Ole Miss enters an important week of non-conference play looking to sharpen its identity before SEC action begins. The Rebels will host in-state foe Alcorn State early in the week before turning their attention to a high-profile showdown with NC State.
Ole Miss vs Alcorn State - Wednesday, December 17th
The matchup with Alcorn State offers a chance for Ole Miss to extend its home winning streak and build confidence on both ends of the floor.
Expect head coach Chris Beard to emphasize defensive intensity and getting out in transition against the Braves, who will look to push the tempo and take advantage of open perimeter looks. The Rebels’ depth and rebounding should give them a firm edge, but maintaining focus will be key before the next big test.
Alcorn State brings back guard Jalyke Gaines‑Wyatt, the Braves’ leading scorer and primary playmaker last season, after he averaged 11.5 points and 3.0 assists while also topping the team in usage.
Forward Djahi Binet gives Alcorn a physical presence on the glass, coming off a season in which he led the Braves at 7.6 rebounds per game and anchored their interior defense.
Around them, long, versatile wings such as Omari Hamilton and Tycen McDaniels offer length and switchability, giving Alcorn options to throw different looks at Ole Miss’ perimeter scorers.
For Ole Miss, containing Gaines‑Wyatt off the dribble and limiting Binet’s second‑chance opportunities will be central to dictating tempo and turning their depth into a decisive advantage.
Ole Miss vs NC State - Sunday, December 21st
That test comes later in the week when NC State visits Oxford, bringing ACC athleticism and balance. The Wolfpack, led by veteran guard play and a high-scoring offense, will provide one of the toughest non-conference challenges yet for Ole Miss.
For the Rebels, this game could serve as a true measuring stick, especially after being unable to capitalize on some other major opportunities. How well their defense holds up against a dynamic backcourt and whether their own scorers can match pace in a fast, physical contest will be a key to winning this game.
NC State arrives with one of the more explosive scoring trios Ole Miss will see before SEC play, headlined by forward Darrion Williams, who is averaging 15.9 points per game on better than 60 percent shooting and stretching defenses with elite efficiency from the perimeter.
Freshman wing Paul McNeil Jr. has emerged as a dynamic scorer in his own right, pouring in over 20 points per night while hitting a high volume of threes, which forces constant attention away from the paint.
Guard Quadir Copeland is the engine, running the offense with 5.1 assists per game and also leading the Wolfpack in steals, while bruising forward Ven‑Allen Lubin controls the glass at 7.2 rebounds per game and finishes efficiently around the rim.
This NC State group will test Ole Miss’ defensive communication and rebounding; if the Rebels can disrupt Copeland’s rhythm and keep Williams and McNeil from getting comfortable from deep, it sets the stage for a marquee non-conference win that will resonate in March.
Two very different games, but both crucial for momentum as Ole Miss continues to define itself under Beard’s leadership. A 2–0 week would boost confidence and bolster the Rebels’ postseason résumé heading into the holidays.