SMU (13-6, 3-3 American) hosts Tulane (12-6, 3-3) on Saturday at 5 p.m. Both teams enter the game off wins, SMU won 83-78 at No. 7 Wichita State on Wednesday while Tulane defeated Houston 81-72 in New Orleans. SMU is 33-1 in the last 34 games at Moody Coliseum and 61-4 since the start of 2014-15. The Green Wave won the first matchup this season 73-70 in New Orleans on January 4.
 
The Mustangs are third in The American in scoring defense at 61.9 (9th NCAA). SMU has not allowed more than 67 points at home this season. The Mustangs lead the AAC in 3-point percentage (.417, 8th NCAA) and are second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4, 26th NCAA), turnover margin (3.3, 34th NCAA), 3-pointers made (8.9), steals (8.0), turnovers (12.0) and turnovers forced (15.3). SMU is third in the AAC in assists and 35th nationally at 16.7 per game. 
 
Five Mustangs are averaging double-digit scoring with Shake Milton leading the team at 18.3 (4th AAC). Jarrey Foster averages 13.2 (15th AAC), Ethan Chargois at 11.6 (25th AAC), Ben Emelogu 10.3 and Jahmal McMurray is averaging 10.0. Jimmy Whitt is adding 9.8 per game.
 
Emelogu is leading the AAC in 3-point percentage at 57.7 on 45-78 with McMurray hitting 45.7 percent (16-35), Milton at 43.8 percent (5th AAC) and Chargois hitting 41.5 percent (7th AAC). All five starters are averaging at least 4.5 rebounds with Foster at 5.9 per game (12th AAC), followed by Jimmy Whitt at 5.2 (19th AAC), Ethan Chargois at 4.9, Ben Emelogu at 4.9, and Milton at 4.5 per game. Milton is third in the AAC at 4.5 assists per game with Whitt 10th in the AAC at 3.6 per game and Foster at 2.7 per contest. Whitt is fourth in the AAC with a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio, followed by Milton at 2.0 (6th AAC). 
 
QUICK HITS:
- SMU is one of two teams with three wins over AP Top 15 teams in 2017-18 (No. 2 Arizona, No. 14 USC, No. 7 Wichita State), Oklahoma is the other
- Shake Milton is one of 13 players nationally averaging at least 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
- Shake Milton has scored 10+ in 20 straight games
- Milton leads active AAC players in 3s (183), 3% (.427), 2rd in assists (327)
- All 5 SMU starters have received weekly honors from The American (Shake Milton 2x POTW, Ethan Chargois 2x ROTW, Jimmy Whitt HR, Jarrey Foster HR, Ben Emelogu HR)
- SMU is 48-12 in AAC play since start of 2014-15 (best in the league)
- 12th in the nation in percentage of FGs assisted (63.7%)
- SMU leads the AAC and is 8th nationally in 3FG percentage (.417)
- SMU is 3rd in the AAC and 9th nationally in scoring defense (61.9)
- Ben Emelogu leads the AAC in 3FG percentage (.577, 45-78)
 
