The [RV/RV] SMU Mustangs (12-4, 2-1 American) play at [19/20] Cincinnati (13-2, 2-0) on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The teams are meeting for the 10th time since becoming league foes in The American. This is the seventh time in those meetings that both teams have been ranked or receiving votes. Both teams were in the polls for all three meetings last season, with each winning at home before the Mustangs won the rubber match in the AAC Championship game, 71-56, in Hartford, Connecticut.
 
The Mustangs are second in The American in scoring defense at 59.8 (5th NCAA). SMU has only allowed more than 67 points in two games this season. The Mustangs lead the AAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5, 23rd NCAA), turnover margin (3.8, 30th NCAA) and 3-point percentage (.424, 6th NCAA). SMU is second in the AAC in assists (17.7, 24th NCAA), steals (8.0), turnovers (12.2) and turnovers forced (16.0).
 
 
All five starters are averaging double-digit scoring with Shake Milton leading the team at 17.2 (4th AAC). Jarrey Foster averages 13.9 (13th AAC), Ethan Chargois at 12.6 (19th AAC), Jimmy Whitt at 10.4 and Ben Emelogu 10.4. Jahmal McMurray is averaging 11.0 points off the bench.
 
Emelogu is leading the AAC in 3-point percentage at 60.3 on 38-63 with McMurray hitting 47.8 percent (11-23), Chargois hitting 43.9 percent (4th AAC), Milton at 41.1 percent (9th AAC) and Foster 35.3 percent. All five starters are also averaging at least 4.7 rebounds with Foster at 5.9 per game (14th AAC), followed by Chargois at 5.6 (16th AAC), Emelogu at 5.3, Whitt at 5.9 and Milton at 4.7 per game. Milton is third in the AAC at 4.6 assists per game with Whitt 6th in the AAC at 3.9 per game and Foster at 3.0 per contest. All three have a 1.9 or better assist-to-turnover ratio (Foster 2.0, 3rd AAC; Whitt 2.0, 4th AAC; Milton 1.9, 6th AAC).
 
TRENDS:
- 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)
- Jimmy Whitt is 51-73 FGs (.700) in past 9 games (season .589, 2nd AAC)
- Shake Milton has scored 10+ in 17 straight games
- Milton leads active AAC players in 3s (173), 3% (.421), 4th in assists (314)
- T-4th in the nation in percentage of FGs assisted (66.3%) (via KenPom)
- SMU has won 38 of its last 44 games (Since 12/2/16)
- SMU is 47-10 in AAC play since start of 2014-15 (best in the league)
- 33 straight wins at home (2nd nationally, 21.6 scoring margin in the streak)
- 36-0 under Tim Jankovich at home (2nd best start in NCAA history)
- The loss at Tulane ended a streak of 18 straight wins vs AAC opponents (15 in the regular season + 3 AAC Tournament) and 6 straight road wins in AAC play
- SMU has a +8.1 scoring margin in the 2nd half, which is 11th nationally (courtesy KenPom)
 
LAST GAME (L, 73-70 at Tulane on Jan. 4): SMUMustangs.com: NEW ORLEANS (SMU) - In their first conference game of the season away from Moody Coliseum, the Mustangs were unable to slow down a hot-shooting Green Wave squad in the second half, falling 73-70. Junior Shake Milton continued his stellar play, scoring a game-high 24 points while also contributing six rebounds. Milton shot 64 percent and was a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc. Fellow junior Jarrey Foster also logged a strong game, dropping 16 points on 50 percent shooting while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. SMU led by as many as 12 in the second half, but Tulane caught fire offensively to erase that deficit, especially from 3-point range. The Green Wave shot 59 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes, including hitting 6-of-12 from behind the arc. That came after hitting just one 3-pointer in the first half. Free throws also played a big role in Tulane's comeback win against the Mustangs. The Green Wave finished a nearly flawless 18-of-20 from the charity stripe. In the closing moments, Tulane hit 5-of-6 free throws to keep SMU from ever having a real opportunity with the ball down just one possession. The one miss of the second half came with just .3 seconds remaining, and SMU's desperation heave was off the mark. The loss snapped an 18-game winning streak against American Athletic Conference opponents for the Mustangs. It also snapped a six-game winning streak on the road in conference games. It was just the second time this season SMU allowed 70 points or more. Due to an illness, standout freshman Ethan Chargois did not play on Thursday night. 
 
