The Ole Miss Rebels and Stanford Cardinal face off on Thursday in a college basketball showdown at the HP Field House. This is the first meeting played between the two teams.
Ole Miss comes into this game with a 4-0 record and they have gone 2-2 against the spread. In the last game against Tennessee Martin, they were really tested, but they secured a 72-68 victory. Two games ago against Chattanooga the defense only gave up 58 points and that led to the victory. Ole Miss is averaging 73.8 points while their defense is giving up 62.8 points per game. Guard Matthew Murrell has been the top player for Ole Miss averaging 41 points while shooting 41 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from behind the three-point line.
On the other side of this matchup is Stanford who sits with a 2-2 record and they have gone 1-3 against the spread. In the last game against Cal Poly, the defense was elite giving up only 43 points, and that led to the 37 point victory. Stanford is averaging 70 points while their defense is giving up 63.8 points per game. In this game, if they want a chance they are going to need the defense to step up. Guard Michael Jones has been the top player for Stanford averaging 13.8 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from behind the three-point line.
The Cardinal are 5-1 against the spread in their last six neutral site games. The over is 6-0 in the Rebels last six games following an against-the-spread loss. The under is 7-1 in the Cardinal last eight games after allowing more than 50 points in their previous games. Ole Miss is 1-7 against the spread in their last seven neutral site games.
This Ole Miss team is better, and they are going to find success here. Ole Miss is giving up 62.8 points per game and Stanford is going to really struggle here. It might not be the prettiest game, but Ole Miss is going to pull away here. Back the Ole Miss against the spread.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
Mitch's Take...
