Trip to Temple toughest test to date for Chris Beard and Ole Miss men’s basketball

Ole Miss basketball is a perfect 4-0 to start the Chris Beard Era. 

The opponents haven’t been world-beaters, but results, not style points, are all that matter for postseason resumes. Each of Ole Miss’ wins have been tightly-contested affairs filled with adversity. The Rebels have had to rally a couple of times already, including in back-to-back wins over Detroit Mercy and Sam Houston.

Whether those close shaves are indicators of growth (Ole Miss keeps winning!) or a team still very much a work in progress and figuring itself out remains to be seen.  What’s indisputable is the Rebels, at least record-wise, are where they want to be as they hit the road for the first time this season.

Now comes the toughest test to date. Tipoff at Temple (3-1) is set for Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

“From a coaching standpoint, you don’t really enjoy them while they’re happening, but you certainly don’t want to go play your first road game and have a team that’s never been in that moment,” Beard said after the Rebels’ 70-67 win over Sam Houston on Friday. Ole Miss needed a last-minute three from transfer point guard Jaylen Murray to sneak by the Bearkats.

“For us, we’re in those moments a lot in practice. We play a lot of four and five-minute games and our closed-door scrimmage was a very close 40 minutes. All four of our games this year, in a lot of ways, have been games that tested our composure and poise down the stretch.

“Will it pay dividends? Yet to be determined, but I was impressed with our guys’ courage late (against Sam Houston). It’s not always about making a shot. You’ve got to take it to make it, and I didn’t see any hesitancy late, which is really good to see.”

Ole Miss and Temple have played five games since 1987.

The Rebels have three wins. The most notable showdown was in 1997. Ole Miss, following a 20-win season under then-Ole Miss head coach Rob Evans, reached the NCAA Tournament for just the second time ever. 

However, the Rebels, as the eight-seed, lost to No. 9 Temple in the first round, 62-40. Ole Miss got some revenge the following season in an 87-74 win over the No. 18-ranked Owls, and Ole Miss last season used a big second-half comeback to take down Temple, 63-55.

“A tell of a good team is a team that can improve or adjust or do some things different from half to half and game to game,” Beard said. “Last game out, we kind of fell in love with the three-point shot. I still think we’re going to be a good shooting team. We’ll see if my prediction’s correct. 

“To go win a Big Boy game in March, you’ve got to have everything. You’ve got to have four or five guys in double figures. We’re looking for that third, fourth, fifth scorer. You’ve got to get to the free throw line, make some shots and have a low-turnover game. You’ve got to rebound (and) keep the other team’s best player from having a career night. 

“So, (against Sam Houston), we checked a few of those boxes.”

SCOUTING THE OWLS

Temple holds wins this season over Maryland Eastern Shore, Navy and Drexel. The Owls have a loss to Columbia on their ledger, too. 

They were 16-16 last season, including a 10-8 mark in the AAC. Hysier Miller, a starter in all 32 games a year ago, is back and leads the team in scoring (20.0 points per game). He almost single-handedly lifted the Owls to a win over Columbia. Miller scored 29 points while playing all 40 minutes of the game. 

Jahlil White leads the team in rebounds (8.0 per game). He’s second of all Owls in scoring (14.0 ppg).

MILESTONE ALERT

Career milestones to watch for the Rebels:

ALLEN FLANIGAN

Career 3-pointers: 95

MATTHEW MURRELL

Career Points: 985 | Will be 42nd member of 1,000-point club at Ole Miss
Career 3PM: 145 – 163 | Enters play Top 10 in school history
3PA/Career: 440 – 454 | Enters play Top-10 in school history

JAMARION SHARP

Career Blocks: 290 | Would be 112th player in NCAA history with 300 career blocks.