Auburn (19-1) at Mississippi (16-5)
- When: Feb 1 2025, 2:00 PM
- Where: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, Oxford, MS, USA
- Where to watch: ESPN
Game Preview
Auburn looks to keep its SEC dominance intact as the top-ranked Tigers hit the road to face No. 23 Ole Miss on Saturday. Sitting at 19-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference play, Auburn has navigated a gauntlet of tough matchups and continues to fend off upset bids from hungry opponents.
The Tigers have survived close calls against ranked teams like Georgia and Tennessee, relying on their star big man Johni Broome to lead the charge. Broome has been a force all season, averaging 18.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, making him a frontrunner for SEC Player of the Year and possibly national honors. His dominant 26-point, 16-rebound performance against LSU further cemented his impact.
Auburn’s offensive firepower doesn’t stop there, with Chad Baker-Mazara, Tahaad Pettiford, and Miles Kelly all contributing in double figures. That depth will be crucial as they take on an Ole Miss squad that has already shown it can take down elite competition.
The Rebels (16-5, 5-3 SEC) have been battle-tested, suffering narrow losses to ranked teams before pulling off a statement 72-69 win over Texas. Davon Barnes came through in the clutch with two free throws in the final seconds, redeeming himself after a costly miss against Texas A&M just two games prior.
Coach Chris Beard praised Barnes’ resilience, noting his late-night free throw practice paid off in a critical moment. Ole Miss, which also upset Alabama earlier this season, will need to bring that same grit if they hope to slow down Auburn’s high-powered attack.
Auburn has covered the spread in five of its last six road games, while Ole Miss has been inconsistent against top-tier opponents. With Broome dominating inside and Auburn’s depth proving too much, expect the Tigers to pull away late and cover the number in a high-energy SEC battle and the over 149.
Prediction: Auburn 79, Ole Miss 72
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
