POLL POSITION: Latest rankings sets up a historic week for Ole Miss men's basketball
Last week was a continued strong effort to the start of Southeastern Conference play for the Ole Miss men’s basketball team.
Wins at Arkansas and home against LSU kept the Rebels (14-2) undefeated in SEC play for its first 3-0 start since 2019.
The continued success in early January also means Ole Miss keeps moving up in the latest polls released on Monday.
The Rebels moved up to No. 21 in both the Coaches and Associated Press Top 25 rankings, going up two spots in the latter. Ole Miss continues a climb after getting to No. 16 earlier this season then falling down to No. 23 after the loss at Memphis on December 28.
Staying in the polls also sets up a couple rare opportunities for the men’s program. Tuesday night’s game at No. 4 Alabama (14-2, 3-0) will be the third time in series history both teams are meeting as ranked opponents.
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On Saturday history will be made in Starkville when Ole Miss takes on No. 15 Mississippi State (14-2, 2-1). It will mark the first time in the series both teams will be ranked entering a game.
“We play Alabama (Tuesday) at 6 o’clock, 3-0 Ole Miss. First place in the SEC,” Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said on Monday. “We’re playing against one of the best teams in the country. They were in the Final Four last year. Many picked them to win our league.
“It’s a great opportunity for us. There’s only one thing on my mind. It’s not lunch today or what’s on TV tomorrow night. We have an opportunity to play against Alabama.”
The SEC as a league continues to be a juggernaut with nine teams in the AP Top 25 and five inside the Top 10, including new No. 1 Auburn.
Below is the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings:
- Auburn (15-1)
- Iowa State (14-1)
- Duke (14-2)
- Alabama (14-2)
- Florida (15-1)
- Tennessee (15-1)
- Marquette (14-2)
- Kentucky (13-3)
- Kansas (12-3)
- Houston (12-3)
- Texas (13-3)
- Michigan State (14-2)
- Oregon (15-2)
- UConn (13-4)
- Mississippi State (14-2)
- Gonzaga (14-4)
- Purdue (13-4)
- Memphis (13-3)
- Illinois (12-4)
- Michigan (13-3)
- Ole Miss (14-2)
- Utah State (16-1)
- Georgia (14-2)
- Wisconsin (13-3)
- Baylor (11-4)
