SEC Basketball: 2024 offseason grades for each team

Ole Miss Rebels- Grade: A-

The Rebels saw seven players leave via the portal, but luckily none of those players averaged more than 4.5 points per game. The only major loss for the Rebels was Allen Flanagan who ran out of eligibility. 

Three of the team's top scorers from last season returned. Matthew Murrell, Jaylen Murray, and TJ Caldwell all averaged more than 12 points last year. And in the portal, Ole Miss added even more offense to its roster. Sean Pedulla, a two-year starter for Virginia Tech, averaged 16.4 points and 4.6 assists last season and should slot right in as the main ball handler. Dre Davis was one of three players to average at least 15 points last season for Seton Hall. Malik Dia had a huge season for Belmont last year, increasing his scoring average by over 14 points per game. Javon Barnes hit 39 percent from three on 4.6 attempts. And Mikeal Brown-Jones dominated the Southern Conference last season to the tune of 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. 

Ole Miss might have added a ton of depth at the guard and wing positions, but the Rebels didn’t really address the need for depth in the post. According to the team's current listed roster, only one player is taller than 6’9. John Bol is listed at 7’2, but likely won’t have a major impact on the rotation in his first year. 

Beard didn’t really resolve the issues on the defensive end of the court. He lost both of his big-time shot blockers from last season, Moussa Cisse to the portal and Jamarion Sharp to eligibility. 

The Rebels offseason grade is heavily propped up by what Ole Miss added on offense. Had Beard brought in a true rim protector, Ole Miss might have been one of the top teams in the conference.