Ole Miss Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

Ole Miss approaches the 2024–25 college basketball season intending to improve the winning record it set under first-year coach Chris Beard. With this in mind, Beard assembles a solid, 16-man lineup capable of ruling the powerhouse Southeastern Conference and possibly capturing a bid in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Here's a closer look on the Ole Miss' upcoming season and what's in store for the Rebels in the 2024–25 men's basketball campaign.

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Ole Miss' biggest games in the 2024–25 season

Ole Miss has already listed 28 non-conference and conference games for the season, with the Rebels possibly meeting two of the Final Four teams from the 2024 NCAA Tournament — NC State and Purdue — in the Rady's Children's Invitational in San Diego, California, on Nov. 28–29. Another team taking part in the event is BYU.

The following week, Ole Miss will visit Louisville in the ACC-SEC Challenge slated for Dec. 3. Last year, the Rebels hosted NC State and won by 20 points (72-52).

Ole Miss will kick off their conference slate in the first week of January, as they will meet Auburn, LSU and Mississippi State twice in a home and away format.

OLE MISS' 2024-25	SEC CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Home and Away	Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State
Home Only	Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M.
Away Only	Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt

Then, the Rebels play host to Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M. The team, meanwhile, travels to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt to complete its SEC schedule.

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Key Ole Miss players to watch out for in the 2024–25 season

Three of the team's top four scorers from last season will return this year to help Ole Miss reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2019. They will be joined by three additional returning players, six transfers, three freshmen, and a senior who will be playing his first complete season of college.

Here are three Rebels players to keep an eye on in the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season.

#1. Matthew Murrell

Ole Miss Basketball Season Preview 2024–25 (Image Source: IMAGN)

Matthew Murrell led the team's offense, averaging 16.2 points per game on 46.4% shooting, including 39.8% from the 3-point line.

The 6-foot-4 Murrell, who also averaged 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per contest last season, is expected to be the team's top scoring option following the departure of Allen Flanigan.

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#2. Jaylen Murray

Jaylen Murray is back with Ole Miss after having a stellar 2023–24 season, where he tallied 13.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.

The 5-foot-11 guard, who shot 41.1% from the field and 37.3% from three, will be the team's top distributor next season and Rebels fans hope that he's mature enough to call the plays for the squad in the expanded SEC.

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#3. John Bol

The 7-foot-2 John Bol played for Overtime Elite's Cold Hearts this past season and averaged 10.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. The Boma, South Sudan native has been an elite rebounder and shot-blocker.

Bol twice recorded 18 rebounds and had a career-high four blocks in one game, where he also recorded a double-double of 22 points and 15 boards. He is expected to lead the frontcourt attack in offense and alter opponents' shots on the defensive end.

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Ole Miss' predictions for the 2024–25 season

Ole Miss will continue to improve under coach Chris Beard. The second-year coach is hoping to guide the Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2019.

He'll rely heavily on Matthew Murrell, Jaylen Murray and Jaemyn Brakefield in offense and hope that John Bol and 6-foot-9 transfer Malik Dia are as good as advertised on both sides of the court.

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Will Ole Miss make the 2025 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019? Let us know your views in the comments section below.