The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, January 20
Auburn, Ala.
7:30 p.m.
Ole Miss
at
Auburn
Men's Basketball Set to Battle Auburn on Saturday
1/19/2024 | Men's Basketball
AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 21 Ole Miss men's basketball team faces another road test this weekend, as they take on No. 11 Auburn on Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
TEAM FACTS
No. 21/22 Ole Miss Rebels (15-2, 2-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 1st Season at Ole Miss (15-2) • 252-100 career record (12th Season)
Auburn Tigers (15-2, 4-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Bruce Pearl • 10th Season at Auburn (188-113) • 650-258 career record (29th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: SEC Network
Play-by-Play: Roy Philpott
Color: Mark Wise
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SERIES HISTORY VS. AUBURN
This will be the 146th meeting between Ole Miss and Auburn on the basketball court, with the Tigers leading the all-time series 81-64. Auburn holds an advantage when playing at home 57-17 and has won six of the last 10 games.
LAST MEETING: FEBRUARY 22, 2023 (L, 74-78, AUBURN, ALA.)
• The Tigers took a seven-point lead into halftime, up 40-33 on the Rebels. Despite outscoring them in the second half, Ole Miss' comeback attempt fell short.
• Matthew Murrell led the Rebels with 23 points, while Myles Burns added 14 points and collected six steals.
• The Tigers were led by Wendell Green Jr. with 23 points. Current Auburn forward Johni Broome scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. A member of Auburn last season, now Rebel-guard Allen Flanigan scored 11 points with six rebounds and five assists.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Entering with a record of 15-2, the No. 11 Auburn Tigers have won all four of their SEC games thus far, defeating Arkansas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt. This will be their second matchup with a ranked team this season, after falling to No. 20 Baylor in their season opener.
Forward Johni Broome has been the leader for Auburn this season, averaging a team-high 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. Guard Aden Holloway has orchestrated the offense with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.50, the third-best in the SEC and 10th in the country.
Auburn ranks in the top-50 nationally in numerous statistical categories, highlighted by efficient offense and stout defense. Auburn leads the SEC and ranks sixth in the nation with a scoring margin of 18.2 points, holding their opponent to an average of 65.6 points and just 37.9 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers also rank among the best in college basketball in bench points per game (No. 5, 37.6), assist-to-turnover ratio (No. 6, 1.84), assists per game (No. 10, 18.5), free throws made per game (No. 10, 18.3), and blocks per game (No. 11, 5.6).
Now in his 10th year at Auburn, Bruce Pearl has accumulated 188 victories during his time with the program, owning a winning percentage of 62.5 with the Tigers. He has put together five 20-win seasons, including a 30-win year in 2018-19, during his nine seasons. Pearl's 650 career wins as a collegiate head coach rank 13th among actives.
"THE SMOOTH CRIMINAL ON BEAT BRAKES"
Over the previous eight games for the Rebels, senior Jaemyn Brakefield has been in a unique state of mind. Since December 16, the forward from Jackson, Miss. has shot 60.0 percent from the field (48-80) and 50.0 percent from three (14-28), averaging 17.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He has set career-highs for points in a game twice during that stretch, first with 27 against Cal before scoring 28 in the Rebels' win over Florida.
ALL-AMERICAN DR. PARTY
The Rebels hosted a block party on January 10 in the SJB Pavilion, setting a school record with 16 team blocks. Breaking the previous best by three, their total against the Gators tied the SEC record for most blocks in a conference game all-time. Ole Miss was led in the paint by forward Jamarion Sharp, who set a program record of his own with a nine-block performance.
"TEN OUGHTA DO IT, DON'T YOU THINK?"
On December 19 against Troy, Matthew Murrell secured 10 steals to set a new program record for Ole Miss, adding 18 points for the first double-double involving steals in school history. His 10 steals also tied the SEC record for most in a game, the most since 1991, and tie him for the 25th-most in a game in NCAA history. Murrell helped Ole Miss collect 16 steals in the game against Troy, setting a new SJB Pavilion record.
With an average of 2.12 steals per game on the season, Murrell ranks fifth in the SEC and 46th in the nation.
A NEW 1K KING
With 12 points in Ole Miss' win over NC State, Matthew Murrell surpassed the 1,000-career point mark, becoming the 42nd student-athlete in program history to do so. Now at 1,221 points in his career with the Rebels, Murrell is 29th in school history and sits 11 points behind next on the list, Dwayne Curtis (2005-08).
