Ole Miss basketball’s path to first NCAA Tournament in five years is officially set

Ole Miss men’s basketball will play 10 of its games in 2024-25 on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.

The SEC made the announcement — along with other tipoff times and TV designations for numerous conference teams — on Thursday.

“This is an older group with a lot of seniors,” transfer Dre Davis said Monday. The Rebels held an open practice for media viewing. “A ton of experience and guys that have played college basketball for a long time. 

“We all know what to expect. We all have a chip on our shoulder. Not many of us have won and made it to the NCAA Tournament. Obviously that’s a goal for everyone on this team.”

Ole Miss hosts Auburn and Kentucky on February 1 and 4, respectively. In-state rival Mississippi State rolls into town February 15, followed by Oklahoma March 1. The remaining eight SEC games are set for broadcast on SEC Network.

Ole Miss will unofficially open the year with a charity exhibition against Illinois.

The teams are set for an 11 a.m. CT tipoff on October 27 on SEC Network. The regular season gets started November 4 with LIU at 7:30 p.m. CT. The second ‘Throwback Game in the Tad Pad’ on November 12 is set for 7 p.m. CT and against South Alabama.

“Right now we’re trying to establish our defense,” second-year Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said. “Starts with us with kind of culture (and) intensity. Willingness to defend. Make sure our guys understand that’s our plan around here and it gets as specific as each day trying to improve on things.”

Ole Miss signed the No. 16 portal class in college basketball. Davis was joined in the haul by fellow transfers Ja’Von Benson (Hampton), Davon Barnes (Sam Houston State), Malik Dia (Belmont) and Mikeal Brown-Jones (UNC-Greensboro).

“We have a lot of team chemistry,” Dia said. “We do a lot of things off the court together. On the court we communicate very well. We kind of have a feel for each other now, which is really good.

“Going into the season, just super grateful I have these guys around. They’re just great people. I love spending my time with them — whether it’s playing games or eating food. Not only the players, but the (graduate assistants) and coaches as well.”

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Illinois (Exhibition) – Sunday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. (SECN)
Long Island – Monday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. (SECN+)
Grambling State – Friday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m. (SECN)
South Alabama (Tad Pad) – Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. (SECN+)
vs. Colorado State (Southaven) – Saturday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m. (SECN+)
Oral Roberts – Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. (SECN+)
vs. BYU (San Diego) – Thursday, Nov. 28, 4:30 p.m. (FS1)
vs. TBD (San Diego) – Friday, Nov. 29, TBD (FOX)
at Louisville – Tuesday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. (ACCN)
Lindenwood – Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m. (SECN+)
vs. Southern Miss (Biloxi) – Saturday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. (TBD)
Southern – Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. (SECN+)
Queens – Saturday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m. (SECN+)
at Memphis – Saturday, Dec. 28, TBD (TBD)
Georgia – Saturday, Jan. 4, 11 a.m. (SECN)
at Arkansas – Wednesday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPNU)
LSU – Saturday, Jan. 11, 5 p.m. (SECN)
at Alabama – Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPNU)
at Mississippi St. – Saturday, Jan. 18, TBD (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
Texas A&M – Wednesday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPNU)
at Missouri – Saturday, Jan. 25, 5 p.m. (SECN)
Texas – Wednesday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
Auburn – Saturday, Feb. 1, 1 p.m./3 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)
Kentucky – Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
at LSU – Saturday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. (SECN)
at South Carolina – Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. (SECN)
Mississippi St. – Saturday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)
at Vanderbilt – Saturday, Feb. 22, 2:30 p.m. (SECN)
at Auburn – Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPNU)
Oklahoma – Saturday, March 1, 5 p.m. (SECN)
Tennessee – Wednesday, March 5, 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPNU)
at Florida – Saturday, March 8, 5 p.m. (SECN)