Ole Miss men’s basketball will not participate in NIT, Chris Beard wraps up the Rebels’ 2023-24 season
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard met with media via Zoom this afternoon, thanking all who have supported this year’s team and making it official that the Rebels will not participate in the NIT or postseason play.
“Yesterday was our last game. we’re not going to be a candidate to play any of the postseason tournaments. Personally, I have a lot of experience and respect for the NIT. When I was with Coach Knight, I learned the history of the NIT and all it’s done for college basketball….simply, I think timing is everything and the timing is just not right for our team to continue the season at any of these tournaments.”
Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard
He also acknowledged that the timing is not right for some of his players, as well.
Jamarion Sharp has been dealing the last few weeks with the critical health situation of his mother.
“Specifically, with Jamarion Sharp….his mother remains in real critical care. I thought that Sharp just did an amazing job the last couple of the weeks of the season, kind of the pressure he had going on with his family off the court, to show up every day to practice and travel with the team and continue playing these games. I wanted to personally thank Sharp for his commitment to he team under really dire straits with his mother.“
Chris Beard on Jamarion Sharp
The Rebels also have players who have academic responsibilities at this time, too.
“We have some guys academically who are working towards graduation. So, timing right now just doesn’t put us in a situation where we thinks it’s the best thing to try to play in one of those tournaments. Nothing but respect for those tournaments including the NIT.“
Chris Beard
Beard commented on all the improvements he has seen in year one of his tenure.
“I’m really proud of this year’s team, took the win total from 12 to 20…I think in a lot of ways we started building a home court advantage…the attendance numbers, the student section and the wins at home. We won some true road games, beat some NCAA tournament teams, so certainly some positives…Just looking for improvements in all areas.“
Chris Beard
The head coach wanted to make it clear how much the support of fans and the university and the Grove Collective have meant and will continue to mean to him and the program.
“There’s no denying the Grove Collective is an elite organization led by Walker Jones and his staff….It’s a real team effort at Ole Miss. I want to thank all the donors and supporters and everybody who contributed to the Grove Collective this last basketball season and ask for your help again as we continue to try to build this program where everyboyd would like it to be. I feel optimistic and confident…we feel good about the resources we have…so appreciative to get to work with the Grove Collective.“
Chris Beard
Ole Miss finished this season 20-12, the first 20-win team for the program since 2019. Beard and his staff will now turn their attention to building for the upcoming season.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
