Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Looks to Extend Home Winning Streak Tonight Against Tennessee

OXFORD, Miss. – The stakes are high, the home crowd will be ready, and the hunger to win will be as intense as ever for two squads hoping to book their respective arenas as NCAA Tournament venues come March. The seventeenth-ranked Ole Miss Lady Rebels welcome No. 21 Tennessee to the SJB Pavilion Tuesday night in a matchup with massive postseason implications.

With the regular season now in the home stretch, both teams will have a chance to polish their resume with what would be a high-profile win for either, and Coach Yo’s squad is certainly aware that a win will be more than just a mark in the W column.

Ole Miss enters the game undefeated at home this season, easily dispatching team after team that sets foot in the Pavilion, with every home win except one coming by double digits. The Lady Rebs’ home dominance, which so far has seen them beat NCAA tournament-projected teams such as Notre Dame, Georgia, and Mississippi State in Oxford, is a key reason for their current No. 4 seed projection according to Charlie Creme’s latest bracketology—however, the Rebels’ grip on that seeding (which would allow them to host) is somewhat shaky following Sunday’s loss in Lexington. A win against another NCAA Tournament team would undeniably solidify their footing on the hosting line, at least for now.

For Tennessee, a win would not only be a feather in the Lady Vols’ cap but also a definite boost regarding their own hosting prospects, which have taken a slide recently as Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols will arrive in Oxford having lost four of their last six. A road win in a place where no other team has won yet this season would certainly propel them back into the hosting conversation.

Key Players to Watch

Central to Ole Miss’s hopes are star forward Cotie McMahon, who has emerged as one of the best players in the SEC this season. McMahon leads the team in scoring with 19.8 points per game and is also the Rebels’ top distributor, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. Forward Christeen Iwuala, the team’s top rebounder with 8.8 per game will also be a player to watch and will give Ole Miss a strong inside presence that could challenge Tennessee’s frontcourt.

For the Lady Vols, guard Talaysia Cooper stands out as a player who will be at the forefront of the Rebels’ minds. Leading Tennessee in both scoring (15.3 PPG) and assists, Cooper’s ability to create shots and facilitate for teammates will need to shine on Tuesday night if Tennessee is going to record the first win in Oxford this season by a team not named Ole Miss.

Statistical Matchups

The statistical battle suggests a game that could depend on execution, energy, and focus. Ole Miss averages 76.8 points per game, virtually mirroring Tennessee’s 77, while defensively, the Rebels hold a slight edge, allowing 57.8 points per contest compared to the Lady Vols’ 64.6. Shooting efficiency is also similar, with Ole Miss converting 44% from the floor to Tennessee’s 41%. Turnovers are nearly identical, with Ole Miss averaging 14 per game and Tennessee 15, indicating that limiting mistakes will be of much importance for both teams.

The stats that may tell the story on Tuesday, however, are the ones that show how both the Rebels and Vols have fared at home compared to on the road. Coach Yo’s team has been absolutely stellar at The Pavilion both offensively and defensively, averaging 85.2 points per game while allowing just 46.9. Tennessee, notably, has shown vulnerability on the road, giving up 77.5 points per game compared to 59 at home. A dominant home team welcoming a vulnerable road team to town could be the key ingredient for yet another resounding win for the Rebels while on their way to a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Motivation, History, and Fatigue

While fatigue might be a concern for a team who just played only two days ago, momentum and motivation will not be lacking. While the loss to Kentucky was a setback, it was certainly not a total derailment for the team’s hosting hopes come March. Historically, however, this is a rivalry that has earned a reputation for being one of the most lopsided in the history of women’s college basketball; Tennessee leads the all-time series 53 to 9, having won 37 of the last 40 and all but two games in the series since the start of the 21^st century. However, as Coach Yo continues to transform the status and perception of the Ole Miss women’s basketball program into one that regularly both makes it to and wins games in the NCAA Tournament, the status and perception of how the Rebels perform against their historically storied rivals will continue to transform as well, and Tuesday night appears primed to be an opportunity to do just that.

For Tennessee, the Lady Vols will be looking to get their mojo back after a recent slump and will be craving a signature road win. The Rebels’ ability to defend, control the tempo, both limit and create turnovers, and maximize their home-court advantage will be crucial in securing only their tenth-ever win against the Lady Vols.

What to Watch

Key storylines for fans include:

• Cotie McMahon’s leadership: Can she bounce back from a disappointing showing in Lexington which saw her shoot only four of 18 from the field?
• Rebounding battle: Christeen Iwuala’s ability to control the boards will be vital, especially in limiting second-chance opportunities for Tennessee.
• Home-court energy: With Ole Miss averaging nearly 40 more points allowed on the road than at home, Coach Yo and her players will want to see a loud and energized crowd for a big-time matchup like this one to maximize their home-court advantage.
• Managing fatigue: Playing two days after a previous game adds an unpredictable element; bench depth and rotation management will be critical.

The Stakes

The consequences that this game will have on the postseason could be crucial down the stretch. A victory would keep Ole Miss on the hosting line and enhance the Rebels’ reputation as a team that can compete with anyone. A loss, however, could seriously complicate the team’s postseason standing, especially with the next two games coming against LSU and South Carolina. Either way, there is no mistaking the importance of tonight’s contest.

Next Up

Ole Miss will take on Tennessee at the SJB Pavilion on Tuesday, February 17, at 6:00 pm on ESPNU.