LAST GAME (W, 83-78 at [7/4] Wichita State on Jan. 17): SMUMustangs.com: WICHITA, Kan. (SMU) - SMU entered Koch Arena and did something that no team had accomplished in the last time 27 tries: beat Wichita State. Preseason American Player of the Year Shake Milton delivered his finest performance of the season as SMU gave No. 7 Wichita State its first-ever American Athletic Conference loss with the 83-78 victory. Milton was simply fantastic for the Mustangs on Wednesday night, pouring in a career-high 33 points on 11-of-14 shooting. When SMU needed a bucket to quell a Shockers' rally, it seemed like Milton always had the answer. Milton either scored or assisted on more than half of SMU's baskets (16 of 30) as he rolled to the second-most points scored by a player against Wichita State all season. Wichita State made pushes of its own down the stretch, but SMU found a way to respond to each one. The first came at the halfway point of the second half, with the Shockers cutting SMU's lead to one. In a hostile environment, the Mustangs never blinked, rattling off an 8-0 run of their own to regain a more comfortable lead. The Shockers weren't finished yet, though. Wichita State hit five-straight tough shots over the final three minutes to cut SMU's once-comfortable lead down to three with 38 seconds remaining. Once again, SMU had to answer to walk out with a victory. Once again, SMU did. Milton hit back-to-back free throws to increase it to five, and Jimmy Whitt answered Wichita's layup with a free-throw to push the lead back out to four. One final defensive stop afterwards sealed the huge win for the Mustangs. Playing on the road against one of the toughest defenses in the nation, SMU shot a season-high 64 percent from the floor. The win was SMU's third of the season against a top-15 opponent, tying Oklahoma for the most in the nation. Anytime a top-10 team falls at home, it's considered an upset. However, SMU controlled the game from early on and never let up. The Mustangs led by as much as 13 points and for more than 33 minutes of the contest while finding a way to overcome each of the Shockers' rallies. While Milton was, no doubt, pivotal for the victory, he wasn't the only Mustang making big plays on Wednesday night. Junior Jahmal McMurray had his best game as a Mustang, tying his season-high with 16 points while dropping in three shots from 3-point range. Freshman Ethan Chargois and senior Ben Emelogu joined Milton and McMurray in double-figures, scoring 12 and 10, respectively. SMU was without junior Jarrey Foster for the majority of the game, leaving the contest after spraining his left knee early in the first half. 
 
THE SERIES VS. TULANE (20-14): The Mustangs fell 73-70 at Tulane on Jan. 4, snapping a five-game winning streak against the Green Wave. SMU is 14-2 at home, and has not lost in Moody Coliseum to Tulane since Dec. 7, 1991. SMU is now 6-12 all-time at Tulane. The first meeting between the programs came on Dec. 18, 1959, an 86-61 victory for SMU.
 
PREVIOUS MEETING VS TULANE (L, 73-70 at TU on Jan. 4): NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Cameron Reynolds tossed in 20 points and Samir Sehic made four free throws in the final 19 seconds to help Tulane hold off SMU 73-70. Melvin Frazier added 15 points and five assists, while Caleb Daniels scored 11 for the Green Wave (11-4, 2-1). Shake Milton hit all three of his 3-pointers and scored 24 with six rebounds for the Mustangs (12-4, 2-1). Jarrey Foster chipped in with 16 points and seven boards. SMU led most of the first half and took a 33-26 lead into the break. Milton's 3-pointer to open the second half pushed the lead to 10 and SMU didn't run into trouble until the midway point. Tulane chipped away at the lead until Reynolds hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Green Wave up 61-58 with 6:29 left to play. Milton's jumper with 3:50 remaining knotted the score at 66, but Frazier hit a jumper with 2:16 left and Tulane stayed in front from there. The Green Wave made 18 of 20 from the free-throw line, while SMU connected on 15 of 22 attempts. The Mustangs played without Ethan Chargois, who had started every previous game this season.
 
Akoy Agau (6-8, 235, F, Sr.): 2017-18: Played in 13 games, started 1 (at Tulane)… Four points and three rebounds vs. [7/4] Wichita State… Made SMU debut against Arizona… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 11.0 points and 3.3 rebounds while hitting 10-16 FGs (.625) and 13-18 FTs (.722)…Had 18 points (5-7 FG, 8-11 FT) and 5 rebounds in the win at Ryerson... 2016-17 at Georgetown): Played in 32 games, starting eight… Averaged 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Ethan Chargois (6-9, 235, F, Fr.): 2017-18: Played in 18 games (missed Tulane due to illness)… Double digit scoring in 11 of 18 games… 20+ points in 3… Averaging 11.6 points (25th AAC), 4.9 rebounds… Shooting 51.0% FG (74-145) (15th AAC), 41.5% 3FG (27-65) (7th AAC)… Recorded career-high 23 points (8-12 FG, 3-5 3FG, 4-4 FT) and 9 rebounds against ULM… Scored 21 points (8-13 FG, 2-5 3FG, 3-3 FT) with 7 rebounds, a steal and an assist against [20/20] TCU… Scored 21 points (8- 12 FG, 3-4 3FG, 2-2 FT) with five rebounds, 2 assists and a block against Western Kentucky… 16 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3FG, 2-3 FT) with 7 boards, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals vs. [--/rv] Boise State… AWARDS: AAC Rookie of the Week (11/13, 12/18)… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in two games while hitting 9-19 FGs (.474).

