Ole Miss basketball vs Mississippi State — Score, start time, live updates, injury notes
Ole Miss and Mississippi State meet in Oxford on Feb. 14 at 5: 30 p. m. ET in a rivalry game with postseason implications for neither side but plenty on the line for momentum. Both teams enter with 11-13 overall records and identical 3-8 marks in SEC play; the Rebels are trying to end a six-game losing streak while the Bulldogs are scrambling to regain offensive form.
Game at a glance
Tipoff: Feb. 14 at 5: 30 p. m. ET. Venue: Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Records: Ole Miss 11-13 (3-8 SEC), Mississippi State 11-13 (3-8 SEC). These teams met earlier this season in Starkville, where Ole Miss edged the Bulldogs 68-67 in a one-point result that has both clubs circling this rematch on the schedule.
Current flow and live update
Early action favored Mississippi State in the opening minutes, with Achor supplying all 11 points for the Bulldogs in a quick burst that put MSU up 11-3 with 15: 45 left in the first half. That spurt illustrated the quick-strike potential Mississippi State can produce even on nights it otherwise struggles to score consistently. Expect a physical, low-possession game; both teams have struggled to find efficient offense over stretches this season.
What’s at stake
Neither program is comfortably positioned for an NCAA Tournament berth, and this weekend feels like a crossroads for both. A win gives meaningful lift to postseason hopes and could alter seeding perceptions heading into the SEC Tournament. For Ole Miss, snapping a six-game skid would also relieve pressure on the coaching staff and restore belief in tighter conference play. For Mississippi State, a victory would keep its faint at-large hopes alive and buy time to correct persistent shooting problems.
Team trends and matchup notes
Mississippi State’s season has been hampered by scoring droughts and inefficient shooting. The Bulldogs have been among the poorest shooting teams in conference play, making clean looks scarce and magnifying each missed possession. Ole Miss, while also struggling offensively, has defended well enough to remain competitive — holding opponents near the low-40s in shooting percentage and limiting scoring to roughly the low 70s per game. Those defensive metrics make the game likely to grind into a slog where turnovers, free-throw shooting and late possessions decide the outcome.
Key players and injury notes
Look for Mississippi State guards to try to manufacture offense early, as shown by Achor’s early scoring burst. Josh Hubbard remains a focal point after a 31-point outburst in the Bulldogs’ recent loss to Tennessee, illustrating his ability to carry the scoring load when hot. Ole Miss will be without guard Kezza Giffa, who is expected to miss the game with a leg injury; the senior transfer averages 6. 6 points in about 16 minutes and his absence will force the Rebels to shorten rotations and lean on other perimeter options. Depth and bench contributions could prove decisive late.
How this game may play out
This matchup projects as a defensive battle where possessions are precious and momentum shifts can be decisive. Mississippi State will need to generate cleaner looks and avoid long scoring droughts; Ole Miss will try to press its defensive advantage and capitalize on turnovers. Given the teams’ similar profiles and identical records, expect a tight finish where execution in the final five minutes likely determines the winner.
Filmogaz will provide final score and postgame analysis following the contest.
