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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, February 21
Oxford, Miss.
11 a.m.
Ole Miss
vs
Florida
Men's Basketball Hosting No. 11 Florida Saturday
2/20/2026 | Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. – Back in the SJB Pavilion, the Ole Miss men's basketball team will take on No. 11 Florida on Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (Record: 11-15, 3-10 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 3rd Season at Ole Miss (55-39) • 292-137 career record (14th Season)
Florida Gators (Record: 20-6, 11-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Todd Golden • 4th Season at Florida (96-39) • 153-75 career record (7th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television: ESPN
Play-by-Play: Richard Cross
Analyst: Chris Spatola
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Darby
Analyst: Murphy Holloway
SERIES HISTORY VS. FLORIDA
Ole Miss and Florida have played 120 times in a men's basketball series that dates back to 1940. While the Gators lead 71-49, the Rebels hold an edge when playing in Oxford 33-23, winners of four straight when playing at home including a 103-85 game in the most recent matchup in 2024.
LAST MEETING: March 8, 2025 (L, 71-90, Gainesville, Fla.)
• In the final game of the regular season, Ole Miss traveled to No. 5 Florida and fell to the eventual national champions by 19.
• Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss): 22 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal.
• Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida): 23 points, five rebounds, eight assists, one block.
SCOUTING THE GATORS
The defending national champions come to Oxford with a season record of 20-6 and SEC record of 11-2, sitting in first place in the conference standings. They earned notable wins in their non-conference slate over Florida State, Miami, and Providence, and have picked up ranked wins within the SEC over No. 18 Georgia, No. 21 Tennessee, No. 10 Vanderbilt, No. 23 Alabama, and No. 25 Kentucky. They currently hold the No. 12 spot in the latest AP Poll and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll, and rank No. 6 in KenPom and No. 9 in the NET.
An elite scoring and rebounding team, the Gators are led in points per game by forward Thomas Haugh at 17.2, and are paced on the glass by the nation's leading rebounder in Rueben Chinyelu at 12.0 per game. Chinyelu paces the SEC and ranks third in the country with 16 double-doubles on the season.
Notable NCAA Team Statistical Rankings:
- Rebounds per game, 46.0, 1st
- Rebound margin, +14.7, 1st
- Offense rebounds per game, 16.4, 1st
- Defensive rebounds per game, 29.6, 6th
- Scoring margin, +15.0, 13th
- Points per game, 86.1, 18th
- Fastbreak points per game, 16.3, 16th
- Blocks points per game, 5.0, 22nd
Florida is led by Todd Golden in his fourth year at the helm, with the Gators accumulating 96 wins under his watch. He has led the program to the NCAA Tournament in each of his last two years winning the national title in 2025. While at San Francisco, the Dons won 57 games under Golden during three seasons, highlighted by a 24-win season in 2021-22 when they earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
"SAFETY FIRST, THEN TEAMWORK"
In 26 games played this season, Ole Miss has had 10 or less turnovers in 16 contests, including 11 of their 13 SEC games. Their season average of 9.6 turnovers per game is the 23rd-best mark in the nation and second in the conference, while their clip of 8.2 per game is the best in the SEC during conference play.
After finishing last year with an average of 9.0 turnovers per game and setting a new school record, their current average would rank second, just ahead of Chris Beard's first season in Oxford (10.8), giving him the three-best marks in school history.
During Beard's three years in Oxford, Ole Miss leads the SEC in fewest turnovers per game at 9.8, and is the only program averaging under 10.0.
HOT BENCH
Averaging 31.4 points of the bench per game, Ole Miss ranks 23rd in the country and third in the SEC. Spearheading the output is senior guard AJ Storr, who has been coming off the bench in each of the last 12 games. He's posted six 20-point games during that span, including a pair of season-best 27-point games, and has averaged 18.9 points per game. Including his lone start in conference play, the SEC Sixth Man of the Year candidate is averaging 18.1 points per game in SEC games, the 11th-best mark overall and most among non-starters.
ROAD WARRIORS
When Ole Miss took the floor in Austin, Texas on February 7, they played in their fourth-straight road game, having played in hostile territory at Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, and at Tennessee prior. It marked the first time since the 1978-79 season that Ole Miss had played in four straight away games, when they lined up with Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU in mid-February. Ole Miss played on the road in seven of their first 10 SEC games, but will get six of their final eight in the SJB Pavilion.
I THOUGHT I TOLD YA, I'M A STARR
A key component in the consecutive SEC wins over Missouri, No. 21 Georgia, and Mississippi State was senior guard AJ Storr. In a home game with Mizzou, Storr caught fire early, knocking down four three-point shots in the first half before finishing with a then season-best 26 points. He followed that up with a strong game on the road at No. 21 Georgia, scoring 18 points in the second half and overtime period combined to finish with a season-best 27 points and eight rebounds, adding three steals on defense. Storr helped Ole Miss come out on top of a battle in Starkville with 17 points before scoring a team-high 18 against Auburn.
