By Chris Coopersmith
“THE SMOOTH CRIMINAL ON BEAT BRAKES”
Over the previous six games for the Rebels, senior Jaemyn Brakefield has been in a unique state of mind. Since December 16, the forward from Jackson, Miss. has shot 67.2 percent from the field (45-67) and 56.5 percent from three (13-23), averaging 20.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He has set career-highs for points in a game twice during that stretch, first with 27 against Cal before scoring 28 in their win over Florida.
ALL-AMERICAN DR. PARTY
The Rebels hosted a block party on January 10 in the SJB Pavilion, setting a school record with 16 team blocks. Breaking the previous best by three, their total against the Gators tied the SEC record for most blocks in a conference game all-time. Ole Miss was led in the paint by forward Jamarion Sharp, who set a program record of his own with a nine-block performance.
“TEN OUGHTA DO IT, DON’T YOU THINK?”
On December 19 against Troy, Matthew Murrell secured 10 steals to set a new program record for Ole Miss, adding 18 points for the first double-double involving steals in school history. His 10 steals also tied the SEC record for most in a game, the most since 1991, and tie him for the 25th-most in a game in NCAA history. Murrell helped Ole Miss collect 16 steals in the game against Troy, setting a new SJB Pavilion record.
With an average of 2.20 steals per game on the season, Murrell ranks fourth in the SEC and No. 38 in the nation.
A NEW 1K KING
With 12 points in Ole Miss’ win over NC State, Matthew Murrell surpassed the 1,000-career point mark, becoming the 42nd student-athlete in program history to do so. Now at 1,178 points in his career with the Rebels, Murrell is 31st in school history and sits 23 points behind next on the list, Rod Barnes (1984-1988).
29. Walter Actwood (1973-77): 1,216
30. Rod Barnes (1984-88): 1,201
31. Matthew Murrell (2020-): 1,178
32. Rahim Lockhart (1997-2001): 1,160
A NEW ERA BEGINS
With the hiring of Chris Beard last March, the Ole Miss men’s basketball program is prepared to take the next step forward, bringing in one of the most successful coaches of the last decade.
Compiling a record of 251-99 as an NCAA head coach since 2012, Beard holds one of the highest win percentages in the nation, ranking 10th among active head coaches with 10 or more years of experience at 71.7%.
The 2019 AP National Coach of the Year has led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament over the previous eight years, and is undefeated in the opening round at 5-0. His all-time record in the NCAA Tournament is 11-5 (.688).
“I CAN BE YOUR LONG LOST PAL”
After posting the third double-double of his career in the season opener (15 points, career-best 12 rebounds), Allen Flanigan followed it up with a career-best 29 points against Eastern Washington. The senior guard surpassed the 1,000 career-point mark against the Eagles, and played a key part in securing the victory by scoring eight of the last 11 points for the Rebels.
He once again led the team in scoring with 23 against Sam Houston, connecting on a career-best 14 makes from the free throw line. The senior helped lead Ole Miss to victory in their first road game at Temple with 26 points, the second-most scored in a game for his career, while tallying a then career-best seven assists. Flanigan added his second double-double of the year in a 20-point win over NC State in the ACC/SEC Challenge with 15 points and 10 rebounds and helped Ole Miss take down Memphis with 18. Against Troy, he increased his career-mark for most assists in a game with nine, following that up with his third double-double of the year against Southern Miss in Biloxi with 10 points and 11 boards.
He leads the team in rebounding at 7.1 per game and ranks second in scoring at 16.3 points per game, and is the only player in the SEC to sit in the top-10 in each category among conference teams.
*MIKE BREEN VOICE* “BANG!”
Shooting 40.1 percent from the three-point line this season, Ole Miss currently ranks No. 6 in the country in efficiency beyond the arc. Through 15 games, the Rebels have already shot 50 percent or better from deep five times, the most in an entire season since they hit that mark or better five times during the 2014-15 campaign.
• Nov. 14 vs. Detroit Mercy: 9-18 (50.0%)
• Nov. 22 at Temple: 10-18 (55.6%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 11-22 (50.0%)
• Dec. 16 vs. California: 12-21 (57.1%)
• Dec. 23 vs. Southern Miss: 11-19 (57.9%)
Their current clip of 40.1 percent from three would set a new school record for shooting percentage from deep in a season. The Rebels are one of just seven teams in the country averaging 40 percent or better from deep.
