Chris Beard’s fourth season as head coach of the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team officially begins Nov. 2 against Alcorn State in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Beard’s team hopes to improve on last year’s 15-20 record with a revamped roster built around the transfer portal, highlighted by returning starters Ilias Kamardine and Patton Pinkins.
In the 2025-26 season, Kamardine averaged 11.3 points along with a team-high 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while Pinkins averaged 9.3 points and made 43 3-pointers at a 42% rate.
Guard play could be a strength for the Rebels this season. Seton Hall transfer point guard Adam “Budd” Clark is a huge addition to this squad. He averaged 12 points to go along with 4.9 assists and two steals per game last season for the Pirates.
Clark’s speed with the ball and playmaking ability will allow the team to play at a faster pace and provide Kamardine the opportunity to play as a secondary ball handler and playmaker.
Clark played exceptionally well in the exhibition games. Against Alabama and UAB, Clark led the team in minutes played while averaging 16.5 points, seven assists and 2.5 steals on a very efficient 59% from the field, showcasing a crafty finishing ability and great touch from the midrange area.
FIU transfer Corey Stephenson was also a big grab in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-6-inch forward averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game for the Panthers last season and has gotten off to a good start with the Rebels.
In the two exhibition games, Stephenson averaged a team-high 18.5 points and three rebounds on a blistering 66% from the field, showcasing his elite athleticism and scoring ability.
These performances from Clark and Stephenson suggest the two will play a major role on this year’s squad and provide a glimpse of the impact these new additions could have on the season.
Australian guard Ben Henshall is another addition to the Ole Miss backcourt, registering around 18 minutes off the bench in the preseason. He connected on a team-high three 3-pointers against UAB, showing his potential value as a high volume shooter.
Arizona State transfer Santiago Trouet and Pittsburgh transfer Roman Siulepa man the interior for this Rebel squad. Trouet, at 6 feet 11 inches, provides great size and length for the front court, leading the team with eight rebounds per game across two exhibition games.
Siulepa, a 6-foot-7-inch, 245-pound forward, is a strong physical athlete who has excelled around the rim, registering double-digit points in both preseason contests.
The early-season schedule for this season is favorable for Ole Miss. In the 12 nonconference matchups, the Rebels square off against only three high-major teams, with the opportunity for additional matchups in the Maui Invitational.
These Power Four matchups include two neutral site games: Nov. 23 against Clemson in the opening round of the Maui Invitational and Dec. 19 against NC State in Jackson, Miss. The other Power Four matchup is an away game on Dec. 1 in the SEC/ACC challenge against Virginia Tech. None of those teams are ranked inside of the preseason Top 25 AP poll.
The other nine remaining matchups are all home games against mid-major and low-major programs, with the exception of two neutral site games against Louisiana-Monroe in Southaven, Miss., and Southern Mississippi in Biloxi, Miss.
The SEC schedule for Ole Miss is not as favorable. The home-and-away matchups for the Rebels are Auburn, Kentucky and rival Mississippi State, whom the Rebels posted a combined record of 1-4 against last season.
The away games for Ole Miss will feature hostile environments. The Rebels will travel to Kentucky for their SEC road opener in Rupp Arena on Jan. 5.
It does not get much easier from here. After back-to-back matchups Jan. 13 at Alabama and Jan. 16 against Auburn, Ole Miss will travel to Bud Walton Arena on Feb. 9 to square off against Arkansas, to Gainesville, Fla., on Feb 24 to compete against the Florida Gators and to Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss., in a regular season finale against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
In The Sandy and John Black Pavilion, the Rebels are set to host four ranked teams, including two teams currently ranked inside the Top 10: Jan. 9 against No. 7 Texas , Jan. 27 against No. 24 Vanderbilt, Feb 2. Against No. 23 Kentucky and Feb 17. against No. 8 Tennessee, among others. Rebel fans have much to look forward to with this schedule.
