The Ole Miss Rebels are going dancing for the first time since 2019. The Rebs are a #6 seed, and will travel to Milwaukee for a 3:05p.m. first tip to play the winner of Tuesday night’s North Carolina vs. San Diego State game.
Today we’re looking at how the Rebs got here and doing a season recap on the 2024-25 season.
The 2024-25 season was a significant one for the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team, showing growth an resilience under second year Head Coach Chris Beard. The Rebels finished the regular season with a 22-11 overall record and a 10-8 mark in SEC play, marking their first winning conference record since 2020-21 season.
This season was notable for several historic achievements. Ole Miss secured its first-ever Top 5 road victory over #4 Alabama. And achieved two Top 5 wins in the same season for the first time in program history by beating Alabama and the fourth ranked Tennessee Volunteers at home. Additionally, the team recorded three Top 15 victories, a feat not seen since the 2000-01 season. These accomplishments helped solidify their place in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
The Rebels’ non-conference schedule was particularly strong, featuring multiple Quad 1 wins against NCAA Tournament-bound teams like BYU and Louisville. Their performance in the SEC exceeded expectation as the Rebs came into the season predicted to finish 9th in the conference.
Coach Beard’s impact was evident, as the team improved significantly from his first season. The Rebels demonstrated a balanced attack, with a strong offense averaging 77.9 points per game and a defense that held opponents to 71.2 points per game. While the season had its ups and downs, including some tough losses in conference play, the overall trajectory of the program is promising.
Impact Players
G 11 Matthew Murrell 6’4 200 Memphis, TN IMG Academy (FL)
Returning for his fifth season, Murrell was a cornerstone of the team. With over 1,444 career points and 218 career three-pointers, he was one of the premier players in the SEC and a consistent offensive threat.
G 5 Jaylen Murray 5’11 175 Bronx, NY Putnam Science Aca. Saint Peter’s
As the starting point guard, Murray brought flair and efficiency to the offense. He averaged 13.8 points per game and maintained an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking fourth in the SEC.
F 4 Jaemyn Brakefield 6’8 225 Huntington, WV Huntington Prep Duke
A reliable forward, Brakefield provided experience and versatility. He became the 43rd player in Ole Miss history to join the 1,000-point club, showcasing his scoring ability and leadership.
G 3 Sean Pedulla 6’1 195 Edmond, OK Edmond HS Virginia Tech
Pedulla delivered key moments throughout the season, including a game-winning three-pointer in the SEC Tournament against Arkansas with just 1.3 seconds left. He also had a memorable 26-point game against Oklahoma, where he hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final seconds. He was also the Bailey Howell Trophy finalist representative from Ole Miss
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