The BYU Cougars men’s basketball team continue their season at the Rady Children’s Invitational on Thursday with a showdown against Ole Miss in San Diego, Calif.
Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. central.
BYU (5-0) enters the game undefeated, but with a small caveat. The Cougars have not played a power conference opponent yet. New head coach Kevin Young and his squad will get their first opportunity to test themselves against a team at their level.
No. 23 Ole Miss (5-0) is no slouch. The Rebels enter the game undefeated. But like the Cougars, it comes with a caveat. Ole Miss hasn’t played a power conference opponent, either.
So, one can see where this matchup is going. It’s the first significant test for both teams in non-conference.
Here’s how you can catch the game and how it is expected to play out.
How To Watch BYU vs. Ole Miss
The BYU Cougars (5-0) will face the Ole Miss Rebels (5-0) in a men’s college basketball showdown on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at LionTree Arena in San Diego, Calif.
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Time: 4:30 p.m. CT.
TV Channel: FS1.
Streaming: Fox Sports App (regional restrictions may apply).
City: San Diego, Calif.
Venue: LionTree Arena
BYU vs. Ole Miss Basketball Betting Info
Line: BYU (-4.5) (Opened at BYU -4.5 on Nov. 27, 2024)
Over/Under: 105.5 (Opened at 150.5 on Nov. 27, 2024)
BYU vs. Ole Miss: Prediction and Projections
The chatter around BYU has been about gifted freshman Egor Demin, who leads BYU with 15.2 point, 7.2 assists and 2.4 steals pr game. But just as important is how the Cougars have shared the ball offensively.
Forward Richie Saunders (13.6 ppg), center Fousseyni Traore (13.4 ppg) and freshman guard Kanon Catchings (11.4 ppg) are all averaging double figures. BYU just got point guard Dallin Hall back and it should be fun to watch Young integrate the veteran with Demin in the lineup.
BYU looks deep defensively, is averaging 91 points and shooting nearly 36% from the 3-point line.
Ole Miss is also putting up fine offensive numbers, led by its trio of guards. Sean Pedulla (14.4 ppg), Jaylen Murray (12.2 ppg) and Matthew Murrell (12.0 ppg) are all in double figures and combined are averaging nearly 10 per game.
Forward Jaemyn Brakefield (11.2 ppg) is the top offensive threat inside and he combined with Malik Dia to snag more than 13 rebounds per game.
Ole Miss is a strong shooting team that averages nearly 81 points per game and is BYU’s equal from the 3-point line, where the Rebels average nearly 36%.
Prediction: BYU 81, Ole Miss 76
ESPN Matchup Predictor: BYU (60.3% Chance of Winning)
Odds Shark Predicted Score: TBA
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
