Chris Beard just doesn't do boring. If you watched the madness in Athens on Wednesday night, you already know that. Ole Miss basketball news has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, mostly because this team looks completely different every time they step on the floor. One week they’re losing to NC State by double digits, and the next, they’re watching freshman Payton Pinkins bury a buzzer-beater to topple No. 21 Georgia in overtime.
It was a 97-95 thriller that felt like a season-saver. Honestly, they needed it. Before that, the Rebels were sitting at a mediocre 9-7 and 1-2 in the SEC, staring down a schedule that doesn't get any easier. Now? They’ve won two straight. There’s a pulse in Oxford.
The AJ Storr Factor and the Bench Explosion
Beard has been tinkering with the rotation like a mad scientist. For a while, it looked like the chemistry just wasn't there. But against Georgia, the bench accounted for a staggering 60 points. You read that right.
AJ Storr, who started the year with massive expectations after transferring from Kansas, has been coming off the bench lately. Some people thought it was a demotion. In reality, it looks like a masterstroke. Storr dropped 27 points against the Bulldogs and 26 against Missouri right before that. He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder that he didn't seem to have in December.
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Then you have Malik Dia. The 6-9 senior is basically the engine of this offense. He’s averaging nearly 15 points and 7 rebounds, and he’s matched his career total of double-doubles just in the first half of this season. When Dia and Storr are both clicking, the Rebels are a nightmare to scout because you can’t just key in on one guy.
Breaking Down the Current SEC Standings
The SEC is a meat grinder this year. Vanderbilt is surprisingly sitting near the top at 16-1, and Tennessee and Alabama are always lurking. As of January 15, 2026, here is where the middle of the pack stands:
- Ole Miss: 10-7 (2-2 SEC)
- Mississippi State: 10-7 (2-2 SEC)
- Kentucky: 11-6 (2-2 SEC)
- Texas: 11-6 (2-2 SEC)
The Rebels are currently tied for 6th in the conference. It’s a logjam. One bad week sends you to the bottom; one good week puts you in the conversation for a protected seed in the SEC Tournament.
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Is the NCAA Tournament Still Realistic?
If the season ended today, Ole Miss would be watching from the couch. Their NET ranking is hovering around 82, and they’re sitting at 59 in KenPom. That’s not "Big Dance" territory. The loss to Utah in November is still acting like an anchor on their resume, and they don't have enough Quadrant 1 wins yet to balance it out.
But the Georgia win was their first Q1 victory. It changed the vibe.
The defense is still a work in progress, though. They’re giving up about 71 points per game, which is middle-of-the-road. James Scott has been a bright spot at the rim, averaging 1.4 blocks, but the perimeter defense has been leaky. If they want to make a run, Ilias Kamardine has to stay on the floor. He fouled out late against Georgia, and things almost fell apart. He’s the only player who has started every single game this season, and Beard essentially said the team goes as Ilias goes.
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What to Watch For Next
The next three games are massive. First up is the rivalry game against Mississippi State in Starkville on January 17. Then they come back home for Auburn and a trip to Rupp Arena to face Kentucky.
If they can go 2-1 in that stretch, the conversation changes from "can they make the NIT?" to "how high can they climb?"
Look at the freshman Patton Pinkins. He isn't just a "wait till next year" player. He’s averaging 8.6 points and clearly isn't afraid of the moment after that game-winner in Athens. Between Pinkins and the French guard Kezza Giffa, the backcourt depth is finally starting to show up.
Actionable Insights for Rebel Fans:
- Watch the Rotation: See if Storr stays on the bench. If he keeps scoring 25+ as a sub, Beard won't change a thing.
- The NET Watch: Keep an eye on the NET rankings every Monday. They need to get into the top 50 to feel safe.
- Home Court Advantage: The Pavilion needs to be loud for the Auburn game on January 20. Winning at home is non-negotiable from here on out.
The talent is there. The coaching is definitely there. Now it's just about whether this group of transfers can actually play like a team for forty minutes straight. If they do, the rest of the SEC is in trouble.