The Ole Miss Rebels basketball program entered the 2025‑26 campaign with a mixture of optimism and uncertainty after a season that saw them finish 24‑12 and reach the Sweet 16 in 2024, only to tumble to a 2025 record that left them on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Coach Chris Beard, now in his fourth year at the helm, has used the offseason to reshape the squad, tapping the transfer portal for a power forward in Santiago Trouet and a small forward in Dasear Haskins, both of whom bring a blend of size and perimeter skill.
Returning guard AJ Storr, who averaged 15 points per game last year, is expected to shoulder a larger offensive load, while the coaching staff hopes the new arrivals can plug the gaps that contributed to the earlier disappointment.
The Road Ahead
Analyst Jeff Goodman recently placed the Rebels at No. 10 in his SEC power rankings, a placement that reflects both the competitive depth of the conference and the belief that Beard’s system can restore the team to its former prominence.
The Florida Gators have dominated the SEC regular‑season titles for the past two years, setting a high bar for the Rebels, who will need to navigate a landscape that includes the Arkansas Razorbacks and other rising programs.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, the narrative surrounding Beard’s tenure hinges on whether the revamped roster can translate early promise into a deep tournament run, a milestone that would cement his legacy at Ole Miss.