OXFORD, Miss. – Arguably the biggest home game for the Ole Miss men's basketball team has arrived, as the Rebels welcome No. 13 Alabama to the SJB Pavilion on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (19-8, 6-8 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 1st Season at Ole Miss (19-8) • 256-106 career record (12th Season)
No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (19-8, 11-3 SEC)
Head Coach: Nate Oats • 5th Season at Alabama (111-50) • 207-93 career record (9th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Color: Dane Bradshaw
Sideline: Alyssa Lang
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SERIES HISTORY VS. ALABAMA
This will be the 185th meeting between Ole Miss and Alabama and is the third-most played series in the Rebels' program history. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 126-58, however Ole Miss leads when playing in Oxford 44-42. The two programs began their series back in 1921, with Ole Miss winning eight of the first 11 contests. The series has been more balanced recently, with Alabama leading since the year 2000 23-16.
LAST MEETING: JANUARY 3, 2023 (L, 62-84, TUSCALOOSA, ALA.)
• In Ole Miss' first road game during their SEC schedule last season, they trailed the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide 44-23 at the half before falling by 22.
• Jaemyn Brakefield led Ole Miss with 14 points, nearly securing his first career double-double with nine rebounds.
• Alabama was led by eventual second-overall NBA Draft pick Brandon Miller, who scored 17 points. Current Crimson Tide leading scorer Mark Sears added 16.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
With an overall record of 19-8 and conference record of 11-3, the No. 13 Crimson Tide sit in second in the SEC standings. They've picked up a pair of ranked wins in conference action, defeating No. 8 Auburn on January 24 and No. 24 Florida on February 21. They most recently dropped a high-scoring road game at No. 17 Kentucky 117-95.
The leading scorer in the SEC, Mark Sears is averaging 20.4 points per game, shooting a blistering 44.7 percent from three this season. The guard also leads the SEC in free throw attempts and free throws made. Sears is joined by the team's second leading scorer, Aaron Estrada, in compiling over 100 assists this year. Each also has over 40 steals on the defensive end.
Alabama's offensive output leads all of college basketball with an average of 91.1 points per game, ranking second in the nation in three pointers made per game with an average of 11.5. Their offense also ranks among the best in the NCAA in three-point attempts per game (30.3, 4th), effective field goal percentage (57.3, 7th), free throw percentage (79.0, 8th), free throws made per game (17.9, 11th), and three-point percentage (37.9, 16th). Their depth has been on full display all season long as well, as the Crimson Tide average 27.2 points off the bench per game, the 34th-highest clip in the nation.
Head coach Nate Oats is in his fifth season at the helm of Alabama, where he's compiled 111 wins to just 50 losses. Prior to moving to Tuscaloosa, Oats was the head coach of Buffalo from 2015-2019, where he won 96 games in four seasons including a 32-4 record during his final year, and was a two-time MAC Coach of the Year.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
Ole Miss ranks fifth in college basketball averaging 6.0 blocks per game. The muscle in the paint for the Rebels has been Jamarion Sharp, who leads the SEC in blocks per game (2.38) and ranks second in blocks (62), ranking 10th and 14th in the nation in each category, respectively.
With 162 blocks as a team, Ole Miss is on pace to challenge the program record for blocks in a season of 185 set during the 2012-13 season. Sharp has been climbing the top-10 list for most blocks in a single season at Ole Miss, now with 62 which ranks sixth, behind only Reginald Buckner and Aaron Jones.
Blocked Shots in a Single Season
1. 98, Reginald Buckner (36 games, 2013)
2. 95, Reginald Buckner (34 games, 2011)
3. 69, Aaron Jones (33 games, 2014)
69, Reginald Buckner (32 games, 2012)
5. 64, Reginald Buckner (31 games, 2010)
6. 62, Jamarion Sharp (26 games, 2024)
7. 56, David Dean (28 games, 1993)
8. 52, David Dean (22 games, 1994)
9. 49, Rahim Lockhart (35 games, 2001)
49, Sean Murphy (28 games, 1991)
A NEW 1K KING
With 12 points in Ole Miss' win over NC State, Matthew Murrell surpassed the 1,000-career point mark, becoming the 42nd student-athlete in program history to do so. Now at 1,386 points in his career with the Rebels, Murrell ranks 18th in school history and sits 35 points behind next on the list, Eric Laird.
