The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, known as “SJB Pavilion”, is a basketball arena in University, Mississippi, home of the Ole Miss Rebels (SEC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 2016, making it 10 years old in 2026 and seats 9,500 for basketball. It ranks 15th of 16 in the SEC by capacity.
Its record crowd is 10,630 vs. Mississippi State (2023–24). The closest NBA arena is FedExForum in Memphis, about 60 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- University, Mississippi
- Home of
- Ole Miss Rebels
- School
- University of Mississippi
- Conference
- SEC
- Opened
- 2016
- Capacity
- 9,500
- Nickname
- SJB Pavilion
- Former names
- The Pavilion at Ole Miss (2016–2021)
- Record crowd
- 10,630 vs. Mississippi State (2023–24)
- Also home to
- Ole Miss women's basketball
- Size rank in D-I
- 103rd of 360
Famous games at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
- Jan. 7, 2016: Ole Miss rallied from 12 down at halftime to beat Alabama 74-66 in the Pavilion's grand opening before 9,500.
- March 2, 2016: Stefan Moody scored 43 on Senior Night against Mississippi State, still the most points ever on Craddock Court.
- Feb. 3, 2021: Ole Miss edged No. 10 Tennessee 52-50, then beat No. 10 Missouri 80-59 eight days later.
- 2024: Ole Miss beat Mississippi State 86-82 in front of a building-record crowd of 10,630.
- 2025: A 63-51 SEC-opening win over Georgia was the men's program's 100th victory in the Pavilion.
Seating & views at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
The SJB Pavilion seats 9,500 on cushioned seats, so it feels full rather than cavernous. The general-admission student section wraps the lower level from the northeast corner along the west sideline to the southeast corner. The east sideline's lower seats belong to Courtside and Pavilion Club members. The mezzanine (sections 201 to 218) is the cheapest way in, and a standing rail circles the concourse facing the floor. The court is named Craddock Court.
Parking & tailgating at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
An adjacent garage serves the Pavilion, but on conference game days much of the close-in parking, including the garage, is held for season-ticket holders. Free campus parking is available elsewhere with a short walk. Check Ole Miss Athletics' gameday page for the current lot map. Students get in by scanning their student ID and should arrive early. The Grove is the famous tailgating spot, but basketball has no organized tailgating.
Plan your trip to The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
Arenas near The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss10
- 1G LeagueLanders Center — Memphis Hustle 49 mi
- 2NBAFedExForum — Memphis Grizzlies 60 mi
- 3D-IHarrison HPER Complex — Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 77 mi
- 4D-IHumphrey Coliseum — Mississippi State Bulldogs 80 mi
- 5D-IFlowers Hall — North Alabama Lions 110 mi
- 6D-IFirst National Bank Arena — Arkansas State Red Wolves 120 mi
- 7D-IColeman Coliseum — Alabama Crimson Tide 139 mi
- 8D-IKathleen and Tom Elam Center — UT Martin Skyhawks 142 mi
- 9D-IK. L. Johnson Complex — Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions 143 mi
- 10D-IWilliams Assembly Center — Jackson State Tigers 147 mi
Questions about The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
Where do the Ole Miss Rebels play home games?
The Ole Miss Rebels play at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in University, Mississippi.
How many people does The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss hold?
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss seats 9,500 for basketball.
When did The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss open?
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss opened in 2016.
What is The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss’s nickname?
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss is known as “SJB Pavilion.”
What is the attendance record at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss?
The record crowd at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss is 10,630 vs. Mississippi State (2023–24).
What other arenas are near The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss?
FedExForum in Memphis is about 60 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.