No. 6 seed [11/13] SMU (30-4) opens NCAA Tournament action Friday vs. No. 11 seed [-/rv] USC (25-9), the winner of Wednesday's First Four matchup. Friday's game at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, begins at approximately 2:10 p.m. CT (30 minutes after the conclusion of No. 3 seed [12/11] Baylor and No. 14 seed New Mexico State).
SMU is making its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance, the second in the past three seasons. In both 2014-15 and 2016-17, the Mustangs won the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. SMU went 17-1 to claim the outright season championship, followed by winning the tournament title 71-56 over then-No. 15/18 Cincinnati on Sunday at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Mustangs have won 16 straight games and 26 of the last 27. SMU has also won nine consecutive contests away from home, winning its last six league road games before adding three neutral-site victories in the AAC Tournament.
The Mustangs have a season scoring defense of 59.8 (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA). SMU is also among the national leaders with a rebound margin of +9.0 (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA), a field goal defense of .384 (2nd AAC, 7th NCAA) and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5 (2nd AAC, 8th NCAA).
All five SMU starters average at least 9.9 points.
Semi Ojeleye leads SMU (18.9, 3rd AAC, 68th NCAA) followed by
Sterling Brown (13.3, 13th AAC),
Shake Milton (13.1, 16th AAC),
Ben Moore (11.6, 23rd AAC) and
Jarrey Foster (9.9). SMU has had at least four score 10+ in 24 of 34 games. Three Mustangs have scored 27 or more points in a game (Milton, Brown, Ojeleye), with all five starters going for at least 18 points in a contest.
The Mustangs have outrebounded 27 of 34 opponents (14 of 18 AAC games) and have been at least +10 in 16 games. Five average 4.0 or more rebounds with Moore (7.9, 4th AAC), Ojeleye (6.8, 14th AAC) and Brown (6.5, 16th AAC) leading SMU. As a team, SMU has an offensive rebound percentage of .375 (1st AAC, 8th NCAA) and defensive rebound percentage of .737 (2nd AAC). Moore has eight double-doubles on points and rebounds while Brown has six and Ojeleye has four.
SMU is shooting 47.4 percent from the field (1st AAC, 39th NCAA) and 40.6 percent from three (1st AAC, 8th NCAA). Moore is shooting 56.3% (2nd AAC), with Foster at 52.9% (3rd AAC) and Ojeleye at 49.1% (6th AAC). Brown leads The American in 3-point percentage at 43.9%, Ojeleye is third at 42.8% and Milton is fourth at 42.5%. Foster (44.3%) doesn't have enough 3FG made to qualify for the AAC rankings. Milton also leads SMU in assists (4.5, 5th AAC, 90tjh NCAA) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5, 3rd AAC, 43rd NCAA). Brown also ranks among the AAC leaders in assists (3.0, 15th AAC) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6, 9th AAC). Brown and Milton are also near the top of the league in steals with 1.4 (7th AAC) and 1.3 (10th AAC), respectively.
The Mustangs are in their sixth week as a ranked team this season at No. 11 in the Associated Press Poll and No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. SMU had been in the receiving votes list the previous four weeks. This is the fourth straight season SMU has been in the AP Top 25 (6 weeks 2016-17, 17 weeks 2015-16, 9 weeks 2014-15, 4 weeks 2013-14). The Mustangs are one of 14 programs to be ranked in the AP top 20 each of the past four seasons.
The Mustangs have won 16 straight and 26 of the last 27 after a 4-3 start to the season. The only loss in the last 27 contests was at then-No. 22/22 Cincinnati on Jan. 12 (L, 66-64), which SMU defeated twice after that. The Mustansg topped then-[11/11] Cincinnati (W, 60-51) on Feb. 12 and again vs. then-[15/18] Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference Tournament title game on March 12. SMU has held 24 of the last 27 opponents to 66 points or less (58.4 per game).
to 11/30 since 12/1 NCAA Rank since 12/1
W-L 4-3 26-1 T-1st (Gonzaga)
Scoring Off. 73.1 74.9
Scoring Def. 65.3 58.4 2nd
Scoring Margin 7.9 16.5 3rd
FG Pct. 0.463 0.477
FG Pct. Def. 0.412 0.377 4th
3Pt.FG Pct. 0.358 0.417
3Pt.FG Pct. Def. 0.328 0.321
Reb. Off. 40.9 37.7
Reb. Def. 27.7 29.7
Reb. Margin 13.1 8.0 T-5th
AAC TOURNAMENT - FINAL (W, 71-56 vs. [15/18] Cincinnati on March 12) - HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Mustangs won their 16th straight game on Sunday, taking the American Athletic Conference championship with a 71-56 victory over Cincinnati.
Sterling Brown led the Mustangs with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Tournament MVP
Semi Ojeleye added 14 points,
Jarrey Foster had 13 and
Ben Moore scored 12. It was the second AAC title in three years for SMU (30-4). The Mustangs took the championship in 2015, but missed last year's postseason under NCAA sanctions. Jarron Cumberland had 14 points to lead Cincinnati (29-5). SMU started the year 4-3, but has reeled off 26 wins in 27 games. They went 17-1 to win the league's regular-season title, with the only loss coming by two points at Cincinnati in January. The Mustangs never trailed in this one. They shot 50 percent from the field and made 10 of their 19 shots from 3-point range. Brown scored six points to spark SMU on a game-opening 11-2 run. A 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer by
Ben Emelogu II from just inside the midcourt logo gave the Mustangs a 32-23 lead. It was the lowest scoring first half of the season for the Bearcats. Cincinnati made just one of its first 15 shots from the field, shot 34 percent for the game and missed 20 of 24 shots from behind the arc. SMU hit four of its first five 3-point attempts in the second half to extend a nine-point lead to 17 at 48-31.
AAC TOURNAMENT - SEMIFINAL (W, 70-59 vs. UCF on March 11) - HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) --
Sterling Brown scored 22 points and No. 12 SMU beat UCF 70-59 on Saturday in the semifinals of the AAC Tournament.
