SMU (4-3, 0-0 American) vs. CSU Bakersfield (5-3, 0-0 WAC)
Date / Tip-off	Fri., Dec. 2 / 7 p.m. CT
Location	Moody Coliseum -- Map
Tickets	Tickets
TV	Spectrum Sports / ESPN3 (ESPN3 is subject to blackout in DFW)
Radio	KAAM 770 AM | TuneIn App - Search SMU
Game Notes	SMU | CSU Bakersfield | American
Live Stats	SIDEARM
Facebook	/SMUBasketball | SMU Mustangs
Twitter	@SMUBasketball | @SMUMustangs
Instagram	@SMUBasketball | @SMU.Mustangs

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SMU (4-3) begins a six-game homestand by hosting CSU Bakersfield (5-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. The Mustangs are 3-0 at home this season and 35-3 at home since the start of the 2014-15 season. SMU has 17 straight home wins against non-conference opponents. The Mustangs' home stretch begins after playing four of the past five games away from home, including a 71-62 loss at Boise State on Wednesday.
 
Junior Semi Ojeleye leads SMU in scoring (18.7, 4th AAC) and rebounding (7.9, 10th). Shake Milton is second on the team in scoring (11.1, 28th AAC) while leading in assists (4.4, 8th AAC), steals (1.7, 6th AAC) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.6, 6th AAC). Four Mustangs average double digits in scoring with Ben Moore (12.0) and Sterling Brown (10.9)   joining Ojeleye and Milton. Jarrey Foster averages 9.9 points. SMU has outrebounded all seven opponents so far with a +13.1 rebound margin (1st AAC, 6th NCAA). Seven Mustangs average 3.0 or more rebounds with Ojeleye, Moore (6.9, 13th AAC) and Brown (6.0, 16th AAC) leading the way.
 
LAST GAME (L, 71-62 at Boise State on Nov. 30): BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Chandler Hutchinson scored 21 points and Boise State used a big advantage from 3-point range to take down SMU 71-62 on Wednesday night. The Broncos (4-3) made seven 3-pointers compared to one by the Mustangs (4-3), who went 1 of 11 from 3-point range. James Reid drilled four 3s and finished with 18 points, and Justinian Jessup made three 3s and had 11 points for Boise State. The Broncos went 7 of 21 from behind the arc and 14 of 19 from the foul line. The Broncos held the Mustangs without a field goal for more than four minutes in the first half in turning a one-point deficit into a 28-14 lead that would never be relinquished. Boise State led 44-24 at halftime. The closest SMU came was five points in the final minute. Ben Moore led SMU with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Semi Ojeleye added 15 points. SMU was hurt by 16 turnovers and 50 percent shooting from the foul line (11 of 22).
 
UP NEXT: SMU continues its six-game homestand against Delaware State on Sunday at 2 p.m.. The home stretch includes TCU (Wednesday, Dec. 7), McNeese State (Wednesday, Dec. 14), Stanford (Monday, Dec. 19) and Albany (Tuesday, Dec. 20). The Mustangs then start American Athletic Conference at Memphis on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
 
THE SERIES VS. BAKERSFIELD (1-0): This is the second meeting between SMU and CSU Bakersfield. SMU is 1-0, claiming the only meeting, 73-56, in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2009.
 
LAST MEETING VS. BAKERSFIELD (W, 73-56 in Moody Coliseum on Feb. 7, 2009): DALLAS (AP) - Paul McCoy scored 19 points, including 12 in the second half, to help SMU defeat Cal State Bakersfield 73-56 on Saturday. Robert Nyakundi came off the bench to add 14 points for the Mustangs. Derek Williams scored 11 and Mouhammad Faye had 10. Trent Blakley led Cal State Bakersfield with 21 points, 15 of those off 3-pointers. Alex Johnson added 10 and had six assists. SMU outscored Cal State Bakersfield 17-2 over a 5:32 stretch late in the first half to take a 30-20 lead. The Mustangs led 31-24 at the half. Cal State Bakersfield pulled to within two points twice early in the second half before SMU put the game away with a 9-0 run that started with a Bamba Fall dunk at 16:59. For SMU, it was their seventh straight win in home non-conference games after the start of league play. The Mustangs dominated on the boards with a 38-26 rebound advantage. Papa Dia and Fall each had a team-high eight boards while Nyakundi grabbed six, including five offensive rebounds. For Dia, the eight rebounds were the most since equaling that total at TCU on Nov. 26. Dia also had a career-high three assists. In addition to his team-high 19 points, McCoy had five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
 
