Ole Miss Hoops Kickstarted the 2025-26 Season with Bang at 10th Square Jam

OXFORD, Miss. – One of the most unique college basketball traditions in the country returned to Oxford as citizens came out in droves Monday night to hype Ole Miss’ men’s and women’s basketball programs for the 10th annual Square Jam in partnership with the City of Oxford, powered by Ashley Furniture, Cannon Motors and Chevrolet.

The celebrations kicked off with the introductions of head coaches Chris Beard and Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who were joined by their respective athletes. After McPhee-McCuin and men’s forward Malik Dia addressed the crowd, the teams warmed up and participated in games of knockout and tic tac toe, followed by a three-point contest.

The tipoff event – emceed by the two head coaches – featured a complete basketball court laid down on The Square in front of City Hall, complete with lighting, sound system and video board.

Dia and women’s guard Kaitlin Peterson opened the festivities by claiming the knockout titles. Afterward in tic tac toe, Tianna Thompson claimed the top spot for the women as Ilias Kamardine won the men’s bracket. Men’s senior Max Smith and women’s freshman Lauren Jacobs shined from long-distance, claiming the respective three-point contests with 12 and nine made shots, respectively, to close out the ceremony.

Both programs will host an exhibition doubleheader on Sunday, Oct. 26 with the men hosting St. Mary's at 11:30 a.m. and the women taking on Southern Arkansas at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Ole Miss women's basketball will open its regular season on Monday Nov. 3 from the SJB Pavilion for its annual Kids Day versus Norfolk State at 11 a.m. Men's basketball tips off its 2025-26 campaign against Southeastern Louisianna on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. from Oxford as well.

Season tickets are on sale for both basketball teams by visiting olemisssports.com.

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.

Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.

Relive the night’s action from Square Jam through several Twitter accounts below.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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