Every week is a pivotal week in the Southeastern Conference. Still, this week, in particular, has the potential to position the 2024-2025 season as a program-changing week for Ole Miss and Mississippi State as they face the Alabama schools on Tuesday night before a monster game on Saturday afternoon in Starkville between the two. If either can find a way to win both games, they would face a unique situation where they control their destiny to win the Southeastern Conference regular season championship outright.

However, the harsh reality of Ole Miss and Mississippi State having to go on the road on Tuesday night before playing each other in one of the most emotionally charged rivalry games in college sports this week is pivotal in the direction of the season for both the Bulldogs and Rebels. If one can manage a perfect 2-0 week, the race for an SEC outright championship combined with a double-bye in Nashville becomes more than just a pipe dream.

From a matchup perspective, with Johni Broome out for Auburn, Mississippi State has the perfect opportunity to go on the road with a chance to knock off the top-ranked Tigers, as the Bulldogs have one loss in the SEC, they can’t afford a week where they go 0-2 to Auburn and Ole Miss. Going 0-2 this week would set the Bulldogs back a few notches with three Southeastern Conference losses midway through January.

The Ole Miss Rebels come into the week’s matchups with Alabama and Mississippi State with a perfect SEC 3-0 record, including wins over Georgia and LSU at home and a road win at Arkansas. In three short weeks, Ole Miss found their identity after being embarrassed by Memphis. Playing on the road is no easy feat, especially within the Southeastern Conference. Still, Ole Miss has an underdog mentality with an unbreakable culture designed to withstand adversity on the road.

Success will look similar for both Ole Miss and Mississippi State this week; a split between losing on Tuesday night and winning on Saturday would be considered a win for either team. A perfect 2-0 sweep of the week would be the icing on the cake, while a 0-2 week likely causes either fan base to panic. With that in mind, this week might be one of the biggest weeks in the history of Mississippi college basketball. Saturday’s game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State will add a dramatic twist to the rivalry on the hardwood.

( Photo Credits Mississippi State and Ole Miss Basketball on X)