No. 24 undefeated Ole Miss men’s basketball hosts Bryant today in final non-conference game

OXFORD, Miss. — For the first time since the 2007–2008 season, No. 24 Ole Miss has the opportunity to finish off its non-conference schedule undefeated when the Rebels take on the Bryant Bulldogs at 3:00 p.m. today. 

Ironically, the last time the Rebs were unbeaten going into conference play, their first conference game was also against Tennessee — this year’s opponent on January 6. But before we get there, let’s take a look at what the Bulldogs will bring to the Pavilion today.

Ole Miss can complete a perfect 13-0 non-conference slate today with a home win over Bryant.

Rebels have won their last three games by double figures.

Trending towards an NCAA Tournament berth in Year One under Chris Beard.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 31, 2023

It has been an up-and-down season for Bryant, including a win in late November against Florida Atlantic, the No. 7-ranked team in the country. Following their impressive upset, however, the Bulldogs have gone on to lose three of their next four games, including losses to Boston University, Rutgers, and Manhattan.

Looking into who has been the most productive on this team, there is no doubt one player stands out more than others, and that player is Sherif Gross-Bullock. The senior is averaging over 17 points a game, more than any Ole Miss Rebel, while shooting 41 percent from the field. 

As successful as Gross-Bullock has been shooting the ball, he does not hesitate to get physical inside the paint. Sherif possesses a 6’5 215-pound frame and shoots 73 percent from the free-throw line, making him even more difficult to defend.

The tallest player on the Bryant roster is listed at 6’11, followed by the second-tallest at 6’8. If 7’5 Jamarion Sharp, 7’0 Moussa Cisse, and 6’8 Jaemyn Brakefield can find a way to get points in the paint, this game could fall out of reach quickly for the Bulldogs.

More than anything, I would keep an eye out for Ole Miss’ shooting game to continue to dominate in the way that it has. Between Matt Murrell, Allen Flanigan, Jaylen Murray, Brandon Murray, and Jaemyn Brakefield, the odds are high that one gets hot from the field or the three-point line.

#OleMiss basketball metrics ahead of today’s game against Bryant

Record: 12-0
AP: 24th
Coaches: 22nd
NET: 60th
Torvik: 67th
KenPom: 83rd

Q1: 1-0
Q2: 2-0
Q3: 2-0
Q4: 7-0

— T.J. (@TJOxley1) December 31, 2023

Rebel fans, make sure you tune in at 3 p.m. on SEC Network or show your support inside the Pavilion. Hotty Toddy!