Chris Beard wasn’t a fan of the newly-instituted college basketball bye week at first. Then No. 24 Ole Miss lost to in-state rival Mississippi State. Beard, who’s in his second season as head coach of the Rebels,

Last meeting with Ole Miss: The Commodores went to Oxford in January of 2024 and lost 69-56, allowing guard Matthew Murrell 24 points on six-of-12 from the 3-point line. Tyrin Lawrence led the Commodores with 14 points but the 'Dores were severely outrebounded 42-33 and shot under 38 percent from the floor to fall on the road.