Updated March 12, 2026
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.
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.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Ole Miss Rebels
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 |
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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