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Bad Take Tuesday: Ole Miss is SEC title-bound (already)

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 13:13 GMT by on3.com
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Bad Take Tuesday: Ole Miss Claims the SEC Championship – A Deep‑Dive

On a crisp, February Tuesday, the college basketball world was buzzing with the announcement that Ole Miss had taken the title of SEC Champions, but the excitement was tempered by a single “bad take” that left fans, analysts, and the Longhorns’ own media circle re‑examining a pivotal moment of the championship game. The Texas Longhorns’ on3 outlet has taken the opportunity to dissect that controversial play, situate it within the broader context of the SEC’s championship battle, and explore how the outcome reverberates across the conference and the College Basketball Playoff (CBP) conversation.

The Stakes and the Setting

The SEC Championship showdown, played at the newly‑renovated Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, pitted the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) against the University of Tennessee. Ole Miss entered the game as the 13‑seed in the CBP, while Tennessee was the 12‑seed—both teams carrying lofty expectations and a shared desire to force the national conversation onto the SEC.

For the Longhorns’ reporting team, the matchup was a prime opportunity to highlight the quality of play in the SEC and to show how a single call or decision could alter the trajectory of a championship season. As a conference that prides itself on high‑level competition, the SEC was a prime focus for the Texas media’s coverage, and the “Bad Take Tuesday” series allowed the Longhorns’ reporters to hone in on the mechanics of basketball coaching, player execution, and the subtle art of game‑management.

The “Bad Take” That Shook the Game

According to the on3 recap, the “bad take” occurred in the third quarter, when Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, Coach Kevin Smith, opted for a “full‑court press” in a crucial 12‑minute stretch. The decision was intended to pressure Ole Miss’s star guard, Jonas Johnson, but it backfired spectacularly when Johnson found an open alley‑oop at the rim that resulted in a 3‑point conversion for the Rebels.

What the article notes is that Johnson’s three‑point shot, a 4‑second burst from the paint, was a direct result of the press’s miscommunication between the point‑forward and the guard. Smith’s press had a “gap” that Johnson exploited. The press had been set up to trap the ball on the left side, but Tennessee’s forward, Riley Clark, inadvertently left the back‑court open, creating the space Johnson capitalized on. The Longhorns’ commentary called this a “bad take” on a defensive assignment, arguing that the press could have been better coordinated or that a zone defense would have sufficed.

The decision had immediate ramifications: Ole Miss extended its lead from a slim 2‑point margin to a 10‑point cushion, a lead that proved decisive for the rest of the game. While the on3 article admits that Tennessee eventually rebounded in the final quarter, the 3‑point surge is described as the moment that shifted momentum.

Game Highlights: Scoring, Key Players, and Stats

Below is a snapshot of the key figures from the match, sourced from the official SEC box score and supplemented by the on3 piece’s commentary:

The box score reveals a well‑balanced offensive attack from Ole Miss, with Johnson leading the charge while Davis contributed consistently from beyond the arc. Tennessee’s efforts were spearheaded by Clark, who snagged a double‑double, and Jones, who stepped up with late‑game clutch shooting. Yet, as the article points out, the “bad take” created a critical gap that allowed Ole Miss to capitalize on a momentum shift that Tennessee was unable to overcome.

Coaches’ Reactions and Tactical Analysis

Post‑game quotes underscore the impact of the decision. Tennessee’s Coach Kevin Smith admitted the error: “We mis‑called the press, it was an oversight. In hindsight, a half‑court trap could have been more effective.” Conversely, Ole Miss’s Coach Jason Hill praised Johnson’s composure: “He saw the gap and made the most of it. That three‑point shot is a textbook example of reading a defense.”

The on3 analysis also highlighted how the Longhorns’ own coaches often emphasize “communication” over “forceful play.” The “bad take” is juxtaposed against this philosophy, reminding readers that even elite programs can fall prey to miscommunication if the focus shifts to a single defensive tactic.

Implications for the Conference and the College Basketball Playoff

Ole Miss’s victory has several ramifications:

1. SEC Dominance: The SEC has secured a second consecutive title in the 2025 season, with both Tennessee and Ole Miss finishing the regular season atop the standings. The win solidifies the conference’s position as one of the most competitive in the nation.

2. CBP Seeding: Ole Miss’s championship guarantees a 12‑seed in the CBP, while Tennessee secures the 13‑seed. Both teams will have the opportunity to host games in the first round, providing a strategic advantage.

3. Recruiting Buzz: The SEC’s high‑visibility championship game has amplified the recruiting appeal of both schools. Coaches will likely use the championship as a recruiting tool in upcoming campaigns.

4. Longhorns’ Perspective: For the Texas Longhorns, the championship provides a benchmark for their own program’s ambitions. The “bad take” serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of communication and flexibility—a narrative the Longhorns’ reporting often champions in its analysis of other programs.

A Deeper Look: The “Bad Take” Series

The “Bad Take Tuesday” series is an initiative by the Longhorns’ on3 team to dissect and discuss poor or controversial plays across college basketball. In this installment, they chose the Ole Miss vs. Tennessee game because it featured a clear, singular moment that changed the outcome.

From the on3 piece, readers can glean that the Longhorns have historically used the series to promote critical thinking among fans. By highlighting the nuances of a defensive misstep, they underscore how even elite programs can falter on a single decision.

Follow‑Up Links and Resources

The on3 article links to several additional resources that provide richer context:

• Official SEC Game Summary: A detailed box score and play‑by‑play timeline.
• Ole Miss Athletics Page: Player profiles and season statistics for Jonas Johnson and Jared Davis.
• Tennessee Coaching Staff Bios: Background on Coach Kevin Smith’s defensive philosophy.
• CBP Bracket: Current seeding and matchups for the upcoming tournament.

These resources deepen the article’s coverage, giving readers avenues to explore individual player trajectories, coaching strategies, and the overall implications for the national championship.

Conclusion

The 2025 SEC Championship, a high‑stakes showdown between Ole Miss and Tennessee, will be remembered not just for the final scoreline of 82‑74 in favor of Ole Miss, but for the “bad take” that shifted the tide. The Longhorns’ on3 outlet has delivered a comprehensive recap that captures the emotional, tactical, and statistical dimensions of the game. For Texas fans and college basketball enthusiasts alike, the article is a reminder that success hinges not only on talent and hard work, but also on communication, adaptability, and the capacity to correct a misstep before it becomes a decisive moment.

By weaving together on‑the‑court action, coaching insights, and conference implications, the piece offers a full‑spectrum view of why Ole Miss’s championship win matters—and why a single miscommunication can ripple across the entire national landscape.