HEAD COACH TIM JANKOVICH... is in his first season at the helm at SMU after four seasons as the associate head coach. He is in his 34th season as a collegiate coach, and his 12th as a head coach. In 2015-16, the Mustangs finished 25-5, finishing the season ranked No. 24 after reaching a high of No. 8. SMU was the last unbeaten team in the country, starting 18-0, winning the Las Vegas Classic title during the season-opening streak. In 2014-15, the Mustangs claimed the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships en route to the NCAA Tournament. SMU was the top seed in the 2014 NIT, reaching the title game in the program's most recent trip to Madison Square Garden. This is his 10th season as the leader of a Division I program, including five as head coach at Illinois State (2007-12) and four at North Texas (1993-97). As a head coach, he is 170-124 (.578) [13-3 at SMU]. That includes a 104-64 mark at ISU where his teams recorded four top-three finishes in the Missouri Valley, reached the conference tournament final three times and earned four NIT bids. As an assistant or head coach, his teams are 628-375 (.626) with six regular season conference championships, four league tournament titles, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and eight NIT bids.
 
- 6 Conference Titles (Colorado State - WAC '89, '90; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06, '07; SMU - AAC '15)
- 4 Conference Tournament Titles (Illinois - Big Ten '03; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06; SMU - AAC '15)
- 9 NCAAs (CSU '89, '90; Oklahoma State '93; Illinois '03; Kansas '04 RF, '05, '06, '07 RF; SMU '15)
- 8 NITs (CSU '88, Vanderbilt '00, '02; Illinois State '08, '09, '10, '12; SMU '14 Final)
 
ATTENDANCE: SMU has surpassed 100,000 in attendance the past three seasons. In 2014-15, SMU set a season attendance record of 124,986 total and 6,944 average. The New Moody single-game attendance record of 7,395 was set against Connecticut (Feb. 14, 2015). SMU has sold out 40 of 51 games in Moody Coliseum since the renovated facility opened Jan. 4, 2014.
SMU Season Home Attendance Total
Total                     Season
124,986                2014-15 AAC Champions (15 sellouts in 18 games)
117,420                2015-16 (13 sellouts in 17 games)
107,412                2013-14 (9 sellouts in 19 games - 13 games in Moody Coliseum)
101,296                1984-85
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20,556                   2016-17 (3 sellouts in 3 games)
 
2016-17 SEASON-TICKET RECORD: On the heels of a three straight record-breaking seasons for SMU Men's Basketball attendance, another record has been set on the Hilltop with more than 5,100 season tickets sold for the games at Moody Coliseum.
 
AWARDS - JERRY WEST SHOOTING GUARD OF THE YEAR NOMINEE: Sophomore guard Shake Milton was one of 20 candidates named to the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watch list, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Oct. 18. The annual honor recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men's college basketball. As a freshman, Milton was a unanimous American Athletic Conference All-Rookie selection after ranking third in the league for three-point percentage (42.6, 52-122), 13th in field goal percentage (47.7) and 28th in scoring (10.5). The Owasso, Oklahoma, native also averaged 2.7 assists (13th AAC) and 3.0 rebounds with a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio as he helped the Mustangs to a 25-5 season. This summer, he was a shooting guard at the 2016 Nike Hoops Summit in Los Angeles and went to Croatia with a Global Sports Academy U.S. Team.
 