27. B.L. "Country" Graham: 1,259
28. Dwayne Curtis (2005-08): 1,232
29. Matthew Murrell (2020-): 1,221
30. Walter Actwood (1973-77): 1,216
A NEW ERA BEGINS
With the hiring of Chris Beard last March, the Ole Miss men's basketball program is prepared to take the next step forward, bringing in one of the most successful coaches of the last decade.
Compiling a record of 252-100 as an NCAA head coach since 2012, Beard holds one of the highest win percentages in the nation, ranking 10th among active head coaches with 10 or more years of experience at 71.6%.
The 2019 AP National Coach of the Year has led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament over the previous eight years, and is undefeated in the opening round at 5-0. His all-time record in the NCAA Tournament is 11-5 (.688).
"I CAN BE YOUR LONG LOST PAL"
After posting the third double-double of his career in the season opener (15 points, career-best 12 rebounds), Allen Flanigan followed it up with a career-best 29 points against Eastern Washington. The senior guard surpassed the 1,000 career-point mark against the Eagles, and played a key part in securing the victory by scoring eight of the last 11 points for the Rebels.
He once again led the team in scoring with 23 against Sam Houston, connecting on a career-best 14 makes from the free throw line. The senior helped lead Ole Miss to victory in their first road game at Temple with 26 points, the second-most scored in a game for his career, while tallying a then career-best seven assists. Flanigan added his second double-double of the year in a 20-point win over NC State in the ACC/SEC Challenge with 15 points and 10 rebounds and helped Ole Miss take down Memphis with 18. Against Troy, he increased his career-mark for most assists in a game with nine, following that up with his third double-double of the year against Southern Miss in Biloxi with 10 points and 11 boards.
Flanigan leads the team in rebounding at 7.0 per game and ranks second in scoring at 16.5 points per game, and is the only player in the SEC to sit in the top-10 in each category among conference teams.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
Ole Miss ranks third in college basketball averaging 6.6 blocks per game, and is keeping opponents to just 41.1 percent shooting from the floor which ranks 69th in the nation. The muscle in the paint for the Rebels has been Jamarion Sharp, who leads the SEC in blocks per game (3.88) and blocks (49), ranking among the top five in each category nationally.
With 112 blocks through 17 games, Ole Miss is on pace to shatter the program record for blocks in a season at 185 set during the 2012-13 season. Sharp has also already entered the top-10 for most blocks in a single season at Ole Miss, now with 49 which is tied for eighth.
Blocked Shots in a Single Season
1. 98, Reginald Buckner (36 games, 2013)
2. 95, Reginald Buckner (34 games, 2011)
3. 69, Aaron Jones (33 games, 2014)
69, Reginald Buckner (32 games, 2012)
5. 64, Reginald Buckner (31 games, 2010)
6. 56, David Dean (28 games, 1993)
7. 52, David Dean (22 games, 1994)
8. 49, Jamarion Sharp (17 games, 2024)
49, Rahim Lockhart (35 games, 2001)
49, Sean Murphy (28 games, 1991)
*MIKE BREEN VOICE* "BANG!"
Shooting 39.0 percent from the three-point line this season, Ole Miss currently ranks 12th in the country in efficiency beyond the arc. Through 17 games, the Rebels have already shot 50 percent or better from deep five times, the most in an entire season since they hit that mark or better five times during the 2014-15 campaign.
• Nov. 14 vs. Detroit Mercy: 9-18 (50.0%)
• Nov. 22 at Temple: 10-18 (55.6%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 11-22 (50.0%)
• Dec. 16 vs. California: 12-21 (57.1%)
• Dec. 23 vs. Southern Miss: 11-19 (57.9%)
REAL RECOGNIZE REAL
In the latest top-25 polls, Ole Miss ranks No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the AP Top 25. Ole Miss has earned a spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll for six straight weeks for the first time since December and January of the 2009-10 season.
A RECORD START
Ole Miss matched the program record for best start to a season and longest overall win streak, going a perfect 13-0 in non-conference play (also in 2007-08). The Rebels were one of three teams in the nation to start 13-0, joined by James Madison and Houston.
Ole Miss is the third different program head coach Chris Beard has taken to a 10-0 start to begin a season during his nine years as a Division-I coach, having done so in 2015-16 with Little Rock and 2018-19 at Texas Tech.
"I TAKE THE WORK, FLIP IT, ACROBATIC"
Ole Miss has shown elite ball control and movement on the offensive side. With a total of 264 assists compared to 173 turnovers, the Rebels' ratio of 1.53 ranks No. 27 in the nation.