Semi Ojeleye added 17 points, and
Shake Milton had 14 of his 16 points in the second half for the Mustangs (29-4). The Mustangs won the title in 2015. SMU has won 15 straight games and 25 of its last 26 after a 4-3 start to their season. B.J. Taylor had 20 points, and Nick Banyard 16 for the Knights (21-11). They had won six in a row. Neither team led by more than six before Milton stole the ball from the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall under the UCF basket and made the Knights pay on the other end with a 3-pointer for a 42-34 lead. An altercation on the other end led to a technical foul on Taylor and
Sterling Brown extended the lead to 10 with two free throws. That was part of a 14-3 run that gave the Mustangs a 50-36 lead and control of the game with just over 9 minutes to play. Taylor tried to shoot UCF back into the game. He hit consecutive 3-pointers that cut the lead to eight points with 3 minutes left, but that was as close as the Knights would get. Ojeleye had 10 of the Mustangs' 26 points first-half points and SMU went into halftime leading by just three. Taylor had eight for UCF and hit the first 3-pointer of the second half to tie the game at 26. Both teams hit 10 3-point shots, but neither could score inside, each getting just 10 points in the paint. SMU finished with 15 assists on their 21 baskets, five of them from Milton.
AAC TOURNAMENT - QUARTERFINAL (W, 81-77 vs. ECU on March 10) - HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) --
Semi Ojeleye scored a career-high 36 points and No. 12 SMU held off East Carolina 81-77 Friday. The conference's player of the year hit 12 of his 19 shots and pulled down 12 rebounds, giving him his fifth double-double this season.
Sterling Brown added 16 points for SMU (28-4). Kentrell Barkley had 22 of his 24 points in the second half to lead ECU, which rallied from a 22-point halftime deficit to tie the game. Caleb White had 17 points and Elijah Hughes added 15 for the Pirates (15-18). Ojeleye had 17 points and nine rebounds in the first half, when the Mustangs led by as many as 24 points. His dunk and free throw started a 17-5 run that gave them their first double-digit lead at 24-13. SMU hit 12 of its first 17 shots and went into halftime with a 43-21 lead. But the Pirates outscored SMU 56-38 in the second half. They trailed 63-45 with 7 minutes left before making their run. A 3-pointer by White, followed by a steal and layup from Elijah Hughes on the inbounds, cut it to 71-69 with just over 3 minutes left. SMU pushed the lead back to eight, but the Pirates rallied again and Hughes' 3-pointer tied the game at 77 with 57 seconds left. But Ojeleye hit a layup on the other end and Barkley fumbled the ball out of bounds, allowing the Mustangs to hang on.
THE SERIES VS. USC (1-5): The Trojans hold a 5-1 advantage over SMU, and have won the last three games. USC won at home, 78-73, on Nov. 25 to claim the first meeting since Dec. 28, 1994. SMU's lone win, 70-64, came on Dec. 29, 1955 at the SWC Christmas Tournament in Houston.
LAST MEETING VS. USC (L, 78-73 at USC on Nov. 25, 2016): LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Bennie Boatwright scored a season-high 17 points and De'Anthony Melton added 15 to lead Southern California to a 78-73 victory over SMU. Boatwright made 4-of-7 3-pointers and Jonah Matthews scored 14 points for the Trojans. USC (5-0) improved to 5-1 all-time against the Mustangs and shot 49.1 percent from the field. Melton scored nine points during a 19-4 run -- capped by Melton's 3 -- that gave USC a 51-41 lead with 10:56 to play. SMU cut the score to 74-68 with 1:15 to play following a steal and layup by
Shake Milton but would get no closer.
Ben Moore led SMU with 14 points.
Semi Ojeleye added 13 while Milton and
Sterling Brown each scored 12. The Trojans took a 19-14 lead following a 3-pointer by Shaqquan Aaron at the 9:39 mark. The Mustangs battled back and took a 22-21 lead before USC took a 28-27 lead into the break.
UP NEXT: If SMU advances, the Mustangs will face No. 3 seed [12/11] Baylor or No. 14 seed New Mexico State in the NCAA Second Round on Sunday in Tulsa.
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. 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 196-125 (.611) [39-4 at SMU, including 25-0 at Moody Coliseum]. 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.
- 7 Conference Titles (Colorado State - WAC '89, '90; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06, '07; SMU - AAC '15, '17)
- 5 Conference Tournament Titles (Illinois - Big Ten '03; Kansas - Big 12 '05, '06; SMU - AAC '15, '17)
- 10 NCAAs (CSU '89, '90; Oklahoma St '93; Illinois '03; Kansas '04 RF, '05, '06, '07 RF; SMU - '15, '17)
- 8 NITs (CSU '88, Vanderbilt '00, '02; Illinois State '08, '09, '10, '12; SMU '14 Final)
JANKOVICH IN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AND POSTSEASON GAMES: His teams are 13-8 (.619) in conference tournament games with one title (AAC 2017) in five trips to the championship game (Missouri Valley, 2008, '09, '12; Southland, 1994). While at Illinois State, Jankovich went 7-5 in conference tournament play. As a head coach, this is his first trip to the NCAA Tournament. He was 2-4 at Illinois State in the NIT (2008, '09, '10, '12).
NAISMITH TROPHY SEMIFINALIST: Tim Jankovich is one of 10 national semifinalists for the 2017 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on March 3. Four finalists will be announced on Thursday, March 16, and the award will be presented Sunday, April 2 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
COACH OF THE YEAR - AAC: In additon to being a Naismith Coach of the Year candidate,
Tim Jankovich was named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and the USBWA District VII Coach of the Year.
BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE BY A HEAD COACH AT CURRENT SCHOOL (Through March 12)
Tim Jankovich (SMU) - .907
Paul Weir (NM State) - .833
Bill Self (Kansas) - .826
John Calipari (Kentucky) - .826
Mark Few (Gonzaga) - .816
Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) - .787
Roy Williams (UNC) - .773
BEST RECORD AMONG COACHES IN FIRST FULL SEASON AT CURRENT SCHOOL (Through March 12)
1. Tim Jankovich, (SMU) - 30-4
2. Paul Weir, (New Mexico St.)- 28-5
3. Matt Lottich, (Valpo) - 24-8
(Jankovich, Weir & Brad Underwood of Oklahoma State are the only three coaches to make the NCAA Tournament in their first season as head coach at their current school)
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WINS: SMU leads The American in league wins (45-9) since the start of the 2014-15 season. The Mustangs have won the AAC regular season and tournament titles in 2014-15 and 2016-17. SMU went 17-1 in 2016-17 and 15-3 in 2014-15. SMU finished second at 13-5 in 2015-16, one game behind Temple.
