Ole Miss is off to a solid start with a roster featuring just four players, including one starter, from last year's squad.

The Rebels (3-0) will try to keep jelling when they meet Cal State Bakersfield (2-1) on Friday night in Oxford, Miss.

"I think we got better between Game 2 and Game 3," head coach Chris Beard said after an 83-77 victory against Memphis on Tuesday, which came four days after an 86-65 victory against UL Monroe.

However, Beard sees areas in which Ole Miss needs to improve as the collection of mostly newcomers continues to grow.

"I think rebounding is an emphasis around here," Beard said. "We have a long ways to go, but we have seen improvement."

The Rebels are averaging 39.7 rebounds compared to their opponents' 31.3, but they got outrebounded by Memphis 33-32.

Bear

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