Ole Miss and Chris Beard are turning back the clock with a throwback game in the 'Tad Pad'
Since Ole Miss hired Chris Beard as its new head coach for men’s basketball the one thing that Beard has continued to mention is wanting to honor the history that came before him in Oxford.
Friday saw Beard make good on that when he announced Ole Miss will hold a throwback game in the C.M. ‘Tad’ Smith Coliseum as part of the upcoming season schedule.
The Rebels will host Sam Houston State on November 17 at 8 p.m CT inside the ‘Tad Pad,’ marking the first time in eight years an official men’s basketball game has been played in the arena.
Officially titled ‘Throwback Game in the Tad Pad’ the game will also honor former Ole Miss head coach Rob Evans
“When Coach Beard first mentioned the idea, we all thought it could be a great way to bring exposure to the program and incorporate some of the people that helped put Ole Miss basketball on the map,” said Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter. “Tad Smith Coliseum hosted many great games over its 50-year lifespan and it will be fun to bring back some nostalgic feelings for our longtime hoops fans, plus showcase the history of the building to some of our younger fans.”
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The Sam Houston game is the third non-conference game officially announced by Ole Miss for its 2023-24 schedule. The Rebels are also playing Southern Mississippi in Biloxi on December 23 and prior to that will take on California on December 16 in San Antonio.
“That’s a cool idea. I know it would mean a lot to so many people, players and coaches and fans and season ticket holders that enjoyed all the great basketball and tradition of basketball in the ‘Tad Pad,’” Beard told The Ole Miss Spirit earlier this summer. “I’ve been really appreciative of everyone trying to make it happen. We’re not quite there yet. There’s a lot of logistic and things like that. But if we can pull it off we’re going to. But that won’t be the only idea that we pull off.”
Ole Miss will announce the rest of its non-conference schedule at a later date but Beard does know who the Rebels opponents will be in his first year through a Southeastern Conference schedule, as announced in June.