W L PCT
SMU 45 9 .833
Cincinnati 41 13 .759
Tulsa 34 20 .630
Temple 34 20 .630
Connecticut 30 24 .556
Houston 28 26 .519
Memphis 27 27 .500
UCF 22 32 .407
East Carolina 16 38 .296
Tulane 12 42 .222
USF 8 46 .148
ATTENDANCE: SMU has surpassed 100,000 in attendance four straight 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 7,518 was set in the 60-51 win against then No. 11/11 Cincinnati (Feb. 12, 2017). The previous. SMU has sold out 49 of 66 games in Moody Coliseum since the renovated facility opened Jan. 4, 2014.
Total Season
124,986 2014-15 AAC Champs (15 sellouts in 18 games)
117,420 2015-16 (13 sellouts in 17 games)
124,198 2016-17 (12 sellouts in 18 games)
107,412 2013-14 (9 sellouts in 19 games - 13 games in Moody Coliseum)
101,296 1984-85
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 - AAC ALL-TOURNAMENT: Semi Ojeleye was named the AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player (22.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists), while
Sterling Brown (18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steal) and
Ben Moore (9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 block, 1.0 steal) were both named to the All-AAC Tournament Team. Ojeleye scored a career-high 36 points (12-19 FG, 1-5 3FG, 11-13 FT), with 12 rebounds against East Carolina in the quarterfinals. Brown scored 16 or more points in all three games, including game highs of 22 vs. UCF in the semifinal and 18 in the title game against Cincinnati. Moore posted 12 points and nine rebounds in the title game victory against then-No. 15/18 Cincinnati.
AWARDS - AAC COACH, PLAYER, SCHOLAR-ATHLETE & SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: The Mustangs earned four of the AAC's major individual awards.
Tim Jankovich was named Coach of the Year, Ben Emeogu II was selected as Co-Sixth Man of the Year, and
Semi Ojeleye took the honors for Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
AWARDS - ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: The Mustangs earned four All-AAC selections.
Semi Ojeleye was named to the first team while
Sterling Brown, Shake MIlton and
Ben Moore were listed on the second team. This is the second time in program history SMU has had four players earn all-conference honors in the same season. The first was in 1956-57 (Jim Krebs, Bobby Mills, Rick Herrscher and Larry Showalter).
Ben Emelogu II was named the AAC Sixth Man of the Year.
AWARDS - USBWA ALL-DISTRICT VII: Semi Ojeleye was named to the All-District VII team.
Tim Jankovich was named the District Coach of the Year.
AWARDS - THE AMERICAN WEEKLY AWARDS: Semi Ojeleye was named the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Nov. 14 and Feb. 13, and has been named to the Weekly Honor Roll six times (Nov. 21, Dec. 12, Dec. 26, Jan. 2, Jan. 9, March 6).
Sterling Brown was selected as The American Player of the Week on Feb. 6 and March 6, and to the Weekly Honor Roll on Jan. 2.
Shake Milton has been named to the Weekly Honor Roll three times (Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 27) and
Ben Moore has a pair of honors (Dec. 5, Feb. 20).
AWARDS - CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA: Semi Ojeleye was named CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team. The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. The junior holds a 3.65 GPA in psychology, while ranking among the leaders in the American Athletic Conference in points, rebounds, field goal percentage and three point percentage. He is the third Mustangs named Academic All-America (Pete Lodwick 1976-77, Eric Castro 2004-05). Ojeleye was named CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 First Team to advance to the All-America ballot.
AWARDS - JERRY WEST SHOOTING GUARD OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST: Sophomore
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 Oct. 18. The annual honor recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men's college basketball. As a freshman, Milton was a unanimous AAC All-Rookie selection after ranking third in the league for 3-point percentage (42.6, 52-122), 13th in field goal percentage (47.7) and 28th in scoring (10.5). He 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 - 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.org), 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 event is Nov. 22-24 with Villanova, Tennessee, Arizona, Purdue, Western Kentucky, N.C. State & Northern Iowa.
1000 AND A LOT MOORE: Senior
Ben Moore has 1209 career points (26th at SMU), and became the 39th person in program history to 1,000 points (on a dunk vs. Temple 1/4/17). He also has 776 rebounds (9th at SMU), 125 blocked shots (8th at SMU), 240 assists and 102 steals (T-23rd at SMU). He is just the fifth Mustang to have at least 1000 points, 600 rebounds and 100 blocked shots. He is the first to also record at least 200 assists and 100 steals. Moore is one of just four players nationally to record career totals of at least 1000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 blocks and 100 steals. Moore and Reggie Upshaw Jr from Middle Tennessee State are the only two that are on teams in the NCAA Tournament. Others are Ryan Taylor of Marshall and Tim Coleman of NJIT.
Points Rebs Blocks Assists Steals
Jon Koncak, 1981-85 1784 1169 278 173 74
Ira Terrell, 1972-76 1715 1077 169 141 N/A
Papa Dia, 2007-11 1437 911 143 133 91
Patrick Simpson, 2001-05 1271 759 151 122 69
Ben Moore, 2013- 1209 776 125 240 102
1000 STERLING POINTS: Senior
Sterling Brown has 1093 career points (T-32nd at SMU), and became the 40th person in program history to 1,000 points (in the win vs. Tulsa 3/2/17). He also has 647 rebounds (16th at SMU), 292 assists (15th at SMU), 137 steals (9th at SMU) and 51 blocked shots (T-23rd at SMU). He is the first Mustang to have at least 1000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 100 steals.
2ND TO NONE: Seniors
Sterling Brown and
Ben Moore, both Chicago area natives (Brown is from Maywood and Moore is from Bolingbrook), are the all-time leaders in wins for SMU basketball. They are also among the leaders in several other career categories.