The team is led in assists by Jaylen Murray (64 assists to 29 turnovers) and Allen Flanigan (57 assists to 35 turnovers). Murray ranks in the top-10 among SEC players in both assists per game (8th, 3.76) and assist-to-turnover ratio (9th, 2.21).
RUNNING THE COURT LIKE MCKENZIE LONG
Ole Miss is averaging just over 13 fastbreak points per game to begin the season, with their clip of 13.59 ranking No. 54 in the NCAA. Outscoring their opponents 234-111 in fastbreak points this year, the Rebels have scored equal or more fastbreak points in 16 of 17 games.
Ole Miss has created their opportunities for quick points by ranking third in the country in blocks per game and ranking 40th in steals per game.
AMONG THE BEST
Forwards Jamarion Sharp and Moussa Cisse rank among the nation's best in active career leaders in a handful of statistical categories. After becoming the fifth player ever to lead the NCAA in blocks in two seasons, Sharp ranks first in both career blocks (328) and career blocked shots per game (4.05). Establishing himself as a premier shot blocker as well, Cisse ranks 17th in blocks per game (1.77) and 18th in total blocks (177). Cisse also ranks 75th among active players in total rebounds with 670.
PACING THE GAME LIKE VERSTAPPEN
Through 16 games this season in 11 hours and 20 minutes of total gameplay, Ole Miss has held a lead for eight hours, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds, over 74 percent of action during the 2023-24 campaign. The Rebels have led their opponent for 30 or more minutes in 12 of 17 games so far, and for 38 minutes or more in seven games.
IT'S ELITE IN THE 'SIP
Ole Miss is one of just three FBS programs in the country to start at 10-0 in hoops and compile a 10-win season in football. They are joined by James Madison and Oklahoma.
The No. 11 Ole Miss football team defeated No. 10 Penn State 38-25 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on December 30 in Atlanta.
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARDS
Senior Matthew Murrell has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his four years at Ole Miss. This season, he has entered the top-10 career lists in school history for three point field goals made and attempts.
Three-Point Field Goals Made
1. 334, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 278, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
3. 267, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-14)
4. 249, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 214, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
6. 207, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
7. 182, Matthew Murrell (106 games, 2020-)
8. 181, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2014-16)
9. 178, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
10. 176, Terence Davis (121 games (2016-19)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. 900, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 771, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-2014)
3. 720, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
4. 686, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 581, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
6. 528, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
7. 525, Matthew Murrell (106 games, 2020-)
8. 523, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
9. 519, Terence Davis (121 games, 2016-19)
10. 494, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2015-16)
"AROUND THE 'ARC', A PERIMETER CREATE"
Ole Miss has been strong at defending the three-point shot this season, holding opponents to 31.4% from deep, the 81st-best mark in the nation. The Rebels have kept their foe to 20% or less in five games this year:
• Nov. 10 vs. Eastern Washington: 4-22 (18.2%)
• Nov. 28 vs. NC State: 3-25 (12.0%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 3-18 (16.7%)
• Dec. 5 vs. Mount St. Mary's: 5-25 (20.0%)
• Dec. 10 at UCF: 4-22 (18.2%)
SKEE-LO'S HERO
Transfer forward Jamarion Sharp stands as the tallest student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's basketball this season at 7'5", a title he has held for three-straight seasons now, and is even listed as one of the tallest living humans on Wikipedia. After spending his first two college years at John A. Logan College, Sharp played two years at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. In 64 games played, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and became just the fifth person ever to lead the NCAA in blocks twice. His margin of 4.05 blocks per game during his career is currently the 14th-best average in college basketball history, while his 328 total blocks rank 69th all time.
Against Vanderbilt on January 13, Sharp passed former Rebel-great Reginald Buckner who had 326 swats during his career.
With career block No. 300, Sharp became the 95th player in NCAA history to hit that mark. He is one of just 14 on that list to hit the 300-block mark in three years or less.
Career Blocked Shot Average (min. 225 blocks)
1. 5.87 - Keith Closs, Central Conn. St. (54 GP, 317 blks.)
2. 5.66 - Adonal Foyle, Colgate (87 GP, 492 blks.)
3. 5.34 - Shawn James, Northeastern/Duquesne (83 GP, 443 blks.)
4. 5.24 - David Robinson, Navy (67 GP, 351 blks.)
5. 4.66 - Mickell Gladness, Alabama A&M (85 GP, 396 blks.)
6. 4.65 - Wojciech Myrda, La.-Monroe (115 GP, 535 blks.)
7. 4.58 - Shaquille O'Neal, LSU (90 GP, 412 blks.)
8. 4.48 - Jerome James, Florida A&M (81 GP, 363 blks.)
9. 4.42 - Deng Gai, Fairfield (100 GP, 442 blks.)
10. 4.28 - Emeka Okafor, UConn (103 GP, 441 blks.)
11. 4.21 - Justin Williams, Wyoming (58 GP, 244 blks.)
12. 4.17 - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (100 GP, 417 blks.)
13. 4.11 - Justin Rowe, Maine (55 GP, 226 blks.)
14. 4.05 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss (81 GP, 328 blks.)
Career Blocked Shots
67. 334 - Elden Campbell, Clemson
68. 333 - Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
69. 328 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
The roster for Ole Miss this season has the tallest student-athlete in Division I in forward Jamarion Sharp, and has the shortest student-athlete in the country in guard Cam Brent. The two stand a full two feet apart in height, with Sharp at 7'5" and Brent at 5'5".
PREPARED FOR A CHALLENGE
The remainder of the Ole Miss schedule ranks as one of the toughest in the country, as their upcoming opponents win-percentage of 70.0% ranks 22nd in the NCAA. Among their 14 games left on the schedule, 11 are against a top-100 NET team, and 8 against a top-50 team. ESPN's BPI ranks Ole Miss' remaining strength of schedule 18th in the nation.
VALUED LEADERSHIP
The Ole Miss men's basketball coaching staff is one of the more experienced around the country. In his 14th year as a collegiate head coach, Chris Beard is joined on the court by former head coaches Win Case (16 years), Brian Burg (three years), and Wes Flanigan (two years). Assistant coach Bob Donewald Jr. has 16 years of head coaching experience at the professional and national level, while assistant Al Pinkins has been an associate or assistant coach at six different NCAA Division-I programs, including four within the SEC. The Ole Miss coaching staff has experience at five other SEC programs: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.
"IT AIN'T GON' NEVER STOP"
Head coach Chris Beard and staff continue to work on securing the future for Ole Miss basketball, and did so with a pair of signees in the NLI early signing period in November:
John Bol • F • 7-1 • Buma • Overtime Elite
Ranked as the second-highest recruit in program history according to 247Sports, Bol is a consensus four-star recruit, ranking as high as No. 38 in the nation by 247Sports and No. 40 by ESPN. He is an elite shot blocker and rebounder who stands at 7'1" and is able to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Ranked as the top player in the state of Georgia by ESPN, Bol has developed a reputation as one of the hardest playing big men in the country.
Eduardo Klafke • G • 6-5 • Fanca-Sao Paulo, Brazil • NBA Academy Latin America
A combo guard from the prestigious NBA Academy Latin America, Klafke will come to Oxford from Franca-Sao Paulo, Brazil. One of the top international players in his age group, he has consistently played above his age while representing Brazil on the national stage, playing in U19 games as a 17-year-old. Klafke will help bring a spark to the offense as an elite shooter and is excellent in playing both on and off the ball.
"WE BALLIN' LIKE THE MARCH MADNESS"
Among the seven transfers for the Rebels, over half have been to the NCAA Tournament during their collegiate career, with a total of five appearances. Brandon Murray (LSU, 2022 First Round), Austin Nunez (Arizona State, 2023 First Round), and Jaylen Murray (Saint Peter's, 2022 Elite Eight) have each been to the postseason once in their careers, while Allen Flanigan has been twice (Auburn, 2022 and 2023 Second Round).
ADAPT TO THE TIMES
The new age of the NCAA often sees heavy roster turnover from year-to-year. While Ole Miss returns five members of last year's team, they added 11 strong newcomers through the transfer portal and the high school recruiting trail:
Returners (5): Jaemyn Brakefield, Cam Brent, TJ Caldwell, Robert Cowherd, Matthew Murrell
Transfers (7)
Moussa Cisse - Oklahoma St.; 61 GP, 7.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Allen Flanigan - Auburn; 114 GP, 8.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Cole McGrath - Blue Mountain; 53 GP, 6.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG
Brandon Murray - Georgetown; 27 GP, 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG
Jaylen Murray - St. Peter's; 62 GP, 8.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Austin Nunez - Arizona St.; 28 GP, 4.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG
Jamarion Sharp - Western Ky.; 65 GP, 7.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Freshman (4)
Cameron Barnes - Three-star (ESPN, 247, Rivals), No. 147 national (Rivals)
Jacob Gazzo - Three-star (ESPN), No. 3 in Mississippi (ESPN)
Rashaud Marshall - Four-star (ESPN, 247, Rivals), No. 83 national (247)
Gavin Murphy - His high school's fourth-leading all-time scorer
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
TEAM FACTS
No. 21/22 Ole Miss Rebels (15-2, 2-2 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 1st Season at Ole Miss (15-2) • 252-100 career record (12th Season)
Auburn Tigers (15-2, 4-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Bruce Pearl • 10th Season at Auburn (188-113) • 650-258 career record (29th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: SEC Network
Play-by-Play: Roy Philpott
Color: Mark Wise
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SERIES HISTORY VS. AUBURN
This will be the 146th meeting between Ole Miss and Auburn on the basketball court, with the Tigers leading the all-time series 81-64. Auburn holds an advantage when playing at home 57-17 and has won six of the last 10 games.
