Ole Miss did something they haven't done since 2001. They are in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, where they will play the No.2 seed Michigan State.
The Rebels dominated the No.3 seed Iowa State 91-78, proving the doubters wrong. Chris Beard knows this team doesn't need to prove anything to the outside, just themselves. However, one CBS analyst's 'fraudulent team' tag may have just fueled them.
SWEET 16 BOUND!!!#HottyToddy x #Culture pic.twitter.com/aZarQxxFkO
— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) March 24, 2025
In the game's early stages, the Cyclones raced to a 13-5 lead, with Ole Miss looking a little nervous. Beard's team would soon lose them, going on a 10-0 run while outscoring the opponents 23-4 in eight minutes.
The Rebels went into the half with an 11-point lead, and after letting North Carolina back into the game in the first round after a big lead at the half, it wasn't going to happen this time.
Iowa State go to within seven early in the second, but Ole Miss put the foot on the accelerater again, leading at one stage by 21 points.
Beard's side shot well in the high 50s, including 57.9% in three-point success. Sean Pedulla was incredible again; the bigger the stage, the better they played. Pedulla finished with 20 points and eight assists. Malik Dia also had another big game, with 18 points and eight rebounds. Jaemyn Brakefield, Matthe Murrell, and Jaylen Murray all finished with double-digit scoring games.
Chris Beard spoke after the big win, speaking about it being about the players.
"This is not about me. It's about the players. We felt the pressure and wanted to be a team to win the tournament. Plausible? No. Possible? Yeah. If I didn't believe this team could win this tournament, I wouldn't be doing my job."Chris Beard
Ole Miss will now face Michigan State, which beat New Mexico 71-63. After a season where records tumbled for the basketball program, can the Rebels break another and make it to the final eight for the first time?