16. Ansu Sesay (1994-98): 1,428
17. Eric Laird (1981-85): 1,421
18. Matthew Murrell (2020-): 1,386
19. Jack Waters (1958-61): 1,384
"THE FUTURE IS NOW, OLD MAN"
The 2024 early signing class for Ole Miss is already making its mark for the program. Ranked as the second-highest recruit according to 247Sports in school history, forward John Bol was selected to play in the prestigious McDonald's All-American game on April 2nd. The two rosters, representing the east and west, are made up of 24 of the best high school basketball players the country has to offer.
Joining Bol in the early signing period in November, Eduardo Klafke has enrolled at Ole Miss early and began taking classes in the 2024 spring semester. The guard, who trained with the NBA Academy Latin America, has been able to train with the team recently since beginning school.
PARTY IN THE 'SIP
After setting a record for student attendance on January 24th against Arkansas, the Ole Miss faithful showed out on January 30th for the basketball iteration of the Egg Bowl. Taking on in-state rival Mississippi State, the Rebels picked up an 86-82 victory in front of a record crowd of 10,630 fans. The attendance number topped the record by over 1,000 for the largest crowd at a basketball game in Ole Miss history, and is the fifth-largest crowd ever at an on-campus college basketball game in the state of Mississippi.
In their next game against Auburn, the Rebel fans came out in droves once again, as they filled the SJB Pavilion beyond capacity with the second-largest crowd at 9,631.
LOOKIN' FOR A DIME THAT'S TOP OF THE LINE
Against Mississippi State on January 30, Jaylen Murray put on a MasterClass in point-guard play. The junior dished out 11 assists to just one turnover, tying him for the 10th-most dimes in a single game in school history.
Murray didn't just dish out the points, as he scored a team-best 21 as well. He became the first player since Chris Warren in November of 2007 to score 20 or more points with 10 or more assists.
THE ADVENTURES OF STEALY
The Rebels' defensive strength doesn't just come from blocks, as they rank second in the SEC in steals per game at 8.2 and rank 47th in all of college basketball. The team has secured double-digit steal performances in seven games this season, including a 16-steal game performance against Troy.
"PUT ME ANYWHERE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH, I'LL TRIPLE MY WORTH"
Jaylen Murray has been on fire from the three-point line this season, sinking two or more shots from beyond the arc in 17 games, three or more in 11, and four or more in seven. The Bronx native is averaging 13.6 points on the season, is shooting 40.1 percent from three, and owns an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.29 while averaging 4.1 assists per game. Murray has hit a three-point shot in 23 of 27 games for Ole Miss this year.
SHARING IS CARING
With 22 assists on January 30 against Mississippi State and 20 assists on February 3 against Auburn, Ole Miss posted back-to-back 20-plus assist games against SEC opponents for the first time in 34 seasons. The last time that happened was February 14 and 17 in 1990, when they had 22 assists against Tennessee and 20 against Auburn.
A RECORD START
Ole Miss matched the program record for best start to a season and longest overall win streak, going a perfect 13-0 in non-conference play (also in 2007-08). The Rebels were one of three teams in the nation to start 13-0, joined by James Madison and Houston.
Ole Miss is the third different program head coach Chris Beard has taken to a 10-0 start to begin a season during his nine years as a Division-I coach, having done so in 2015-16 with Little Rock and 2018-19 at Texas Tech.
"I TAKE THE WORK, FLIP IT, ACROBATIC"
Ole Miss has shown elite ball control and movement on the offensive side. With a total of 414 assists compared to 285 turnovers, the Rebels' ratio of 1.45 ranks 41st in the nation.
The team is led in assists by Jaylen Murray (110 assists to 48 turnovers), who ranks fifth in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.29) and eighth in assists per game (4.1).
*MIKE BREEN VOICE* "BANG!"
Shooting 37.7 percent from the three-point line this season, Ole Miss currently ranks 21st in the country in efficiency beyond the arc and third in the SEC. The Rebels have shot 50 percent or better from deep six times, the most in a single season since they hit that mark or better six times during the 2011-12 campaign.
