Rebels Basketball Announces Throwback Game at Tad Smith Coliseum

Chris Beard's dream has become a reality: the Rebels will once again take the floor in the 'Tad Pad.'

OXFORD, Miss. -- Chris Beard put this on his list when he was hired by the Ole Miss Rebels, and now, it's officially a reality.

The Ole Miss basketball program announced on Friday that it will take the floor in historic Tad Smith Coliseum on Nov. 17 against Sam Houston State. You can view the announcement below.

Turn 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 the clocks 🔄🕰 pic.twitter.com/Q7S7QkBrv1

— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) August 25, 2023

The program will also be honoring former Ole Miss head coach Rob Evans who won national and conference coach of the year honors in 1997 and spent six seasons in Oxford.

"When Coach Beard first mentioned the idea, we all thought it could be a great way to bring exposure to the program and incorporate some of the people that helped put Ole Miss basketball on the map," Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said via an official statement. "Tad Smith Coliseum hosted many great games over its 50-year lifespan, and it will be fun to bring back some nostalgic feelings for our longtime hoops fans, plus showcase the history of the building to some of our younger fans."

The Rebels men's basketball program played in the "Tad Pad" from 1965 until the middle of the 2015-16 season when it transitioned to the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. The venue opened as "Rebel Coliseum," but it was officially renamed in 1972 to honor C. M. "Tad" Smith, former three-sport letterman, coach and athletic director for the Rebels.

The largest crowd on record (9,452) at the venue came on Feb. 10, 2007, when the Rebels knocked off the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide. The seating capacity of the Tad Pad was 8,700 at the time, and it now seats 8,867 fans.

During Ole Miss' use of the venue as its primary basketball home, the men's basketball program reached the NCAA Tournament eight times, including reaching the Sweet 16 in 2001. 

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