'We're Robbing Banks Right Now': Ole Miss Rebels' Chris Beard Disappointed With Effort Despite Perfect Record

The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team picked up another win on Tuesday night over the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers to remain undefeated this season, but Chris Beard was not pleased with his team's performance.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team picked up their eighth win of the season on Tuesday night, beating the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers 77-68 to remain undefeated, but coach Chris Beard was not exactly a happy camper after the game.

During his postgame press conference, Beard emphasized the Rebels' effort was not where it should have been, and that the whole team needs to get on the same page when it comes to expectations.

"I thought it was a disappointing effort," Beard told reporters. "Our defense, in the first half, was about as weak as we've played all year... In the second [half] it was the game within the game. We had another chance to blow it open and show some maturity and we just didn't get it done down the stretch. 

"Expectations are everything... I think right now we just have different expectations in the locker room. I don't think everybody's on the same page with the expectations of what should be expected."

Beard was of course happy that his team remained unbeaten when it was all said and done, but knows that the Rebels will not be able to keep stealing away wins with this level of play.

Ole Miss Rebels coach Chris Beard talking with forward Robert Cowherd (#13) versus the N.C. State Wolfpack (2023) / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

"Fortunate to win, it's always better to learn lessons after win," Beard said. "But I just think we're robbing banks right now. We're not getting caught, but we're robbing a bank and eventually we're going to get caught. Our team's got to show more maturity and more consistency."

The Rebels were able to go blow for blow against the Memphis Tigers last Saturday, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line, but then shot 33 percent from beyond the arc on Tuesday night. 

"Back to work tomorrow and we'll see if we can't get everybody in our program on the same page of expectations," Beard said. 

Rebels Handle Mount St. Mary's, Remain Undefeated in Chris Beard Era

Ole Miss will aim to stay undefeated when the team travels to Orlando to take on the UCF Knights (5-2) in Additional Financial Arena on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on BIG12/ESPN +.