Ole Miss finished just 7-11 in SEC play last season, had no wins over a ranked conference opponent, and lost both matchups with Auburn by 14 and 23 points, respectively. Auburn is an even stronger team this season, so for Beard and the Rebels to cut that deficit to only 10 points while keeping it close the majority of the game is impressive.

No. 23 Ole Miss had its chances but ultimately suffered its fourth loss in its last five games Saturday against top-ranked Auburn. Sean Pedulla scored a season-high 29 points, but the starting Auburn five scored 79 points in a 92-82 win.

It felt like every time the Rebels pushed the Tigers, Auburn had an answer from one of its sharp shooting guards as they were almost automatic from behind the arc. Still, Ole Miss coach Chris Beard believes his team was in position to win the game at various points on Saturday.

The Texas Longhorns lost to the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels 72-69 on Wednesday night. This game marked the first meeting between Texas head coach Rodney Terry and Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard since Beard's firing from Texas in 2022. Texas freshman guard Tre Johnson led all scorers with 22 points in the losing effort.

Ole Miss' losses in this stretch have come by a total of 12 points, including an overtime loss on the road to Mississippi State and a one-point game against Texas A&M. There is st

Texas coach Rodney Terry, Chris Beard's former lead assistant at UT, says the Ole Miss coach remains one of "my really close friends in the business."

Ole Miss beat Texas in SEC play this college basketball season. Sean Pedulla and Dre Davis were key players in the Rebels' win for coach Chris Beard.

The game came four days after guard Tramon Mark beat Texas A&M with a late layup. Ole Miss had dropped three consecutive games but picked up the needed win under second-year coach Chris Beard,