While the Ole Miss Rebels were relishing in their 72-52 win over the N.C. State Wolfpack on Tuesday night, they were reminded that they had another great reason to celebrate: transfer forward Moussa Cisse is now eligible to take the floor.
Cisse, a transfer from Oklahoma State (and, before that, Memphis) has been waiting in the wings for Ole Miss in the early portions of this season while the NCAA decided whether or not to grant his waiver appeal after transferring for a second time in his collegiate career.
"There is an update," Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said postgame. "We literally found out right before the game, minutes not hours. Moussa has been cleared to play. I literally knew right before the game.
"Probably not prepared right now to say everything that we feel about that, so I'll make sure that we get organized, and I'll be ready to speak very clearly tomorrow. Obviously happy for Moussa, and we support Brandon [Murray] as he goes through the same process."
Brandon Murray, a transfer guard by way of LSU and Georgetown, is in the same boat as Cisse, but he is still awaiting official word from the NCAA on his status moving forward.
"I'll tell you guys as soon as I know something on that too, unless it's an hour before the game and I don't have time to hold a quick press conference," Beard said.
The win for the Rebels on Tuesday night improved their record to 6-0 on the young season, and it was just the first part of a pivotal week in Oxford. Ole Miss will play host to the Memphis Tigers on Saturday at the SJB Pavilion, and tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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