Rebels Fall To Auburn In Quarterfinals of SEC Tournament, 62-57: A Thorough Analysis

The Ole Miss Rebels basketball team saw their hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament dashed in a hard-fought, yet disappointing, quarterfinal matchup against the Auburn Tigers. Despite a valiant effort, Ole Miss ultimately fell short, losing 62-57. This game, played in front of a raucous crowd at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, was a gritty affair from start to finish, full of momentum swings and hard-nosed defense. It was a contest that highlighted both teams’ strengths, weaknesses, and the fine margins that often separate winners from losers in high-stakes tournament play.

Setting the Stage

As the No. 8 seed in the SEC Tournament, the Ole Miss Rebels were hoping to make a deep run and secure an NCAA Tournament berth. With a somewhat up-and-down regular season, Ole Miss knew this was their chance to make a statement. On the other side of the court stood the No. 1-seeded Auburn Tigers, who came into the game as the overwhelming favorite. They had been one of the most consistent teams in the SEC all season long, led by head coach Bruce Pearl and his talented squad, which included star players like Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith. The Tigers were hungry for a championship, and they were not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way.

For Ole Miss, a victory over the top-seeded Auburn team would have been a monumental upset, but the Rebels had the talent and tenacity to pull it off. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for both teams as they battled it out for a spot in the semifinals.

First Half: Early Struggles for Ole Miss

The game began with a flurry of energy as both teams were clearly fired up, aware of the implications this game carried. Ole Miss, however, found themselves struggling in the early going. Their offense, which had been inconsistent throughout the season, failed to find a rhythm in the opening minutes. Auburn’s defense, known for being tough and aggressive, made life difficult for the Rebels. The Tigers were able to contain Ole Miss’ scoring options, forcing several turnovers and challenging every shot.

At the same time, Auburn’s offense came out firing on all cylinders. Jabari Smith, the SEC Player of the Year, quickly asserted himself in the game, making his presence felt both offensively and defensively. He scored early and often, hitting mid-range jumpers, draining a three-pointer, and using his elite footwork to get easy looks at the basket. Walker Kessler, the Tigers’ towering center, was also a force inside, dominating the boards and protecting the rim. Ole Miss struggled to match the physicality and intensity of Auburn’s play, falling behind early.

With a few key players unable to get their shots to fall, Ole Miss found themselves trailing by as much as 10 points midway through the first half. Rebels head coach Kermit Davis called a timeout to regroup, hoping to settle his team down and get them back on track. This timeout, however, didn’t immediately yield the desired effect. Auburn continued to apply pressure, and Ole Miss was forced to fight tooth and nail to stay in the game.

As the first half wore on, the Rebels showed signs of life. Senior guard Jarkel Joiner, known for his scoring ability, began to find his rhythm, knocking down a few important mid-range shots and getting to the free-throw line. The Rebels also picked up their defensive intensity, with Daeshun Ruffin and Matthew Murrell providing much-needed energy on both ends of the floor. However, the Tigers continued to hold the advantage, and despite some late scoring from Ole Miss, they went into the break trailing 33-27.

Second Half: Ole Miss Fights Back, But Auburn Holds Strong

The second half started with Ole Miss looking like a completely different team. The Rebels came out of the locker room with renewed energy, their defense was more aggressive, and their offense began to click. A key factor in the Rebels’ resurgence was their ability to limit Auburn’s transition game, forcing the Tigers to execute in the half-court offense. Auburn’s ability to push the ball in transition had been one of their trademarks all season, but Ole Miss did a much better job of getting back on defense and forcing them to set up plays.

Jarkel Joiner continued to be the focal point of the offense, leading the charge with several key baskets to keep the Rebels within striking distance. Additionally, the Rebels started to make shots from beyond the arc, which had been a weakness for them throughout the season. Both Murrell and Ruffin hit timely three-pointers that gave the team some momentum, and all of a sudden, the deficit was down to just a few points.

Auburn, on the other hand, started to feel the pressure. While Smith and Kessler remained threats on both ends of the floor, the Tigers began to show signs of fatigue. Ole Miss’ relentless defense was causing them to take rushed shots, and the Rebels’ offense was starting to pick up steam. The game was becoming a back-and-forth affair, with each team exchanging blows in what felt like a true playoff atmosphere.