• Nov. 14 vs. Detroit Mercy: 9-18 (50.0%)
• Nov. 22 at Temple: 10-18 (55.6%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 11-22 (50.0%)
• Dec. 16 vs. California: 12-21 (57.1%)
• Dec. 23 vs. Southern Miss: 11-19 (57.9%)
• Feb. 17 vs. Missouri: 11-21 (52.4%)
I'LL TAKE A 20 PIECE, PLEASE
With their current record of 19-7, Ole Miss is aiming to record the 13th 20-win season for the Rebels since 2000. In his first year at the helm, head coach Chris Beard would become the 29th coach in SEC history to win 20 games during their initial season.
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARDS
Senior Matthew Murrell has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his four years at Ole Miss. This season, he has entered the top-10 career lists in school history for three-point field goals made and attempts.
Three-Point Field Goals Made
1. 334, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 278, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
3. 267, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-14)
4. 249, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 214, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
6. 207, Matthew Murrell (116 games, 2020-)
207, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
8. 181, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2014-16)
9. 178, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
10. 176, Terence Davis (121 games (2016-19)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. 900, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 771, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-2014)
3. 720, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
4. 686, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 585, Matthew Murrell (116 games, 2020-)
6. 581, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
7. 528, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
8. 523, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
9. 519, Terence Davis (121 games, 2016-19)
10. 494, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2015-16)
SKEE-LO'S HERO
Transfer forward Jamarion Sharp stands as the tallest student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's basketball this season at 7'5", a title he has held for three-straight seasons now, and is even listed as one of the tallest living humans on Wikipedia. After spending his first two college years at John A. Logan College, Sharp played two years at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. In 64 games played, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and became just the fifth person ever to lead the NCAA in blocks twice. His margin of 3.79 blocks per game during his career is currently the 18th-best average in college basketball history, while his 341 total blocks are 60th all time. Against Vanderbilt on January 13, Sharp passed former Rebel-great Reginald Buckner who had 326 swats during his career.
With career block No. 300, Sharp became the 95th player in NCAA history to hit that mark. He is one of just 14 on that list to hit the 300-block mark in three years or less.
Career Blocked Shot Average (min. 225 blocks)
1. 5.87 - Keith Closs, Central Conn. St. (54 GP, 317 blks.)
2. 5.66 - Adonal Foyle, Colgate (87 GP, 492 blks.)
3. 5.34 - Shawn James, Northeastern/Duquesne (83 GP, 443 blks.)
4. 5.24 - David Robinson, Navy (67 GP, 351 blks.)
5. 4.66 - Mickell Gladness, Alabama A&M (85 GP, 396 blks.)
6. 4.65 - Wojciech Myrda, La.-Monroe (115 GP, 535 blks.)
7. 4.58 - Shaquille O'Neal, LSU (90 GP, 412 blks.)
8. 4.48 - Jerome James, Florida A&M (81 GP, 363 blks.)
9. 4.42 - Deng Gai, Fairfield (100 GP, 442 blks.)
10. 4.28 - Emeka Okafor, UConn (103 GP, 441 blks.)
11. 4.21 - Justin Williams, Wyoming (58 GP, 244 blks.)
12. 4.17 - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (100 GP, 417 blks.)
13. 4.11 - Justin Rowe, Maine (55 GP, 226 blks.)
14. 4.00 - Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi St. (141 GP, 564 blks.)
15. 3.96 - Travis Williams, Hampton (114 GP, 452 blks.)
16. 3.87 - Lorenzo Coleman, Tennessee Tech (113 GP, 437 blks.)
17. 3.83 - Theo Ratliff, Wyoming (111GP, 425 blks.)
18. 3.79 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss (90 GP, 341 blks.)
Career Blocked Shots
59. 343 - A.J. Hammons, Purdue
60. 341 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss
t61. 339 - Osun Osunniyi, Iowa State
t61. 339 - Derrick Lewis, Maryland
RUNNING THE COURT LIKE MCKENZIE LONG
Ole Miss is averaging 12.07 fastbreak points this season, ranking No. 76 in the NCAA. Outscoring their opponents 327-176 in fastbreak points this year, the Rebels have scored equal or more fastbreak points in 24 of 27 games.
Ole Miss has created their opportunities for quick points by ranking fifth in the country in blocks per game and 46th in steals per game.
