Ole Miss basketball dropped a tough one to Vanderbilt on Saturday, losing 77-72 in Nashville. The Rebels (19-8, 8-6 SEC) overcame a 19-point deficit in the first half, trailing by eight points going into the half.

The Ole Miss men's basketball team has been struggling in recent weeks under second-year head coach Chris Beard. After a stretch in which the team won four of five games, including a dominant performance against nationally ranked Kentucky, the Rebels have dropped two straight games in agonizing fashion.

Ole Miss coach Chris Beard would be the choice for many Indiana fans, but others view him as a nonstarter due to his checkered past.

Here's where Chris Beard's Ole Miss basketball team stands in the latest NCAA tournament bracket predictions after a loss vs. Mississippi State.

Ole Miss is receiving the fourth most votes among unranked teams. Ole Miss had one game last week. The Rebels were beaten 77-72 at Vanderbilt in a back-and-forth game. The Rebels were down 19 in the first half but fought back to take a lead in the second half.

In the loss, Ole Miss started hot, but overall looked over-matched throughout the majority of the game, ultimately taking a 10-point loss 81-71. However, the long week has given O