Ole Miss vs. Tennessee: How to watch, start time, TV channel

Oklahoma was a must-win game for Ole Miss men’s basketball and its aspirations for a run in the NCAA Tournament.

The Rebels had suffered three straight losses. They were never really a threat to fall out of the March Madness field entirely. However, they were on the 4-seed line just a month ago. They’re now mostly considered a 7-seed. 

Ole Miss hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament in over five years. But Sean Pedulla and Co. aren’t just trying to make it in. These Rebels believe they can make a run. 

First, though, they had to get off the schneid.

“We’re trying to play our best basketball going into March,” Pedulla said after the 87-84 win. “Coming off the last two games we felt we underperformed. We needed to get back in the win column. Coming out with a (win) was the most important thing. A little bit of pressure, but we were just having fun and knew we had to get the dub.”

Pedulla hit the game-winning shot against Oklahoma on Saturday.

Pedulla grew up a Sooner fan, making the moment that much more sweet for the one-time Virginia Tech transfer. 

Next is No. 4 Tennessee for Ole Miss’ home regular season finale on Wednesday. The Rebels (20-9, 9-7 SEC) and Volunteers (24-5, 11-5) tip off at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

“I grew up watching Oklahoma,” Pedulla said. He’s provided immense value for the Rebels on the defensive end, too. Pedulla’s collected a steal in 26 of 29 games and multiple steals in 16. 

“Was definitely a fan, went to games all the time. To grow up and play them for the first time in one of my last college games ever was definitely awesome.”

HOW TO WATCH

Television/Online: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Rece Davis
Analyst: Jay Williams

HOW TO LISTEN

Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Analyst: Marc Dukes

SERIES HISTORY

Ole Miss and Tennessee have been facing off in basketball since 1924. Wednesday is the 125th meeting in history.

The Volunteers lead the all-time series, 79-45, and have won in eof the last 10, including four straight. They’re 28-26 in Oxford.

Tennessee ran away with a 90-64 win last they met in January of 2024. Both teams were ranked and playing in their SEC opener. Jaemyn Brakefield had 22 points, two rebounds and two steals. He’s one of 10 seniors the program will recognize prior to tip.

SCOUTING TENNESSEE

Tennessee opened the year undefeated in the non-conference. Among the Volunteers notable wins were Louisville, Virginia, No. 13 Baylor, Syracuse, Miami and Illinois. 

The Volunteers are coming off a final-shot win over No. 6 Alabama. They’re currently fourth in the SEC and own a NET ranking of No. 5. Ole Miss is No. 28.

Tennessee is led offensively by Chaz Lanier. Lanier is fifth in the conference in points per game (17.8). He leads the SEC with 3.4 3-pointers per game. He’s third in 3-point shooting percentage (40.7). 

Senior point guard Zakai Zeigler sets the table for the Volunteers. He’s eclipsed 200 assists for the second season in a row and is averaging an SEC-best 7.2 per game.

Tennessee is second nationally in both field goal percentage defense and three-point field goal percentage defense.

The Volunteers are holding opponents to 37.4 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from 3. They’re seventh in college basketball in points allowed per game (61.3). Tennessee sits atop the SEC in all three categories.

Rick Barnes is tied with John Calipari for the most wins among all active NCAA head coaches (830). He’s in his 38th season as a college coach and 10th at Tennessee. 

He’s taken the Volunteers to to six NCAA Tournaments in his career, including three Sweet 16 appearances and last season’s Elite Eight run. Barnes spent 17 years at Texas before taking over at Tennessee. He helped the Longhorns earn 16 NCAA Tournament bids. They went as far as the Final Four in 2003. 

Barnes also coached previously at Clemson (1994-98) and Providence (1988-94). His first stop was George Mason (1987-88).