LAST MEETING: FEBRUARY 22, 2023 (L, 74-78, AUBURN, ALA.)
• The Tigers took a seven-point lead into halftime, up 40-33 on the Rebels. Despite outscoring them in the second half, Ole Miss' comeback attempt fell short.
• Matthew Murrell led the Rebels with 23 points, while Myles Burns added 14 points and collected six steals.
• The Tigers were led by Wendell Green Jr. with 23 points. Current Auburn forward Johni Broome scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. A member of Auburn last season, now Rebel-guard Allen Flanigan scored 11 points with six rebounds and five assists.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Entering with a record of 15-2, the No. 11 Auburn Tigers have won all four of their SEC games thus far, defeating Arkansas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt. This will be their second matchup with a ranked team this season, after falling to No. 20 Baylor in their season opener.
Forward Johni Broome has been the leader for Auburn this season, averaging a team-high 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. Guard Aden Holloway has orchestrated the offense with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.50, the third-best in the SEC and 10th in the country.
Auburn ranks in the top-50 nationally in numerous statistical categories, highlighted by efficient offense and stout defense. Auburn leads the SEC and ranks sixth in the nation with a scoring margin of 18.2 points, holding their opponent to an average of 65.6 points and just 37.9 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers also rank among the best in college basketball in bench points per game (No. 5, 37.6), assist-to-turnover ratio (No. 6, 1.84), assists per game (No. 10, 18.5), free throws made per game (No. 10, 18.3), and blocks per game (No. 11, 5.6).
Now in his 10th year at Auburn, Bruce Pearl has accumulated 188 victories during his time with the program, owning a winning percentage of 62.5 with the Tigers. He has put together five 20-win seasons, including a 30-win year in 2018-19, during his nine seasons. Pearl's 650 career wins as a collegiate head coach rank 13th among actives.
"THE SMOOTH CRIMINAL ON BEAT BRAKES"
Over the previous eight games for the Rebels, senior Jaemyn Brakefield has been in a unique state of mind. Since December 16, the forward from Jackson, Miss. has shot 60.0 percent from the field (48-80) and 50.0 percent from three (14-28), averaging 17.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He has set career-highs for points in a game twice during that stretch, first with 27 against Cal before scoring 28 in the Rebels' win over Florida.
ALL-AMERICAN DR. PARTY
The Rebels hosted a block party on January 10 in the SJB Pavilion, setting a school record with 16 team blocks. Breaking the previous best by three, their total against the Gators tied the SEC record for most blocks in a conference game all-time. Ole Miss was led in the paint by forward Jamarion Sharp, who set a program record of his own with a nine-block performance.
"TEN OUGHTA DO IT, DON'T YOU THINK?"
On December 19 against Troy, Matthew Murrell secured 10 steals to set a new program record for Ole Miss, adding 18 points for the first double-double involving steals in school history. His 10 steals also tied the SEC record for most in a game, the most since 1991, and tie him for the 25th-most in a game in NCAA history. Murrell helped Ole Miss collect 16 steals in the game against Troy, setting a new SJB Pavilion record.
With an average of 2.12 steals per game on the season, Murrell ranks fifth in the SEC and 46th in the nation.
A NEW 1K KING
With 12 points in Ole Miss' win over NC State, Matthew Murrell surpassed the 1,000-career point mark, becoming the 42nd student-athlete in program history to do so. Now at 1,221 points in his career with the Rebels, Murrell is 29th in school history and sits 11 points behind next on the list, Dwayne Curtis (2005-08).
27. B.L. "Country" Graham: 1,259
28. Dwayne Curtis (2005-08): 1,232
29. Matthew Murrell (2020-): 1,221
30. Walter Actwood (1973-77): 1,216
A NEW ERA BEGINS
With the hiring of Chris Beard last March, the Ole Miss men's basketball program is prepared to take the next step forward, bringing in one of the most successful coaches of the last decade.
