Ole Miss is dancing through the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and the excitement in Oxford, Mississippi, is palpable. After wins over No. 11 seed North Carolina and No. 3 seed Iowa State, the Rebels have made their way to the Sweet 16—the program’s second-ever appearance at this stage. And this time, they’re doing it with the help of HC Chris Beard.
The Rebels are now just 40 minutes away from their first-ever Elite Eight berth, but first, a date with No. 2 seed Michigan State awaits. With rumors swirling about Beard’s potential departure after the season, what did he have to tell the Ole Miss faithful?
Chris Beard Echoes Confidence, Reassures Rebels Fans
Chris Beard is in his second year at Ole Miss, and he is already confident about the program’s future. The veteran coach, who previously turned Texas Tech into a national powerhouse, spoke candidly about his expectations for Ole Miss.
“Expectations are to compete for championships and make runs in tournaments and play in the final game on that Monday night in April. So, we have not exceeded expectations in any way,” Beard explained. “We’re building the program. We’re trying to build it brick by brick.”
And it sure seems like whatever Beard has been doing is working.
In just two seasons, Beard has already turned the Rebels into a contender in the NCAA Tournament, and he’s adamant that this is just the beginning.
“We’re here in year two. We’re one of the 16 teams left. We got a four-team tournament in Atlanta starting on Friday. Most important game in that four-team tournament is the first game. And then certainly, you know, we’re 80 minutes from San Antonio.”
As Beard alluded to, if the Rebels defeat the Spartans on Friday, they’ll have one more game—a date with the winner of Auburn-Michigan—before they travel to San Antonio, Texas, for the Final Four.
His determined approach has resonated with his players, especially as they prepare for their upcoming matchup with Michigan State.
Beard has led his team to back-to-back tournament wins. And the mantra of “one game at a time” seems to work wonders for the Rebels. This sense of purpose is palpable in the locker room, where players like Sean Pedulla and Dre Davis have stepped up to lead the way.
Stepping up is necessary with this game against Michigan State. Beard himself acknowledges the challenge ahead, noting that Michigan State’s tough rebounding game and experienced roster will make for an intense contest. However, he believes in his team’s ability to adapt and succeed.
“Why not? Why not compete for a championship in the early days? And that’s what we’re trying to do.”
And it is not just confidence; the numbers back it up. In the first round, they won against North Carolina with a great start. They had an 18-point halftime lead. Even when the Tar Heels fought back, the Rebels held firm, with Sean Pedulla in the moments that mattered, coming in with a clutch three-pointer. Then came Iowa State.
In the Iowa State game, Ole Miss was the underdog. They shot a lights-out 57% from beyond the arc, with Pedulla and Jaemyn Brakefield leading the charge.
Now, with the Spartans, things are slightly different. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. But they do struggle from deep, ranking last in three-point percentage in the Big 10.
That’s a weakness Chris Beard will surely look to exploit. If Ole Miss can continue their hot shooting and force Michigan State into tough shots, they have a real chance at making history. However, there is one thing that is on the minds of the Rebels fandom.
Chris Beard Shuts Down Rumors, Says He’s Here to Stay
With big wins come big speculations. It’s only natural that when a coach of Chris Beard’s caliber leads a program to new heights, other schools come calling. But for Ole Miss fans worried that he might be a short-term visitor, Beard had a clear message.
This is a must watch.
“We’re at Ole Miss for a reason. We believe in this place and we love this place. We’re just getting started. This is the early days in Oxford.”
Chris Beard is here to stay. Oxford is home
pic.twitter.com/ihIxf8Ezo9— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) March 26, 2025
As Beard himself puts it, “You’re going to get that question if you’re a coach with good players and you win. That’s just part of the dialogue in college basketball. But we’re at Ole Miss for a reason. We believe in this place. We love this place.”
Ole Miss has been the underdog for too long. But with Beard at the helm, those days might be over.
March Madness Sweet 16: Schedule, Picks, Predictions, and Advance Rates
“We came here with a big vision in mind… We’re just getting started,” Beard said of is Rebels.
Tip-off is set for Friday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The game will be televised on CBS, and all eyes will be on the Rebels as they try to make history. Chris Beard clearly believes in his team. And that belief might just be enough to carry Ole Miss where they’ve never gone before.
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