William Douglas (6-5, 180, G, Fr.): 2017-18: Played in 19 games… 3+ steals in 2 (Western Kentucky, USC)… Scored 8 points, with 3 rebounds and an assist against Northwestern State… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 4.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals…had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in the opener at McGill.
Ben Emelogu II (6-6, 215, G, Sr.): 2017-18: 10+ points in 10 of 19 games… Averaging 10.3 points… 4.9 rebounds… 52.7 FG% (68-129) (9th AAC)… 57.7 3FG% (45-78) (1st AAC)… 1.3 steals (11th AAC)… Scored his SMU career-high 20 points (7-11 FG, 5-7 3FG, 1-3 FT) with 5 rebounds and 2 steals in the win vs [2/4] Arizona 11/23... Scored 19 points (6-6 FG, 5-5 3FG, 2-2 FT) with 2 rebounds, an assist and a block vs. Cal Poly… Had 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 3FG) with 6 rebounds and 3 steals against [14/18] USC… AWARDS: Named AAC Co-Sixth Man of the Year… AAC Weekly Honor Roll (12/26)… Named a Senior CLASS award candidate.

Jarrey Foster (6-6, 220, G, Jr.): 2017-18: Double digit scoring in 14 of 19 games… Removed after 5 minutes at [7/4] Wichita State due to injury… Scored 19 points 4 times this season… Averaging 13.2 points (15th AAC), 5.9 rebounds (12th AAC)… 2.8 offensive rebounds (3rd AAC)… 1.2 blocks per game (11th AAC)… Had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block vs. [20/20] TCU… AWARDS: AAC Weekly Honor Roll (1/2/18).

Elijah Landrum (6-0, 180, G, Fr.): 2017-18: Played 17 games… Scored 7 points with an assist in 14 minutes against UTRGV… Had 5 points with 2 rebounds against UAPB… Scored 1 point, with 3 assists and 1 steal against ULM… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals.

Jahmal McMurray (6-0, 175, G, Jr.): 2017-18: Score 10+ in 4 of 8… Averaging 10.0 points… Scored 16 points (6-11 FG, 3-7 3FG, 1-2 FT) with 3 assists, 2 steals and a rebound at [7/4] Wichita State 1/17… Scored 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3FG) with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in season debut (18 minutes) vs [--/rv] Boise State… Had 13 points (4-8 FG, 3-6 3FG, 2-2 FT) with 2 assists, 1 rebound and a block in 22 minutes vs. Cal Poly… 2016-17 at USF: Played in 3 games… Averaged 20.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists… Had 25 points on 8-17 FGs and 5-7 3FGs with 3 rebounds vs. South Carolina 12/17...Named Preseason All-AAC Second Team.
 
Shake Milton (6-6, 205, G, Jr.): 2017-18: Double digit scoring in 19 games, 20 straight going back to 2016-17… 20+ points in 7, including 3 of the last 4 (33 at [7/4] Wichita State, 25 vs. Temple, 24 at Tulane)… Averaging 18.3 points (4th AAC)… 4.5 assists (3rd AAC)… 1.5 steals (8th AAC)… 2.0 assist/turnover ratio (6th AAC)… 43.8% 3FG% (5th AAC)… 82.5% FT% (80-97, 7th AAC)… Scored a career-high 33 at [7/4] Wichita State (11-14 FG, 5-6 3FG, 6-6 FT) with 5 assists and 3 rebounds… Had 25 points (8-12 FG, 4-7 3FG, 5-6 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block vs. Temple… Had 24 points (9-14 FG, 3-3 3FG, 3-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal at Tulane… Scored his 1,000th career point against UCF (41st in program history w/ 1,000)… AWARDS: AAC Player of the Week (11/13, 12/4)… Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, Bob Cousy, Lute Olson Watch List… AAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Isiaha Mike (6-8, 200, F, So.): 2017-18: Sitting out after transferring from Duquesne... 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 assists... 2016-17 at Duquesne: Played and started in all 32 games… Averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds (15th A-10) and 1.6 assists… FG% 43.4, 3FG% 33.3… 2 double-doubles… Had double-digit points in 18 games, with 20+ in four… 5+ rebounds in 21 games... AWARDS: Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team (March 7).