One of the key moments of the second half came with just over 10 minutes left. Ole Miss managed to claw back into the game and even take the lead for a brief stretch. Joiner, Murrell, and Ruffin combined to score seven unanswered points, and the Rebels found themselves up 48-47 with just under eight minutes to go. The crowd, which had been quiet for much of the game, erupted with excitement as Ole Miss began to believe that an upset was within reach.

However, Auburn showed their poise and experience. Smith, who had been quiet in the second half up until that point, came alive when his team needed him most. The star forward hit back-to-back clutch jumpers to give Auburn a 51-48 lead. Kessler, too, contributed with a massive block on an Ole Miss drive, sending a message to the Rebels that the Tigers were not going to back down. Auburn then went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 59-51 with just under three minutes to play.

Despite their best efforts, Ole Miss could not recover. Joiner and Ruffin continued to push the pace and get good looks at the basket, but the Auburn defense was too strong in the final moments. The Rebels had a chance to close the gap with some quick shots, but they struggled to convert in crunch time, and Auburn’s free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory for the Tigers.

Key Players and Performances

Jarkel Joiner was undoubtedly the standout player for Ole Miss. The senior guard played with passion and determination, finishing the game with 20 points, several of which came during the Rebels’ second-half surge. His ability to create offense for himself and his teammates was critical in keeping Ole Miss in the game.

Matthew Murrell also had a solid outing, contributing 12 points and hitting timely three-pointers to help the Rebels stay competitive. Daeshun Ruffin added 10 points and a few key assists, showing flashes of the skill that had made him one of the most exciting young players in the SEC.

For Auburn, Jabari Smith was the difference-maker. The future NBA lottery pick scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. His scoring outbursts in the second half were crucial in keeping Auburn’s lead intact. Walker Kessler, with his shot-blocking ability and presence in the paint, finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, contributing in both offense and defense. Auburn’s depth and experience were also key factors in the game, as players like KD Johnson and Allen Flanigan provided important minutes off the bench.

Tactical Breakdown

The game was defined by defense, with both teams focusing on limiting each other’s offensive opportunities. Auburn’s size and athleticism made it difficult for Ole Miss to get easy looks inside. Kessler’s shot-blocking ability around the rim was a constant deterrent, while Smith’s length and perimeter defense kept the Rebels from finding consistent open shots. Auburn’s man-to-man defense, which was well-disciplined and aggressive, made it difficult for Ole Miss to execute their offense.

Ole Miss, for their part, relied on their perimeter shooting to stay competitive. The Rebels hit 7 three-pointers in the game, which was a relatively high percentage for them, and they made sure to push the ball in transition when possible. The defense of Ruffin, Murrell, and Joiner also kept Auburn from fully pulling away, as they made life difficult for the Tigers’ ball handlers.

However, Ole Miss’ inability to consistently execute in the half-court offense and their struggles with turnovers were factors that eventually caught up with them. Auburn’s defense, combined with their offensive efficiency in the latter stages of the game, proved to be the deciding factors.

Post-Game Reflections and Looking Forward

After the final buzzer, Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis acknowledged the valiant effort put forth by his team but expressed disappointment that they could not finish the job. The Rebels had fought hard, especially in the second half, but they were unable to overcome the power and poise of the Auburn Tigers in the closing minutes.

Auburn, on the other hand, celebrated their victory, but they were aware that tougher challenges awaited them. As the top seed in the SEC Tournament, they would have to continue to perform at a high level if they hoped to capture the championship and secure a favorable seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

For Ole Miss, this loss might mark the end of their season unless they can receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. While the Rebels showed promise and competitive spirit, they were ultimately undone by mistakes in critical moments. The team will take away valuable lessons from this game, including the need for more consistency in both offensive execution and decision-making. Despite the defeat, the Rebels’ season has been marked by resilience and growth, and there is hope that they can build upon these experiences moving forward.

In the end, Auburn’s 62-57 victory over Ole Miss was a game that could have gone either way, but the Tigers’ experience and poise in the final moments made the difference. For Ole Miss, it was a hard-fought battle, but one that ended in disappointment, as they now face the uncertain future of potentially being on the outside looking in when it comes to NCAA Tournament selection.