OXFORD — A new era of a longtime rivalry begins Tuesday when Mississippi State basketball takes on Ole Miss at the SJB Pavilion for the first time since Chris Beard was hired as the Rebels’ coach.

Thanks to that hiring, along with MSU’s decision to bring in coach Chris Jans in March 2022, there’s a spark to the rivalry that has been lacking in recent years. Both programs enter the matchup with a chance at making the NCAA Tournament.

The last time both teams got a taste of March Madness in the same season was 2019.

MORE:Watch Mississippi State basketball vs. Ole Miss (free trial)

Beard has led one of the most impressive turnarounds in the sport this season, with Ole Miss already surpassing its mark of three SEC wins last season. The Rebels (17-3, 4-3 SEC) haven’t won more than 16 games since the 2018-2019 campaign.

Jans had similar success in his first season, taking Mississippi State to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. In Year 2, the Bulldogs (14-6, 3-4) are a top-40 team in KenPom and the NET rankings.

What channel is Mississippi State basketball vs. Ole Miss on today?

STREAMING: SEC Network

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss start time

DATE: Jan. 30

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

Mississippi State basketball live score updates vs. Ole Miss

Mississippi State basketball schedule 2024

Next five games for MSU:

Feb. 3: at Alabama (7:30 p.m., SEC Network)

Feb. 7: vs. Georgia (8 p.m., SEC Network)

Feb. 10: at Missouri (7:30 p.m., SEC Network)

Feb. 17: vs. Arkansas (1 p.m., ESPNU)

Feb. 21: vs. Ole Miss (8 p.m., ESPN2)

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