If you were anywhere near Starkville last night, you felt it. That heavy, humid tension that only a 112-year-old grudge match can produce. We just watched the 273rd edition of Ole Miss vs Mississippi State basketball, and honestly, it lived up to every bit of the hype. This isn't just a game in the Magnolia State; it’s a shared history of narrow misses, loud arenas, and a rivalry that is currently the 12th-most played in the history of college hoops.
Most people talk about the Egg Bowl on the gridiron, but the hardwood version? It's often more chaotic.
Saturday night at Humphrey Coliseum was no exception. Mississippi State came in leading the all-time series 152-120, looking to protect their home floor after a tough run. But Chris Beard’s Rebels had other plans. It ended 68-67 in favor of Ole Miss, a scoreline that barely captures how much of a grinder this game actually was.
The Chaos at the Hump: Breaking Down the 68-67 Finish
The Bulldogs (now 10-8, 2-3 SEC) came out like they were shot from a cannon. They jumped to a 6-0 lead and eventually pushed it to 22-11. It felt like the Hump was going to explode. But the Rebels (11-7, 3-2 SEC) are a different breed under Chris Beard. They don't panic. They basically just chipped away until that double-digit lead evaporated into a 30-27 halftime deficit.
The second half was just absurd. Thirteen lead changes. Seven ties.
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You had Josh Hubbard, the Bulldogs' star, trying to carry the weight on a night where his shot just wasn't falling consistently. He finished with 13 points and five assists, but shot 3-for-16 from the floor. That’s the thing about this rivalry—the stars often find themselves in a straight-up street fight where efficiency goes out the window.
Then came the final minute. Hubbard hit two free throws with 34 seconds left to give State a 67-66 lead. For a second, it looked like the Bulldogs would survive. But Patton Pinkins, who has apparently decided to become the hero of January for Ole Miss, hit a tear-drop floater with 19 seconds left. That was it. Game over.
Why Ole Miss vs Mississippi State Basketball is Changing
For decades, this rivalry was localized. It was for the folks in Oxford and Starkville. But lately? The stakes have shifted. Last season, for the first time ever, both teams were ranked when they met. That’s a huge deal for basketball in this state.
Chris Jans has turned Mississippi State into a defensive powerhouse. They came into this game having made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. On the other side, Beard has injected a level of "we can win anywhere" energy into Ole Miss that they haven't had in years.
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The Key Players You Need to Know
If you're trying to keep up with these rosters, it’s a lot of new faces thanks to the portal, but some names are sticking:
- AJ Storr (Ole Miss): The guy is on a tear. He averaged 11.3 points through the first 15 games, but over the last three, he’s up to 23.3. He had 17 last night.
- Ilias Kamardine (Ole Miss): He’s the engine. He matched Storr with 17 points and kept the Rebels steady when the crowd was deafening.
- Josh Hubbard (MS State): Despite the rough shooting night, he’s the pulse of the Bulldogs. He just passed Dee Bost for 7th on State’s all-time scoring list. He’s a sophomore. Let that sink in.
- Jamarion Davis-Fleming (MS State): A bright spot from last night. Career-high 13 points and 4 blocks. He’s the future in the paint for Jans.
Dissecting the Series History
Look, the record books say Mississippi State has the upper hand. They lead the series 152-121 now. When they play in Starkville, the Bulldogs usually dominate—holding a 99-26 advantage all-time.
But the trend is shifting. Under Beard, Ole Miss is learning how to win these "rock fight" games on the road. Last night was only their 27th win ever in Starkville. That tells you how hard it is to win at the Hump.
Interestingly, while they play twice a year like clockwork, they almost never see each other in the SEC Tournament. In nearly a century of SEC play, they’ve only met twice in the postseason. Once in 2003 (State won) and once in 2014 (Ole Miss won).
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What the Experts Get Wrong
A lot of national pundits look at Ole Miss vs Mississippi State basketball and see a mid-tier SEC matchup. They’re wrong.
The defensive metrics for both these teams are usually top-50 in the country. Chris Jans' teams thrive on "ugly" basketball—winning the turnover battle and crashing the offensive glass. State out-rebounded the Rebels 46-43 last night, which usually means a win for them. They are 55-17 under Jans when they win the boards. The fact that Ole Miss overcame that is a testament to their improved interior toughness.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following this rivalry through the rest of the 2026 season, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: Ole Miss only had five turnovers last night. Five. In a rivalry game. If they keep that under 10, they are incredibly hard to beat.
- Monitor Josh Hubbard’s Efficiency: State goes as he goes. When he's shooting over 40%, they are a tournament lock. When he struggles, they have to rely on Jamarion Davis-Fleming to create second-chance points.
- The "Pinkins Factor": Patton Pinkins is becoming a late-game specialist. If a game is within three points with two minutes left, the ball is going to him.
- Mark the Calendar: The rematch is always the bigger story. Check the schedule for when the Bulldogs head to Oxford later this season. The Rebels' SJB Pavilion has been setting attendance records lately, and that crowd will be looking for a sweep.
This rivalry isn't just about who has the better record anymore. It's about two programs with legitimate NCAA Tournament ambitions trying to prove who owns the state. Right now, after a one-point thriller in Starkville, the Rebels have the bragging rights.
Next Steps for You: Check the updated SEC standings after tonight's chaos. Ole Miss moved to 3-2 in the conference, while State dropped to 2-3. Both teams are firmly on the "bubble" for the Big Dance, making every game from here on out—especially the rematch—absolutely vital for their March resumes.