Chris Beard had success in his first season with Ole Miss basketball. The team started 13-0 in non-conference play, but struggled on the road in the SEC and dropped a few home games. The roster's depth was tested down the stretch, and picking up rebounds in the paint was a glaring problem.
Beard looks to have fixed the depth problem, bringing in six transfers, some of whom will be viable starters and others offering top rotation options. Fansided basketball expert Tristan Freeman believes Ole Miss is a team to watch in the 2024/25 season thanks to the additions and returning players.
Can Ole Miss basketball challenge the elite in the SEC?
Tristan Freeman wrote a piece at Busting Brackets regarding his preseason top 25 power rankings for the 2024/25 season. Freeman had Ole Miss at No. 22, ahead of SEC rivals the Florida Gators. Despite being ranked in the top 25, there were still seven SEC teams ahead of them, showing the potential strength of the conference.
It will be 12 years this season since Rebels basketball last won the men's SEC Championship. Are they equipped to end the drought in the 2024/25 season? Time will tell, but Freeman and others believe they will take another forward step under head coach Chris Beard.
Adding the talent they have via recruiting, but predominantly from the transfer portal, has been impressive. However, Jaemyn Brakefield and Matthew Murrell staying for another season is arguably the best news for Beard, especially Murrell, who was a pivotal contributor to the team over the last few seasons.
Freeman believes Ole Miss can potentially break into the top 4 in the SEC, which would be an achievement in year 2 of the Chris Beard era. The goal, which has not been said out loud by Beard, is likely to make it to the NCAA Tournament, something the Rebels have not done since 2019.
The roster looks good on paper, but as we know, games are not won on paper. Can Coach Beard get them to gel on the court quickly? With the more challenging non-conference schedule this season, they will learn much about themselves before SEC games. It's just a month until the first game against Long Island University. I can not wait for Ole Miss basketball this season.