Chris Beard: Ole Miss 'not a candidate' for NIT or any other postseason tournaments, ending the season
What has felt like a known outcome was officially confirmed by Chris Beard on Friday. His first season as the head coach of the Ole Miss men’s basketball program is complete.
Beard announced that Ole Miss would not participate in the NIT or any other postseason tournaments. The final game of the 2023-24 season took place on Thursday with the Rebels losing to Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
The NCAA Tournament was out of the equation heading into this week barring a run that saw Ole Miss (20-12) cutting down the nets on Sunday and hoisting up the SEC Tournament championship trophy. The NIT was the next logical destination but Beard stated the Rebels were “not a candiate.”
“Yesterday was our last game of the season. We’re not going to be a candidate to play any of the postseason tournaments,” Beard said. “Personally, I have a lot of experience and respect for the NIT. …Simply, I think timing is everything and the timing’s just not right for our team to continue the season in any of these tournaments.”
Beard cited some of his players are dealing with some personal issues off the court and others trying to wrap up graduation as reasons why he felt it was necessary to no longer continue this season. He gave one specific example in center Jamarion Sharp needing to be back home with his mother who continues to be in critical care.
Beard led Ole Miss to its first 20-win season, improving on last season’s total by eight, and more than doubled last season’s conference win total. The Rebels eclipsed least year’s 12 wins with a 13-0 non-conference record.
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Ole Miss can formally turn the page to year two under Chris Beard and hit the recruiting and transfer portal starting on Monday.
Beard has already noted next year’s roster is going to be “drastically different,” hinting at some major changes between now and when the Rebels take the court again in November.
Reflection is not something Beard does while in-season but Friday was a time for him to pull the curtain back a little and give his thoughts on year one, heading into year two with Ole Miss.
“Our programs always strive to get better year-to-year. Period,” Beard said. “Certainly from the first year to the second year you have an opportunity to do that. The first year’s a lot about learning and the learning curve is really, really big the first year. We talked about a little bit yesterday after the game and things we learned about the SEC the challenges of coaching these guys for the first season.”
The only thing left now is for Beard to conduct exit interviews, which might already be underway and his staff to hit the recruiting trail.
