Ole Miss already had a place in the NCAA Tournament booked heading into the final regular season game. It was a good job, as they were blown away by No.5 seed Florida 90-71.
Despite the loss, it's been a good season for Chris Beard's team, booking an NCAA Tournament place and a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament.
— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) March 8, 2025
After the loss, Beard spoke to the media after the defeat to the Gators.
Q: On Florida separating in the second half
Beard: In the first half interesting kind of box score. We got like a record number of shots in the paint, we just shot a very low percentage. We’ve just got to demand the foul there. We’ve got to finish at a higher percentage or we’ve got to do a better job of executing inside-out. I give Florida credit; it’s obvious to me they teach not fouling. They teach vertical jump. Do a good job of it.
They obviously have some shot-blockers. During that time where we were missing some good shots from our perspective we just couldn’t get a stop. Some of those possessions where Clayton just kind of took over and was making tough, one-on-one shots, but you’ve got to be able to absorb that in March. The best players are going to have March moments and your team defense has to be able to hang in there and calm some of those storms. Our offense did not help our defense during some of those runs, and our defense was just non-existent.
Q: On being out-rebounded
Beard: Very difficult (to win). They’re a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They basically have four guards. They can dribble, pass and shoot. All can play and make just enough. They have an NBA point guard in Clayton. The bigs just come and swarm you. They do a great job with a four-man rotation keeping guys fresh. They can rim-run and seal. Just a really talented team.
One through nine I don’t know if there’s a more talented team in college basketball. That’s why they’re deserving of the attention and respect they’re getting as the SEC Tournament begins.
Q: On Pulling Matthew Murrell
Beard: A lot of that was coach’s decision down the stretch. Just making sure nothing crazy happened in the last few minutes because we need Matt in Nashville. Once the game was kind of out of hand that was a coaching decision.
Matt’s been banged up all year. It’s well-documented — or at least it is in Oxford, Mississippi. A lot of respect for Matt and what he’s doing this year to help his team. He’s got a couple of much-needed days of rest. We avoided the first day in Nashville, which is good. We’ve had a good season. To not have to play that first day is an extra day of rest for Matt and others, which hopefully we can take advantage of.
Q: On Alex Condon
Beard: First I’ll speak to their coaching staff’s ability to put him in great positions. There’s a lot of talented players around college basketball, but this seems to be a good fit. Position-less player. He can play around the basket, can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. Kind of a poised player.
On defense he has the ability just with his length and IQ alone to be a good defender. I know that’s been a priority. They’ve become a better defensive team. We played Florida last year in Oxford. Checking that game early in our prep time this week and then watching them play this year, this is an improved defense, in my opinion, from the Florida team last year. Their coaching staff’s done a great job.