Ole Miss Rebels Upset Auburn Tigers in Thrilling Finish
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · Neville Arena
Ole Miss Rebels 85, Auburn Tigers 79, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Ole Miss Rebels vs Auburn Tigers?
Ole Miss Rebels beat Auburn Tigers 85-79 at Neville Arena on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Ole Miss Rebels vs Auburn Tigers?
Auburn Tigers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -650 (about 87% implied). The underdog won.
In a surprising turn of events, the Ole Miss Rebels defeated the Auburn Tigers with a final score of 85-79 at Neville Arena. This victory marks a significant moment for Ole Miss, who had been struggling with a ten-game losing streak prior to this game. The Rebels, now with a record of 12-17, managed to break their slump against an Auburn team that had previously dominated their encounters.
The Auburn Tigers entered the game with a record of 15-14, having won only four of their last ten games, and were coming off a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners just days earlier. Their recent form showed a scoring average of 79.3 points per game but also revealed a concerning trend as they allowed an average of 81.6 points over the same stretch. The Tigers had not been performing well defensively, which proved to be a critical factor in this matchup.
In contrast, Ole Miss had been struggling significantly, with a record of 0-10 in their last ten games before this victory. They averaged 73.4 points scored per game while allowing an average of 84.7 points. The Rebels had not won a game since January 21, when they lost to Auburn, making this win all the more remarkable.
Historically, Auburn had dominated the recent meetings between the two teams, winning all four encounters in the last two seasons. Their previous match earlier this season ended with a score of 78-66 in favor of the Tigers. However, this game showcased a different narrative, as Ole Miss not only broke their losing streak but also managed to outscore Auburn in a tightly contested match.
The game was marked by a series of critical scoring plays in the second half, including a driving layup by Tahaad Pettiford and a pair of free throws by Patton Pinkins that helped extend Ole Miss's lead. The Rebels made key shots down the stretch, including a significant three-pointer by Pettiford that pushed their lead to 82-77. AJ Storr also contributed with free throws that solidified their advantage in the closing moments of the game.
The betting market had favored Auburn with a spread of -10.5 according to DraftKings, indicating expectations of a comfortable win for the Tigers. The total for the game was set at 153.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring potential of both teams. However, the outcome defied these expectations, showcasing the unpredictability of college basketball.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any player absences that might have affected the performance of either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this pivotal matchup.
The conditions at Neville Arena were conducive to a competitive game, and the atmosphere likely played a role in the intensity of the contest. Fans witnessed a thrilling display of basketball, with Ole Miss proving resilient in the face of adversity.
As the season progresses, this upset victory for Ole Miss may serve as a turning point for the Rebels, while Auburn will need to reassess their strategies to avoid further setbacks. The outcome of this game was a reminder of the volatility of college basketball and the potential for surprises, making it a fixture worth remembering.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | AUB -10.5 | 153.5 o -112 / u -108 | Ole Miss Rebels +470 · Auburn Tigers -650 |
Leaders
- PointsTahaad Pettiford24Auburn Tigers
- AssistsTahaad Pettiford3Auburn Tigers
- ReboundsKeyshawn Hall6Auburn Tigers
- PointsPatton Pinkins26Ole Miss Rebels
- AssistsKoren Johnson4Ole Miss Rebels
- ReboundsEduardo Klafke8Ole Miss Rebels
Recent form
Auburn Tigers
Last 10: 4-6Streak L179.3 scored · 81.6 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L79-91at Oklahoma SoonersFeb 25
- W75-74vs Kentucky WildcatsFeb 22
- L85-91at Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 19
- L75-88at Arkansas RazorbacksFeb 15
- L76-84vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 11
- L92-96vs Alabama Crimson TideFeb 7
- L69-77at Tennessee VolunteersFeb 1
- W88-82vs Texas LonghornsJan 29
- W76-67at Florida GatorsJan 24
- W78-66at Ole Miss RebelsJan 21
Ole Miss Rebels
Last 10: 0-10Streak L1073.4 scored · 84.7 allowed per game0-5 away
- L99-106vs LSU TigersFeb 26
- L75-94vs Florida GatorsFeb 21
- L77-80at Texas A&M AggiesFeb 19
- L78-90vs Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 14
- L74-93vs Alabama Crimson TideFeb 12
- L68-79at Texas LonghornsFeb 7
- L66-84at Tennessee VolunteersFeb 4
- L68-71at Vanderbilt CommodoresJan 31
- L63-72at Kentucky WildcatsJan 24
- L66-78vs Auburn TigersJan 21
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Ole Miss Rebels | Auburn Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-58 | 26-51 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 10-25 | 8-24 |
| Three-point % | 40 | 33 |
| Free throws | 13-17 | 19-27 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 27 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 21 |
| Assists | 17 | 8 |
| Steals | 7 | 6 |
| Blocks | 4 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 32 |
| Fouls | 17 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 61 | 35 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-51Patton Pinkins makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half49-51AJ Storr makes driving layup (Koren Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half50-51AJ Storr makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-51Patton Pinkins makes 27-foot three point jumper (AJ Storr assists)
- 2nd Half53-52Blake Muschalek makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-52AJ Storr makes 22-foot three point jumper (Koren Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half58-52AJ Storr makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half58-54Tahaad Pettiford makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half60-54James Scott makes 2-foot dunk (AJ Storr assists)
- 2nd Half60-55Sebastian Williams-Adams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-55James Scott makes layup (Eduardo Klafke assists)
- 2nd Half64-55James Scott makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Koren Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half67-55AJ Storr makes 24-foot three point jumper (Koren Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half67-58Keyshawn Hall makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half67-61Tahaad Pettiford makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half69-61Patton Pinkins makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-62Keyshawn Hall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-63Keyshawn Hall makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-65Tahaad Pettiford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-65AJ Storr makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-65AJ Storr makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-67Filip Jovic makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Keyshawn Hall assists)
- 2nd Half71-68Elyjah Freeman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Elyjah Freeman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-69Ilias Kamardine makes 24-foot three point jumper (AJ Storr assists)
- 2nd Half74-71Tahaad Pettiford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half75-71Patton Pinkins makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half76-71Patton Pinkins makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half78-71James Scott makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Ilias Kamardine assists)
- 2nd Half78-72Keyshawn Hall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-72Patton Pinkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-72Patton Pinkins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-74Tahaad Pettiford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half81-74Patton Pinkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-74Patton Pinkins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half82-77Tahaad Pettiford makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half83-77AJ Storr makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half84-77AJ Storr makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-79Elyjah Freeman makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half85-79AJ Storr makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Auburn Tigers, below favours Ole Miss Rebels.
Venue
- Neville ArenaAuburn, AL
- Attendance9121
- OfficialsSteven Anderson, Josue Nieves, K.B. Burdett Jr.
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Ole Miss Dominates Auburn in Convincing WinOct 31, 2026
- Auburn Tops Ole Miss in NCAAB ShowdownJan 20, 2026