The SEC Tournament continues Friday with a matchup between Ole Miss and Alabama at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Alabama enters the quarterfinal round after a strong regular season that included a run of four victories in five games down the stretch. Ole Miss arrives with renewed energy after earning a tournament win on Thursday, pulling away late for a 76-66 victory over Texas behind a standout effort from Malik Dia. The Rebels must quickly turn their attention to a much tougher opponent in Alabama, a team known for its fast scoring pace and deep roster of contributors. Here, I break down this matchup and bring you my Ole Miss vs Alabama prediction.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Ole Miss Rebels @ Alabama Crimson Tide
- Date & Time: Friday, March 13, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
- Broadcast: SEC Network
Key Storylines
Alabama arrives in Nashville after closing the regular season in strong form. The Crimson Tide finished with a 23-8 record and won 9 of their final 10 games. Their offense continues to rank among the most productive in the country, averaging more than 90 points per contest while pushing the pace and relying heavily on three-point shooting.
Ole Miss enters the quarterfinals as a lower seed but showed signs of life in its opening game. The Rebels defeated Texas 76-66, fueled by a strong interior presence and timely scoring from several guards. That victory helped stabilize a team that endured an up-and-down conference season.
Another storyline is the previous meeting between these programs earlier this year. Alabama dominated that contest with a 93-74 win, controlling the glass and converting on 17 three pointers. Ole Miss will need a far stronger defensive effort if it hopes to keep the score within reach this time around.
Key Players
Alabama Crimson Tide
- Labaron Philon: The dynamic guard drives Alabama’s offense and averages about 21.5 points with nearly 5 assists per game. His scoring ability and playmaking often dictate the pace of the game.
- Aden Holloway: A key perimeter option who contributes double-digit scoring and provides steady ball handling. Holloway’s ability to stretch defenses with outside shooting opens driving lanes for teammates.
- Amari Allen: A versatile forward averaging around 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Allen contributes across multiple areas and often plays a major role on the boards.
Ole Miss Rebels
- AJ Storr: The Rebels rely heavily on Storr’s scoring. He averages about 15.1 points per game and frequently carries the offense during scoring droughts.
- Malik Dia: A physical forward who recently posted 23 points in the tournament win over Texas. Dia adds interior scoring and rebounding.
- Ilias Kamardine: Another scoring option who delivered 16 points in the Rebels’ latest victory and provides perimeter shooting.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Alabama | Ole Miss |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 92.1 | 75.3 |
| Points allowed per game | 83.6 | 75.5 |
| Team Field Goal % | 46% | 44% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 40.8 | 34.1 |
| Assists Per Game | 16.2 | 13.8 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Past meetings this season: Alabama defeated Ole Miss 93-74 earlier in the season.
- Alabama is 13-17 against the spread this season.
- Ole Miss has a 12-20 record against the spread going into the SEC quarterfinals.
Ole Miss vs Alabama Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Ole Miss 80 – Alabama 88 ATS PRO
- Pick: Ole Miss +10.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: Ole Miss 32%, Alabama 68% ATS PRO
Alabama’s offensive style creates serious problems for most opponents, and the Tide already showed how difficult they can be for Ole Miss earlier this season. Their combination of perimeter shooting, pace, and rebounding gives them a consistent scoring floor that many SEC teams struggle to match.
Ole Miss enters the game with confidence after its tournament victory, though, and I expect them to keep this game respectable by punishing an Alabama defense that is not always consistent in getting stops. I’ll take the points with the Rebels, though I expect Alabama to move into the semis over the weekend.
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