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (19-8, 6-8 SEC)
Head Coach: Chris Beard • 1st Season at Ole Miss (19-8) • 256-106 career record (12th Season)
No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (19-8, 11-3 SEC)
Head Coach: Nate Oats • 5th Season at Alabama (111-50) • 207-93 career record (9th Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Color: Dane Bradshaw
Sideline: Alyssa Lang
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: David Kellum
Color: Marc Dukes
SERIES HISTORY VS. ALABAMA
This will be the 185th meeting between Ole Miss and Alabama and is the third-most played series in the Rebels' program history. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 126-58, however Ole Miss leads when playing in Oxford 44-42. The two programs began their series back in 1921, with Ole Miss winning eight of the first 11 contests. The series has been more balanced recently, with Alabama leading since the year 2000 23-16.
LAST MEETING: JANUARY 3, 2023 (L, 62-84, TUSCALOOSA, ALA.)
• In Ole Miss' first road game during their SEC schedule last season, they trailed the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide 44-23 at the half before falling by 22.
• Jaemyn Brakefield led Ole Miss with 14 points, nearly securing his first career double-double with nine rebounds.
• Alabama was led by eventual second-overall NBA Draft pick Brandon Miller, who scored 17 points. Current Crimson Tide leading scorer Mark Sears added 16.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
With an overall record of 19-8 and conference record of 11-3, the No. 13 Crimson Tide sit in second in the SEC standings. They've picked up a pair of ranked wins in conference action, defeating No. 8 Auburn on January 24 and No. 24 Florida on February 21. They most recently dropped a high-scoring road game at No. 17 Kentucky 117-95.
The leading scorer in the SEC, Mark Sears is averaging 20.4 points per game, shooting a blistering 44.7 percent from three this season. The guard also leads the SEC in free throw attempts and free throws made. Sears is joined by the team's second leading scorer, Aaron Estrada, in compiling over 100 assists this year. Each also has over 40 steals on the defensive end.
Alabama's offensive output leads all of college basketball with an average of 91.1 points per game, ranking second in the nation in three pointers made per game with an average of 11.5. Their offense also ranks among the best in the NCAA in three-point attempts per game (30.3, 4th), effective field goal percentage (57.3, 7th), free throw percentage (79.0, 8th), free throws made per game (17.9, 11th), and three-point percentage (37.9, 16th). Their depth has been on full display all season long as well, as the Crimson Tide average 27.2 points off the bench per game, the 34th-highest clip in the nation.
Head coach Nate Oats is in his fifth season at the helm of Alabama, where he's compiled 111 wins to just 50 losses. Prior to moving to Tuscaloosa, Oats was the head coach of Buffalo from 2015-2019, where he won 96 games in four seasons including a 32-4 record during his final year, and was a two-time MAC Coach of the Year.
THA BLOCK IS HOT
Ole Miss ranks fifth in college basketball averaging 6.0 blocks per game. The muscle in the paint for the Rebels has been Jamarion Sharp, who leads the SEC in blocks per game (2.38) and ranks second in blocks (62), ranking 10th and 14th in the nation in each category, respectively.
With 162 blocks as a team, Ole Miss is on pace to challenge the program record for blocks in a season of 185 set during the 2012-13 season. Sharp has been climbing the top-10 list for most blocks in a single season at Ole Miss, now with 62 which ranks sixth, behind only Reginald Buckner and Aaron Jones.
Blocked Shots in a Single Season
1. 98, Reginald Buckner (36 games, 2013)
2. 95, Reginald Buckner (34 games, 2011)
3. 69, Aaron Jones (33 games, 2014)
69, Reginald Buckner (32 games, 2012)
5. 64, Reginald Buckner (31 games, 2010)
6. 62, Jamarion Sharp (26 games, 2024)
7. 56, David Dean (28 games, 1993)
8. 52, David Dean (22 games, 1994)
9. 49, Rahim Lockhart (35 games, 2001)
49, Sean Murphy (28 games, 1991)
A NEW 1K KING
With 12 points in Ole Miss' win over NC State, Matthew Murrell surpassed the 1,000-career point mark, becoming the 42nd student-athlete in program history to do so. Now at 1,386 points in his career with the Rebels, Murrell ranks 18th in school history and sits 35 points behind next on the list, Eric Laird.
