The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team is set to open its season with an exhibition (Oct. 30) and its first game (Nov. 6) in the coming days, but it Is still playing the waiting game in regards to the eligibility of two athletes on the roster.
Brandon Murray and Moussa Cisse have both used their "free" one-time transfer, but they are hoping to receive a waiver from the NCAA and be eligible to play in Oxford this season. Murray comes to the Rebels by way of LSU and Georgetown, and Cisse joins from Memphis and Oklahoma State.
Rebels head coach Chris Beard was made available to the media this week where he discussed the potential roster impact that could come if these players are not able to see the floor this season.
"It'll impact it, no doubt," Beard said. "But every season is impacted. A guy gets banged up or in foul trouble. A guy's sick. Coaching, it's all about adapting and expecting the unexpected. We've got a little bit of a challenge right now with two of our best players with some uncertainty."
Murray has averaged 11.7 PPG in his two seasons of college ball, and Cisse has averaged 6.9 PPG and seven rebounds. Even if those numbers are not available for Beard and company this season, the end goal for the season doesn't change, in his mind.
"The goal goes on," Beard said. "I've made sure that everyone in our organization understands that. The goal is to win. We've got different avenues and plans of how to get there."
The Rebels' exhibition game against the Division II Tusculum Pioneers is set for Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. CT, and the season opener against the Alabama State Hornets will take place on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. CT. Both games will be held in the SJB Pavilion, and the game against ASU will be aired on SEC Network+.
More must-reads: