After coming to terms with the season being over, this past season was truly special for Ole Miss men’s basketball. 

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This season was flat-out special for Rebel fans. I know, I know “You’re proud of a Sweet 16 appearance?” Yes, I am. If you had told me before the season that Ole Miss would beat Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Iowa State, AND make a Sweet 16 appearance, I would have called you a psycho. 

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Let’s start with this, Sean Pedulla was him this season. He averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season. There were some lows, like the Mississippi State game, but the highs were so, so good. There was also headband gate, but that was something else entirely and that could be a story in and of itself. 

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My favorite player this season though was Malik Dia. Dia averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 assists. Coming in at 6 '9”, he was asked to be the starting center in the SEC where almost every team has a seven-footer. He was a dog and quickly became one of my favorite players, especially after his performance against Alabama. He has etched himself as an Ole Miss legend in my book, and he can still come back for another year.

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Oh yeah, and we had one of the best coaches this year as Chris Beard just won the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award. If he stays, I very much see an Auburn-like potential in the team. With Eduardo Klafke, a hound on the defensive side, and John Bol, a seven footer who has insane potential, the future looks really bright for the Rebels. 

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