SMU CAREER WINS (in games played - 109 is 12th in NCAA through March 12)
1. ^ 109 Sterling Brown, 2013-17
2. ^" 108 Ben Moore, 2013-17
3. 85 Butch Moore, 1982-86
4. ^ 81 Cannen Cunningham, 2011-15
^ 81 Ryan Manuel, 2011-15
6. 80 Scott Johnson, 1983-87
7. 79 Terry Williams, 1983-87
8. ^ 78
Nic Moore, 2013-16
9. 73 Jon Koncak, 1981-85
10. 72 Larry Davis, 1981-85
^ wins from 2013-14 later vacated
"
Ben Moore missed the win vs. Brown 11/29/15
SMU CAREER STATS & RANKS
Brown Moore
Victories 109 1st 108 2nd
Games 135 1st 134 T-2nd
Starts 105 6th 92 T-12th
Points 1093 T-32nd 1209 26th
Rebounds 647 16th 776 9th
Assists 292 15th 240 23rd
Blocks 51 T-23rd 125 8th
Steals 137 9th 102 T-23rd
FG% .503 T-14th .540 7th
3FG% .446 2nd 1-5
3FGs 125 13th 1
SMU CAREER GAMES PLAYED
1 135
Sterling Brown, 2013-17 (31st in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
2 134 Cannen Cunnningham, 2011-15
134 Ryan Manuel, 2011-15
134 Ben Moore, 2013-17 (41st in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
5 125 Butch Moore, 1982-86
3 TIMES THE CHARM: SMU has three of the program's best career 3-point shooters by percentage in
Sterling Brown,
Shake Milton and
Semi Ojeleye. Milton and Brown are both in the top 15 for threes made.
SMU Career 3FG Pct. - (min. 50 made)
1 47.3 Eric Longino (62-131), 1987-89
2 44.6
Sterling Brown (125-280), 2013- (5th in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
3 43.4 Robert Nyakundi (267-615), 2008-12
4 42.8
Semi Ojeleye (71-166), 2016-
5 42.5 Shake Milton (131-308), 2015- (26th in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
6 42.2 Todd Alexander (92-218), 1987-89
7 42.1
Nic Moore (225-534), 2013-16
8 41.1 Troy Dorner (51-124), 1991-94
9 40.0 Carlton McKinney (64-160), 1986-88
SMU Best Season 3FG Pct (Since 1986-87) Minimum 20 Made
1 53.6
Sterling Brown (Jr.), 2015-16 (30-56)
2 53.2 Eric Longino (Sr.), 1988-89 (50-94)
3 49.7 Robert Nyakundi (Jr.), 2010-11 (97-195)
4 47.6 Troy Dorner (Sr.), 1993-94 (39-82)
5 47.5 Scott Johnson (Sr.), 1986-87 (44-99)
6 45.7 Lavardicus Atkins (Fr.), 2000-01 (21-46)
7 45.3 Todd Alexander (Jr.), 1987-88 (82-181)
45.3 Ike Ofoegbu (Sr.), 2006-07 (29-64)
9 44.4
Sterling Brown (So.), 2014-15 (20-45)
10 44.3 Jarrey Foster (So.), 2016-17 (31-70)
11 43.9 Sterling Brown (Sr.), 2016-17 (58-132)
12 43.6
Nic Moore (So.), 2013-14 (72-165)
13 42.8
Semi Ojeleye (Jr.), 2016-17 (71-166)
14 42.6
Shake Milton (Fr.), 2015-16 (52-122)
15 42.5 Shake Milton (So.), 2016-17 (79-186)
SMU Career 3FG Made
1 273 Stephen Woods, 1996-00
2 267 Robert Nyakundi, 2008-12
3 256 Bryan Hopkins, 2002-06
4 225
Nic Moore, 2013-16
5 220 Troy Matthews, 1993-97
6 170 Quinton Ross, 1999-03
7 161 Chad Allen, 1990-94
8 133 Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01
9 131
Mike Walker, 2007-11
131 Shake Milton, 2015-
11 125 Sterling Brown, 2013-
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.)
BALANCED SCORING: SMU has had four score in double figures in 24 of 34 games this season with five in double figures seven times. The Mustangs almost have five averaging double figures.
Semi Ojeleye leads SMU at 18.9 (3rd AAC) followed by
Sterling Brown at 13.3 (13th AAC),
Shake Milton at 13.1 (16th AAC),
Ben Moore 11.6 (23rd AAC) and
Jarrey Foster at 9.9. 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.
YEARS WITH FIVE AVERAGING DOUBLE-FIGURE POINTS (2015-16 was the first time since 1975-76)
2016-17 Semi Ojeleye 18.9, Sterling brown 13.3, Shake Milton 13.1, Ben Moore 11.6 (Jarrey Foster 9.9)
2015-16
Nic Moore 16.1,
Ben Moore 11.9,
Jordan Tolbert 11.6,
Shake Milton 10.5,
Sterling Brown 10.1
Moore (All-America HM, AAC Player of the Year, All-AAC 1st Team); Milton (AAC All-Rookie Team)
1975-76 Ira Terrell 22.6, Michael Jaccar 11.9, Joe Swedlund 11.1, Peter Lodwick 10.5, Bob Arnold 10.5
Terrell (All-America HM), SWC Player of the Year, All-SWC 1st Team); Jaccar (All-SWC 2nd Team)
1974-75 Russell Bourquein 13.3, Jeff Swanson 11.2, John Sagehorn 11.0, Joe Swedlund 10.7, Bob Arnold 10.1
1971-72 Ruben Triplett 18.2, Larry Delzell 12.3, Bobby Rollings 11.3, David Miller 10.7, Zachary Theil 10.0
Triplett (All-SWC 1st Team); SWC Champs
1966-67 Denny Holman 16.5, Charles Beasley 15.0, Lynn Phillips 14.1, Bob Begert 13.2, Bill Voight 11.3
Holman (SWC Player of the Year), Holman & Beasley (All-SWC 1st Team)
SWC Champs, NCAA 2nd Rnd
1955-56 Jim Krebs 19.1, Bobby Mills 13.0, Joel Krog 12.0, Larry Showalter 11.0, Ron Morris 10.2
Krebs (All-America 2nd Team); Krebs, Mills & Showalter (All-SWC 1st Team)
SWC Champs, NCAA Final Four
KENPOM OFFENSIVE RATING: SMU had 5 of the top 8 in The American in league play.
