.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, February 5
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
8 PM
Ole Miss
at
Alabama
Women’s Basketball Set to Battle Alabama in Tuscaloosa
2/4/2026 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss women's basketball will remain in the state of Alabama for its fourth straight game away from home, facing the Crimson Tide on Thursday, February 5. Tipoff at Coleman Coliseum will be at 8 p.m. CT, streaming on SEC Network.
TEAM FACTS
No. 13/14 Ole Miss Rebels (19-4, 6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (144-99) • 13th Season in Career (238-162)
No. 21/23 Alabama Crimson Tide (19-4, 5-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Kristy Curry • 13th Season at UA (240-166) • 27th Season in Career (549-315)
ON THE AIR
Television: SEC Network
Play-by-Play: Eric Frede
Color: Christy Thomaskutty
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES HISTORY
The Rebels and Crimson Tide will face off the 68th time in their history, with Ole Miss holding a 38-29 series advantage. The series dates to 1977. Ole Miss claimed the first five victories of the series, ultimately winning 19 of the first 22 matches against Alabama.
The Rebels went on an eight-game winning streak against the Crimson Tide from 2004-09. The Rebels claimed four of those victories by more than 20 points, including an 84-43 victory in Oxford on Feb. 11, 2007. The 41-point victory is the largest win by either team in the series. Armintie Price went for 19 points to lead the Rebels in that game, while accumulating five steals and five assists. Bianca Thomas had the second-most points for the Rebels, scoring 17 points off the bench with a trio of 3-pointers.
Ole Miss has won four of the last six matchups. In Tuscaloosa, the Rebels have an opportunity to tie the series at 15 games, but currently trail the series 15-14 against the Crimson Tide.
Last season, Alabama claimed an 84-78 win in Oxford, despite a valiant comeback effort from Ole Miss. Starr Jacobs had a double-double, scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds. Madison Scott scored her 1,500th career point against the Tide, becoming just the eighth Rebel to score that many points exclusively in a Rebel jersey. Christeen Iwuala went 5-for-5 from the field, her first time shooting a perfect field goal percentage with at least five attempts.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Kristy Curry is in her 13th season guiding Alabama's women's basketball program. She's accounted for over 230 victories in her time with the Crimson Tide, while approaching 550-win plateau for her overall coaching career. She's led Alabama to a 19-4 record entering Thursday's game, with a 5-4 mark against SEC opponents. The Tide have been recognized nationally, appearing in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll throughout the course of the season.
Alabama averages 71.8 points per game, ranking in the upper third of Division I teams in scoring efficiency and offensive output. The Tide feature a balanced lineup with multiple contributors, including Jessica Timmons leading the team in scoring and Karly Weathers, who offers all-around playmaking. Timmons is averaging 16.0 points per game, while Weathers is contributing 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Alabama has respectable numbers from long range, ranking fifth in the SEC in made threes per game while shooting at an efficient 36.9 percent.
Defensively, the Tide tend to allow moderate scoring, indicating moments of vulnerability, especially against top-tier offensive teams. The Tide are average in rebounding and forcing turnovers. However, junior forward Essence Cody is rejecting 1.4 blocks per game while getting 1.2 steals per game.
Alabama has shown the ability to compete with ranked teams and hang tough in close affairs, aided by its efficient offense. Much of its success can be pinned to its balanced, all-around contributions from bench players. Several rotation players, such as Ace Austin and Naomi Jones, can provide quick sparks off the bench while starters rest.
LAST TIME OUT
Ole Miss women's basketball reigned supreme once more in Birmingham, besting Auburn, 71-45, on Monday evening at Legacy Arena.
Ole Miss allowed the fewest points to any SEC teams it has faced this season. Auburn is the eighth team this season that Ole Miss has allowed to score 50 or fewer points. The Rebels allowed only one made 3-pointer for the day and outrebounded the Tigers by 28.
Christeen Iwuala earned her ninth double-double of her career, all of which have come this season. She's had three instances of back-to-back double-doubles this season and is one instance short of becoming the first Rebel since Madison Scott in the 2022-23 season to have 10 double-doubles in a single season.
