Know the Opponent: Murray State

Know the Opponent: Murray State (5-5)Â

KenPom ranking: 162Â

Ole Miss returns home to face Murray State in its first home game in nearly two weeks in a matchup of two strong offenses.

Murray State on Offense: Once again, Ole Miss faces an above-average offense that can shoot. The Racers score 37.8 percent of their points from behind the arc, the 39th-highest percentage in the nation. Four players on the team have already made double-digit 3s on the season. Ole Miss' 3-point defense will have to be better than it has been this season, as opponents are shooting nearly 43 percent against the Rebels.Â

Junior guard Jonathan Stark is shooting 46 percent from 3 and is the player to watch on offense. He takes the most shots on the team, but he's also extremely talented at finding an open teammate. His assist rate is just outside of the top-50 nationally.Â

What makes Murray State so efficient on offense is how careful the Racers are with the ball. Their turnover percentage is one of the best in the nation. However, due in part to their 3-point reliance, the Racers don't get to the free throw line with great regularity.Â

Murray State on Defense: While the Racers are efficient offensively, the same can't be said about them on the other end of the court. Teams have shot the ball very well against Murray State, and Ole Miss enters the game ranked 68th in 3-point percentage nationally. The Rebels need to take advantage of that and put up a big number to counter Murray State's offense.Â

While Murray State doesn't turn the ball over on offense much, the defense doesn't force many either. Ole Miss needs a clean game in that department. The Racers have also let opponents get to the free throw line frequently. Drawing fouls and getting to the line is already a strength for Ole Miss, so the free throw disparity could be a deciding factor in the game if both teams continue their trends.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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