Ole Miss Basketball Stuns LSU in Thrilling Last-Second Victory: Must-See Highlights & What’s Next

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss basketball fans are hoping tonight’s SEC showdown with LSU marks the end of a brutal nine-game skid, the program’s longest since 2003. The Rebels enter the SJB Pavilion at 11-16 overall and 3-11 in league play after falling 94-75 to No. 12 Florida on Saturday, when Malik Dia poured in 24 points but got little help beyond guard Ilias Kamardine’s 14-point effort. Why this matchup matters • Streak-buster: Head coach Chris Beard’s squad hasn’t tasted victory since Jan. 17, yet oddsmakers have tabbed Ole Miss a slight favorite over an LSU group that sits in last place at 2-12 SEC, 14-13 overall. • Post-season positioning: A win would lift the Rebels out of the conference cellar and provide momentum for a difficult closing stretch—at Auburn (Feb 28), vs Vanderbilt (Mar 3) and vs South Carolina (Mar 7) before the SEC Tournament. Key players to watch • AJ Storr, G, Ole Miss — Averaged 21.0 ppg in three games before Florida; Beard needs his downhill attacking mindset to loosen LSU’s half-court defense. • Malik Dia, F, Ole Miss — Has scored 20+ in two straight and will again be the primary interior scoring option. • Max Mackinnon, G, LSU — The 6-6 Australian is hitting 40 percent from deep and erupted for 12 early points in Baton Rouge’s last outing. • Marquel Sutton, F, LSU — Double-double threat who averages 14 points and 7.6 boards; controlling him on the glass is vital. What Ole Miss must do 1. Win the paint: LSU ranks top-75 nationally in field-goal percentage but is vulnerable on the defensive boards. Second-chance points could swing the contest. 2. Clean start: The Tigers thrive on early tempo. Limiting turnovers in the opening five minutes can prevent another big first-half hole like the 14-2 Florida burst that doomed the Rebels last weekend. 3. Bench spark: Beard’s rotation shrinks without injured guard Kezza Giffa, so freshmen Eduardo Klafke and Corey Chest must supply energy on both ends. Injury report • Ole Miss — G Kezza Giffa (hand) out. • LSU — F Jalen Reed (foot) and G Dedan Thomas Jr. (ankle) out. How to watch • Tip-off: 8 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Feb 25 • TV: SEC Network | Streaming: Fubo Bottom line Ole Miss basketball desperately needs a feel-good result, and the schedule finally offers a vulnerable opponent. If Storr catches fire and Dia controls the interior, the Rebels can snap the drought, climb out of the league basement and give their fan base fresh hope heading toward March.