Ole Miss achieved a primary on Tuesday night.
With its 74-64 win at Related Press No. 4 Alabama (14-3, 3-1 SEC), the Rebels notched their first street win in opposition to an AP top-five crew in program historical past.
Per the ESPNU broadcast, No. 21 Ole Miss (15-2, 4-0 in SEC) entered Tuesday’s sport 3-48 all-time in opposition to groups ranked within the prime 4 of the AP ballot.
Its final win in opposition to a top-five crew got here through the 2001 SEC Event in opposition to No. 5 Florida. (h/t Stathead)
The landmark result’s big for a program that hasn’t made the NCAA Event in six seasons and has solely three March Insanity appearances for the reason that 2002-03 season.
The Rebels’ protection was eye-opening within the win in opposition to the Tide. Alabama entered the sport averaging 91.1 factors per sport, No. 1 within the nation. It was held beneath 70 factors for the primary time since a 71-64 loss to nationwide runner-up San Diego State within the 2023 NCAA Event.
Ole Miss had 14 steals, contributing to Alabama’s season-high 21 turnovers. Per KenPom, the Rebels entered the sport with a 14.5% steal fee, which ranks seventh within the nation. Opponents had a 22.7% turnover fee, which was twelfth.
With a number of excellent SEC offenses, Ole Miss’ defensive prowess might set it aside.
The convention has the highest three groups in KenPom’s offensive score, together with Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky. Florida ranks eighth, and Mississippi State is not far behind at No. 17.
If Ole Miss continues taking part in protection prefer it did in opposition to Alabama, it can have a sensible shot of successful the SEC Event for the primary time since 2013. It would even win one other sport or two in opposition to a top-five opponent alongside the way in which.
