Here's how the Rebels (8-1) match up with the Indiana State Sycamores (5-3) using the Four Factors. (National Rank in Parentheses)

The Rebels open up against a scrappy Indiana State team in the Diamondhead classic tomorrow. The Sycamores are led by Jake Odum, a 6’4, 170 lb guard who has been ridiculously efficient this year. Check out these stats:

I’m travelling this weekend, so not a lot of time to break this one down, but I am interested to watch how we handle Odum. We’ve faced some very good guards already this season and had some success flustering them as evidenced by the defensive numbers listed in the chart above. Hopefully Newby’s ankle is healed so he can play in this one as Nick Williams will likely be attached at the hip to Odum all game and will need a breather.

There’s some good stuff on ESPN.com including a tourney primer from Eamon Brennon and the importance of this tourney to the Rebels from Andy Katz.

This is a game we should win. Buckner and Holloway should be able to exert their will down low and dominate the glass. ISU has struggled all season hitting the offensive glass and we need to make sure that trend continues. Where the Sycamores have excelled – obviously – is getting to the FT line. As a team, they score 26.1% of their points from the stripe, so minimizing their trips there is imperative. While they don’t shoot well as a team – 66% - Odum has made his living at the line this year.

I’ll take Ole Miss in this one 70-62.

(As always, the national rankings pulled from kenpom.com, quite possibly the coolest site on the whole wide intertubes... Red Cup Rebellion excluded of course)