Ole Miss Rebels Men's Basketball Enters Coaches Poll For First Time Since 2019
OXFORD -- The Ole Miss Rebels have started the season and the Chris Beard era with a 9-0 record, and they entered the Top 25 on Monday as a result.
The Rebels secured a wild 70-68 win over the UCF Knights on Sunday afternoon to gain their ninth win of the season, and while they did not crack the AP Top 25 this week (after receiving 86 votes), they came in at No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, joining two other SEC programs in the rankings (Tennessee and Kentucky).
Each performance for Ole Miss has not been pristine through the first month of the season, and head coach Chris Beard has admitted as much in media availabilities. The Rebels have been somewhat-fortunate to not drop a game thus far, and Beard compared their undefeated start to "robbing banks" last week, being risky in their nine wins.
"Fortunate to win, it's always better to learn lessons after win," Beard said after his team's win over Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday. "But I just think we're robbing banks right now. We're not getting caught, but we're robbing a bank and eventually we're going to get caught. Our team's got to show more maturity and more consistency."
Dec 5, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Matthew Murrell (11) reacts toward guard Jaylen Murray (5) after a three point basket during the second half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The win over UCF makes an undefeated run in non-conference play an even stronger possibility. Vegas favored the Knights entering the matchup, but Ole Miss was able to come away with the win. Now, just four out-of-conference games remain for the Rebels before they open SEC play against the Tennessee Volunteers on Jan. 6 in Knoxville.
If Ole Miss can continue to pile up wins before conference play, perhaps they can set up an AP Top 25 showdown against the Vols in the new year, but maybe the poll voters agree with Beard's assessment of his team so far. They're winning, but not as impressively as one would hope.
The Rebels have a bit of an off period before taking the floor again on Saturday when they face the California Golden Bears in the Hall of Fame Series in San Antonio. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