16. Ansu Sesay (1994-98): 1,428
17. Eric Laird (1981-85): 1,421
18. Matthew Murrell (2020-): 1,386
19. Jack Waters (1958-61): 1,384
"THE FUTURE IS NOW, OLD MAN"
The 2024 early signing class for Ole Miss is already making its mark for the program. Ranked as the second-highest recruit according to 247Sports in school history, forward John Bol was selected to play in the prestigious McDonald's All-American game on April 2nd. The two rosters, representing the east and west, are made up of 24 of the best high school basketball players the country has to offer.
Joining Bol in the early signing period in November, Eduardo Klafke has enrolled at Ole Miss early and began taking classes in the 2024 spring semester. The guard, who trained with the NBA Academy Latin America, has been able to train with the team recently since beginning school.
PARTY IN THE 'SIP
After setting a record for student attendance on January 24th against Arkansas, the Ole Miss faithful showed out on January 30th for the basketball iteration of the Egg Bowl. Taking on in-state rival Mississippi State, the Rebels picked up an 86-82 victory in front of a record crowd of 10,630 fans. The attendance number topped the record by over 1,000 for the largest crowd at a basketball game in Ole Miss history, and is the fifth-largest crowd ever at an on-campus college basketball game in the state of Mississippi.
In their next game against Auburn, the Rebel fans came out in droves once again, as they filled the SJB Pavilion beyond capacity with the second-largest crowd at 9,631.
LOOKIN' FOR A DIME THAT'S TOP OF THE LINE
Against Mississippi State on January 30, Jaylen Murray put on a MasterClass in point-guard play. The junior dished out 11 assists to just one turnover, tying him for the 10th-most dimes in a single game in school history.
Murray didn't just dish out the points, as he scored a team-best 21 as well. He became the first player since Chris Warren in November of 2007 to score 20 or more points with 10 or more assists.
THE ADVENTURES OF STEALY
The Rebels' defensive strength doesn't just come from blocks, as they rank second in the SEC in steals per game at 8.2 and rank 47th in all of college basketball. The team has secured double-digit steal performances in seven games this season, including a 16-steal game performance against Troy.
"PUT ME ANYWHERE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH, I'LL TRIPLE MY WORTH"
Jaylen Murray has been on fire from the three-point line this season, sinking two or more shots from beyond the arc in 17 games, three or more in 11, and four or more in seven. The Bronx native is averaging 13.6 points on the season, is shooting 40.1 percent from three, and owns an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.29 while averaging 4.1 assists per game. Murray has hit a three-point shot in 23 of 27 games for Ole Miss this year.
SHARING IS CARING
With 22 assists on January 30 against Mississippi State and 20 assists on February 3 against Auburn, Ole Miss posted back-to-back 20-plus assist games against SEC opponents for the first time in 34 seasons. The last time that happened was February 14 and 17 in 1990, when they had 22 assists against Tennessee and 20 against Auburn.
A RECORD START
Ole Miss matched the program record for best start to a season and longest overall win streak, going a perfect 13-0 in non-conference play (also in 2007-08). The Rebels were one of three teams in the nation to start 13-0, joined by James Madison and Houston.
Ole Miss is the third different program head coach Chris Beard has taken to a 10-0 start to begin a season during his nine years as a Division-I coach, having done so in 2015-16 with Little Rock and 2018-19 at Texas Tech.
"I TAKE THE WORK, FLIP IT, ACROBATIC"
Ole Miss has shown elite ball control and movement on the offensive side. With a total of 414 assists compared to 285 turnovers, the Rebels' ratio of 1.45 ranks 41st in the nation.
The team is led in assists by Jaylen Murray (110 assists to 48 turnovers), who ranks fifth in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.29) and eighth in assists per game (4.1).
*MIKE BREEN VOICE* "BANG!"
Shooting 37.7 percent from the three-point line this season, Ole Miss currently ranks 21st in the country in efficiency beyond the arc and third in the SEC. The Rebels have shot 50 percent or better from deep six times, the most in a single season since they hit that mark or better six times during the 2011-12 campaign.
• Nov. 14 vs. Detroit Mercy: 9-18 (50.0%)
• Nov. 22 at Temple: 10-18 (55.6%)
• Dec. 2 vs. Memphis: 11-22 (50.0%)
• Dec. 16 vs. California: 12-21 (57.1%)
• Dec. 23 vs. Southern Miss: 11-19 (57.9%)
• Feb. 17 vs. Missouri: 11-21 (52.4%)
I'LL TAKE A 20 PIECE, PLEASE
With their current record of 19-7, Ole Miss is aiming to record the 13th 20-win season for the Rebels since 2000. In his first year at the helm, head coach Chris Beard would become the 29th coach in SEC history to win 20 games during their initial season.
CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARDS
Senior Matthew Murrell has been a consistent threat from three-point range throughout his four years at Ole Miss. This season, he has entered the top-10 career lists in school history for three-point field goals made and attempts.
Three-Point Field Goals Made
1. 334, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 278, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
3. 267, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-14)
4. 249, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 214, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
6. 207, Matthew Murrell (116 games, 2020-)
207, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
8. 181, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2014-16)
9. 178, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
10. 176, Terence Davis (121 games (2016-19)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
1. 900, Chris Warren (115 games, 2008-11)
2. 771, Marshall Henderson (66 games, 2013-2014)
3. 720, Aaron Harper (123 games, 2001-04)
4. 686, Keith Carter (117 games, 1996-99)
5. 585, Matthew Murrell (116 games, 2020-)
6. 581, Breein Tyree (130 games, 2017-20)
7. 528, Joe Harvell (114 games, 1990-93)
8. 523, Devontae Shuler (124 games, 2018-21)
9. 519, Terence Davis (121 games, 2016-19)
10. 494, Stefan Moody (65 games, 2015-16)
SKEE-LO'S HERO
Transfer forward Jamarion Sharp stands as the tallest student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's basketball this season at 7'5", a title he has held for three-straight seasons now, and is even listed as one of the tallest living humans on Wikipedia. After spending his first two college years at John A. Logan College, Sharp played two years at Western Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. In 64 games played, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and became just the fifth person ever to lead the NCAA in blocks twice. His margin of 3.79 blocks per game during his career is currently the 18th-best average in college basketball history, while his 341 total blocks are 60th all time. Against Vanderbilt on January 13, Sharp passed former Rebel-great Reginald Buckner who had 326 swats during his career.
With career block No. 300, Sharp became the 95th player in NCAA history to hit that mark. He is one of just 14 on that list to hit the 300-block mark in three years or less.
Career Blocked Shot Average (min. 225 blocks)
1. 5.87 - Keith Closs, Central Conn. St. (54 GP, 317 blks.)
2. 5.66 - Adonal Foyle, Colgate (87 GP, 492 blks.)
3. 5.34 - Shawn James, Northeastern/Duquesne (83 GP, 443 blks.)
4. 5.24 - David Robinson, Navy (67 GP, 351 blks.)
5. 4.66 - Mickell Gladness, Alabama A&M (85 GP, 396 blks.)
6. 4.65 - Wojciech Myrda, La.-Monroe (115 GP, 535 blks.)
7. 4.58 - Shaquille O'Neal, LSU (90 GP, 412 blks.)
8. 4.48 - Jerome James, Florida A&M (81 GP, 363 blks.)
9. 4.42 - Deng Gai, Fairfield (100 GP, 442 blks.)
10. 4.28 - Emeka Okafor, UConn (103 GP, 441 blks.)
11. 4.21 - Justin Williams, Wyoming (58 GP, 244 blks.)
12. 4.17 - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn (100 GP, 417 blks.)
13. 4.11 - Justin Rowe, Maine (55 GP, 226 blks.)
14. 4.00 - Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi St. (141 GP, 564 blks.)
15. 3.96 - Travis Williams, Hampton (114 GP, 452 blks.)
16. 3.87 - Lorenzo Coleman, Tennessee Tech (113 GP, 437 blks.)
17. 3.83 - Theo Ratliff, Wyoming (111GP, 425 blks.)
18. 3.79 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss (90 GP, 341 blks.)
Career Blocked Shots
59. 343 - A.J. Hammons, Purdue
60. 341 - Jamarion Sharp, Western Ky./Ole Miss
t61. 339 - Osun Osunniyi, Iowa State
t61. 339 - Derrick Lewis, Maryland
RUNNING THE COURT LIKE MCKENZIE LONG
Ole Miss is averaging 12.07 fastbreak points this season, ranking No. 76 in the NCAA. Outscoring their opponents 327-176 in fastbreak points this year, the Rebels have scored equal or more fastbreak points in 24 of 27 games.
Ole Miss has created their opportunities for quick points by ranking fifth in the country in blocks per game and 46th in steals per game.