James Pyle (6-3, 175, G, So.): 2017-18: Played in 10 games… Scored 2 points against Northwestern State… 2016-17: Played in 12 games… Had 7 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes.
Everett Ray (6-7, 220, F, Fr.): 2017-18: Played in 16 games… Recorded first career double-double (12 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 3FG, 1-4 FT) and 10 rebounds) against UAPB… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Averaged 3.3 points (5-10 FG), 10.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists… Had 6 points & 17 rebounds in the final game vs M.A.D.E. of the Crown League.

Jimmy Whitt (6-3, 175, G, So.): 2017-18: Averaging 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds (19th AAC)… 3.6 assists (10th AAC), 1.8 steals (4th AAC)… 56.4 FG% (79-140) (4th AAC)… 2.1 assist/turnover ratio (4th AAC)… Recorded career-high 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-5 FT) and 8 assists, while tying his career-high 3 steals against New Orleans… Had 18 points (9-12 FG) with 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals against UTRGV… Scored 16 points (8-9 FG) with 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists vs. [--/rv] Boise State… Had 14 points (7-12 FG) with 4 rebounds and 3 steals against [14/18] USC…AWARDS: AAC Weekly Honor Roll (12/18)
 
Luke Wilfong (6-1, 170, G, Fr.): 2017-18: Played in 9 games… Scored a 3-pointer against USF… 2017 Summer Tour (Canada - Aug. 7-14): Played in the finale vs. M.A.D.E. of the Crown League, recording a steal and a rebound.
 
UP NEXT: SMU plays at Connecticut on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT. The Mustangs host East Carolina on Jan. 28 at 1 p.m.
 
HEAD COACH TIM JANKOVICH... is in his second season at the helm at SMU after four seasons as the associate head coach. He is in his 35th season as a collegiate coach, and his 13th as a head coach. In 2016-17, SMU finished 30-5 and No. 11 in the AP poll after winning The American regular season and tournament titles en route to the NCAA Tournament. In 2015-16, he coached the Mustangs to a 9-0 start as SMU was eventually the last unbeaten team in the country at 18-0, and winning the Las Vegas Classic title during the season-opening streak. The Mustangs went 25-5, finishing the season ranked No. 24 after reaching a high of No. 8. In 2014-15, the Mustangs claimed the AAC 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 11th 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 209-132 (.613) [52-11 at SMU (.825), including 36-1 at Moody Coliseum (started 36-0, second best in NCAA history)]. 
 
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 St. - 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)
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WINS (Through Jan. 17): SMU leads The American in league wins (48-12) 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.
 
AP TOP 15 WINS (Through Jan. 14): The Mustangs have five wins against the AP top 15 in the past two seasons. Only SMU, Kansas, Duke and Oklahoma have two top-10 wins away from home this season.
Feb. 12, 2017 - No. 11 Cincinnati, 60-51
March 12, 2017 - vs. No. 15 Cincinnati, 71-56 (AAC Tournament Championship)
Nov. 23, 2017 - No. 2 Arizona, 66-60 (Battle 4 Atlantis)
Dec. 2, 2017 - No. 14 USC, 72-55
Jan. 17, 2018 - at No. 7 Wichita State, 83-78
WINS vs TOP 15 PAST TWO SEASONS
8 - Kansas
7 - Duke
6 - Arizona, Butler, Florida State, North Carolina, Villanova, West Virginia
5 - SMU, Virginia
 
