Looking back

The Rebels defeated an opponent that was physically overmatched inside in rival Mississippi State, 93-75, on Wednesday, then found themselves on the receiving end of that hit in a 98-79 loss at No. 21 Missouri.

The Missouri loss was the third loss in four SEC games after a school record 6-0 conference start.

Post players Murphy Holloway and Reggie Buckner combined for 36 points and 15 rebounds against MSU, but the Rebels were dominated on the glass at Missouri, out-rebounded by 18 with Holloway – the SEC’s leading rebounder going into the game – getting just one rebound.

Looking ahead

The Rebels are back on the SEC road Wednesday night at 6 p.m. against the other SEC newcomer, Texas A&M, the first basketball meeting between the two schools.

The Aggies lost at Georgia on Saturday, two days after defeating Missouri 70-68 in College Station.

Who’s hot

Junior guard Marshall Henderson surpassed 30 points for the second time this season when he put 31 on the Bulldogs during the week.

Henderson went into the Missouri game having hit 13 of his last 25 3-point attempts.

No one was particularly hot at Missouri.

Henderson shared team-scoring honors with Jarvis Summers, each with 16 points, but was 2 for 8 from the arc.

Who’s not

Holloway was dominant against Missouri in Oxford with 22 points and eight rebounds, but the Tigers figured out his left-hand move in the rematch holding Holloway to seven points on 2 for 4 shooting and only one rebound.

RPI watch

WarrenNolan.com has the Ole Miss RPI at at 48.

Bottom Line

The senior big men – Holloway and Buckner – were supposed to be the strength of this Ole Miss team, but they’re going to have to perform at a higher level if the Rebels are going to play their way into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.