AWARDS - AAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Junior forward Semi Ojeleye was named the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Nov. 14. Ojeleye averaged 22.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists as the Mustangs (2-0) won both games. Ojeleye had career-highs of 26 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3FG, 7-8 FT) and 14 rebounds in a 72-44 win over Gardner-Webb.
 
AWARDS - AAC WEEKLY HONOR ROLL: Semi Ojeleye was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Nov. 21. In two games, he averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks. He scored 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-6 FT), with five rebounds and two blocks in the win against Pittsburgh on Nov. 17; earning 2K Claccis All-Tournament honors.
 
AWARDS - PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE: Senior Ben Moore was named to the preseason All-AAC first team, while sophomore Shake Milton was named to the second team. The Mustangs, who finished second last season after winning the conference in 2014-15, were picked behind Cincinnati and Connecticut, respectively.
 
AWARDS - ALLSTATE NABC GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Jonathan Wilfong is a nominee for the 2017 Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Good Works Team, a distinguished award that highlights student-athletes who have shown dedication to community service and altruism in their communities. The senior is a co-founder of Coaching for Literacy (coachingforliteracy.com), an organization that helps fund literacy programs focused on helping elementary and middle school students. The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to increase awareness about the number of people in America who are functionally or totally illiterate and the social problems associated with illiteracy. By partnering with sports teams from across the country for a unique game-day experience, Coaching for Literacy raises money to supports effective local literacy programs and schools focused on educating elementary and middle school students. This is the second straight season SMU has a nominee after Semi Ojeleye was on the 2015-16 award list.
 
2017-18 BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS: SMU will play in the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas. The tournament is Nov. 22-24 and includes join Villanova, Tennessee, Arizona, Purdue, Western Kentucky, N.C. State and Northern Iowa.
 
3 TIMES THE CHARM: Shake Milton made 52 three pointers as a freshman, which was two off the SMU freshman record. He was second on the team in 2015-16 to Nic Moore (76).
SMU Season 3FGM By A Freshman
1              54           Bryan Hopkins, 2002-03; Stephen Woods, 1996-97; Jabari Hearn, 1994-95
4              52           Shake Milton, 2015-16
5              42           Chad Elsey, 1997-98
 
SMU Career 3FG Pct. - 36.0%+ (min. 50 made)
                1              47.3        Eric Longino (62-131), 1987-89
                2              45.2        Sterling Brown (76-168), 2013-
                3              43.4        Robert Nyakundi (267-615), 2008-12
                4              42.2        Todd Alexander (92-218), 1987-89
                5              42.1        Nic Moore (225-534), 2013-16
                6              41.1        Troy Dorner (51-124), 1991-94
                7              40.1        Shake Milton (61-152), 2015-
                8              40.0        Carlton McKinney (64-160), 1986-88
                9              39.2        Rodney Clinkscales (87-222), 2009-12
                10           38.9        Jon Killen (119-306), 2004-08
 
60-50-85: As a junior in 2015-16, Sterling Brown shot 60.2% from the field (109-181, 2nd AAC), 53.6% from 3-point range (30-56, 1st AAC, SMU Record) and 85.7% on free throws (54-63). He is believed to be the first in NCAA Division I to accomplish the 60-50-80 marks for a season. (The 3-point line was instituted in 1986-87.) This season, he is at 44.3% FGs (27-61), 45.0% 3FGs (9-20) and 61.9% FTs (13-21).
 
BALANCED SCORING: SMU had four score in double figures in 5 of 7 games this season with five in double figures versus Eastern Michigan. In 2015-16, SMU had 4 players with 10+ points in 23 of 30 games, including 6 in double figures in the win against Hampton and 5 in double figures six times.
 