Semi Ojeleye - 1st (Offensive Rating 132.5)
Shake Milton - 3rd (Offensive Rating 123.2)
Jarrey Foster - 6th (Offensive Rating 120.2)
Sterling Brown - 8th (Offensive Rating 118.5)
Ben Moore - 4th (Offensive Rating 122.4)
SMU Season Points (Since 1953-54) (GP)
1 737 Gene Phillips (Sr.), 1970-71 (26)
2 685 Gene Phillips (Jr.), 1969-70 (24)
3 641 Semi Ojeleye (Jr.), 2016-17
4 639 Papa Dia (Sr.), 2010-11 (35)
5 634 Ira Terrell (Sr.), 1975-76 (28)
6 624 Jim Krebs (Sr.), 1956-57 (26)
7 608 Quinton Ross (Sr.), 2002-03 (30)
8 597 Ira Terrell (So.), 1973-74 (27)
9 574 Jim Krebs (Jr.), 1955-56 (30)
10 572 Damon Hancock (Sr.), 2001-02 (29)
BALL MOVEMENT: SMU is averaging 16.4 assists (1st AAC, 25th NCAA) with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd AAC, 8th NCAA), recording assists on 62.4 percent of field goals (11th NCAA). Six Mustangs average 1.4 or more assists. SMU has had 20 or more assists 9 times. In 15 games, five different Mustangs have had multiple assists.
Shake Milton leads SMU at 4.5 assists (5th AAC) followed by
Sterling Brown at 3.0 (15th AAC),
Ben Moore at 2.4,
Jarrey Foster at 2.2, Ben Emelogu at 1.9 and
Semi Ojeleye at 1.4.
BEST WIN STREAKS/START(S) IN PROGRAM HISTORY: SMU's current 16-game winning streak is third in program history. It is the second 10-plus game winning streak of the season. In 2015-16, SMU started 18-0, which was the best start 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 streak in program history (20 during 1955-56). The 7-0 start to the 2015-16 AAC schedule was the best league start since going 12-0 en route to the 1955-56 SWC title.
WINNING STREAKS - LONGEST IN SMU HISTORY:
Wins Start Date End Date
20 at Wichita State; W, 85-67 (Dec. 22, 1955) vs #1 San Francisco (Final Four), L 86-68 (March 2, 1956)
18 Sam Houston State; W, 85-50 (Nov. 14, 2015) at Temple; L, 89-80 (Jan. 24, 2016)
16 + at Tulane, W, 80-64 (Jan. 15, 2017)
10 Texas Tech; W, 89-82 (Nov. 22, 1997) at UTEP; L, 66-64 (Jan. 3, 1998)
10 at Arkansas; W, 75-74 (Feb. 2, 1966) #2 Kansas (NCAA Regional); L, 96-90 (March 11, 1966)
10 CSU Bakersfield; W, 49-43 (Dec. 2, 2016) at 22/22 Cincinnati; L, 66-64 (Jan. 12, 2017)
9 Texas Southern; W, 91-72 (Nov. 23, 1984) at Chaminade; L, 71-70 (Dec. 25, 1984)
9 Eastern Kentucky; W, 66-45 (Dec. 6, 1947) Baylor; L, 43-42 (Jan. 10, 1948)
CLASSROOM RECORDS: SMU's football, men's basketball and women's basketball programs had a record-setting fall semester in the classroom. The football and women's basketball teams set program-best cumulative grade-point-averages while men's basketball reached its highest cumulative GPA since 2004. It was the second-straight outstanding semester for all three programs. Football had a new program high in the spring of 2016. Spring of 2016 also saw women's basketball record its best spring since 2005 and men's basketball post its best mark since 2011. The programs combined for 35 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Honors in 2016. Football had 29 representatives while men's and women's basketball had three apiece.
CRASHING THE GLASS: SMU has a +9.0 rebound margin this season (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA), outrebounding 27 of 34 opponents. SMU has led The American in rebound margin for three straight seasons. SMU has outrebounded 125 of 167 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 +9.0 1st - 3rd 27 of 34 (+10 in 16 games)
SMU Season Rebound Margin (The previous 3 seasons are all in the top 6 in program history.)
1. 10.2 (39.4-29.3) 2015-16
--- 9.0 2016-17
2. 8.4 (37.2-28.8) 1988-89
3. 6.7 (36.6-29.9) 2014-15
4. 5.7 (48.5-42.8) 1959-60
5. 5.0 (46.5-41.5) 1958-59
6. 4.8 (36.0-31.3) 2013-14
7. 4.6 (38.1-33.5) 1984-85
8. 4.3 (43.3-39.0) 1999-00
SMU Career Rebounds
1 1169 Jon Koncak, 1981-85
2 1077 Ira Terrell, 1972-76
3 976 Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01
4 911 Papa Dia, 2007-11
5 889 Larry Davis, 1981-85
6 840 Jim Krebs, 1954-57
7 790 Willie Davis, 1997-01
8 785 Jeff Swanson, 1974-78
9 776 Ben Moore, 2013- (35th in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
10 759 Patrick Simpson, 2001-05
11 745 Joel Krog, 1953-56
12 690 Tim Mason, 1989-93
13 687 Carroll Hooser, 1963-66
14 669 Lynn Phillips, 1966-69
15 650 Quinton Ross, 1999-03
16 647 Sterling Brown, 2013- (86th in NCAA D-I among active student-athletes)
CRASHING THE GLASS - BALANCED REBOUNDING: SMU has 5 different players averaging 4.0 rebounds per game or better.
Ben Moore leads SMU at 7.9 (4th AAC) followed by
Semi Ojeleye at 6.8 (14th AAC),
Sterling Brown at 6.5 (16th AAC),
Jarrey Foster at 5.2 and
Shake Milton at 4.1.
DEFENSE - FG%: SMU has held opponents to 38.4% this season (2nd AAC, 7th NCAA). Since the start of 2012-13, SMU has held 92 of 167 opponents at or below 40%.
Season FG% Def. Conf.-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 .384 2nd - 7th 19 of 34
DEFENSE - SCORING: SMU has held opponents to 59.8 points per game (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA).
Season Scoring Def. Conf.-NCAA Opp. Under 70 Opp. Under 60
2013-14 62.2 3rd - 24th 30 of 37 17 of 37
2014-15 59.8 2nd - 20th 28 of 34 20 of 34
2015-16 63.4 2nd - 13th 22 of 30 11 of 30
2016-17 59.8 1st - 3rd 28 of 34 16 of 34
SMU Season Scoring Defense: The past 4 seasons have all ranked in the top 10 in program history.
