Ole Miss basketball vs Arkansas score prediction: News, injury updates

On By Littum

OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball is playing its first SEC road game against a legendary coach in a new location.

The No. 22 Rebels (12-2, 1-0) play John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3, 0-1) Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPN2). Both teams are expected to participate in the NCAA Tournament. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projects Ole Miss to be a No. 7 seed and Arkansas as a no. 9 seed.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

John Calipari has built the Razorbacks in his style

Calipari is in his first season at Arkansas. Miss Ole coach Chris Beard said Arkansas has the signature style of a Calipari-coached Kentucky team.

The Razorbacks have an athletic mix of portal players, young players and veterans, some with NBA potential. Boogie Fland, a 6-foot-2 freshman Arkansas guard, is a Razorback expected to play at the next level.

Fland has started all 14 games this season and is averaging 15.6 points. He was a 2024 McDonald’s All-American. Fland is shooting 43% from the floor and 38% on 3-pointers.

Stopping Fland and Adou Thiero, a 6-foot-8 forward who transferred from Kentucky, is the primary task for Ole Miss defensively. Thiero is averaging 16.9 points.

Ole Miss must contend with Arkansas’ size near the rim

The Razorbacks don’t make it easy to score from the interior.

Jonas Aidoo (6-foot-11) and Trevon Brazile (6-foot-10) are both averaging at least 17 minutes. They are Arkansas’ leading rebounders.

“We have to be strategic with their length and size,” Beard said. “Legitimate size and athleticism around the basket. Definitely a focal point of the game plan.”

Beard has emphasized the importance of Ole Miss playing big around the basket, which did not happen against Memphis. Beard may even swap out Jaylen Murray for Davon Barnes in the lineup again to get some size.

Tennessee made the blueprint for Ole Miss basketball

It’s hard to copy Tennessee. The Volunteers are 14-0 (1-0 SEC) are the no. 1 in USA TODAY coaches poll.

The conference win was against Arkansas 76-52. Tennessee outscored Arkansas 27-12 in the first half and quickly built a 21-12 lead. Thiero was held to six points. Fland was held until 12.

The 52 points were the fewest Arkansas has scored since he scored 51 at Ole Miss last season.

Ole Miss vs Arkansas injury updates

Miss Ole: Mikeal Brown-Jones (Out)

Arkansas: Zvonimir Ivisic (doubtful)

How to Watch Ole Miss vs Arkansas: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream

Ole Miss plays at Arkansas on Wednesday at 18. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Streaming is available via FUBOwhich offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Ole Miss score prediction vs Arkansas

Ole Miss 73, Arkansas 72: Both Ole Miss and Arkansas have the talent to not only make March Madness, but to win multiple games. Both teams also have shortcomings. The rebels do not have a dominant inner presence. Arkansas is young. Ole Miss’ experience could provide a slight edge in this game.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or contact him at X at @Sam_Hutchens_