As the college basketball season heats up, Ole Miss is gearing up to host Auburn at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion, with significant tournament implications on the line. The Rebels, currently ranked 86th in the NET rankings, are in desperate need of quality wins to strengthen their case for a tournament bid. A victory over the 28th-ranked Tigers would be a substantial boost, especially considering Auburn's impressive 4-6 record in Quad 1 games.
Auburn, projected as a top-4 seed, is looking to solidify its position in the SEC standings. The Tigers have been inconsistent of late, with a win-loss-win record in their last three games. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is riding a three-game win streak, which has helped to revive their tournament hopes. According to the CHD Scout prediction, Ole Miss has a 53.2% chance of emerging victorious, with a predicted margin of just 0.9 points.
CHD Scout Prediction
Auburn
77
Ole Miss
78
With the Rebels favored by 2.5 points, this matchup is expected to be a closely contested affair. The over/under is set at 151.5 points, suggesting a high-scoring game. Given the stakes, Ole Miss will likely come out aggressive, seeking to capitalize on their home-court advantage. I predict Ole Miss will edge out Auburn 78-77, leveraging their recent momentum and the energy of their home crowd to secure a vital Quad 1 win. The Rebels' ability to contain Auburn's offense and limit their own turnovers matters in determining the outcome of this nail-biter.