1. 59.8 (34 games) 2014-15
--- 59.8 2016-17
2. 60.1 (32 games) 2011-12
3. 61.3 (35 games) 2010-11
4. 61.4 (29 games) 1985-86
5. 62.2 (25 games) 1957-58
6. 62.2 (37 games) 2013-14
7. 62.6 (31 games) 2006-07
8. 62.7 (32 games) 2012-13
9. 63.2 (24 games) 1958-59
10. 63.4 (30 games) 2015-16
DEFENSE - SCORING MARGIN: SMU has a scoring margin of +14.7 (1st AAC, 6th NCAA).
Season Margin Conf.-NCAA Games +10 Games +20
2013-14 8.8 3rd - 38th 17 of 37 7 of 37
2014-15 9.4 1st - 23rd 16 of 34 5 of 34
2015-16 13.9 1st - 4th 17 of 30 9 of 30
2016-17 14.7 1st - 6th 22 of 34 12 of 34
SMU Season Scoring Margin: The past 3 seasons are in the top 6 in program history.
--- 14.7 2016-17
1. 13.9 (77.3-63.4) 2015-16
2. 13.4 (77.6-64.2) 1956-57
3. 11.0 (78.8-67.7) 1955-56
4. 10.4 (82.3-71.8) 1987-88
5. 9.4 (69.1-59.8) 2014-15
6. 8.8 (71.0-62.2) 2013-14
7. 8.4 (77.1-68.7) 1953-54
8. 8.1 (75.9-67.8) 1983-84
9. 8.0 (75.5-67.5) 1984-85
10. 7.5 (77.3-69.8) 1999-00
FG%: SMU is shooting 47.4% this season (1st 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 29 of 34 opponents. The Mustangs have outshot 129 of 167 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 .474 1st - 39th 29 of 34
FG% - SMU CAREER - (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 54.0 Ben Moore, 2013-
8 53.6 John Colborne (382-713), 1985-90
9 53.5 Glenn Puddy (289-540), 1984-86,87-89
10 53.1
Markus Kennedy (400-754), 2013-16
---
T-14 50.3 Sterling Brown, 2013-
FREE THROWS ARE STERLING: Sterling Brown hit 26 straight free throws during American Athletic Conference play from the game against Houston on Jan. 21 until a miss at Connecticut on Feb. 25 (6-6 vs. Houston 1/21, 0-0 at UCF 1/25, 4-4 vs. East Carolina 2/1, 5-5 at Tulsa 2/4, 0-0- at Temple 2/9, 2-2 vs. Cincinnati 2/12, 1-1 vs. Tulane 2/15, 7-7 at Houston 2/18, 1-2 at Connecticut 2/25 [missed 2nd]). That was his second streak of 20-plus. He hit 22 straight in league play in 2015-16. Brown led the AAC at 87.2% (41-47) in league games and ranks seventh in the AAC at 79.8 percent for the season.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE MUSTANGS (Current Roster): In the past few seasons, several Mustangs have played in international events or gone on international tours. Additionally, 2-time All-American
Nic Moore helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2015 World University Games in South Korea.
2016: Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Croatia):
Jarrey Foster,
Shake Milton,
Semi Ojeleye;
East Coast USA (Italy):
Dashawn McDowell
2015: Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands):
Ben Moore,
Sterling Brown,
Semi Ojeleye and
Ben Emelogu II
2014: Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands):
Ben Moore,
Sterling Brown
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 19-3 in regular season 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 eight 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 +8.1 advantage in the paint through 34 games (28.5 to 20.4). 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 134 of 166 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 26 of 34 (28.5 to 20.4)
RALLY: The Mustangs rallied from 15 points down at halftime (42-27) to win 80-75 versus Tulane on Feb. 15. That ties for the seventh-largest comeback in program history. It was the biggest comeback in the five seasons
Tim Jankovich has been at SMU. SMU then rallied back from 13 points down (24-11) in the first half at Houston for a 76-66 victory (tied 18th-largest comeback at SMU). The Mustangs also trailed then-No. 11/11 Cincinnati 40-31 before winning 60-51 at Moody on Feb. 12.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Mustangs are 24-11 on the road since the start of the 2014-15 season with a 32-13 mark away from Moody Coliseum (8-2 neutral site). SMU is 20-7 in AAC road games in that stretch (7-2 in 2014-15; 5-4 in 2015-16; 8-1 in 2016-17). SMU was 7-4 on the road in 2015-16 after going 9-4 on the road in 2014-15. The nine road wins rank second in school history (10 in 1955-56). The Mustangs won seven straight road games, which was the longest streak since a program-record eight in 1955-56. The 2014-15 streak was all in AAC play, the most consecutive league road victories since seven straight from 1983-84 to 1984-85 (record 10 from 1954-55 to 1956-57). At 7-2 in The American, SMU finished with its most conference road wins in a season (previous record was 6 in 1955-56, 1966-67, 1983-84.)
SMU - Best Road Start:
5-0 in 1934-35 & 2015-16
4-0 in 1927-28
SMU - Most Road Wins In A Season:
10 in 1955-56
9 in 2014-15
8 in 1961-62, 1983-84, 2016-17
7 in 1966-67, 1987-88, 1992-93, 1999-00, 2015-16
SMU - Most Consecutive Road Wins:
8 in 1955-56
7 in 2014-15
6 in 1966-67, 2014-15 (last 1) to 2015-16 (first 5), 2016-17 (last 6+)
SMU - Most Conference Road Wins In A Season:
8 in 2016-17 (8-1)
7 in 2014-15 (7-2)
6 in 1955-56 (6-0), 1966-67 (6-1), 1983-84 (6-2), 2015-16 (6-1)
SMU - Most Consecutive Conference Road Wins:
10 in a span from 1954-55 to 1956-57 (1954-55: won last 2; 1955-56: won all 6; 1956-57: won first 2)
7 in a span from 1983-84 to 1984-85 (1983-84: won last 4; 1984-85: won first 3), 2014-15
TOP 25: SMU is No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. SMU is in the AP top 25 for the sixth straight week (after 4 weeks of receiving votes) and its fifth week in the coaches poll (after five straight weeks receiving votes). The Mustangs also received votes in 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. - SMU is one of 14 teams that has been ranked in the AP top 20 each of the past 4 seasons.
