Ole Miss starts season strong with Murrell in preseason ranking

In the 2023-2024 NCAA basketball season, the Ole Miss Rebels, ranked 24th in the preseason, are poised to make a significant impact. This marks just their second time being ranked in the preseason, with the previous instance occurring in 1997-98. Under the leadership of head coach Chris Beard, the team is looking to improve after a challenging previous season where they finished with a 20-12 overall record and struggled defensively, allowing nearly 74 points per game, which ranked them 244th nationally. Key player Matthew Murrell, a fifth-year guard, enters the season as the team's top scorer, having increased his scoring average each year and boasting 1,444 career points. The team will also rely on contributions from Jaylen Murray and Jaemyn Brakefield, both of whom have established themselves as consistent players. A notable challenge this season is the departure of Allen Flanigan, the team's No. 2 scorer. However, Beard's recruitment efforts have led to the acquisition of transfer Sean Pedulla, a Virginia Tech standout who averaged 16.4 points last season. Ole Miss is aiming for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and has a challenging nonconference schedule that includes games against BYU, Louisville, and Memphis. With a roster filled with experienced players, including 10 seniors and five who have reached 1,000 career points, expectations are high for the Rebels this season.