Fans looking to get a sneak peek of the Ole Miss men’s basketball team will be able to watch Chris Beard’s squad in action in a charity matchup ahead of the regular season tipoff.
Officials announced Thursday that the Rebels will host Illinois at the SJB Pavilion at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 — just one day after Lane Kiffin’s football team faces off against Oklahoma in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Tickets to the basketball game are $20 for general admission with prices for floor seating varying. All proceeds from sales will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of North Mississippi, which helps advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in proceedings through youth courts. Parking will be open. All Ole Miss students can attend for free with a valid student ID.
A 20-plus-win team for the last five seasons, Illinois is one of the premier college basketball programs in the country. The Fighting Illini amassed a 29-9 record last season and were knocked out of the postseason by eventual national champion UConn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Ole Miss was perfect in non-conference play last year and went on to amass a 20-12 record overall. After missing the NCAA Tournament, Beard opted to keep his team out of other postseason tournaments as he began to prepare for the next campaign. This coming season, he expects his squad to be listed on brackets filled out annually during March Madness.
The Rebels return six players from last year, including three starters, six transfers, and four first-year student-athletes.
Tickets to the exhibition can be purchased here. The charity matchup with Illinois is not included in season ticket packages. Ole Miss begins the regular season versus Long Island at home on November 4.
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