Ole Miss Basketball Coach Chris Beard’s belief in Davon Barnes paid off

On January 30, 2025By Littum

Oxford-with-Ole Miss Basketball, who clings to a one-point lead with eight seconds left, got senior guard Davon Barnes a chance of redemption.

Two matches after missing the first free throw on a potential game seal of enbonus tour in a loss against Texas A&M, Barnes was in a similar position. This time he made both free kicks. His two couplings were the last points in Ole Miss ’72 -69 victory against Texas.

“If you would have asked me, ‘will Barnes do these two free kicks?’ I wanted to bet on everything I have on it, ”said Ole Miss Coach Chris Beard.

Why was Beard so confident? He did not reflect on Barnes’ Miss against Texas A&M. He decided what Barnes did after the loss to Agggies.

Beard said he checked into the Tuohy Basketball Center, Ole Miss’ indoor basketball facility, a few days ago, as he usually does at night.

He saw Barnes.

“Barnes was on the free throwing line,” Beard said. “When you see it as a coach you are just really proud of it. That’s how life works. When things don’t go your way you can either take your ball, go home and start to apologize or you can get back to the gym and start practicing.

Barnes has shot free kick to 73% this season at Ole Miss (16-5, 5-3 sec). He was 84% free throwing shooters last season in Sam Houston State.

Barnes was 6-for-6 on free throw against Texas (14-7, 3-5). All his shots came in the second half and all when the game was within three points.

All Barnes’ scoring came on the free throwing line.

“We were all as safe as ever,” said Guard Sean Pedulla. “As Coach said in the dressing room (Barnes) has set time in, worked on it. It was good to see.”

The victory clicks on a three-match losing row for Ole Miss. With games against No. 1 Auburn and No. 12 Kentucky Next on the schedule, beard not away from the importance of beating Texas.

“Our team really needed a win tonight,” Beard said. “Captain obviously.”

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for Clarion Ledger. E -mail him at [email protected] or reach him on x on @sam_hutchens_