Cotie McMahon led the Rebels' in scoring once again, contributing 20 points to the cause. She also added seven rebounds and two steals.
Sira Thienou contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. The sophomore sensation has had double-digit points in six of the past seven games.
MIDSEASON ADVERSITIES
Right in the middle of the SEC season, Winter Storm Fern upended Ole Miss' schedule, forcing the postponement of a home game and the relocation of two others to a neutral site in Birmingham, Alabama. As recovery efforts continued, the Rebels endured an extended road stint of over a week, competing at Legacy Arena before continuing straight on to Alabama. When Ole Miss returns to the SJB Pavilion on Feb. 12 to host Arkansas, it will mark the team's first game in Oxford in a month, with its last home contest coming against Mississippi State on Jan. 11.
Throughout it all, the Rebels have remained optimistic, looking at the extended road trip as a precursor to the postseason where they will play in neutral sites at the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. Ole Miss also has a further purpose in the remaining games this year, deciding as a team to play for Oxford and all those who were affected by the devastating storm.
REBELS RAISE THE BAR
Currently holding an 19-4 overall record, it marks the best start for an Ole Miss team coached by Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Previously, Ole Miss' best record under McPhee-McCuin through these many games was tied with 2021-22 & 2022-23 when Ole Miss also started 18-4, but both those years it was followed with a loss.
Ole Miss' 6-2 SEC start ties as the program's strongest conference opening during Yolett McPhee-McCuin's eight-year tenure. The other seasons that the Rebels started SEC play 6-2 was the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X3
In the past month, Cotie McMahon has been named SEC Player of the Week three times, which is tied with Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes for the most in the SEC. She is the only player though to earn three during conference play this season. The senior is the first Rebel to achieve the award so many times during a year since Armintie Price, who was honored as the Player of the Week four times during the 2006-07 season.
This marks McMahon's 10th weekly conference honor and her third overall in the SEC. She was a six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, won Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 22, 2024 and was recognized this season as the SEC Player of the Week on Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE REBELS
Single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
TEAM FACTS
No. 13/14 Ole Miss Rebels (19-4, 6-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (144-99) • 13th Season in Career (238-162)
No. 21/23 Alabama Crimson Tide (19-4, 5-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Kristy Curry • 13th Season at UA (240-166) • 27th Season in Career (549-315)
ON THE AIR
Television: SEC Network
Play-by-Play: Eric Frede
Color: Christy Thomaskutty
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES HISTORY
The Rebels and Crimson Tide will face off the 68th time in their history, with Ole Miss holding a 38-29 series advantage. The series dates to 1977. Ole Miss claimed the first five victories of the series, ultimately winning 19 of the first 22 matches against Alabama.
The Rebels went on an eight-game winning streak against the Crimson Tide from 2004-09. The Rebels claimed four of those victories by more than 20 points, including an 84-43 victory in Oxford on Feb. 11, 2007. The 41-point victory is the largest win by either team in the series. Armintie Price went for 19 points to lead the Rebels in that game, while accumulating five steals and five assists. Bianca Thomas had the second-most points for the Rebels, scoring 17 points off the bench with a trio of 3-pointers.
Ole Miss has won four of the last six matchups. In Tuscaloosa, the Rebels have an opportunity to tie the series at 15 games, but currently trail the series 15-14 against the Crimson Tide.
Last season, Alabama claimed an 84-78 win in Oxford, despite a valiant comeback effort from Ole Miss. Starr Jacobs had a double-double, scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds. Madison Scott scored her 1,500th career point against the Tide, becoming just the eighth Rebel to score that many points exclusively in a Rebel jersey. Christeen Iwuala went 5-for-5 from the field, her first time shooting a perfect field goal percentage with at least five attempts.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Kristy Curry is in her 13th season guiding Alabama's women's basketball program. She's accounted for over 230 victories in her time with the Crimson Tide, while approaching 550-win plateau for her overall coaching career. She's led Alabama to a 19-4 record entering Thursday's game, with a 5-4 mark against SEC opponents. The Tide have been recognized nationally, appearing in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll throughout the course of the season.
