In what was an anticipated in-state showdown on Saturday, Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard guided his Rebels to a solid victory over Southern Miss. The 75-60 win marked another step in Beard’s first season at the helm, as he continues to build and develop his program. However, despite the final score, Beard was quick to acknowledge that there were both positives and areas of improvement that his team needed to address.
The victory provided some valuable lessons for the Ole Miss coaching staff, giving Beard a comprehensive look at his team’s strengths and weaknesses. As the Rebels prepare for tougher competition in the SEC, here’s a breakdown of the good and bad that emerged from the win over Southern Miss.
One of the most promising takeaways from the Rebels’ win over Southern Miss was their defensive performance. Beard’s defensive philosophy, which is rooted in intensity and physicality, was evident throughout the game. Ole Miss was able to force Southern Miss into tough shots, limiting the Golden Eagles to a low shooting percentage from the field. The Rebels were aggressive in closing out on shooters, while also contesting shots at the rim, making it difficult for Southern Miss to establish any rhythm offensively.
“We got back to playing good, tough defense, which is the foundation of our team,” Beard said post-game. “I’m proud of how the guys fought defensively. They followed the game plan and made it hard for them to get good looks.”
Additionally, Ole Miss excelled on the boards, with the Rebels winning the rebounding battle 40-28. This was another reflection of Beard’s emphasis on fundamentals, as his players were consistently in position to secure boards on both ends of the floor. The dominance in the paint allowed Ole Miss to control the tempo of the game, preventing Southern Miss from getting second-chance opportunities and turning the game into a more physical contest, which favored the Rebels.
While the defense and rebounding were strong, the offense didn’t always look as polished as Beard would have liked. There were stretches of the game where Ole Miss struggled to generate efficient scoring, especially in the half-court offense. Turnovers were an issue, as the Rebels committed 16 turnovers in the game, leading to several easy opportunities for Southern Miss. Beard acknowledged that his team was still working through some growing pains in terms of offensive cohesion.
“Our offense is a work in progress,” Beard said. “We have moments where we’re flowing and playing fast, but then there are too many stretches where we get stagnant or lose focus. We need to take care of the basketball better.”
While the Rebels were able to secure the win, it was evident that they still needed more offensive consistency. The absence of a true go-to scorer in crucial moments raised some concerns, as the Rebels relied on balanced scoring but lacked that one player who could take over when necessary. Beard has mentioned in previous interviews that finding that offensive rhythm is something he’ll continue to work on throughout the season.
Despite the offensive inconsistencies, one of the bright spots for Ole Miss was the play of sophomore guard Daeshun Ruffin. Ruffin, known for his scoring and playmaking ability, finished with 18 points and contributed five assists. He showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in transition and when running the pick-and-roll. Ruffin’s ability to score in a variety of ways helped spark the Rebels during some of their tougher stretches offensively.
“Daeshun has been playing with a lot of confidence,” Beard said. “He’s growing into that leader role and continuing to make plays for himself and his teammates.”
As Ruffin continues to develop, he could become the offensive engine that the Rebels need to make a deeper run in the SEC. However, for Ole Miss to truly reach their potential, they will need others to step up and complement Ruffin’s playmaking on a consistent basis.
While the win over Southern Miss was important, Beard knows that the road ahead is much more challenging. The SEC is one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball, and Ole Miss will face off against some of the top teams in the country in the coming months. To compete at the highest level, the Rebels will need to improve in areas like offensive execution, ball security, and shot selection.
“The SEC is brutal. We know what’s ahead of us,” Beard said. “We have a lot of work to do, but this team has potential. We just need to stay focused, keep building, and continue to improve.”
As the Rebels move forward, they will need to maintain their defensive tenacity while refining their offensive approach. The goal is clear for Coach Beard: to make Ole Miss a consistent contender in the SEC and beyond.
While Ole Miss’ win over Southern Miss was a solid performance, it highlighted both the strengths and challenges that Coach Chris Beard’s team faces this season. The defensive intensity and rebounding were certainly positives, but the offensive struggles, especially with turnovers and scoring consistency, are areas the Rebels need to address moving forward. As the season progresses, Coach Beard will look to build on the good while working on the bad, ultimately with the goal of making Ole Miss a competitive force in the SEC.