Ole Miss Basketball Continues Cinderella Run in SEC Tournament

Rebels advance to SEC Tournament semifinals after upset win over Alabama

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Ole Miss Rebels' historic run in the SEC Tournament continued on Friday night as they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 80-79 to advance to the semifinals. Led by head coach Chris Beard, the Rebels have emerged as a Cinderella story in the postseason, knocking off higher-seeded opponents to keep their championship hopes alive.

Why it matters

Ole Miss' success in the SEC Tournament has captured the attention of college basketball fans across the country. As a team that struggled during the regular season, the Rebels' tournament run showcases their ability to compete with the conference's elite programs and provides hope for the future of the program under Beard's leadership.

The details

In the quarterfinal matchup against Alabama, the Rebels trailed by one point in the final seconds before hitting a game-winning shot to secure the victory. This came after Ole Miss had already taken down the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs earlier in the tournament. The Rebels' gritty performance has defied expectations and put them just one win away from reaching the SEC Tournament championship game.

  • The SEC Tournament began on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Ole Miss defeated Alabama in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, with the championship game set for Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Chris Beard

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, who has led the team on their unexpected tournament run.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, who were upset by the Rebels in the quarterfinals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I know many of you haven't followed our season other than the win/loss record. I know that's not easy to look at. But we played some good basketball. We can play with anybody in this league.”

— Chris Beard, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels (SI.com)

What’s next

The Rebels will face the No. 3 seed Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The winner of that game will advance to the championship game on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Ole Miss' unexpected success in the SEC Tournament has captivated college basketball fans and demonstrated the team's ability to compete with the conference's top programs. Under Chris Beard's leadership, the Rebels have emerged as a Cinderella story, defying preseason expectations and keeping their championship hopes alive.