For the first time under Coach Chris Beard, the Ole Miss Rebels found themselves with their dancing shoes on as the Rebels opened the NCAA Tournament action with a first-round matchup in Milwakkui against the Tar Heels of North Carolina.

Once their name got selected on Selection Sunday as the 6th seed in the NCAA South Regional, the focus shifted to preparing for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament despite not finding out the opponent until late Tuesday night when North Carolina dominated San Diego State in the First Four round in Dayton, Ohio.

Friday’s matchup between the Rebels and Tar Heels would be the first basketball meeting in nearly 100 years, dating back to 1926 when the Tar Heels beat the Rebels in Atlanta by a score of 38-23.

Ole Miss put together one of the season’s best first halves of basketball when the Rebels faced a commanding first-half lead before shutting the door on North Carolina at half by a score of 44-26.

Ole Miss would extend the lead to 22 early in the second half before a comeback for the ages as the North Carolina somehow managed to claw their way back to make things rather uncomfortable for the Rebels as they went deep into the closing minute of the first round matchup with the Tar Heels.

Sean Pedulla scored twenty points for the Rebels in the win over North Carolina.

However, with a massive dagger three-point shot from Sean Pedulla, the Rebels survived and advanced to play Iowa State on Sunday with a spot in the Sweet 16 up for grabs. In the history of the Ole Miss program, the Rebels have only reached the Sweet 16 once, back in 2001. With the win over North Carolina, the Rebels now play in the Round of 32 for just the fourth time.

We will find out the tip-off for Iowa State and Ole Miss late on Friday night after all the games from the night sessions go final.

Photo Credits – Ole Miss Basketball on X