Compiling a record of 252-100 as an NCAA head coach since 2012, Beard holds one of the highest win percentages in the nation, ranking 10th among active head coaches with 10 or more years of experience at 71.6%.
The 2019 AP National Coach of the Year has led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament over the previous eight years, and is undefeated in the opening round at 5-0. His all-time record in the NCAA Tournament is 11-5 (.688).
"I CAN BE YOUR LONG LOST PAL"
After posting the third double-double of his career in the season opener (15 points, career-best 12 rebounds), Allen Flanigan followed it up with a career-best 29 points against Eastern Washington. The senior guard surpassed the 1,000 career-point mark against the Eagles, and played a key part in securing the victory by scoring eight of the last 11 points for the Rebels.
He once again led the team in scoring with 23 against Sam Houston, connecting on a career-best 14 makes from the free throw line. The senior helped lead Ole Miss to victory in their first road game at Temple with 26 points, the second-most scored in a game for his career, while tallying a then career-best seven assists. Flanigan added his second double-double of the year in a 20-point win over NC State in the ACC/SEC Challenge with 15 points and 10 rebounds and helped Ole Miss take down Memphis with 18. Against Troy, he increased his career-mark for most assists in a game with nine, following that up with his third double-double of the year against Southern Miss in Biloxi with 10 points and 11 boards.
Flanigan leads the team in rebounding at 7.0 per game and ranks second in scoring at 16.5 points per game, and is the only player in the SEC to sit in the top-10 in each category among conference teams.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
Ole Miss ranks third in college basketball averaging 6.6 blocks per game, and is keeping opponents to just 41.1 percent shooting from the floor which ranks 69th in the nation. The muscle in the paint for the Rebels has been Jamarion Sharp, who leads the SEC in blocks per game (3.88) and blocks (49), ranking among the top five in each category nationally.
With 112 blocks through 17 games, Ole Miss is on pace to shatter the program record for blocks in a season at 185 set during the 2012-13 season. Sharp has also already entered the top-10 for most blocks in a single season at Ole Miss, now with 49 which is tied for eighth.
Blocked Shots in a Single Season
1. 98, Reginald Buckner (36 games, 2013)
2. 95, Reginald Buckner (34 games, 2011)
3. 69, Aaron Jones (33 games, 2014)
69, Reginald Buckner (32 games, 2012)
5. 64, Reginald Buckner (31 games, 2010)
6. 56, David Dean (28 games, 1993)
7. 52, David Dean (22 games, 1994)
8. 49, Jamarion Sharp (17 games, 2024)
49, Rahim Lockhart (35 games, 2001)
49, Sean Murphy (28 games, 1991)
*MIKE BREEN VOICE* "BANG!"
Shooting 39.0 percent from the three-point line this season, Ole Miss currently ranks 12th in the country in efficiency beyond the arc. Through 17 games, the Rebels have already shot 50 percent or better from deep five times, the most in an entire season since they hit that mark or better five times during the 2014-15 campaign.
• Nov. 14 vs. Detroit Mercy: 9-18 (50.0%)
• Nov. 22 at Temple: 10-18 (55.6%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 11-22 (50.0%)
• Dec. 16 vs. California: 12-21 (57.1%)
• Dec. 23 vs. Southern Miss: 11-19 (57.9%)
REAL RECOGNIZE REAL
In the latest top-25 polls, Ole Miss ranks No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 22 in the AP Top 25. Ole Miss has earned a spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll for six straight weeks for the first time since December and January of the 2009-10 season.
A RECORD START
Ole Miss matched the program record for best start to a season and longest overall win streak, going a perfect 13-0 in non-conference play (also in 2007-08). The Rebels were one of three teams in the nation to start 13-0, joined by James Madison and Houston.
Ole Miss is the third different program head coach Chris Beard has taken to a 10-0 start to begin a season during his nine years as a Division-I coach, having done so in 2015-16 with Little Rock and 2018-19 at Texas Tech.
"I TAKE THE WORK, FLIP IT, ACROBATIC"
Ole Miss has shown elite ball control and movement on the offensive side. With a total of 264 assists compared to 173 turnovers, the Rebels' ratio of 1.53 ranks No. 27 in the nation.
The team is led in assists by Jaylen Murray (64 assists to 29 turnovers) and Allen Flanigan (57 assists to 35 turnovers). Murray ranks in the top-10 among SEC players in both assists per game (8th, 3.76) and assist-to-turnover ratio (9th, 2.21).
