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NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2024-25 season

By Tristan Freeman

Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) talks with head coach Nate Oats during the Final Four semifinal game against Connecticut at State Farm Stadium.
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) talks with head coach Nate Oats during the Final Four semifinal game against Connecticut at State Farm Stadium. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
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22. Ole Miss Rebels

One of the more underrated offseason campaigns from last season is Ole Miss, who landed six transfers while losing just three key pieces. Senior Allen Flanigan and the center duo of Moussa Cisse and Jamarion Sharp are gone.

One could argue that the Rebels managed to upgrade its frontcourt. Jaemyn Brakefield averaged 12.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg as a starter last season and is back, joined by a trio of transfers. Two of them (Malik Dia and Mikeal Brown-Jones), averaged at least 16 ppg at their previous spots and are capable scoring forwards, a complete opposite of what Cisse and Sharp could provide.

Ole Miss also returns two starting guards. Matthew Murrell led the team with 16.2 ppg on 40% shooting and returned from the NBA Draft process, while Jaylen Murray (13.8 ppg and 4.0 apg) was a breakout star after coming over from Saint Peters. They landed a pair of 15 ppg scoring guards in Sean Pedulla (VT) and Dre Davis (Seton Hall), along with Davon Barnes, who led Sam Houston with 13.5 ppg last season.

There’s a ton of offensive potential throughout this roster. Coach Chris Beard had the Rebels compete in Year 1 in the SEC and, with improvements, could be a top-4 team in the league this season. 

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