Cameron Larkin
Head Coach Chris Beard and Ole Miss Men’s Basketball had a scare on Saturday, Feb. 17 against the Missouri Tigers, a team that, in theory, was lesser competition. The Rebels, on the back of guard Matthew Murrell, pulled out a 79-76 win after taking and maintaining a late lead.
First Half
Coming off of a three-game losing streak to ranked opponents, the media and fans were curious how the Rebels would respond against the struggling Tigers. The answer? Just well enough to win. This was one of the more disappointing showings from a team that normally impresses and thrives on their home court.
Ole Miss came out with an almost desperate energy to dominate the first half, but something seemed a bit off in the start of the game. The Rebels jumped out to an early lead, and it felt like they were ready to blow the cap off of the game: However, Missouri punched right back, rallying late in the first half.
Although Ole Miss won the rebound battle in the box score, it felt like Missouri came up with the ones that mattered. The slow start, coupled with some uncharacteristic mistakes on behalf of the Rebels, resulted in a tight 33-30 lead for Missouri going into halftime.
Second Half
Entering the second half, the Tigers had the momentum, which forced Ole Miss to play catchup. Missouri’s first-half fierceness had rolled over into the second half.
The reason for Missouri’s success up to this point came down to a couple of factors: One, Ole Miss could not stop fouling, and two, Missouri could not miss a free throw. With constant stoppages, the Tigers dictated the pace of play.
It was not until the 8:26 mark that Ole Miss regained the lead. Fortunately, Ole Miss would never concede the lead after this point in the game. After going up 59-58, the Rebels took small runs that extended their lead, only for Missouri to manufacture micro-runs of their own to keep the score close.
Murrell’s 26 points, along with guard Allen Flanigan and guard Jaylen Murray’s combined 32 points, lifted the Rebels offensively. Although Missouri dominated the free throw battle, it was Ole Miss that secured the game with multiple trips to the line from Murrell and guard TJ Caldwell.
After some shaky play toward the end –– most notably the turnover that brought Missouri within one point with five seconds left –– Ole Miss iced the game at 79-76.
Stars
It is hard to find an Ole Miss game without Murrell’s fingerprints all over it. This one was no different. His scoring ability and shotmaking prowess were on full display in this matchup. He almost single-handedly drove the Ole Miss offense the entire game. It was very fitting that his free throws effectively sealed the game and put a cap on Missouri’s dreams of an upset win.
Areas Needing Improvement
After a devastating three-game losing streak, it felt like Ole Miss was in a win or go home situation, and it is only February. The Rebels, who were once a shoe-in for March Madness –– slotting in as high as a sixth seed –– now find themselves in a situation where that is no guarantee.
Ole Miss has been very impressive this season, especially compared to last year, but one issue has been glaringly obvious as the year has gone on: Ole Miss handily beats lesser competition, but the big names still wreak havoc on the Rebels. Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina and Kentucky, who were all favored against the Rebels, took care of business. The only exception is LSU.
With this in mind, Ole Miss should have decimated Missouri, as the Tigers sit last in the SEC at 0-12. The point here is that, despite pulling this win out, Ole Miss has to lock in down the stretch. With games against Mississippi State, Georgia, Texas A&M and another against Missouri on the docket, Ole Miss has to go 4-0 in those games.
The Rebels can only afford losses to South Carolina and Alabama if they want to stay comfortably within the field of 68.
What’s Next
Ole Miss will now set its sights on Mississippi State, a team the Rebels already beat at home. The Bulldogs are in a similar situation as Ole Miss, so it will certainly be a contest of wills for therival teams.
The game will tip off at 8:00 p.m. CST in Starkville, Miss. on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
