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SEC Tournament Preview: Ole Miss vs. Missouri

ByMatt Green|
Mar 8, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Kevin Puryear (24) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning shot against the Auburn Tigers in overtime during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Missouri won 86-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Kevin Puryear (24) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning shot against the Auburn Tigers in overtime during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Missouri won 86-83 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

SEC Tournament: Round Two

(6) Ole Miss vs. (14) Missouri

9:00 EST

The final game of the Thursday night schedule in the SEC Tournament is between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Missouri Tigers.

How much magic do the Missouri Tigers have left? They hit two clutch threes on Wednesday night, one to send it to overtime, then the other to win it.

But wait, there’s more.

More from SEC Basketball

Missouri (8-23, 2-16 in SEC) lost 13 straight games at one point this season, and they finished the regular season losing their final six games, but last night they surprised everyone with their win over Auburn, continuing head coach Kim Anderson’s tenure by at least one more game.

Ole Miss (19-12, 10-8 in SEC) finished the season strong, winning 7 of their final 10 games to claim the no. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament. They boast two of the SEC’s top 10 scorers in Deandre Burnett (16.5) and Sebastian Saiz (15.1).

Ole Miss won each of the two games against Missouri this season by total of 7 points. In the first game the Rebels escaped Columbia with a 4-point win. Saiz led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

In the second game, the Rebels escaped a close call once again. Barnett scored 28 points and had five assists. And with 16 seconds remaining, he hit two free throws to give Ole Miss a 3-point lead. Frankie Hughes scored 22 off the bench for Missouri, but missed a three-pointer to tie it in the final seconds.

It’s tough to beat anyone three times, especially someone you narrowly defeated the first two times. Missouri has some confidence after round one of the SEC Tournament, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull an even bigger upset in round two.

Ole Miss Rebels: By the Numbers

  • RPI: 67
  • SOS: 64
  • Record vs. RPI Top 50: 2-10

Missouri Tigers: By the Numbers

  • RPI: 263
  • SOS: 79
  • Record vs. RPI Top 50: 2-7
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