The University of Mississippi Athletics
SJB Pavilion Opens for 2023-24 Season with Two Wins
11/7/2023 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Athletics
OXFORD, Miss. – Basketball season is here, and both the Ole Miss men's and women's programs are off to winning starts to the 2023-24 season at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.
Combined attendance was more than 13,000 for the season-opening matchups. Yolett McPhee-McCuin's women's squad rang in the new season with a 91-44 kids' day win over Queens. The men's team then opened the Chris Beard era with a 69-59 victory over Alabama State.
Both squads return to action later this week, with the men hosting Eastern Washington on Friday night and the women welcoming No. 23 Oklahoma for a marquee matchup on Thursday. Single-game tickets for men's and women's games can be purchased at OleMissTix.com. Full season tickets are also available for both men's basketball and women's basketball.
Begin with a Win
Club Red was overflowing for the start of the 2023-24 men's basketball season, and the raucous student crowd helped spur the squad to a win in Game 1 of a new era of Ole Miss basketball.
Coach Beard was appreciative of the 6,141 in attendance on Monday night. More fans were on hand for the 2023-24 opener than all but one non-conference game a season ago, and it was Ole Miss' highest opening-night figure since 2019.
"I thought it was a great opening-night crowd," Beard said. "So appreciative of the people in Oxford and Ole Miss, but our administration has done a great job marketing, our own players have done a good job at promoting the game, so thank you. Really impressed with the student section. Players were talking about it before and after the game, so that's an awesome start."
Four players ended the night in double figures, paced by Matthew Murrell's 16 points and nine rebounds. Allen Flanigan turned in a double-double on his first night as a Rebel, notching 15 points and 12 boards.
Beard's squad returns to action Friday night at 7 p.m. CT to host Eastern Washington, part of a four-game homestretch to open the season, which will be capped by the Throwback Game in the Tad Pad.
Kids Day Dub
Coach Yo had her squad humming on opening day as more than 7,000 screaming children watched on during kids' day at the SJB Pavilion.
The No. 12 Rebels found themselves in a fight early, holding off a furious start by Queens to take a 20-13 lead through one. Once the new-look squad settled in, though, it was smooth sailing. Ole Miss doubled its lead in the second then dominated after the break, outscoring the Royals 28-3 in the third quarter to cruise to victory.
Snudda Collins led the Rebel scoring efforts with 17, followed closely by Madison Scott, who began her season with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Kennedy Todd-Williams also found her way into double figures in her first game in red and blue, posting 10 points and adding seven boards.
"Feels good to be back in the Pavilion for a game that counts on wins and losses. A special thank you to all of the school districts who came out and supported us today. The atmosphere was intense, and we really appreciated it," McPhee-McCuin said.
The Rebels are hoping for another intense atmosphere later this week as they celebrate their own opening night for the 2023-24 season with a ranked matchup on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT against No. 23 Oklahoma.
Combined attendance was more than 13,000 for the season-opening matchups. Yolett McPhee-McCuin's women's squad rang in the new season with a 91-44 kids' day win over Queens. The men's team then opened the Chris Beard era with a 69-59 victory over Alabama State.
Both squads return to action later this week, with the men hosting Eastern Washington on Friday night and the women welcoming No. 23 Oklahoma for a marquee matchup on Thursday. Single-game tickets for men's and women's games can be purchased at OleMissTix.com. Full season tickets are also available for both men's basketball and women's basketball.
Begin with a Win
Club Red was overflowing for the start of the 2023-24 men's basketball season, and the raucous student crowd helped spur the squad to a win in Game 1 of a new era of Ole Miss basketball.
Coach Beard was appreciative of the 6,141 in attendance on Monday night. More fans were on hand for the 2023-24 opener than all but one non-conference game a season ago, and it was Ole Miss' highest opening-night figure since 2019.
"I thought it was a great opening-night crowd," Beard said. "So appreciative of the people in Oxford and Ole Miss, but our administration has done a great job marketing, our own players have done a good job at promoting the game, so thank you. Really impressed with the student section. Players were talking about it before and after the game, so that's an awesome start."
Students, you answered the call! 📞
— Ole Miss Men's Basketball (@OleMissMBB) November 7, 2023
Can't wait to see @UMClubRed rocking again on Friday!#HottyToddy | #BuildTheCulture pic.twitter.com/vb3IZddbXR
Four players ended the night in double figures, paced by Matthew Murrell's 16 points and nine rebounds. Allen Flanigan turned in a double-double on his first night as a Rebel, notching 15 points and 12 boards.
Beard's squad returns to action Friday night at 7 p.m. CT to host Eastern Washington, part of a four-game homestretch to open the season, which will be capped by the Throwback Game in the Tad Pad.
LOOK OUT‼️@matt_murre11 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/7UvbujBp1e
— Ole Miss Men's Basketball (@OleMissMBB) November 7, 2023
*chefs kiss* 🤌
— Ole Miss Men's Basketball (@OleMissMBB) November 7, 2023
Welcome to the Sip, @Allen_Flanigan2 pic.twitter.com/ejpTUu0wVP
Kids Day Dub
Coach Yo had her squad humming on opening day as more than 7,000 screaming children watched on during kids' day at the SJB Pavilion.
The No. 12 Rebels found themselves in a fight early, holding off a furious start by Queens to take a 20-13 lead through one. Once the new-look squad settled in, though, it was smooth sailing. Ole Miss doubled its lead in the second then dominated after the break, outscoring the Royals 28-3 in the third quarter to cruise to victory.
Snudda Collins led the Rebel scoring efforts with 17, followed closely by Madison Scott, who began her season with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Kennedy Todd-Williams also found her way into double figures in her first game in red and blue, posting 10 points and adding seven boards.
The first lady to score 🥳 pic.twitter.com/31dEejeaqA
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) November 6, 2023
Our first three pointer of the season goes to @SnuddaC !! 👌 pic.twitter.com/RYrhY9Syl5
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) November 6, 2023
Dollar bills. Cups. Shoes. @IAMMADISCOTT signs it all ✍️ pic.twitter.com/uwWpoIxWr8
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) November 6, 2023
"Feels good to be back in the Pavilion for a game that counts on wins and losses. A special thank you to all of the school districts who came out and supported us today. The atmosphere was intense, and we really appreciated it," McPhee-McCuin said.
The Rebels are hoping for another intense atmosphere later this week as they celebrate their own opening night for the 2023-24 season with a ranked matchup on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT against No. 23 Oklahoma.
Players Mentioned
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