OXFORD – After a successful weekend in Milwaukee, Ole Miss is hoping to keep its historic season alive against a foe it’s seen this time of year before.

The No. 6 seed Rebels (24-11) play No. 2 seed Michigan State (29-6) in the Sweet 16 at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena today. Tipoff is set for 6:09 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on CBS. It’s the second Sweet 16 appearance in Ole Miss program history and first since 2001.

Ole Miss and Michigan State have played once previously, in the 1999 NCAA Tournament. The Spartans won that matchup 74-66.

Ole Miss won its opening game of the 2025 tournament over No. 11 seed North Carolina 71-64. The Rebels led the game by 22 in the second half before the Tar Heels made a comeback and cut the lead to two with just over a minute remaining. Rebels senior guard Sean Pedulla hit a subsequent dagger 3-pointer to lift Ole Miss to its first tournament win in 10 years. The Rebels dominated No. 3 seed Iowa State in the second round 91-78.

Led by Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State is in its 22nd Sweet 16 and its 27th NCAA Tournament appearance in a row. The Spartans won the Big Ten regular season title and have the Big Ten’s No. 3 scoring defense, surrendering 67 points per game. Michigan State leads the nation in 3-point defense, as opponents shoot just 27.8% from deep against them. In two NCAA Tournament games, Ole Miss has hit 19 of 39 from 3-point range, good for just under 49%.

The Spartans defeated No. 15 seed Bryant by 25 in the first round and beat No. 10 seed New Mexico 71-63 in the second round. Guard Jaden Akins leads Michigan State with 12.7 points per game.