Over the past 12 games, Storr is averaging 18.9 points per game, all off the bench.
PATTON PINKINS PHRESHMAN PHENOM
In the team's SEC opener at Oklahoma, freshman guard Patton Pinkins scored a career-best 25 points on an impressive 9-11 (.818) shooting while draining four three pointers. His game-high 25 points were the most for a freshman at Ole Miss since November 2022, when Amaree Abram score 26 against Stanford. Pinkins has also hit game-winning shots in an overtime win at No. 21 Georgia, and in hostile territory at Mississippi State this season.
Among SEC programs, Pinkins leads all qualifying players averaging at least 20 minutes per game with just five turnovers on the season. The freshman is one of just two within the conference to have less than 10 turnovers on the season, joined by sophomore Ruben Dominguez of Texas A&M with eight.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
A strong defense has been a staple for Ole Miss under head coach Chris Beard, and this year's team has used their length and athleticism to average 4.3 blocks per game, the 57th-best mark in the nation. All fifteen student-athletes that have played this season have recorded a block paced by James Scott's 27, 23 from Malik Dia, and 21 from Corey Chest.
MALIK DIA-DIA
Entering this season with four career double-doubles, senior forward Malik Dia has matched that total number this year, hitting the milestone against St. John's, NC State, Alcorn State, and Missouri.
KEEP THE FUTURE BRIGHT
The Ole Miss men's basketball program recently welcomed two signees to their 2026 recruiting class, adding small forward Jaron Saulsberry and combo guard Yohance Connor.
Saulsberry will come to Oxford from Marietta, Georgia and Wheeler High School, and is ranked as a top-10 player in his home state by both ESPN and 247Sports. A 6'6" four-star recruit, he is ranked as the No. 28 small forward in the class of 2026.
Hailing from Charlotte, N.C., Connor ranks among the best in his state, tabbed the No. 3 player in North Carolina by 247Sports and No. 5 by Rivals. He is listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports, and ranked as the No. 5 combo guard in the class of 2026 by Rivals.
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (Record: 11-15, 3-10 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 3rd Season at Ole Miss (55-39) • 292-137 career record (14th Season)
Florida Gators (Record: 20-6, 11-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Todd Golden • 4th Season at Florida (96-39) • 153-75 career record (7th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television: ESPN
Play-by-Play: Richard Cross
Analyst: Chris Spatola
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Darby
Analyst: Murphy Holloway
SERIES HISTORY VS. FLORIDA
Ole Miss and Florida have played 120 times in a men's basketball series that dates back to 1940. While the Gators lead 71-49, the Rebels hold an edge when playing in Oxford 33-23, winners of four straight when playing at home including a 103-85 game in the most recent matchup in 2024.
LAST MEETING: March 8, 2025 (L, 71-90, Gainesville, Fla.)
• In the final game of the regular season, Ole Miss traveled to No. 5 Florida and fell to the eventual national champions by 19.
• Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss): 22 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal.
• Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida): 23 points, five rebounds, eight assists, one block.
SCOUTING THE GATORS
The defending national champions come to Oxford with a season record of 20-6 and SEC record of 11-2, sitting in first place in the conference standings. They earned notable wins in their non-conference slate over Florida State, Miami, and Providence, and have picked up ranked wins within the SEC over No. 18 Georgia, No. 21 Tennessee, No. 10 Vanderbilt, No. 23 Alabama, and No. 25 Kentucky. They currently hold the No. 12 spot in the latest AP Poll and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll, and rank No. 6 in KenPom and No. 9 in the NET.
An elite scoring and rebounding team, the Gators are led in points per game by forward Thomas Haugh at 17.2, and are paced on the glass by the nation's leading rebounder in Rueben Chinyelu at 12.0 per game. Chinyelu paces the SEC and ranks third in the country with 16 double-doubles on the season.
Notable NCAA Team Statistical Rankings:
- Rebounds per game, 46.0, 1st
- Rebound margin, +14.7, 1st
- Offense rebounds per game, 16.4, 1st
- Defensive rebounds per game, 29.6, 6th
- Scoring margin, +15.0, 13th
- Points per game, 86.1, 18th
- Fastbreak points per game, 16.3, 16th
- Blocks points per game, 5.0, 22nd
Florida is led by Todd Golden in his fourth year at the helm, with the Gators accumulating 96 wins under his watch. He has led the program to the NCAA Tournament in each of his last two years winning the national title in 2025. While at San Francisco, the Dons won 57 games under Golden during three seasons, highlighted by a 24-win season in 2021-22 when they earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
"SAFETY FIRST, THEN TEAMWORK"
In 26 games played this season, Ole Miss has had 10 or less turnovers in 16 contests, including 11 of their 13 SEC games. Their season average of 9.6 turnovers per game is the 23rd-best mark in the nation and second in the conference, while their clip of 8.2 per game is the best in the SEC during conference play.
