep run in Nashville.
