Overview
- Ole Miss, ranked No. 19, has won three consecutive games, including a narrow victory over South Carolina led by Malik Dia's late-game heroics.
- Mississippi State, ranked No. 22, has lost three of its last four games, with inconsistent offensive performances contributing to its struggles.
- In their previous meeting on January 18, Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss 84-81 in overtime, showcasing a competitive rivalry.
- Malik Dia of Ole Miss has emerged as a key player, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the final minutes of their latest win and averaging 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season.
- Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard leads the team with 17.6 points per game, while KeShawn Murphy contributes 11.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.