The Ole Miss men’s basketball team is swapping home games with Vanderbilt as the city of Oxford continues to feel the impact of Winter Storm Fern.
Chris Beard’s Rebels (11-9, 3-4 SEC) were originally scheduled to take on the No. 18 Commodores (18-3, 5-3 SEC) in the SJB Pavilion on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. That game has since been moved to Nashville, where it will tip off at 5 pm. CT. The update comes one day after Ole Miss officials shut down the university’s main campus until Feb. 8.
“Thousands in the area remain without power and water, as well as cellular and internet connectivity issues,” a release from the Ole Miss Athletics Department reads. “Additionally, conditions remain hazardous with ice on roads and walkways, inoperable stop lights, downed trees and power lines, as well as falling ice as temperatures fluctuate.”
Ole Miss and Vanderbilt are heading into the weekend showdown on very different trajectories. The Rebels, after winning three straight earlier this month, have now dropped back-to-back games with Saturday’s 72-63 loss at Kentucky the most recent setback.
The Commodores, on the other hand, have dominated their two most recent matchups, defeating Mississippi State by 32 points and Kentucky by 25. Saturday’s contest will air on participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations. The second game between the two teams will be in Oxford on March 3 or 4.