| 09 February 2012
Ole Miss travels to Starkville tonight to take on Mississippi State in the most critical game of the season. Nevermind that the Rebels need a quality win on the road to attempt to stay in the running for an NCAA slot and avoid dropping to 4-5 in the SEC. No, this game is critical because I'll be watching it from Burgers & Blues with the guys from Rebel Sports Radio and well, with four kids, two dogs and demanding job, I don't get these opportunities to watch a game with the guys (or gals) very often. I'm planning to really enjoy myself and that will be infinitely more difficult if the Rebels lay a big egg in the Hump.
In all seriousness though, this game really is another one of those games Ole Miss really must win if it wants to stay in the NCAA conversation. The SEC season is halfway over. At 4-4, the Rebels are hanging on by a thread. They missed an opportunity for a defining win over Florida and probably played themselves outside the Tournament with the double overtime loss to Alabama on Saturday. A road win over 18th ranked MSU could help fill that void created by not beating the Gators and dig out the hole they were put in by the Tide.
Starting from .500 in the SEC with the second half of the schedule remainging, tonight begins what is essentially a second season for Ole Miss. The Rebels can't afford to finish the second half the way it did the first. 8-8 in the SEC won't get Ole Miss into the NCAA Tournament. For the Rebels to have a chance they really need to end the season 10-6 or better and a win in the SEC Tournament wouldn't hurt either. With games remaining against Kentucky, Vanderbilt and on the road against Tennessee you begin to see just how critical each night is when you're playing for your NCAA Tournament life.
A lot's on the line tonight, so it should be fun. It usually is when these two teams meet.
Hope to see you at Burgers & Blues. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
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