BEST START(S) IN PROGRAM HISTORY: SMU started 18-0 in 2015-16, which was the best in program history, surpassing the 10-0 start by the 1997-98 team (Tim Jankovich directed the first nine games of the 18-game streak). The 18-game winning streak was the second-longest in program history (20 during 1955-56). The 7-0 start in American Athletic Conference play was the best league start since going 12-0 en route to the 1955-56 SWC title. SMU's 20-2 mark tied for the best through 22 games. The Mustangs got to 26-2 in 1955-56 before finishing 26-4.
 
CRASHING THE GLASS: SMU has a +13.1 rebound margin this season (1st AAC, 6th NCAA), outrebounding all 7 opponents. SMU has led The American in rebound margin for three straight seasons. In 2015-16, SMU outrebounded 24 of 30 opponents and had a +10.2 margin (1st AAC, 4th NCAA). The Mustangs were at least +10 in 16 games. In the 4-game stretch from 12/5 to 12/17, SMU was at least +25 in each game (+113 total, +28.3 average). SMU was +25 vs. New Hampshire, +25 vs. Michigan, +37 vs. Nicholls, +26 vs. Hampton. SMU has outrebounded 105 of 140 since the start of 2012-13.
Season         Reb. Margin       Conf.-NCAA           Outrebound Opp.
2012-13         +2.6                   5th - 102nd           21 of 32 (+10 in 4 games) 
2013-14         +4.8                   1st - 36th             25 of 37 (+10 in 11 games) 
2014-15         +6.7                   1st - 17th             28 of 34 (+10 in 10 games) 
2015-16         +10.2                 1st - 4th               24 of 30 (+10 in 16 games)
2016-17         +13.1                 1st - 6th                  7 of 7 (+10 in 5 games)
 
CRASHING THE GLASS - BALANCED REBOUNDING: SMU has 7 different players averaging more than 3.0 rebounds per game or better. Semi Ojeleye leads at 7.9 (10th AAC) followed by Ben Moore at 6.9 (13th AAC) and Sterling Brown at 6.0 (16th AAC). In the win against UCSB (43-26 rebound advantage), SMU had eight different players with 4 or more rebounds (Ben Moore 7, Sterling Brown 7, Shake Milton 6, Semi Ojeleye 4, Jarrey Foster 4, Dashawn McDowell 4, Harry Froling 4, Ben Emelogu II 4)
 
FG%: SMU is shooting 46.3% this season (6th AAC). SMU has led The American in field goal percentage for three straight seasons. In 2015-16, SMU led The American at 49.7% from the field (4th NCAA), shooting better than 25 of 30 opponents. The Mustangs have outshot 104 of 140 opponents since the start of 2012-13.
Season FG%       Conf.-NCAA       Higher % Than Opp.
2012-13 .449        7th - 89th             18 of 32
2013-14 .483        1st - 18th             28 of 37
2014-15 .475        1st - 26th             29 of 34
2015-16 .497        1st - 4th               25 of 30
2016-17 .463        6th  - 117th           4 of 7
 
FG% - SMU CAREER - 52.0%+ (min. 250 made)
                1              62.6        Terry Williams (383-612), 1983-87
                2              55.9        Jon Koncak (713-1276), 1981-85
                3              55.8        Larry Davis (731-1311), 1981-85
                4              55.5        Ira Terrell (757-1364), 1972-76
                                55.5        Bamba Fall (324-584), 2005-09
                6              55.3        Eric Castro (432-781), 2001-05
                7              53.6        John Colborne (382-713), 1985-90
                8              53.5        Glenn Puddy (289-540), 1984-86,87-89
                9              53.1        Markus Kennedy (400-754), 2013-16
                10           52.8        Sterling Brown, 2013-
                11           52.4        Ben Moore, 2013-
                12           52.1        Cannen Cunningham (314-603), 2011-15
 
