NFL Tickets
The Ole Miss Rebels are currently predicted to make the 2015 NCAA tournament, and with a quick look at their 18-8 record, it’s a well-deserved prediction. However, the Rebels will need to win at least three of their last five games, four of which are against top 100 RPI teams, in order to be comfortably sure of their inclusion even before the SEC tournament begins.
Next up for the Rebels are the Tennessee Volunteers, who will face off against Ole Miss on February 21, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Tennessee, predicted to be one of the worst teams in the conference, have surprised many by their current 14-11 record and top 100 RPI. Their hopes of an NCAA tournament berth are all but gone, though the Volunteers are just a few wins away from a spot in the NIT. A win away from home against Ole Miss could be just what this team needs to earn an invitation to the second-most prestigious postseason tournament.
One of the best teams in the SEC when it comes to away games, the Vols are absolutely fantastic on the defensive end, but their offense seems to stagnate at times. In their last game against the Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee could have legitimately pulled off the upset, but they went 2-of-17 from the 3-point line. There’s no sugar-coating it: this offense is bad.
Ole Miss, on the other hand, have one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball. Stefan Moody, the transfer from Florida Atlantic University, leads the team with over 16 PPG, while expected Rebels star Jarvis Summers has been a consistent offensive and defensive threat. When this team is struggling, one of these two players has the ability to step forward and lead a comeback, as fans saw against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
This is one of those games that is going to come down to the wire. The Vols have had trouble guarding teams with one elite scorer all season long, and their inside game is embarrassingly weak. Armani Moore may be the most underrated player in the entire conference and hardest working player in the country, but can he get some help from Derek Reese and Willie Carmichael III inside when it comes to guarding Sebastian Saiz? Probably not.
Give this one to Ole Miss behind another outstanding performance by Moody, but beware this Tennessee team because it has absolutely nothing to lose.
Prediction: Ole Miss 64, Tennessee 58
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Share 
