There has been a constant expectation for Malik Dia to showcase why Chris Beard went after him and brought him to Oxford. Until Wednesday that had not happened but Dia provided solid proof of concept by putting Ole Miss on his back for a key Southeastern Conference win on the road.

With just over 14 minutes remaining in the second half, junior Ole Miss basketball forward Malik Dia left the bench and trotted onto the floor Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena. What Dia did in Ole Miss' 73-66 win at Arkansas — and specifically in those 14 minutes — could pay long-term dividends for him as the No.

Ole Miss is scheduled to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday night, and the Hogs are led by legendary head coach John Calipari. Rebels coach Chris Beard is anticipating a real challenge when Ole Miss hits the hardwood this week.

No. 22 Ole Miss has its first SEC road trip of the 2024-25 season Wednesday at Arkansas. Tipoff is 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The Rebels (12-2, 1-0 SEC) are coming off a 63-51 win over Georgia last weekend.

Malik Dia scores 21 points along with eight rebounds as the Rebels get the win behind a balanced effort against the Razorbacks, 73-66.

"As a coach, I always try to do what's best to help our players," Beard said. "I have certainly coached some teams where you have to joystick it and coach every play. I have also

After getting a win to open SEC play, Ole Miss basketball was rewarded slightly in the polls. The Rebels (12-2, 1-0) are No. 22 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, up from No. 23 last week. Ole Miss is No.