Ole Miss Basketball: Keys to success against Mississippi State in 2018-19

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against Breein Tyree #4 of the Mississippi Rebels at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Ole Miss Basketball has been one of the country’s biggest surprises and can beat their second top-15 team this week against bitter in-state Mississippi State. Here are the biggest keys to the game.

The Ole Miss Rebels were picked to finish dead last in the SEC at the start of the year, yet they’ve proven to be one of the most improved teams in the country under first-year head coach Kermit Davis.

The Rebels are 12-2 and are riding a nine-game win streak. They’re also coming off their biggest win of the year, a convincing 82-67 win over Auburn to move to 2-0 in SEC play.

However, Davis said after the game that his team wasn’t satisfied with their early season success.

"“I don’t want to settle for mediocre. I think it’s a signature win, but we’ve still got a ways to go.”"

Ole Miss will have a chance for another signature win on Saturday when they hit the road to take on Mississippi State.

Unlike the Rebels, the Bulldogs started the year with high expectations and was picked to finish fourth in the SEC while being ranked in the preseason top 25. They also this matchup with a 12-2 record on the year.

The success of both of these programs has turned this football-centric rivalry into a must-watch game on the basketball court.

Mississippi State enters the game as the favorite, but considering the way the Rebels have been playing over the last month, no one would be surprised to see them walk out of Starkville with the victory.

Here are three things that need to happen for Ole Miss to win on Saturday.

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