Ole Miss basketball returns in October with Square Jam

The Chris Beard era for Ole Miss men’s basketball doesn’t officially tip off until November 6 against Alabama State.

But the unofficial tip, Square Jam, a modern-day and annual Rebel basketball tradition, has now been finalized.

The Ole Miss men’s and women’s basketball teams — the latter of which posted 11 total SEC wins last season to match the program’s best-ever mark — will partner with the City of Oxford for the ninth annual Square Jam on Friday, October 6.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and on a court once again be set up on the east side of the Square. More specifically, in the parking lot in front of City Hall. 

Fans will have the opportunity to catch both Rebel teams in action with various competitions, including a three-point contest, men’s dunk contest and more. Coaches and players will be available for autographs following the event — the night before Rebel football hosts Arkansas on October 7.

Ole Miss women’s basketball will open with its lone exhibition against Rust College October 29.

Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who signed a contract extension in the off-season, led the Rebels to a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season. It was the 19th all-time berth in the Big Dance for the Rebels. They easily dispatched of nine-seed Gonzaga in the first round and took down No. 1 seed Stanford in the second. 

Ole Miss, with the win, moved on to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007. The Rebels became the fifth eight-seed in NCAA Tournament history to reach the regional semifinal. The win over the Cardinal pushed the Rebels to 25 overall wins for the sixth time in 48 seasons of women’s basketball. They last pulled off the feat in 1986-87.

“Really excited about this group,” McPhee-McCuin said. The Rebels’ regular-season slate begins with Queens, also on November 6. “Just a really fun group of young women that understand what’s next for us — that next step.

“One of the things I really like about our group is the personalities. Last year, I thought we were always fun-loving. This group is still fun-loving, but they’re competitive and super focused, which makes for intense practices.”

Beard’s debut Ole Miss roster features a transfer haul that was ranked Top 15 in the country.

Beard was hired to replace Kermit Davis in March. He’s led three separate teams (UALR, Texas Tech and Texas) to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.

Ole Miss added six transfers: Jaylen Murray — guard, Saint Peter’s; Allen Flanigan — wing, Auburn; Moussa Cisse — center, Oklahoma State/Memphis; Jamarion Sharp — center, Western Kentucky; Austin Nunez — guard, Arizona State; and Brandon Murray — guard, Georgetown/LSU.

Beard also retained Ole Miss veterans Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Brakefield, as well as now-second-year guards TJ Caldwell and Robert Cowherd. He signed forward Jacob Gazzo, too. Decorated centers Rashaud Marshall and Cameron Barnes rounded out the 2023 high-school class.

“It’s almost September,” Beard said recently, when asked of the makeup of his first Ole Miss roster. “I’ve got to feel good now. Obviously recruiting never stops, but right now, our roster’s intact.”

Notably, however, Ole Miss is still waiting on the NCAA regarding waivers for transfers Moussa Cisse and Brandon Murray.

Beard added, “We had 16 players at practice this morning. There’s 16 guys I believe in. The first step is believing in somebody. The next step, which is a big one, is trusting guys. I don’t trust all 16 guys yet, but I believe in them and I could see what each of them could be and what we could be together.”

Season tickets are on sale for both basketball teams by visiting OleMissTix.com or by calling the Ole Miss Ticket Office at 1-888-REB-TKTS (732-8587).