Every day this week I am profiling one local team and their history in the NCAA Tournament. Today we are looking at the Ole Miss, who are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. The #6 seeded Rebs begin their action Friday afternoon in Milwaukee against #11 North Carolina.
NCAA Tournament Appearances
10 (1981, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2025
NCAA Tournament Record
5-9
NIT Appearances
13
Ole Miss basketball was officially established in 1909, making it one of the oldest athletic programs at the university. The program experienced a modest beginning. In the early years, basketball was often overshadowed by the university’s football program, which was the primary focus of athletics at the time. The team joined the SEC when it was formed in 1933, giving Ole Miss the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the region.
The mid-20th century brought steady development to the program, but Ole Miss struggled to establish itself as a dominant force in the SEC. The Rebs struggled during the 50’s and 60’s. Coaches and players worked tirelessly to build a foundation for future achievements, despite challenges such as limited recruiting and the dominance of powerhouse programs in the conference. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ole Miss began to gain traction. This period saw the arrival of standout players and pivotal coaching changes that helped elevate the program’s status.
(An Ole Miss team from the 1950’s)
In 1981 Ole Miss made their first Tournament appearance. The Rebels, seeded 10th in the Midwest Region, faced Kansas in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, Ole Miss narrowly lost to Kansas with a score of 69-66. It would be 16 years before the Rebels would go dancing again.
The Rebels returned to the Tournament three times in the late 90’s under Head Coach Rob Evans. The 1996-1997 team finished with a stellar record and captured the SEC West Division title. Although their tournament run ended in the first round with a hard-fought loss to Temple, the achievement was a monumental milestone for the program.
(Above: Head Coach Rob Evans took the lowly Rebels to new heights guiding Ole Miss to back to back Tournament appearances)
In 1998 the Rebels would return to the Tournament in one of the more memorable March Madness games ever. The team was anchored by SEC Player of the Year Ansu Sesay. And was a heavy favorite headed into the First Round matchup with Valparaiso. In one of the most memorable upsets in college basketball Valpo won on a last second buzzer beater.
(1997-98 SEC Player of the Year Ansu Sesay was a driving force for the Rebels. He would later get drafted in the Second Round by the Dallas Mavericks).
In 1999 there was a new era for Ole Miss. Mississippi native Rod Barnes took over the Rebels. He picked up where Rob Evans left off leading the Rebs back to the Tourney for the third straight year. In the first round, the Rebels faced off against the No. 13 seed Villanova Wildcats. The game was a nail-biter, with both teams battling for control. Ole Miss showcased their resilience and determination, pulling off a thrilling 72-70 victory. This historic win marked the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory and was a proud moment for the university and its fans.
The Rebels’ journey continued into the second round, where they faced the No. 5 seed Michigan State Spartans. Despite a valiant effort and strong performances from key players, Ole Miss fell short, losing 74-66.
(Above: Rod Barnes guided the Rebels from 1998-2006, and coached them to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including their first ever win against Villanova)
The 2000-01 season was on paper the most successful season for Ole Miss basketball. The Rebels advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. With players like Rahim Lockhart leading the charge, Ole Miss captured the SEC West Division title and made a deep run in the tournament, solidifying their place among the nation’s top teams. Ole Miss would return in 2002 where they would get blown out to #8 seed UCLA.
(Above: Rahim Lockhart was a star on the 2000-01 Rebels basketball team. He is currently an assistant coach at Ole Miss)
After a series of ups and downs in the following years, Ole Miss reemerged on the NCAA Tournament stage in 2013 under head coach Andy Kennedy. The Rebels, led by dynamic guard Marshall Henderson, won the SEC Tournament and earned a spot in March Madness. They made a statement with an upset victory over Wisconsin in the first round before losing to La Salle in the second round.
(Ole Miss alum Andy Kennedy took over in 2006 and coached until 2018, becoming the school’s all-time winningest coach. He led the Rebels to a 2013 SEC Title win.
(Controversial star Marshall Henderson played for the Rebels from 2012-14, and was considered one of the greatest players in program history.)
The Rebels would be back in 2015. They entered the tournament as an 11th seed in the West Region. Their journey began in the First Four round, where they faced BYU in a thrilling matchup.
In a high-scoring game, Ole Miss overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat BYU 94-90. The Rebels’ comeback was fueled by an explosive second-half performance, with guard Stefan Moody leading the charge. Moody scored 26 points, including several clutch shots, to propel the team to victory. This win marked a significant moment for the program, as it demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure on the national stage.
Advancing to the Round of 64, Ole Miss faced the 6th-seeded Xavier Musketeers. Despite their momentum from the previous game, the Rebels struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Xavier team. Ole Miss ultimately fell 76-57, ending their tournament run. While the loss was disappointing, the Rebels’ performance in the First Four highlighted their potential and determination.
(Above: Stefan Moody, who played for the Rebels from 2014-16)
Ole Miss’s most recent appearance other than 2025 was 2019, under the leadership of head coach Kermit Davis. The team entered the tournament as an 8th seed in the South Region, following a strong season that showcased their potential and determination.
In the first round, the Rebels faced the 9th-seeded Oklahoma Sooners. Despite high hopes and a solid regular season, Ole Miss struggled to find their footing in the game. The Sooners dominated from the start, and the Rebels were unable to mount a significant comeback. The final score was 95-72 in favor of Oklahoma, ending Ole Miss’s tournament run in the Round of 64.
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