In the SEC, "It Just Means More." More championships, more points, and, yes, even more movie stars.
One of the biggest fans of Ole Miss Rebels basketball is Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, a native of the Mississippi Delta. Freeman is known to sit courtside at Rebels home games at the SJB Pavilion, and he was found in his usual spot when Ole Miss fell to the Auburn Tigers 91-77 on Saturday night.
During the game, Freeman had an interaction with Auburn forward Johni Broome. The playmaker felt a tug on his jersey on the sideline, and thinking it was an Ole Miss fan trying to rattle him, he responded accordingly.
Only this was no "normal" fan. It was Freeman himself.
“I kind of got his hand off,” Broome said. “I saw who it was, and I’m a big movie guy. I probably watched one of his movies on the plane coming here.
“But I realized it was him and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a big fan. I’m sorry.’ He said, ‘Just keep playing.’”
Later in the game, Broome went over to apologize again to the Hollywood star, and Freeman let it be known that there was no ill-will towards the on-court talent, even if he was suiting up for the opposing team.
“I’m just like, ‘I’m sorry, again,’” Broome said. “He said, ‘You all good. Just keep playing.’ He’s a very good guy. Love him.”
The loss on Saturday marked Ole Miss' first at home in the Chris Beard era, but the Rebels are still in good standing for an NCAA Tournament run. They will face a stiff test this week, however, when they travel to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks, a team who went from unranked to No. 15 in this week's AP Top 25.
Tip-off on Tuesday is set for 5:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
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