LSU poses a significant threat to a hot Ole Miss team

This time last week, Ole Miss was a pretty good team with a pretty good record heading into a prime opportunity to prove itself. Kermit Davis’ squad took full advantage, knocking off ranked Auburn and Mississippi State teams to earn national relevance.

LSU’s situation this week seems pretty damn similar. The Tigers are 12-3 and ranked 25th nationally in the NET (the NCAA’s new replacement for the RPI) but are still in search of their first signature win. Their best W of the season, per the NET rankings, came against No. 54 St. Mary’s, and that was at home. Though LSU’s strength of schedule rank is a whopping 84 spots higher than the Rebels’ (No. 21 vs. 105), the Tigers have blown their only two opportunities against Group 1 opponents, falling to Florida State and Houston.

LSU is a team with something to prove. Ole Miss is a team trying to live up to the high expectations set by last week’s performance. That could make for a dangerous situation Tuesday night in Oxford.

A Rebel win would be the third in a row over a NET top-25 opponent. But this Tiger team brings a potent attack, ranking top 30 in both adjusted offensive efficiency and effective field goal percentage. More concerning for an undersized Ole Miss team: LSU ranks 20th in offensive rebound rate and 6’10, 240-pound freshman Naz Reid is coming off a 27-point, seven-board outing against Arkansas. The hulking pair of Reid and 6’11, 250-pound senior Kavell Bigby-Williams could pose a serious matchup problem down low for Kermit Davis.

The Rebels overcame their size disadvantage in Starkville last week by drilling 12 of 31 three-pointers. They’ll probably need another hot night of perimeter shooting to keep the momentum going on Tuesday. Fortunately for marksmen like Breein Tyree and Blake Hinson, LSU ranks 205th nationally in opponent three-point percentage.

How to watch

Tip time: 8 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Streaming: WatchESPN

Suggested reading

• Here’s why Ole Miss is way better than anyone expected
• Freshman Blake Hinson is a star in the making
• Ole Miss debuts at No. 18 in the AP Poll