TROPHY CASE: Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Mustangs have added six items to the trophy case after adding the 2016-17 American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. SMU has also won 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.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- Naismith National Coach of the Year
Tim Jankovich (1 of 10 semifinalists - March 3)
- Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year
Shake Milton (1 of 20 on Watch List - Oct. 18)
- USBWA District VII Awards
Tim Jankovich (Coach of the Year - March 7)
Semi Ojeleye (All-District - March 7)
- American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team
Semi Ojeleye (MOP) (22.3 pts, 9.0 rebs, 2.0 asts, 56.8% FG, 20-23 FT)
Sterling Brown (18.7 pts, 3.3 rebs, 2.7 asts, 1.0 stl, 60.7% FG, 7-12 3FG, 15-18 FT)
Ben Moore (9.0 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.7 asts, 1.0 stl, 1.0 blk)
- All-American Athletic Conference
Semi Ojeleye (First Team)
Sterling Brown (Second Team)
Shake Milton (Second Team)
Ben Moore (Second Team)
Ben Emelogu II (Sixth Man of the Year)
- 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)
Sterling Brown - Feb. 6 (21.0 pts, 7.0 rebs, 3.0 asts, 2.0 stls, 14-24 FG, 5-11 3FG, 9-9 FT in 2-0 week)
Semi Ojeleye - Feb. 13 (24.0 pts, 7.0 rebs, 2.5 asts, 1.0 blk, wins at Temple & vs. 11/11 Cincinnati)
Sterling Brown - March 6 (22.5 pts, 6.5 rebs, 2.5 asts, 1.5 stls, 14-22 FG, 8-15 3FG, 9-11 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)
Ben Moore - Dec. 5 (13.3 pts, 12.3 rebs, 2.3 blks, 1.7 asts, 15-27 FG, 2 dbl-dbls, 2-1 week)
Semi Ojeleye - Dec. 12 (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks in win vs. TCU)
Semi Ojeleye - Dec. 26 (20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists in wins vs. Stanford & Albany)
Semi Ojeleye - Jan. 2 (14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds in wins at Memphis & ECU)
Sterling Brown - Jan. 2 (13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists in wins at Memphis & ECU)
Semi Ojeleye - Jan. 9 (20.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists in wins vs. Temple & USF)
Shake Milton - Jan. 23 (25.0 pts, 5.0 rebs, 5.5 asts, FG 18-31, 3FG 11-17 vs. UConn & Houston)
Shake Milton - Jan. 30 (19 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls, 0 TOs in win at UCF)
Ben Moore - Feb. 20 (16.5 pts, 13.0 rebs, 3.5 asts, 2.0 stls, 2 double-doubles in 2-0 week)
Shake Milton - Feb. 27 (20 pts, 8 rebs, 2 asts, 1 TO, 6-11 3FG in win at Connecticut)
Semi Ojeleye - March 6 (22.5 pts, 5.0 rebs, 1.5 asts, 14-15 FG, 6-7 3FG, 11-14 FT in 2-0 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)
- CoSIDA Academic All-America (Second Team)
Semi Ojeleye - March 2 (3.65 GPA in Psychology)
- CoSIDA Academic All-District
Semi Ojeleye - Feb. 9 (3.65 GPA in Psychology)
- Allstate NABC Good Works Team Nominee
Jonathan Wilfong - Nov. 30
- Preseason All-American Athletic Conference
Ben Moore (First Team - Oct. 24)
Shake Milton (Second Team - Oct. 24)
STERLING BROWN (6-6, 230, G, Sr.): 2016-17: Averaging 13.3 points (13th AAC), 6.5 rebounds (16th AAC), 3.0 assists (15th AAC), 1.6 Assist/Turnover Ratio (9th AAC) and 1.4 steals (7th AAC)… FG% 45.4, 3FG% 43.9 (1st AAC), FT% 79.8 (7th AAC)... 6 double-doubles… Has 1,093 career points… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Double-digit scoring performances in 27-of-34 games (20 of last 24)… AAC TOURNAMENT: Averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals during the AAC Conference Tournament… Scored 16 or more points in all three games, including game-highs of 22 and 18 in the title game and semifinal game, respectively… REGULAR SEASON: Scored 26 points (9-13 FG, 4-8 3FG, 4-5 FT) with 10 rebounds against Memphis (March 4)… Scored 19 points (including his 1,000th career point) with 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals against Tulsa (March 2)… Scored a career high 27 points (9-15 FG, 4-7 3FG, 5-5 FT), with 5 rebounds and an assist, block and steal at Tulsa (Feb. 4)… Posted 20 points (8-12 FG, 4-6 3FG), with 3 steals at Cincinnati (Jan. 12)… Scored 19 points (7-12 FG), including a career-high 5 3FG made (5-9) against U SF (Jan. 7)… Career high 8 assists against Connecticut (Jan. 19) … Tallied a career-high 13 rebounds against Delaware State on Dec. 4… AWARDS: Named All-AAC Tournament Team (March 12)… Named All-AAC Second Team (March 7)… Named the AAC Player of the Week (Feb. 6) …Named to AAC Honor Roll (Jan. 2).
BEN EMELOGU II (6-6, 215, G, Jr.): 2016-17: Averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds… Has three starts, including at UCF (Jan. 25) …GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded a season high 13 points (5-6 FG, 3-4 3FG), with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal against Houston (Jan. 21)… Scored 11 points - 9 in the second half - against Cincinnati (Feb. 12)… Posted 11 points against USF (Jan. 7)… Scored 8 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal at Houston (Feb. 18)… Posted 7 points with 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists at Tulane (Jan. 17)… Had a season-high 6 assists against McNeese (Dec. 14) … Recorded a season high 7 rebounds against Pittsburgh (Nov. 17) … AWARDS: Named AAC Sixth Man of the Year (March 7)
JARREY FOSTER (6-6, 220, G, So.): 2016-17: Averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds… FG% 52.9 (3rd AAC), 3FG% 44.3… 1 double-double… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: 15 double-digit scoring performances this season… AAC TOURNAMENT: Scored 13 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists against then-No. 15/18 Cincinnati in the AAC title game (March 12)… REGULAR SEASON: Scored a career-high 19 twice… Posted 19 points with three rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals against Tulane (Feb. 15)… Had 19 with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal at Tulane (Jan. 17) … Tallied 18 points with 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal against Tulsa (March 2)… Recorded 17 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for his first career double-double against USF (Jan. 7) … Had a career high 3 blocks against East Carolina (Dec. 31) … Career high 7 assists against UC Santa Barbara (Nov. 22).