After finishing last year with an average of 9.0 turnovers per game and setting a new school record, their current average would rank second, just ahead of Chris Beard's first season in Oxford (10.8), giving him the three-best marks in school history.
During Beard's three years in Oxford, Ole Miss leads the SEC in fewest turnovers per game at 9.8, and is the only program averaging under 10.0.
HOT BENCH
Averaging 31.4 points of the bench per game, Ole Miss ranks 23rd in the country and third in the SEC. Spearheading the output is senior guard AJ Storr, who has been coming off the bench in each of the last 12 games. He's posted six 20-point games during that span, including a pair of season-best 27-point games, and has averaged 18.9 points per game. Including his lone start in conference play, the SEC Sixth Man of the Year candidate is averaging 18.1 points per game in SEC games, the 11th-best mark overall and most among non-starters.
ROAD WARRIORS
When Ole Miss took the floor in Austin, Texas on February 7, they played in their fourth-straight road game, having played in hostile territory at Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, and at Tennessee prior. It marked the first time since the 1978-79 season that Ole Miss had played in four straight away games, when they lined up with Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU in mid-February. Ole Miss played on the road in seven of their first 10 SEC games, but will get six of their final eight in the SJB Pavilion.
I THOUGHT I TOLD YA, I'M A STARR
A key component in the consecutive SEC wins over Missouri, No. 21 Georgia, and Mississippi State was senior guard AJ Storr. In a home game with Mizzou, Storr caught fire early, knocking down four three-point shots in the first half before finishing with a then season-best 26 points. He followed that up with a strong game on the road at No. 21 Georgia, scoring 18 points in the second half and overtime period combined to finish with a season-best 27 points and eight rebounds, adding three steals on defense. Storr helped Ole Miss come out on top of a battle in Starkville with 17 points before scoring a team-high 18 against Auburn.
Over the past 12 games, Storr is averaging 18.9 points per game, all off the bench.
PATTON PINKINS PHRESHMAN PHENOM
In the team's SEC opener at Oklahoma, freshman guard Patton Pinkins scored a career-best 25 points on an impressive 9-11 (.818) shooting while draining four three pointers. His game-high 25 points were the most for a freshman at Ole Miss since November 2022, when Amaree Abram score 26 against Stanford. Pinkins has also hit game-winning shots in an overtime win at No. 21 Georgia, and in hostile territory at Mississippi State this season.
Among SEC programs, Pinkins leads all qualifying players averaging at least 20 minutes per game with just five turnovers on the season. The freshman is one of just two within the conference to have less than 10 turnovers on the season, joined by sophomore Ruben Dominguez of Texas A&M with eight.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
A strong defense has been a staple for Ole Miss under head coach Chris Beard, and this year's team has used their length and athleticism to average 4.3 blocks per game, the 57th-best mark in the nation. All fifteen student-athletes that have played this season have recorded a block paced by James Scott's 27, 23 from Malik Dia, and 21 from Corey Chest.
MALIK DIA-DIA
Entering this season with four career double-doubles, senior forward Malik Dia has matched that total number this year, hitting the milestone against St. John's, NC State, Alcorn State, and Missouri.
KEEP THE FUTURE BRIGHT
The Ole Miss men's basketball program recently welcomed two signees to their 2026 recruiting class, adding small forward Jaron Saulsberry and combo guard Yohance Connor.
Saulsberry will come to Oxford from Marietta, Georgia and Wheeler High School, and is ranked as a top-10 player in his home state by both ESPN and 247Sports. A 6'6" four-star recruit, he is ranked as the No. 28 small forward in the class of 2026.
Hailing from Charlotte, N.C., Connor ranks among the best in his state, tabbed the No. 3 player in North Carolina by 247Sports and No. 5 by Rivals. He is listed as a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports, and ranked as the No. 5 combo guard in the class of 2026 by Rivals.
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
Players Mentioned
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PRESSER | Chris Beard - Postgame at Texas A&M (02-18-26)
Wednesday, February 18
PRESSER: Malik Dia & Ilias Kamardine & AJ Storr & Eduardo Klafke & Patton Pinkins (MSU Postgame)
Saturday, February 14
HIGHLIGHTS: Men's Basketball vs. MSU (2/14/26)
Saturday, February 14
PRESSER: Chris Beard (MSU Postgame)
Saturday, February 14