Assessing how Chris Beard has found quick success at Ole Miss

Ole Miss entered SEC play as the only team to go undefeated during non-conference play. In Chris Beard’s first season as head coach — the Rebels look like they can hang with the big dogs in the SEC this year.

On3’s Joe Tipton joined Andy Staples to discuss the success Beard has seen through the first half of the college basketball season, and how he’s been able to turn the Rebels’ program around so swiftly.

“Well, first he got talent. He got guys in the in the transfer portal,” Tipton told Staples. “He got lucky on a couple guys Brandon Murray, Moussa Cisse, two-time transfers that weren’t playing until the NCAA started to allow the two time guys [to play], and so he acquired talent.

“He’s just a really good coach. There’s no denying that you can say what you want about him off the court, but he wins. He’s done it at every place he’s ever been. He brought Texas Tech to a Final Four. I mean, even Ole Miss — they’ve won 15 games so far this season. We’re only in mid January. Last year Kermit Davis only won 13 [games] on the entire year. They’ve already surpassed what they did last year.”

Brandon Murray and Moussa Cisse were joined by former Auburn guard Allen Flanigan and former Saint Peter’s guard Jaylen Murray, who have all been productive for Beard’s squad.

Even more impressive, he was able to retain veteran guard Matthew Murrell, who is putting up career numbers in his fourth season with the Rebels’ program. He currently leads the team with 17.7 points per game and is shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite Ole Miss’ 15-2 record, which is tied with Auburn for the best overall record in the conference, the Rebels rank seventh in the SEC in scoring with 77.8 points per game, but rank No. 3 in total steals (8.7 per game) and have forced 173 turnovers this season. Part of their low scoring totals have to do with being able to rebound — which they rank next to last in the SEC with 35.1 board per game. Compare that to Florida‘s 44.9, which tops the league.

Regardless of statistics, Beard has had his team ready for almost every task this season (the 90-64 loss to Tennessee is the exception). Despite dropping Wednesday’s game against LSU 89-80, Ole Miss feels good about where they’re at through mid-January.

Next up for the Rebels will be their toughest test of the season with a road trip to Auburn on Saturday to play the No. 13 Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and will be aired live on the SEC Network.