A RECORD START
Ole Miss matched the program record for best start to a season and longest overall win streak, going a perfect 13-0 in non-conference play (also in 2007-08). The Rebels were one of three teams in the nation to start 13-0, joined by James Madison and Houston.
Ole Miss is the third different program head coach Chris Beard has taken to a 10-0 start to begin a season during his nine years as a Division-I coach, having done so in 2015-16 with Little Rock and 2018-19 at Texas Tech.
RUNNING THE COURT LIKE MCKENZIE LONG
Ole Miss is averaging just over 13 fastbreak points per game to begin the season, with their clip of 13.67 ranking No. 56 in the NCAA. Outscoring their opponents 208-94 in fastbreak points this year, the Rebels have scored equal or more fastbreak points in 14 of 15 games.
Ole Miss has created their opportunities for quick points by leading the country in blocks per game and ranking No. 36 in steals per game.
AMONG THE BEST
Forwards Jamarion Sharp and Moussa Cisse rank among the nation’s best in active career leaders in a handful of statistical categories. After becoming the fifth player ever to lead the NCAA in blocks in two seasons, Sharp ranks first in both career blocks (324) and career blocked shots per game (4.10). Establishing himself as a premier shot blocker as well, Cisse ranks 15th in blocks per game (1.78) and 18th in total blocks (174). Cisse also ranks 76th among active players in total rebounds with 659.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
Ole Miss leads all of college basketball averaging 6.7 blocks per game, and is keeping opponents to just 40.8 percent shooting from the floor which ranks 76th in the nation. The muscle in the paint for the Rebels has been Jamarion Sharp, who leads the SEC in blocks per game (3.00) and blocks (45), ranking fourth in each category nationally.
With 101 blocks through their first 15 games, Ole Miss is on pace to shatter the program record for blocks in a season at 185 set during the 2012-13 season.
PACING THE GAME LIKE VERSTAPPEN
Through 15 games this season in 10 hours of total gameplay, Ole Miss has held a lead for seven hours, 29 minutes, and 29 seconds, nearly 75 percent of action during the 2023-24 campaign.
“I TAKE THE WORK, FLIP IT, ACROBATIC”
Through 15 games this season, Ole Miss has shown elite ball control and movement on the offensive side. With a total of 239 assists compared to 155 turnovers, the Rebels’ ratio of 1.54 ranks No. 27 in the nation.
The team is led in assists by Jaylen Murray (59 assists to 26 turnovers) and Allen Flanigan (49 assists to 30 turnovers). Murray’s 3.93 assists per game rank eighth in the SEC.
“AROUND THE ‘ARC’, A PERIMETER CREATE”
Ole Miss has been strong at defending the three-point shot this season, holding opponents to 30.9% from deep, the 84th-best mark in the nation. The Rebels have kept their foe to 20% or less in five games this year:
• Nov. 10 vs. Eastern Washington: 4-22 (18.2%)
• Nov. 28 vs. NC State: 3-25 (12.0%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 3-18 (16.7%)
• Dec. 5 vs. Mount St. Mary’s: 5-25 (20.0%)
• Dec. 10 at UCF: 4-22 (18.2%)
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARDS
Senior Matthew Murrell has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his four years at Ole Miss. This season, he has entered the top-10 career lists in school history for three point field goals made and attempts.
Three-Point Field Goals Made
1. 334, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 278, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
3. 267, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-14)
4. 249, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 214, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
6. 207, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
7. 181, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2014-16)
8. 178, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
9. 176, Terence Davis (121 games (2016-19)
10. 175, Matthew Murrell (104 games, 2020-)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. 900, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 771, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-2014)
3. 720, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
4. 686, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 581, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
6. 528, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
7. 523, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
8. 519, Terence Davis (121 games, 2016-19)
9. 507, Matthew Murrell (104 games, 2020-)
10. 494, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2015-16)
HOW’S THE WEATHER?
The roster for Ole Miss this season has the tallest student-athlete in Division I in forward Jamarion Sharp, and has the shortest student-athlete in the country in guard Cam Brent. The two stand a full two feet apart in height, with Sharp at 7’5″ and Brent at 5’5″.
