OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss basketball tipped off the 2025-26 season Monday with the 10th annual Square Jam on the Oxford Square, a public event that brought both the men’s and women’s programs together in front of fans.
The court was built on the brick streets of downtown Oxford, with City Hall as the backdrop.
The event, organized in partnership with the City of Oxford and sponsored by Ashley Furniture, Cannon Motors and Chevrolet, featured contests, music and introductions of both teams.
Square Jam vibes are unmatched🔥#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/NFSYrfCvOP
— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports) October 21, 2025
Head coaches Chris Beard and Yolett McPhee-McCuin addressed the crowd before players from both teams took part in a series of skill competitions, including knockout, tic-tac-toe free throws and three-point contests.
Men’s forward Malik Dia and women’s guard Kaitlin Peterson won the knockout events. Tianna Thompson and Ilias Kamardine claimed the tic-tac-toe free-throw contests, and senior Max Smith and freshman Lauren Jacobs won the three-point shootouts.
Beard said he appreciated the support and atmosphere on the square.
“It was an awesome turnout. We appreciate everyone that came out. This is an awesome event, and it has a lot of history,” Beard said. “It’s just a really good starting point for college basketball and for all our fans.”
𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐 Rebel Nation‼️#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/Ilyb8jwzwG
— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports) October 21, 2025
McPhee-McCuin said the event is an important way to connect the team with the community.
“It’s one of those things that reminds us how much support we have here in Oxford,” she said. “We want to make sure that bond continues to grow.”
The men’s team opens the regular season Nov. 3 against Southeastern Louisiana at the SJB Pavilion. The women’s team will host Norfolk State that same day as part of the program’s annual Kids Day.
Both teams will play exhibition games Oct. 26, with the men facing St. Mary’s and the women playing Southern Arkansas. Admission will be free for both games.
The Ole Miss women enter the season ranked No. 12 in the preseason Associated Press poll. It is the third straight year the program has appeared in the preseason rankings.
The Rebels return several key contributors, including sophomore guard Sira Thienou, who earned All-SEC freshman honors last season.
The men’s program begins its second season under Beard, who led the Rebels to a 21-12 record last year. The roster features several returning players along with transfers brought in to add scoring depth and defensive length.
Square Jam has become a tradition since it began a decade ago, offering a more intimate way for fans to interact with the basketball programs. The outdoor event typically draws hundreds of students and Oxford residents to the town square, where the energy mirrors a game-day atmosphere.
“It’s a great way to connect with the team,” said Aidan Moore, an Ole Miss junior. “You get to see the players just having fun, and it makes you want to be there when the real games start.”
As both teams approach the start of the season, the focus turns from festivities to preparation.
For McPhee-McCuin’s squad, maintaining momentum in the upper half of the Southeastern Conference standings is the goal.
For Beard’s group, consistency and improvement in late-game execution are priorities as the Rebels look to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Square Jam’s community setting offered a symbolic start to that pursuit, merging fans, students and both basketball programs in one of Oxford’s signature sports traditions.
