In a shocking turn of events, Ole Miss took down the favored Missouri Tigers 76-69 at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, sending shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. This significant upset will undoubtedly have implications for both teams' tournament chances, with Ole Miss pulling off a crucial Quadrant 2 win.
AJ Storr was the star of the show for Ole Miss, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to lead the Rebels to victory. His impressive performance was complemented by Malik Dia, who chipped in with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The duo's efforts were instrumental in Ole Miss's win, as they outdueled Missouri's top performer, Mark Mitchell. Mitchell had a stellar game of his own, tallying 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rebels' balanced attack.
At halftime, Ole Miss held a slim 37-36 lead, setting the stage for a back-and-forth second half. The Rebels managed to pull away, outscoring Missouri 39-33 in the final 20 minutes to secure the 7-point win. The victory is a massive boost to Ole Miss's resume, as they moved to 11-9 on the season. The Rebels' net ranking of 86 will likely receive a significant bump, thanks to this Quadrant 2 triumph.
For Missouri, the loss is a setback, dropping them to 14-7 on the year. Despite the defeat, Mark Mitchell's impressive all-around performance is a reflection of his growth as a player. Jayden Stone and Shawn Phillips Jr. also made significant contributions, scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Rebels' determined effort.
The absence of a pre-game prediction only adds to the surprise of this outcome, as Ole Miss was expected to struggle against the more highly-regarded Missouri squad. Instead, the Rebels rose to the challenge, handing the Tigers a Quadrant 2 loss that will impact their own tournament aspirations.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. Ole Miss's Quadrant 2 win will be a valuable addition to their resume, potentially boosting their chances of securing an at-large bid. On the other hand, Missouri's loss will put a dent in their tournament hopes, as they struggle to build a strong resume. As the season enters its critical stretch, both teams want to build on this result, with Ole Miss aiming to ride the momentum from this upset and Missouri seeking to bounce back from the disappointing loss. The Rebels' victory will undoubtedly be a key talking point in tournament discussions, as they continue to make a case for themselves as a potential tournament team.