Sam Schulz: The Fan Who Inspired Ole Miss to a Sweet 16 Triumph
Sam Schulz, a 22‑year‑old fan with epidermolysis bullosa, inspired Ole Miss basketball and left a lasting legacy after his death.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Chris Beard across Basketball, Football.
Sam Schulz, a 22‑year‑old fan with epidermolysis bullosa, inspired Ole Miss basketball and left a lasting legacy after his death.
When Sam Schulz died in August 2024, his story rippled through the Ole Miss community, reminding players and coaches that courage off the court can fuel triumphs on it.
The controlled demolition of the CM Tad Smith Coliseum, known as the Tad Pad, began on July 16, 2024, marking the close of a half‑century chapter in Ole Miss athletics.
Sam Schulz, a young man battling a terminal genetic disorder, realized his lifelong dream of stepping onto Michigan State’s basketball court, forging deep connections with coaches and players before his passing.

The Ole Miss men's basketball team travels to Puerto Rico for the Arroyo Puerto Rico Classic, mixing preseason games with cultural activities and community outreach.

Texas A&M University‑Texarkana announces Tyler Parker as its new head men’s basketball coach, tasked with guiding the Eagles through their transition to NCAA Division II and building a championship culture.

The University of Mississippi men's basketball squad traveled to San Juan for a week of games, youth outreach, and cultural immersion, culminating in a catamaran excursion to Icacos Island.
Jalen Davis, a two‑time state champion, will visit Gonzaga, UCLA, Stanford, Iowa and Ole Miss this fall, focusing on program fit rather than monetary offers.

After a successful stint at Langston University, Kevin Kaerwer is back at UTEP, where he will help shape the team’s next chapter as it prepares for the Mountain West transition.

The Rebels are treating their Puerto Rico itinerary as an audition, using competitive practices and matchups with seasoned opponents to demonstrate depth, chemistry and readiness for the upcoming SEC campaign.

A recent quip by UNLV head coach Josh Pastner about selling the Rebels for $10 million has sparked a broader debate on the economics of mid‑major college basketball, the program’s storied past, and the financial hurdles facing future success.

Stefan Cicic, a 2024 graduate of Riverside Brookfield High School, is set to play for the University of Mississippi after a redshirt sophomore season that saw him average 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds at Pepperdine.
Ole Miss announces the hiring of Petar Aleksić as an assistant coach, highlighting his international background and prior collaboration with head coach Chris Beard.

Petar Aleksić, a decorated coach with nearly three decades of European basketball experience, has been appointed assistant coach for the Ole Miss men's basketball program, bringing a wealth of international knowledge and proven leadership.
Highly rated guard Dylan Jones, the No.1 recruit in Tennessee, has scheduled an official visit to Memphis and is also courting Ole Miss, Providence and Texas A&M, aiming to join a program that can launch his professional career.

The Rebels’ basketball program is set for a tough 2027 slate, with a revamped roster, early road trips and a schedule that pits them against the SEC’s elite, while football continues to dominate the conversation.

After a Sweet 16 run in 2024 and a narrow miss in 2025, the Ole Miss Rebels are reshaping their squad under Coach Chris Beard, hoping new transfers and returning talent can turn promise into a deep tournament run.

The Rebels will meet Alabama at Boutwell Auditorium on Oct. 15, with tickets on sale and season renewals open.

Alabama’s men’s and women’s squads will both be in action at the Ballin’ in Boutwell event, highlighting new coaches, taller rosters and a schedule that promises fresh storylines for the upcoming season.

The University of Mississippi will host Alabama in a preseason exhibition at Boutwell Auditorium on October 15, a game that revives a recent SEC rivalry and offers fans a first look at the new roster.

The Crimson Tide men will face Ole Miss on Oct. 15, while the women’s squad debuts under head coach Pauline Love against Alabama‑Huntsville, marking a season of transition for both programs.

Ole Miss is courting three top 2027 recruits — Zion Green, Ahmed Nur and Declan Griffiths — who cite trust, system fit and developmental opportunities as key factors in their decision-making.

Recent departures of Jim Harbaugh and Juwan Howard, followed by the removal of Sherrone Moore and Dusty May, reveal a broader trend of championship‑winning coaches being replaced across the United States.

Recent dismissals of head coaches at the University of Michigan illustrate how sustained achievement can accelerate turnover, a pattern echoed at several other institutions.