FG% DEFENSE: SMU has held opponents to 41.2% this season (7th AAC). In 2015-16, SMU held opponents to 40.0% from the floor (3rd AAC, 28th NCAA). In the past four seasons, SMU has held 77 of 140 opponents at or below 40%.
Season     FG% Def.        Conference-NCAA          Opponents Under 40%
2012-13     .395                1st - 39th                      16 of 32
2013-14     .385                1st - 7th                        24 of 37
2014-15     .381                1st - 5th                        20 of 34
2015-16     .400                3rd - 28th                      13 of 30
2016-17     .412                7th - 129th                      3 of 7
 
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE MUSTANGS: In the past few season, several Mustangs have played in international events or gone with teams on international tours.
2016:
Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Croatia): Jarrey Foster, Shake Milton, Semi Ojeleye
East Coast USA (Italy): Harry Froling, Dashawn McDowell
2015:
World University Games with Team USA (South Korea): Nic Moore (gold medalist)
Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands): Ben Moore, Sterling Brown, Semi Ojeleye and Ben Emelogu II
East Coast USA (France, Italy): Jordan Tolbert
2014:
Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands): Ben Moore, Sterling Brown
 
MOODY/HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: SMU has lost just four games (57 contests) at home since the start of the 2013-14. SMU has played 49 of those games in the renovated Moody Coliseum. In those 57 home games, SMU is averaging 76.3 points per game with a scoring margin of +16.7. SMU is shooting 50.7% at home while holding opponents to 37.5%.
Season     Home Losses (Games)   Pts.        FG%       Opp. Pts.  Opp. FG%
2013-14     1 (19 games)                  75.7        .515        59.4        .366
2014-15     2 (18 games)                  72.7        .495        58.7        .380
2015-16     1 (17 games)                  79.6        .508        61.5        .390
2016-17     0 (3 games)                     82.3        .513        55.0        .325
 
NLI - JANKOVICH ANNOUNCES FOUR SIGNEES: Ethan Chargois, William Douglas, Elijah Landrum and Everett Ray have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Mustangs beginning with the 2017-18 season. Chargois (F, 6-7, 235) and Landrum (G, 6-0, 180) are from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Landrum is ranked as high as No. 2 in Oklahoma after averaging 27.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals as a junior at Central High School. Chargois is ranked as high as No. 4 in Oklahoma after averaging 15 points and eight rebounds in 2015-16 for Union High School. Douglas (G, 6-4, 175) is from Memphis where he is ranked as high as No. 2 in Tennessee after averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals last season at Christian Brothers High School. Ray (F, 6-7, 220) is from Addison, Texas, where he paced CHANT Home School with averages of 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in 2015-16.
 
NON-CONFERENCE UNDER JANKOVICH: SMU is 13-3 in non-conference games under Jankovich. SMU was 12-0 in non-conference play last season, including winning the 2015-16 Las Vegas Classic. The Mustangs have lost just seven non-conference regular season contests since the start of the 2013-14 season, only one of those losses was at home (then No. 25 Arkansas 78-72 on 11/24/14).

PAINT IS KEY: SMU has a +12.9 advantage in the paint through 7 games (34.6 to 21.7). In 2015-16, SMU outscored 24 of 30 opponents (22-2) in the paint last season, averaging 37.2 to 23.7.  The Ponies have outscored 115 of 140 opponents in the paint since the start of 2012-13.

Season        Outscored Opponents In The Paint (SMU to Opp.)
2012-13        23 of 32 (28.6 to 19.6)
2013-14        31 of 37 (33.4 to 21.8)
2014-15        31 of 34 (31.5 to 19.2)
2015-16        24 of 30 (37.2 to 23.7)
2016-17        6 of 7 (34.6 to 21.7)
 
TROPHY CASE: Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Mustangs have added four items to the trophy case, most recently the 2015-16 Las Vegas Classic (12/16-12/23). In 2014-15, SMU won American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. In 2013-14, SMU was the runner-up in the NIT.
 
