Ole Miss Stuns Alabama in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

In a surprising turn of events at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament, 15th-seeded Ole Miss defeated second-seeded Alabama 80-79 on March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. This victory marks Ole Miss's third consecutive win in the tournament, having previously defeated Georgia and Texas, and they have not trailed at any point during these games. The Rebels, who finished the regular season with a disappointing 15-19 record, now advance to the semifinals where they will face either No. 11 seed Oklahoma or No. 3 seed Arkansas.

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Ole Miss started strong, leading 47-41 at halftime. The Rebels maintained their advantage throughout the game, with AJ Storr scoring 17 points and Ilias Kamardine contributing 16 points, including crucial baskets in the final minutes. Alabama's Labaron Philon led all scorers with 28 points, but despite a late push, the Crimson Tide could not secure the win. Alabama had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, but a blocked shot by Ole Miss's James Scott sealed the victory for the Rebels.

DeadspinMCBB: Ole Miss continues magical SEC Tournament run with 80-79 win over AlabamaOle Miss’ Miracle Run Rolls On With Stunning 80-79 Upset of Alabama247SportsSports Illustrated

Ole Miss shot 46% from the field and 42% from three-point range, compared to Alabama's 41% overall shooting and 31% from beyond the arc. The Rebels also out-rebounded the Crimson Tide 42-36, a significant factor in their success. Alabama struggled with its shooting, particularly from three-point territory, where they made only 9 of 29 attempts.

Deadspin

Alabama head coach Nate Oats acknowledged the performance of Ole Miss, stating, "They had a tough regular season, but they've come together and they're playing well right now." He expressed disappointment in his team's defensive effort, noting, "If we don't play hard enough on defense... then you're asking for a game where you could end up losing."

No. 15/15 Alabama Upset by Ole Miss in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

Despite the excitement surrounding Ole Miss's victory, some analysts pointed out Alabama's lack of urgency and defensive lapses. Critics highlighted that Alabama's performance did not match their previous form, especially given their strong finish to the regular season, where they went 8-1.

Sports Illustrated

Ole Miss will continue its Cinderella run in the SEC Tournament, facing either Oklahoma or Arkansas in the semifinals. The Rebels are now just two wins away from securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a remarkable turnaround for a team that struggled throughout the regular season.

Ole Miss upsets Alabama, advances to semifinals of SEC Tournament

• “It was a tough season for us, and we want to stay alive. We have to keep pushing. We don’t want to stop. We want to keep playing,” — Ilias Kamardine, Ole Miss Guard

MCBB: Ole Miss continues magical SEC Tournament run with 80-79 win over Alabama

• “Good thing for us is we played well enough at times during the year to guarantee ourself a tournament seed,” — Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach

Sports Illustrated

This upset not only highlights Ole Miss's resilience but also raises questions about Alabama's readiness for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, as they await their seeding on Selection Sunday.

CBS Sports