SKEE-LO’S HERO
Transfer forward Jamarion Sharp stands as the tallest student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s basketball this season at 7’5″, a title he has held for three-straight seasons now, and is even listed as one of the tallest living humans on Wikipedia. After spending his first two college years at John A. Logan College, Sharp played two years at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. In 64 games played, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and became just the fifth person ever to lead the NCAA in blocks twice. His margin of 4.10 blocks per game during his career is currently the 14th-best average in college basketball history, while his 324 total blocks rank 70th all time.
Next up on the career blocked shots list, is former Rebel-great Reginald Buckner.
With career block No. 300, Sharp became the 95th player in NCAA history to hit that mark. He is one of just 14 on that list to hit the 300-block mark in three years or less.
Career Blocked Shot Average (min. 225 blocks)
1. 5.87 – Keith Closs, Central Conn. St. (54 GP, 317 blks.)
2. 5.66 – Adonal Foyle, Colgate (87 GP, 492 blks.)
3. 5.34 – Shawn James, Northeastern/Duquesne (83 GP, 443 blks.)
4. 5.24 – David Robinson, Navy (67 GP, 351 blks.)
5. 4.66 – Mickell Gladness, Alabama A&M (85 GP, 396 blks.)
6. 4.65 – Wojciech Myrda, La.-Monroe (115 GP, 535 blks.)
7. 4.58 – Shaquille O’Neal, LSU (90 GP, 412 blks.)
8. 4.48 – Jerome James, Florida A&M (81 GP, 363 blks.)
9. 4.42 – Deng Gai, Fairfield (100 GP, 442 blks.)
10. 4.28 – Emeka Okafor, UConn (103 GP, 441 blks.)
11. 4.21 – Justin Williams, Wyoming (58 GP, 244 blks.)
12. 4.17 – Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (100 GP, 417 blks.)
13. 4.11 – Justin Rowe, Maine (55 GP, 226 blks.)
14. 4.10 – Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss (79 GP, 324 blks.)
Career Blocked Shots
68. 333 – Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
69. 326 – Reginald Buckner, Ole Miss
70. 324 – Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss
PREPARED FOR A CHALLENGE
The remainder of the Ole Miss schedule ranks as one of the toughest in the country, as their upcoming opponents win-percentage of 70.3% ranks 30th in the NCAA. Among their 16 games left on the schedule, 12 are against a top-100 NET team, and 8 against a top-50 team.
“WE BALLIN’ LIKE THE MARCH MADNESS”
Among the seven transfers for the Rebels, over half have been to the NCAA Tournament during their collegiate career, with a total of five appearances. Brandon Murray (LSU, 2022 First Round), Austin Nunez (Arizona State, 2023 First Round), and Jaylen Murray (Saint Peter’s, 2022 Elite Eight) have each been to the postseason once in their careers, while Allen Flanigan has been twice (Auburn, 2022 and 2023 Second Round).
VALUED LEADERSHIP
The Ole Miss men’s basketball coaching staff is one of the more experienced around the country. In his 14th year as a collegiate head coach, Chris Beard is joined on the court by former head coaches Win Case (16 years), Brian Burg (three years), and Wes Flanigan (two years). Assistant coach Bob Donewald Jr. has 16 years of head coaching experience at the professional and national level, while assistant Al Pinkins has been an associate or assistant coach at six different NCAA Division-I programs, including four within the SEC. The Ole Miss coaching staff has experience at five other SEC programs: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.
“IT AIN’T GON’ NEVER STOP”
Head coach Chris Beard and staff continue to work on securing the future for Ole Miss basketball, and did so with a pair of signees in the NLI early signing period in November:
John Bol • F • 7-1 • Buma • Overtime Elite
Ranked as the second-highest recruit in program history according to 247Sports, Bol is a consensus four-star recruit, ranking as high as No. 38 in the nation by 247Sports and No. 40 by ESPN. He is an elite shot blocker and rebounder who stands at 7’1″ and is able to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Ranked as the top player in the state of Georgia by ESPN, Bol has developed a reputation as one of the hardest playing big men in the country.
Eduardo Klafke • G • 6-5 • Fanca-Sao Paulo, Brazil • NBA Academy Latin America
A combo guard from the prestigious NBA Academy Latin America, Klafke will come to Oxford from Franca-Sao Paulo, Brazil. One of the top international players in his age group, he has consistently played above his age while representing Brazil on the national stage, playing in U19 games as a 17-year-old. Klafke will help bring a spark to the offense as an elite shooter and is excellent in playing both on and off the ball.
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men’s Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men’s Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
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