Mar 14, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Matthew Murrell (11) shoots over Texas A&M Aggies ahead Solomon Washington (13) in the course of the first half at Bridgestone Area. Obligatory Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Photographs Ole Miss returns 4 of its prime 5 scorers from final season and provides 5 transfers who averaged double-figure scoring in 2023-24.
Expertise and depth are main the reason why Ole Miss is ranked No. 24 because it prepares to open the season in opposition to Lengthy Island College on Monday in Oxford, Miss.
“We’re an older group,” second-year coach Chris Beard mentioned. “They don’t seem to be going to offer us factors on the scoreboard earlier than the sport begins simply because we’re older, however I consider there is a relationship between profitable and expertise.”
The Rebels went from a 20-loss group two years in the past to a 20-17 group that completed 7-11 within the Southeastern Convention in Beard’s first season. They have been picked No. 9 within the SEC preseason media ballot this 12 months.
Three senior guards will likely be key figures. Matthew Murrell averaged 16.2 factors and made 39.8 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt final season. Dre Davis averaged 15.0 factors for Seton Corridor final season, and Sean Pedulla averaged 12.1 factors, 3.2 assists and three.0 rebounds in 102 video games throughout a three-year profession at Virginia Tech.
“I inform the fellows on a regular basis, we’ll have some particular segments, some particular moments, perhaps some particular video games offensively,” Beard mentioned, “however our destiny will likely be on the defensive finish, no completely different than anyone else in school basketball.”
Mississippi’s depth is such that Beard enters the season uncertain of his actual beginning lineup or rotation.
“In my thoughts now we have six starters,” he mentioned. “This can be a great spot to be. There will likely be a task for the (first) man coming off (the bench). It is a actually, actually essential job for us. We are able to play with guard play and we will play large, too.
“There are going to be alternatives for guys all through the season. It may be laborious to play guys rotational minutes each recreation simply due to the depth of our roster. However that is one thing we talked about in recruiting as we set this group up.”
LIU is also hopeful of getting a lift from the switch portal. Senior wing Malachi Davis, a switch from Arizona State, was chosen to the preseason All-Northeast Convention group.
“The essential factor is constructing the LIU model,” Davis advised Slam Journal. “We’re making an attempt to vary the tradition. We’re making an attempt to vary the surroundings and convey the group collectively and do one thing actual particular this 12 months.”
One other notable newcomer is extremely touted freshman capturing guard Jalen “Roc” Lee. The highest returnees are sophomore ahead Jason Steele and senior level guard Terell Strickland, son of third-year coach Rod Strickland. Terell began his profession at James Madison however adopted his father to LIU earlier than final season.
The Sharks (7-22, 6-10 in 2023-24) have been picked fifth within the NEC preseason ballot.
“The life like purpose for us is to win,” Steele mentioned. “We’ve individuals who need to compete. Everybody right here desires to work and everybody desires to win.”
–Discipline Stage Media