AP RANKED WINS: SMU has three wins over ranked teams this season.
Total      Season  
4              1955-56 at No. 20 Minnesota, No. 18 Kansas, vs. No. 17 Houston, 
                                vs. No. 16 Oklahoma City (SWC Champs, NCAA Final Four)
4^           2013-14 No. 17 Connecticut, No. 22 Memphis, No. 7 Cincinnati, 
                                at No. 21 Connecticut (NIT Final)
3              1984-85 vs. No. 11 Oklahoma, vs. No. 5 North Carolina, 
                                No. 19 Louisville (NCAA Second Round)
3              2017-18 vs No. 2 Arizona, No. 14 USC, at No. 7 Wichita State
^Wins later vacated
 
ATTENDANCE: SMU surpassed 100,000 in attendance each of the previous four 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). SMU has sold out 50 of 78 games in Moody Coliseum since the renovated facility opened Jan. 4, 2014.     
 
SAM AWARD: At halftime of Saturday's game, the SMU Lettermen's Board of Directors and its Silver Anniversary Mustang (SAM) Award Committee will honor Tennell Atkins as the recipient of the 2017 SAM Award. Atkins lettered in football from 1974-77 and graduated from the Cox School of Business in 1978.
       Atkins was first elected to represent Dallas City Council District 8, the southernmost district of Dallas, in June 2007. He began his fifth term as a Dallas City Council Member in June 2017. As the Dallas City Council representative for District 8, Atkins serves as the Chair of Economic Development & Housing Committee, serves on the Mobility Solutions, Infrastructure & Sustainability Committee and the Government Performance & Financial Management Committee. He was nominated by Mayor Michael S. Rawlings, to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System.
     Atkins has been an active participant and supporter of a number of local and national civic organizations, including the Charlie Taylor Foundation and the SMU Doak Walker Board. He was elected to serve on the board of National League of Cities in 2013 and was on the Economic Development Policy Committee in 2011.  He served as the secretary of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members (TABCCM).  In 2014, he was nominated by Mayor Rawlings to serve as the Co-Chair of the Mayor's Poverty Task Force.  He was also appointed by Mayor Rawlings to represent the City of Dallas on the board of the premier transportation policy organization, which counts among its members numerous cities and counties in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas – Transportation Excellence for the 21st Century (TEX-21). 
     Councilman Atkins lives in Dallas with his wife Marshella Atkins, has twin sons and four grandchildren.
     Each year, the SMU Lettermen's Association awards the SAM Award to a former letterwinner who has not been an undergraduate student at SMU for a minimum of 25 years. The recipient has brought honor to SMU, made contributions that have lasting and positive effects on his or her fellow citizens, and has been a model citizen in his or her community.
 
BALL MOVEMENT: SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (3rd AAC, 35th NCAA) with a 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd, 26th NCAA). Shake Milton leads SMU at 4.5 (3rd AAC), followed by Jimmy Whitt at 3.7 (10th AAC).
 
MOODY/HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: SMU has lost just five games (84 contests) at home since the start of the 2013-14 season. SMU has played 78 of those games in the renovated Moody Coliseum. In those 84 home games, SMU is averaging 76.8 points per game with a scoring margin of +18.0. SMU is shooting 50.3% at home while holding opponents to 37.4%.
 
NBA - DRAFT: SMU's Semi Ojeleye and Sterling Brown were selected in the 2017 NBA Draft. Ojeleye was selected 37th overall by the Boston Celtics and Brown was picked 46th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Milwaukee). This is the fourth time the Mustangs have had multiple picks in the NBA Draft, but the first time with multiple selections in the first two rounds. Ben Moore signed as a free agent with Indiana.
 
COACHING FOR LITERACY (CoachingForLiteracy.org): This is the fourth straight season SMU will host a CFL game; set for Jan. 28 vs East Carolina. Jonathan Wilfong (SMU '17) 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 2014-15, two in 2015-16 and one in 2016-17. In 2016-17, the SMU staff wore neon green ties during a three-game stretch as part of the awareness effort from the home win against Stanford on Dec. 19 through the win a Memphis, WIlfong's home town, on Dec. 27.