SEC basketball is several weeks from the start of their nonconference schedule, with both the men's and women's head coaches and players heading to Alabama for the SEC Media Days. As the men's basketball head coaches spoke to the media, Chris Beard was last on the podium yesterday. Here are some of the interesting answers he gave to the press.
Matthew Murrell is one of the best players in the SEC
There's no denying how much of a boost it was for guard Matthew Murrell to return for one more season at Ole Miss. At one point, it looked like he would be heading to the NBA and trying his luck in the draft. Murrell decided it would be best for his development to have one more season in college, heading back to a team with lofty goals.
An All-SEC Second Team selection in 2023-24, Chris Beard said he was one of the best players he has ever coached and would have been an All-SEC First Team player last season if they had won more games. He spoke about how Murrell is one of the top five or six players in the conference and will expect a lot of him this season.
One of the best in the SEC, Murrell has some unfinished business to take care of. pic.twitter.com/1YZpF6EFy2
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) October 16, 2024
The team has high expectations for the 2024-25 season
Chris Beard was asked about the culture at Ole Miss and his success in year two at other programs where he has been head coach. Beard said the easy answer is the players; having the chance to coach guys for the second year is real. When talking about the culture, Beard said the first year is about creating it, and then heading into year two, it's defending it—two different things.
Beard said he and the team have high expectations for this upcoming season. Beard and his staff believe they have the talent on the roster, leadership, and the fanbase to be excited about the season.
Defensive identity will be physical toughness
One of the main areas Ole Miss struggled with last season was defense, especially when picking up defensive rebounds. Beard expects his team to improve this season thanks to experience and physical toughness. They aren't one of the largest teams in the conference, but they possess what he described as an "NBA Mould" type of player in terms of his body type: 7-foot-1 John Bol. Beard is excited about the strength and experience on his roster, which can make them much better on the defensive side of the ball.
Nonconference schedule in line with what the team wants to get done
Beard was asked about the nonconference schedule they had put together for the 2024-25 season, which includes a handful of challenging games. He answered that Ole Miss wants to get things done this season, challenge for a national title, and be in the SEC. Playing some of the best teams, such as BYU, NC State, Purdue, Louisville, and others, sets them up nicely for that and heading into conference play.