Preview: Mississippi Rebels vs. Georgia Bulldogs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Georgia Bulldogs, riding high as a projected NCAA Tournament team, will face a familiar and desperate challenge when they meet the Mississippi Rebels in a Southeastern Conference tournament game Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

The No. 22-9 Bulldogs, seeded third, enter as heavy favorites against the 13-19 Rebels, who are seeded 14th. Georgia is projected with a 76.4% probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system and is installed as a 6-point favorite. The over/under is 156.5.

Georgia, led by standout forward Kanon Catchings, has won four of its last five games. Catchings is coming off a 23-point, six-rebound performance in a 102-96 win at Mississippi State on March 7 and exploded for 32 points in a victory over Alabama on March 3. His scoring surge has keyed Georgia’s late-season push.

Mississippi, however, presents a dangerous first-round opponent, especially given recent history. The Rebels stunned the Bulldogs 97-95 in overtime in Athens on Jan. 14. Furthermore, Mississippi arrives with momentum from a 76-66 road win at Texas on Wednesday, led by 23 points from Malik Dia and 18 from guard AJ Storr.

Storr is the engine for the Rebels, averaging 17.5 points over his last eight games, including a 26-point outing in a win at Auburn. His backcourt scoring is essential for an Ole Miss team that has played in numerous tight contests, with five of its last nine losses coming by single digits or in overtime.

Georgia’s depth, featuring Blue Cain and Somto Cyril, will test a Rebel squad playing its second game in as many days. The Bulldogs’ efficient offense, which has topped 90 points four times in SEC play, will clash with a Mississippi team seeking to control tempo and replicate its January upset.

The winner will advance to face the victor of Thursday’s game between Florida and the tournament’s sixth seed on Friday. For Georgia, it’s a step toward solidifying its NCAA seeding. For Mississippi, it’s a chance to salvage a difficult season with a tournament run.

Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. EDT Thursday.