Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard and his team suffered their first SEC loss of the 2024-25 season against in-state rival Mississippi State, despite an impressive rally in overtime. Despite the loss, the Rebels moved up to No. 13 in the NET rankings, showcasing the strength of the SEC as a whole. Beard emphasized the need for discipline and sticking to the game plan after the game. The Rebels will face tough competition in the coming weeks, including hosting No. 11 Texas A&M and playing against highly ranked teams like Auburn, Texas, and Kentucky.
Beard, known for his teams’ Year 2 improvements, has already led Ole Miss to five Quadrant 1 wins this season. The team is on track for their 10th NCAA Tournament berth and was recently projected as a 6-seed by ESPN. Forward Malik Dia expressed confidence in the team’s potential, aiming for a Final Four appearance.
Despite the loss to Mississippi State, Beard acknowledged the opponent’s strong performance and highlighted the importance of minimizing mistakes in crucial moments. With 13 games remaining in the regular season, Ole Miss is focused on continuing their success and making a strong postseason push. The Rebels’ resilience and growth under Beard’s leadership are evident, as they aim to maintain their upward trajectory in the highly competitive SEC.
Source
Photo credit www.newsbreak.com