Alabama averages 71.8 points per game, ranking in the upper third of Division I teams in scoring efficiency and offensive output. The Tide feature a balanced lineup with multiple contributors, including Jessica Timmons leading the team in scoring and Karly Weathers, who offers all-around playmaking. Timmons is averaging 16.0 points per game, while Weathers is contributing 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Alabama has respectable numbers from long range, ranking fifth in the SEC in made threes per game while shooting at an efficient 36.9 percent.
Defensively, the Tide tend to allow moderate scoring, indicating moments of vulnerability, especially against top-tier offensive teams. The Tide are average in rebounding and forcing turnovers. However, junior forward Essence Cody is rejecting 1.4 blocks per game while getting 1.2 steals per game.
Alabama has shown the ability to compete with ranked teams and hang tough in close affairs, aided by its efficient offense. Much of its success can be pinned to its balanced, all-around contributions from bench players. Several rotation players, such as Ace Austin and Naomi Jones, can provide quick sparks off the bench while starters rest.
LAST TIME OUT
Ole Miss women's basketball reigned supreme once more in Birmingham, besting Auburn, 71-45, on Monday evening at Legacy Arena.
Ole Miss allowed the fewest points to any SEC teams it has faced this season. Auburn is the eighth team this season that Ole Miss has allowed to score 50 or fewer points. The Rebels allowed only one made 3-pointer for the day and outrebounded the Tigers by 28.
Christeen Iwuala earned her ninth double-double of her career, all of which have come this season. She's had three instances of back-to-back double-doubles this season and is one instance short of becoming the first Rebel since Madison Scott in the 2022-23 season to have 10 double-doubles in a single season.
Cotie McMahon led the Rebels' in scoring once again, contributing 20 points to the cause. She also added seven rebounds and two steals.
Sira Thienou contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. The sophomore sensation has had double-digit points in six of the past seven games.
MIDSEASON ADVERSITIES
Right in the middle of the SEC season, Winter Storm Fern upended Ole Miss' schedule, forcing the postponement of a home game and the relocation of two others to a neutral site in Birmingham, Alabama. As recovery efforts continued, the Rebels endured an extended road stint of over a week, competing at Legacy Arena before continuing straight on to Alabama. When Ole Miss returns to the SJB Pavilion on Feb. 12 to host Arkansas, it will mark the team's first game in Oxford in a month, with its last home contest coming against Mississippi State on Jan. 11.
Throughout it all, the Rebels have remained optimistic, looking at the extended road trip as a precursor to the postseason where they will play in neutral sites at the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. Ole Miss also has a further purpose in the remaining games this year, deciding as a team to play for Oxford and all those who were affected by the devastating storm.
REBELS RAISE THE BAR
Currently holding an 19-4 overall record, it marks the best start for an Ole Miss team coached by Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Previously, Ole Miss' best record under McPhee-McCuin through these many games was tied with 2021-22 & 2022-23 when Ole Miss also started 18-4, but both those years it was followed with a loss.
Ole Miss' 6-2 SEC start ties as the program's strongest conference opening during Yolett McPhee-McCuin's eight-year tenure. The other seasons that the Rebels started SEC play 6-2 was the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X3
In the past month, Cotie McMahon has been named SEC Player of the Week three times, which is tied with Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes for the most in the SEC. She is the only player though to earn three during conference play this season. The senior is the first Rebel to achieve the award so many times during a year since Armintie Price, who was honored as the Player of the Week four times during the 2006-07 season.
This marks McMahon's 10th weekly conference honor and her third overall in the SEC. She was a six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, won Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 22, 2024 and was recognized this season as the SEC Player of the Week on Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE REBELS
Single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballYolett McPhee-McCuin - Postgame vs. Auburn (02-02-26)
Tuesday, February 03
Sira Thienou - Postgame vs. Auburn (02-02-26)
Tuesday, February 03
HIGHLIGHTS: Women's Basketball vs. Auburn (02-02-26)
Monday, February 02
PRESSER | Yolett McPhee-McCuin - Postgame vs. Vanderbilt (01-30-25)
Friday, January 30