Alabama Faces Ole Miss After Losing Charles Bediako

Crimson Tide must move forward without star center as they take on rival Rebels

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Ole Miss Rebels in a key SEC matchup, but they'll have to do so without star center Charles Bediako. Bediako, who was playing under a restraining order after the NCAA denied his request to return to college basketball, was ruled ineligible by a judge on Monday. Alabama coach Nate Oats says the team is "super disappointed" but must now focus on the players they have available. Ole Miss has struggled this season after a Sweet 16 run last year, but coach Chris Beard is confident the team is turning a corner.

Why it matters

This game is an important SEC clash between two rival programs, but Alabama will have to adjust on the fly after losing a key contributor in Bediako. The Crimson Tide have been playing well without him, but his absence could be felt against an Ole Miss team looking to bounce back from a tough stretch.

The details

Bediako, who averaged 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in five outings with Alabama, was playing via a restraining order after the NCAA denied his request to return to college basketball following two seasons with the Tide. However, a judge ruled on Monday that Bediako could no longer play for Alabama. Despite the loss, the Crimson Tide have won five of their last seven games, led by Labaron Philon Jr.'s 21.5 points per game. Ole Miss, meanwhile, has dropped five straight games after a Sweet 16 run last season, but coach Chris Beard believes the team turned a corner in a close loss to Texas on Saturday.

  • On Monday, Judge Daniel Pruet denied Bediako's motion for a preliminary injunction to allow him to continue playing for Alabama.
  • Alabama and Ole Miss will face off on Wednesday in Oxford, Mississippi.

The players

Charles Bediako

A former G League player who was playing for Alabama under a restraining order after the NCAA denied his request to return to college basketball.

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.

Chris Beard

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels basketball team.

Labaron Philon Jr.

The leading scorer for the Alabama Crimson Tide, averaging 21.5 points per game.

Eduardo Klafke

An Ole Miss player who scored a career-high 16 points in the Rebels' recent loss to Texas.

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What they’re saying

“We must turn our focus back to the guys who are going to be on the floor. We've got some very capable players (who) won some big games before Charles got here.”

— Nate Oats, Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide (Alabama radio show)

“We fought like we never fought before. We're just trying to win this for Coach, but unfortunately, we ran out of time.”

— Eduardo Klafke (after loss to Texas)

“We're looking forward to getting back to the best college town in the country, Oxford, Miss. We've got a lot of basketball left. We've got some home games coming up and I still believe in this team, period.”

— Chris Beard, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels (after loss to Texas)

What’s next

The judge in Bediako's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to continue playing for Alabama.

The takeaway

This game will test Alabama's ability to adapt without a key player, while Ole Miss looks to regain its footing at home and prove it can still be a factor in the SEC this season.