KenPom predicts BYU Basketball vs No. 23 Ole Miss

On Thursday afternoon, Kevin Young and the BYU basketball program will face their first real test of the season. The Cougars will take on No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels in a matchup between two undefeated teams. KenPom, a predictive algorithm created by Ken Pomeroy, predicted BYU-Ole Miss. KenPom gives BYU a 61% chance to beat Ole Miss with a projected final score of 77-74.

This game will be played in San Diego in the first round of the Rady Children’s Invitational. The winner of this game will take on the winner of Purdue-NC State in the championship game. The loser will take on the loser of Purdue-NC State in a third-place tie.

The next two weeks are by far the most important of the non-conference slate for the BYU basketball program. After facing Ole Miss on Thursday, they will take on either Purdue or NC State in the next round of the Rady Children’s Invitational. After that game, BYU travels to take on Providence in a true road game. A 2-1 record over the next three games could boost BYU’s resume in March.