Ole Miss took down State in a thriller to secure its best-ever start. Here’s what it looked like.
Chris Beard inherited an Ole Miss basketball program with seven combined SEC wins over the previous two years and nine all-time NCAA Tournament berths.
And yet, in his debut season, the Rebels are off to their best start (18-3) in history and tracking for the tournament for the first time since 2018-19. Ole Miss would be the fourth separate team Beard has led to the dance since 2016. His 2019 Texas Tech Red Raiders reached the title game.
Ole Miss is fresh off an 86-82 win over rival Mississippi State Tuesday night, which bested the previous all-time mark through 21 games (17-4) set in 2012-13.
“Obviously one of the best environments in college basketball tonight,” Beard said after the win. “Been fortunate to coach in a lot of great environments over the years. Tonight was special. We’re building something here.”
Joining Beard at the postgame podium were Rebel guards Jaylen Murray and TJ Caldwell.
Murray and Caldwell led Ole Miss in scoring in the game with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Caldwell, a sophomore, is a former four-star and Top 120 recruit, according to On3. He set a new career-high in points and connected on 4 of 5 threes.
“This wasn’t a one-game deal,” Beard said of Caldwell. “TJ’s been really doing well in practice and getting himself ready. He’s been really ready to play and dialed-in. Tonight, the basket opened up to him. We don’t win tonight without TJ’s performance coming off the bench.”
“Throughout the season, I’ve just been continuing to work and keeping my head down,” Caldwell added. “When it’s my time, it’s my time. That was obviously tonight.”
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Caldwell is in his second Ole Miss season.
He chose the Rebels over, among others, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State during the 2022 cycle.
Caldwell’s contributions on Tuesday helped the Rebels offset another impressive outing by Mississippi State star freshman Josh Hubbard. Hubbard is a one-time Ole Miss commitment and signee. He finished with 21 points. However, he was held to just five points in the second half. Hubbard made one of five shot attempts in the period.
He was also previously ranked as a four-star prospect. Ole Miss released Hubbard of his letter of intent in March following the dismissal of former head coach Kermit Davis. Beard attempted to recruit Hubbard back into the fold, but he opted instead for the more familiar Bulldogs, his original second choice.
“Special young player,” Beard said. “Lot of respect for him. I think (Mississippi State head coach Chris) Jans is doing a great job with him. He’s gotten better from Game 1 to tonight. Special player.
“I don’t know if it was anything we did (in the second half). Obviously we reminded the guys of the original game plan. Maybe had a few more focused possessions on him. He’s a really good player and gave us all we could handle. A lot of respect for him.”
The included photos were taken and provided to the Ole Miss Spirit by Bruce Newman.