LEO KONTOPOULOS (6-9, 210, F, Fr.): Played in 19 games… Has 8 points on the season in 33 minutes of play… 2015-16: Spent the season with the Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C. in Thessaloniki, Greece… Saw action in eight games.
DASHAWN MCDOWELL (6-5, 185, G, Fr.): 2016-17: GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Played in 29 games… Scored a career-high 7 points (2-5 FG, 3-4 FT) against McNeese (Dec. 14)… Scored 5 points, with a rebound and assist against East Carolina (Feb. 1)… Had 4 points, with 3 assists and a rebound against Memphis (March 4)... Scored 4 points, with a block against Stanford (Dec. 19)… Tallied 4 rebounds twice (Eastern Michigan, Nov. 13; UCSB, Nov. 22)… 2016 SUMMER: Played for USA East Coast on a basketball tour in Italy…The team went 3-1 on the trip.
SHAKE MILTON (6-6, 205, G, So.): 2016-17: Averaging 13.1 points (T-16th AAC), 4.5 assists (5th AAC) and 1.3 steals (T-10th AAC)… FG% 44.0, 3FG% 42.5 (4th AAC), FT 75.8 (T-11th AAC) … 2.5 Assist/Turnover ratio (3rd AAC) … 1 double-double… GAME HIGHLIGTS: 27 double-digit scoring performances this season (21 of last 25 games)… Has tallied 5+ assists in 16 games, with at least 3 in 30-of-34 games this season… AAC TOURNAMENT: Scored 16 points with 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals against UCF in the semifinal game (March 11)… REGULAR SEASON: Scored 15 points with a career-high 10 assists for his first career double-double against Tulsa (March 2)… Scored a career-high 27 points (10-15 FG, 6-8 3FG, 1-1 FT) against Houston (Jan. 21)… 23 points against Connecticut (Jan. 19)… Tallied 20 points with 18 in the first half (6-7 3FG) at Connecticut (Feb. 25)… Career-high 9 rebounds at Tulane (Jan. 17)… AWARDS: Named All-AAC Second Team (March 7)… Named to the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watch list… AAC preseason all-conference second team… AAC Weekly Honor Roll three times (Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 27)
BEN MOORE (6-8, 220, F, Sr.): 2016-17: Averaging 11.6 points (23rd AAC), 7.9 rebounds (T-4th AAC) and 1.1 blocked shots (12th AAC) … FG% 56.3 (2nd AAC), FT% 62.7… 8 double-doubles…Has 1,209 career points… AAC TOURNAMENT: Averaged 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals… Scored 12 points with 9 rebounds, an assist, steal and a block in the title game against then-No. 15/18 Cincinnati (March 12)… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Has double-digit points in 24-of-34 games… 5+ rebounds in 28-of-34 games…Scored 18 points (including his 1,000th career point), with 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal against Temple (Jan. 4)… Scored a season-high 19 points at Boise State (Nov. 30)... Scored 18 (7-9 FG, 4-7 FT) with 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals at Houston (Feb. 18)… Scored 15 points with 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block against Tulane (Feb. 15) … AWARDS: Named All-AAC Tournament Team (March 12)… Named All-AAC Second Team (March 7)… AAC preseason all-conference first team… Named to AAC Honor Roll (Dec. 5, Feb. 20).
SEMI OJELEYE (6-7, 235, F, Jr.): 2016-17: Averaging 18.9 (3rd AAC) and 6.8 rebounds (14th AAC)… FG% 49.1 (6th AAC), 3FG% 42.8 (3rd AAC), FT% 77.9 (9th AAC)… 5 double-doubles… GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Has scored 10+ points in 33-of-34 games (26 straight games), with 20+ in 12, 30+ in 2… AAC TOURNAMENT: Averaged 22.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists… Scored a career high 36 points (12-19 FG, 1-5 3FG, 11-13 FT), with 12 rebounds against East Carolina in the quarterfinals (March 10)… Scored 17 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists against UCF (March 11)… Posted 14 points with 9 rebounds and 3 assists in the title game against then-No. 15/18 Cincinnati (March 12)… REGULAR SEASON: Set a career-high 30 points (8-16 FG, 4-8 3FG, 10-11 FT), with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal at Temple (Feb. 9)… Scored 28 points (9-15 FG, 4-6 3FG, 6-9 FT) against Albany (Dec. 20)… Scored 22 points, with 9 rebounds at Houston (Feb. 18)… Scored 26 points (9-9 FG, 3-3 3FG, 5-7 FT) with 4 rebounds a steal and a block… Posted 20 points, 6 rebounds and career highs in assists (4) and steals (3) against Houston (Jan. 21)… Recorded a career-high 14 rebounds against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11)… AWARDS: Named AAC All-Tournament MOP (March 13)… Awarded AAC Player of the Year and AAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (March 9)… Named CoSIDA All-Academic Second Team (March 2)… Named USBWA All-District VII Team (March 7)… Named All-AAC First Team (March 7)… Named to CoSIDA All-District 7 Team (Feb. 9)… Was named to the 2K Classic All-Tournament Team… Named the AAC Player of the Week on Nov. 14 and Feb. 13… Named to AAC Honor Roll five times (Nov. 21, Dec. 12, Dec. 26, Jan. 2, Jan. 7).
JAMES PYLE (6-3, 175, G, Fr.-RS): Played in 12 games… Scored his first career FG at Tulsa… Added to the active roster on Dec. 2, 2016… Scored 5 points against Memphis (March 4)… Recorded 1 rebound in 2 minutes against McNeese (Dec. 14)… Made first appearance against Delaware State (Dec. 4)…Played against TCU (Dec. 7), Stanford (Dec. 19) and Albany (Dec. 20).
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.
JONATHAN WILFONG (6-2, 185, G, Jr.): 2016-17: Played in 22 games…Started against Memphis (March 4)… Scored 4 points, with 3 assists against Memphis (March 4)… Scored 2 points with 1 rebound against East Carolina (Feb. 1)… Recorded a rebound at East Carolina (Dec. 31)… 1 rebounded against Memphis (Dec. 27)… Made 1 FG and had 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