TOP 25: SMU was receiving votes in the polls the first two weeks of the season. In 2015-16, SMU finished 24th in the AP Poll, its 17th straight poll in the top 25. That is the third-longest streak at SMU and the second-highest total in a season for the Mustangs. It was the third straight season SMU has been ranked in the top 25. In 2014-15, SMU was in the top 25 for nine weeks including the final seven regular season polls. SMU finished No. 18 in the AP and receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches poll. The Mustangs spent four weeks in the Top 25 in 2013-14. That was the first time SMU had been ranked since the 1984-85 season, when the Mustangs were as high as No. 2.
 
STREAKS:
10+points: Semi Ojeleye 7 (26, 18, 24, 13, 22, 13, 15), Ben Moore 6 (11, 12, 10, 12, 14, 19)
Longest This Season: Semi Ojeleye 7+ (11/11-)
8+ rebounds: Ben Moore (14) 
Long: Semi Ojeleye 2 (11/11-11/13)
Dbl-Dbl: Ben Moore (19 pts, 14 rebs)
Long: Semi Ojeleye (11/11, 11/25), Ben Moore (11/30-)
5+ assists: Shake Milton (5)
Long: Shake Milton 3 (11/13-11/18)
3+ steals:
Long: Shake Milton (11/11, 11/25), Ben Emelogu II (11/11)
2+ blocks: Ben Moore (2)
Long: Harry Froling (11/11), Jarrey Foster (11/17), Semi Ojeleye (11/17), Sterling Brown (11/25), Ben Moore (11/30-)
 
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year
                Shake Milton (1 of 20 on Watch List - Oct. 18)
- Preseason All-American Athletic Conference
                Ben Moore (First Team - Oct. 24)
                Shake Milton (Second Team - Oct. 24)
- American Athletic Conference Player of the Week
                Semi Ojeleye - Nov. 14 (22.0 pts, 11.0 rebs, 13-23 FG, 4-8 3FG, 14-17 FT in 2-0 week)
- American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll
                Semi Ojeleye - Nov. 21 (18.5 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.0 ast, 1.0 blk, 14-33 FG, 4-10 3FG, 1-1 week)
- 2K Classic Benefiting Wounded Warrior Project All-Tournament Team
                Semi Ojeleye - Nov. 18 (20.3 pts, 9.0 rebs, 48.2% FG, 44.4% 8-18 3FG, 19-25 FT, SMU 3-1)
- Allstate NABC Good Works Team Nominee
                Jonathan Wilfong - Nov. 30
 
STERLING BROWN (6-6, 230, G, Sr.): 2016-17: Averaging 10.9 points (29th AAC), 6.0 rebounds (16th AAC) and 2.57 assists… FG% 44.3, 3FG% 45.0 (13th AAC)... GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 12 (6-14 FG) with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks at USC (Nov. 25)…Scored 14 points (4-6 FG, 3-5 3FG, 3-4 FT), with 7 rebounds and two assists against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Scored 12 points (2-5 FG, 2-2 3FG, 6-10 FT) with 7 rebounds and 1 steal against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)…Scored 11 points (4-10 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-3 FT), with 7 rebounds and 8 assists against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11).
 
BEN EMELOGU II (6-6, 215, G, Jr.): 2016-17: Averaging 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded 6 points (2-5 FG, 2-2 FT) at USC (Nov. 25)… Scored 5 points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3FG), with 4 rebounds and 2 assists against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Scored 6 points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3FG, 1-3 FT) with 6 rebounds and 4 assists against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)… 2015-16: Missed season due to injury.
 
SHAKE MILTON (6-6, 205, G, So.): 2016-17: Averaging 11.1 points (28th AAC), 4.4 assists (8th AAC) and 1.7 steals (6th AAC)…FG% 42.9, FT 83.3 (1st AAC)… GAME HIGHLIGTS: Recorded 12 points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-6 FT), with five rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists at USC (Nov. 25)… Posted 12 points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3FG, 5-6 FT), with 6 rebounds and 4 assists against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Scored 14 points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3FG, 2-2 FT), 5 assists and 2 steals against Pittsburgh (Nov .17)… AWARDS: Named to the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watch list… AAC preseason all-conference second team nominee.
 