RUNNING THE COURT LIKE MCKENZIE LONG
Ole Miss is averaging just over 13 fastbreak points per game to begin the season, with their clip of 13.59 ranking No. 54 in the NCAA. Outscoring their opponents 234-111 in fastbreak points this year, the Rebels have scored equal or more fastbreak points in 16 of 17 games.
Ole Miss has created their opportunities for quick points by ranking third in the country in blocks per game and ranking 40th in steals per game.
AMONG THE BEST
Forwards Jamarion Sharp and Moussa Cisse rank among the nation's best in active career leaders in a handful of statistical categories. After becoming the fifth player ever to lead the NCAA in blocks in two seasons, Sharp ranks first in both career blocks (328) and career blocked shots per game (4.05). Establishing himself as a premier shot blocker as well, Cisse ranks 17th in blocks per game (1.77) and 18th in total blocks (177). Cisse also ranks 75th among active players in total rebounds with 670.
PACING THE GAME LIKE VERSTAPPEN
Through 16 games this season in 11 hours and 20 minutes of total gameplay, Ole Miss has held a lead for eight hours, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds, over 74 percent of action during the 2023-24 campaign. The Rebels have led their opponent for 30 or more minutes in 12 of 17 games so far, and for 38 minutes or more in seven games.
IT'S ELITE IN THE 'SIP
Ole Miss is one of just three FBS programs in the country to start at 10-0 in hoops and compile a 10-win season in football. They are joined by James Madison and Oklahoma.
The No. 11 Ole Miss football team defeated No. 10 Penn State 38-25 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on December 30 in Atlanta.
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARDS
Senior Matthew Murrell has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his four years at Ole Miss. This season, he has entered the top-10 career lists in school history for three point field goals made and attempts.
Three-Point Field Goals Made
1. 334, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 278, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
3. 267, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-14)
4. 249, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 214, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
6. 207, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
7. 182, Matthew Murrell (106 games, 2020-)
8. 181, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2014-16)
9. 178, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
10. 176, Terence Davis (121 games (2016-19)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. 900, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 771, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-2014)
3. 720, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
4. 686, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 581, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
6. 528, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
7. 525, Matthew Murrell (106 games, 2020-)
8. 523, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
9. 519, Terence Davis (121 games, 2016-19)
10. 494, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2015-16)
"AROUND THE 'ARC', A PERIMETER CREATE"
Ole Miss has been strong at defending the three-point shot this season, holding opponents to 31.4% from deep, the 81st-best mark in the nation. The Rebels have kept their foe to 20% or less in five games this year:
• Nov. 10 vs. Eastern Washington: 4-22 (18.2%)
• Nov. 28 vs. NC State: 3-25 (12.0%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 3-18 (16.7%)
• Dec. 5 vs. Mount St. Mary's: 5-25 (20.0%)
• Dec. 10 at UCF: 4-22 (18.2%)
SKEE-LO'S HERO
Transfer forward Jamarion Sharp stands as the tallest student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's basketball this season at 7'5", a title he has held for three-straight seasons now, and is even listed as one of the tallest living humans on Wikipedia. After spending his first two college years at John A. Logan College, Sharp played two years at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. In 64 games played, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and became just the fifth person ever to lead the NCAA in blocks twice. His margin of 4.05 blocks per game during his career is currently the 14th-best average in college basketball history, while his 328 total blocks rank 69th all time.
Against Vanderbilt on January 13, Sharp passed former Rebel-great Reginald Buckner who had 326 swats during his career.
With career block No. 300, Sharp became the 95th player in NCAA history to hit that mark. He is one of just 14 on that list to hit the 300-block mark in three years or less.
Career Blocked Shot Average (min. 225 blocks)
1. 5.87 - Keith Closs, Central Conn. St. (54 GP, 317 blks.)
2. 5.66 - Adonal Foyle, Colgate (87 GP, 492 blks.)
3. 5.34 - Shawn James, Northeastern/Duquesne (83 GP, 443 blks.)
4. 5.24 - David Robinson, Navy (67 GP, 351 blks.)
5. 4.66 - Mickell Gladness, Alabama A&M (85 GP, 396 blks.)
6. 4.65 - Wojciech Myrda, La.-Monroe (115 GP, 535 blks.)
7. 4.58 - Shaquille O'Neal, LSU (90 GP, 412 blks.)
8. 4.48 - Jerome James, Florida A&M (81 GP, 363 blks.)
9. 4.42 - Deng Gai, Fairfield (100 GP, 442 blks.)
10. 4.28 - Emeka Okafor, UConn (103 GP, 441 blks.)
11. 4.21 - Justin Williams, Wyoming (58 GP, 244 blks.)
12. 4.17 - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (100 GP, 417 blks.)
