Know the Opponent: South Alabama

Know the Opponent: South Alabama (7-5)

KenPom ranking: 218Â

Best win: at No. 187 UNLVÂ

Worst loss: at No. 303 StetsonÂ

Ole Miss has one final tuneup before conference play begins and it comes in the form of South Alabama.Â

South Alabama on Offense: South Alabama's average possession length is just over 16 seconds, so they move pretty quickly on offense. However, the Jaguars have not been every efficient at that pace. South Alabama ranks 293rd in offensive efficiency. That's due in part to their abysmal 3-point shooting. South Alabama is shooting just 29.5 percent from behind the arc. Georgi Boyanov leads the team in scoring and is shooting 15-for-22 from deep. The rest of the team combines to barely break 26 percent on 3-point shots. It's important to not leave Boyanov open to shoot, but the rest of the team hasn't proven the ability to beat you shooting outside.Â

The Jaguars only shoot 64 percent from the free throw line and rank outside of the top-200 in turnover percentage. The Rebels held Bradley to under 50 points in the last game, and this one also gives the Rebels to build confidence heading into conference play on that side of the court.Â

South Alabama on Defense: While the Jaguars have struggled on the offense, their defense has been much more solid this season. South Alabama ranks amount the best in the country at forcing turnovers. For Ole Miss, that could be a problem. The Rebels rank 251st in turnover percentage on offense.Â

Adding to that, South Alabama is better than the national average against both 3-point and 2-point shots. An advantage for Ole Miss is on the offensive glass. The Rebels enter ranking the top-25 in offensive rebound percentage while the Jaguar defense ranks outside of the top-200 in the same category.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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