BEN MOORE (6-8, 220, F, Sr.): 2016-17: Averaging 12.0 points (26th AAC) and 6.9 rebounds (13th AAC)… FG% 48.3, FT% 66.7 … GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded his 8th career double-double (1st of season) with 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-7 FT) and 14 rebounds at Boise State (Nov. 30)… Recorded 14 points (4-8 FG, 6-6 FT), with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals at USC (Nov. 25)… Scored 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-8 FT), with 7 rebounds and 2 assists against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Tallied 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-4 FT), with two assists against Pittsburgh (Nov .17)… AWARDS: AAC preseason all-conference first team nominee.
 
SEMI OJELEYE (6-7, 235, F, Jr.): 2016-17: Averaging 18.7 (102nd NCAA, 4th AAC) and 7.9 rebounds (10th AAC)… FG% 50.6, 3FG% 48.1 (10th AAC), FT% 71.8 (11 AAC)… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 15 points (5-11 FG, 5-6 FT), with 5 rebounds at Boise State (Nov. 30)… Recorded his second career double-double (2nd of season), with 13 points (5-11 FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-3 FT) and 10 rebounds at USC (Nov. 25)… Scored 22 (8-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 3-5 FT), with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Recorded 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-6 FT), with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks against Pittsburgh (Nov. 17)… Posted his first career double-double with 26 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3FG, 7-8 FT) and rebounds against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11)… AWARDS: Named the AAC Player of the Week on Nov. 14… Was named to the 2K Classic All-Tournament Team… Named to AAC Honor Roll (Nov. 21).
 
JARREY FOSTER (6-6, 220, G, So.): 2016-17: Averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds… FG% 62.5 (3rd AAC), 3FG% 50.0… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded 9 points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3FG) with 3 rebounds at Boise State (Nov. 30)… Posted 9 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3FG) with 4 rebounds… Recorded a career-high 7 assists, with six points and 4 rebounds against UCSB (Nov. 22)…Scored 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 3FG), with 4 rebounds against Michigan (Nov .18)… Scored 18 points (8-9 FG, 1-1 3FG, 1-1 FT) with 3 rebounds and 2 assists against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)… Scored 11 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-2 FT) with 2 steals against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11).
 
JONATHAN WILFONG (6-2, 185, G, Jr.): 2016-17: 1 FG and a steal against UCSB (Nov. 22)… 2015-16: Totaled 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 assists… AWARDS: 2017 Allstate NABC Good Works Team Nominee
 
JIMMY WHITT (6-3, 175, G, So.): 2016-17: Will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules…2015-16 AT ARKANSAS: Averaged 6.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals…FG% 38.7, 3FG% 37.5…Free Throw % 79.2.
 
DASHAWN MCDOWELL (6-5, 185, G, Fr.): 2016-17: GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 2 points (2-4 FT) and collected 4 rebounds against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Collected 3 rebounds against Michigan (Nov. 18)… Scored 5 points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3FG) with 1 rebound against Pittsburgh (Nov. 17)… Scored 2 points (1-2 FG), with 4 rebounds and three assists against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)…2016 SUMMER: Played for USA East Coast on a basketball tour in Italy…The team went 3-1 on the trip.

TOM WILSON (6-5, 180, G, Fr.): 2016-17: GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Had a 3-point FG against UCSB (Nov. 22)…Collected 1 rebound against Michigan (Nov. 18)... Scored 6 points (2-6 3FG), with 3 assists and a rebound against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)… 2015-16: Played with the Melbourne United in Australia's National Basketball League… In 2014 averaged 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds at the U17 World Championship… Had 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the gold medal game (99-92 Loss to USA).
 
HARRY FROLING (6-11, 260, F, Fr.): 2016-17: GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 7 points (3-8 FG, 1-2 3FG) with 2 rebounds at USC (Nov. 25)… Scored 4 points (2-4 FG), with 4 rebounds and 2 assists against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Scored 6 points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3FG), with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)…Recorded five rebounds and 2 assists against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11).
 