13. 4.11 - Justin Rowe, Maine (55 GP, 226 blks.)
14. 4.05 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss (81 GP, 328 blks.)
Career Blocked Shots
67. 334 - Elden Campbell, Clemson
68. 333 - Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
69. 328 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
The roster for Ole Miss this season has the tallest student-athlete in Division I in forward Jamarion Sharp, and has the shortest student-athlete in the country in guard Cam Brent. The two stand a full two feet apart in height, with Sharp at 7'5" and Brent at 5'5".
PREPARED FOR A CHALLENGE
The remainder of the Ole Miss schedule ranks as one of the toughest in the country, as their upcoming opponents win-percentage of 70.0% ranks 22nd in the NCAA. Among their 14 games left on the schedule, 11 are against a top-100 NET team, and 8 against a top-50 team. ESPN's BPI ranks Ole Miss' remaining strength of schedule 18th in the nation.
VALUED LEADERSHIP
The Ole Miss men's basketball coaching staff is one of the more experienced around the country. In his 14th year as a collegiate head coach, Chris Beard is joined on the court by former head coaches Win Case (16 years), Brian Burg (three years), and Wes Flanigan (two years). Assistant coach Bob Donewald Jr. has 16 years of head coaching experience at the professional and national level, while assistant Al Pinkins has been an associate or assistant coach at six different NCAA Division-I programs, including four within the SEC. The Ole Miss coaching staff has experience at five other SEC programs: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.
"IT AIN'T GON' NEVER STOP"
Head coach Chris Beard and staff continue to work on securing the future for Ole Miss basketball, and did so with a pair of signees in the NLI early signing period in November:
John Bol • F • 7-1 • Buma • Overtime Elite
Ranked as the second-highest recruit in program history according to 247Sports, Bol is a consensus four-star recruit, ranking as high as No. 38 in the nation by 247Sports and No. 40 by ESPN. He is an elite shot blocker and rebounder who stands at 7'1" and is able to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Ranked as the top player in the state of Georgia by ESPN, Bol has developed a reputation as one of the hardest playing big men in the country.
Eduardo Klafke • G • 6-5 • Fanca-Sao Paulo, Brazil • NBA Academy Latin America
A combo guard from the prestigious NBA Academy Latin America, Klafke will come to Oxford from Franca-Sao Paulo, Brazil. One of the top international players in his age group, he has consistently played above his age while representing Brazil on the national stage, playing in U19 games as a 17-year-old. Klafke will help bring a spark to the offense as an elite shooter and is excellent in playing both on and off the ball.
"WE BALLIN' LIKE THE MARCH MADNESS"
Among the seven transfers for the Rebels, over half have been to the NCAA Tournament during their collegiate career, with a total of five appearances. Brandon Murray (LSU, 2022 First Round), Austin Nunez (Arizona State, 2023 First Round), and Jaylen Murray (Saint Peter's, 2022 Elite Eight) have each been to the postseason once in their careers, while Allen Flanigan has been twice (Auburn, 2022 and 2023 Second Round).
ADAPT TO THE TIMES
The new age of the NCAA often sees heavy roster turnover from year-to-year. While Ole Miss returns five members of last year's team, they added 11 strong newcomers through the transfer portal and the high school recruiting trail:
Returners (5): Jaemyn Brakefield, Cam Brent, TJ Caldwell, Robert Cowherd, Matthew Murrell
Transfers (7)
Moussa Cisse - Oklahoma St.; 61 GP, 7.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Allen Flanigan - Auburn; 114 GP, 8.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Cole McGrath - Blue Mountain; 53 GP, 6.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG
Brandon Murray - Georgetown; 27 GP, 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG
Jaylen Murray - St. Peter's; 62 GP, 8.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Austin Nunez - Arizona St.; 28 GP, 4.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG
Jamarion Sharp - Western Ky.; 65 GP, 7.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Freshman (4)
Cameron Barnes - Three-star (ESPN, 247, Rivals), No. 147 national (Rivals)
Jacob Gazzo - Three-star (ESPN), No. 3 in Mississippi (ESPN)
Rashaud Marshall - Four-star (ESPN, 247, Rivals), No. 83 national (247)
Gavin Murphy - His high school's fourth-leading all-time scorer
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
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/ Men's BasketballPRESSER | AJ Storr (10-09-25)
Thursday, October 09
PRESSER | Chris Beard (10-09-25)
Thursday, October 09
PRESSER | Ilias Kamardine (09-02-25)
Tuesday, September 02
PRESSER | Chris Beard (09-02-25)
Tuesday, September 02