LEO KONTOPOULOS (6-9, 210, F, Fr.): GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 1 FG in 1 minute of play against UCSB (Nov. 22)… Played 2 minutes against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13)… Played 1 minute against Michigan (Nov. 18)… 2015-16: Spent the season with the Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C. in Thessaloniki, Greece… Saw action in eight games.
 
SMU RISES IN US NEWS RANKINGS: SMU rose to its highest ranking among the nation's universities in the 2017 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges. Among 220 institutions classified as national universities, SMU ranks 56, up from 61 a year ago. The new ranking again places SMU in the first tier of institutions in the guide's "best national universities" category. In Texas, only Rice University ranks higher. SMU and the University of Texas-Austin were tied.  Among private national universities, SMU ranks 39. SMU's increase was one of the five largest among the top 100 universities. Since 2008, SMU's 11-point increase is one of the four largest among schools in the top 60. For the rankings, U.S. News considers measures of academic quality, such as peer assessment scores and ratings by high school counselors, faculty resources, student selectivity, graduation rate performance, financial resources and alumni giving. SMU ranks 24 among all national universities in alumni giving at 25 percent. In other ranking categories, SMU ranks 32 as one of the best national universities for veterans.
 
SMU HITS $1B CAMPAIGN GOAL: The Second Century Campaign, the largest and most successful fundraising initiative in SMU's history, raised $1.15 billion for the enhancement of the University's student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience. The campaign's official completion date was Dec. 31, 2015. The Second Century Campaign was publicly launched in 2008 with a goal of $750 million. Rapid progress toward that goal and opportunities for further advancements led SMU leaders in 2013 to increase the goal to $1 billion and extend its timeline to 2015. Ending in 2002, SMU's previous major gifts campaign, "A Time to Lead: The Campaign for SMU", raised $542 million. Combining both campaigns, in the last two decades SMU has raised a total of $1.5 billion for 753 new scholarships, 111 new academic positions, 146 academic programs and 32 capital projects. SMU joins 35 private universities that have raised $1 billion or more through major gifts campaigns.
 
COACHING FOR LITERACY (CoachingForLiteracy.org): Jonathan Wilfong and Andrew Renshaw, two then-high school seniors from Memphis, Tennessee, founded Coaching for Literacy in 2012. The premise is that a participant offers a monetary donation and, in exchange, gets to be the "Assistant Coach" during a sporting event. Proceeds raised from the event go towards funding effective literacy programs focused on helping elementary and middle school students. Coaching for Literacy partners with collegiate and professional sports teams for a unique game-day experience. --- The mission of Coaching for Literacy is to increase awareness about the number of people in America who are functionally or totally illiterate and the social problems associated with illiteracy. By leveraging the unique power of collegiate and professional sports, Coaching for Literacy raises money to supports effective local literacy programs and schools focused on educating elementary and middle school students. SMU hosted two CFL events in each of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, and will host an event during the 2016-17 campaign (vs. Stanford Dec. 19).
 
SEMI OJELEYE NOMINATED FOR 2015-16 ALLSTATE NABC GOOD WORKS TEAM: Semi Ojeleye (shem-ee o-juh-lay) was a nominee for the Allstate NABC Good Works Team, an award that highlights student-athletes who have shown dedication to community service and altruism in their communities. The junior is an advocate for the "I Have a Dream Foundation", which is a local group that focuses on creating an environment to help children develop a healthy self-confidence, a passion for learning and a sense of community for lifelong service to others by providing mentors, educational opportunities, after school programming and recreational programming. The program offers tutoring, life skills and lifelong mentoring by providing children with home and school visits to monitor academic and social progress as well as daily nutrition assistance. The junior is a psychology major. A former Parade Magazine National Player of the Year, Ojeleye played in 23 games at Duke before transferring to SMU in January of 2015.
 

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