UP NEXT: SMU hosts Temple on Wednesday at 8 p.m. before a road test at [9/9] Wichita State on January 17.
 
THE SERIES VS. CINCINNATI (5-7+): SMU and Cincinnati will square off for the 13th time. SMU won 2-of-3 meetings during the 2016-17 season, including a 71-56 win on March 12, 2017 to win the American Athletic Conference Tournament and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Earlier in the season, the Bearcats won the season opener, 66-64, on Jan. 12 at Fifth Third Arena, before SMU took the rematch 60-51 on Feb. 12 at Moody Coliseum. Since becoming conference foes, Cincinnati holds a 5-3 record over the Mustangs. Prior to the AAC, the series had been dormant since 1974-75. SMU won the only previous neutral site encounter in 1966, an NCAA Midwest Regional contest in Lubbock, Texas. (+4-7 officially)
 
THIS SEASON VS. CINCINNATI (W, 71-56 at AAC Championship on March 12): HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Nobody will be heading into the NCAA Tournament with more momentum than SMU. The Mustangs won their 16th straight game, 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. The Mustangs took the championship in 2015, but missed last year's postseason under NCAA sanctions. Jarron Cumberland had 14 points to lead Cincinnati, which has not won a conference title since capturing the Conference USA crown in 2004. 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. (W, 60-51 at SMU Feb. 12): DALLAS (AP) -- Ben Emelogu II acknowledged that SMU players would have been lying if they said Cincinnati wasn't on their minds. The 25th-ranked Mustangs got a bit of a revenge, and in the process took a slight lead in the American Athletic Conference standings. Emelogu hit two 3-pointers and made the tiebreaking free throw in the game-deciding 15-0 run for the Mustangs in a 60-51 win to snap a 15-game winning streak by No. 11 Cincinnati, which had also been responsible for the only loss by SMU in its previous 18 games. Finishing their first week as a ranked team this season, the Mustangs had their big spurt right after Cincinnati had scored 12 in a row in a 2 1/2-minue span soon after halftime to regain the lead. The Bearcats made only three of their last 21 shots after that -- and went without a field goal the final 4:11 of the game. After SMU had finished the first half with eight straight points to tie the game, and went ahead on Shake Milton's 3-pointer, Kevin Johnson had a tying 3 to start the big spurt by Cincinnati. Johnson also had a steal for a breakaway two-handed slam before Kyle Washington's basket to give the Bearcats their biggest lead of the game at 40-31. But SMU got even on 3s by Emelogu, Semi Ojeleye and Milton and went ahead to stay on Emeolgu's free throw with 11:47 left before he added another 3. Ojeleye had 18 points to lead SMU while Sterling Brown had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Milton and Emelogu each had 11 points. Jacob Evans had 15 points for the Bearcats, while Johnson had 13 and Washington 11. Gary Clark had 12 rebounds, but the big man was only 2-of-7 shooting. Cincinnati had 17 field goals overall, 11 being 3-pointers. (L, 66-64 at Cincinnati on Jan 12): CINCINNATI (AP) -- Instead of losing close games this season, Cincinnati is finding ways to pull them out. Troy Caupain scored 16 points and blunted SMU's comeback with a clutch 3-pointer, helping the 22nd-ranked Bearcats hold on for a 66-64 victory over SMU. The Bearcats let most of a 15-point lead slip away, with SMU cutting it to 54-52 on Jarrey Foster's 3-pointer. Caupain's 3-pointer ended the Mustangs' comeback, and they never got closer than two points the rest of the way.Last season, Cincinnati was known for losing the close ones by giving up baskets or missing shots in the closing seconds. The Bearcats won a matchup of the last two unbeaten teams in American Athletic play, taking their seventh straight game overall. Gary Clark led Cincinnati with 18 points, including two 3s that matched his career high. SMU lost its 10-game winning streak, which tied for third-longest in school history. The Mustangs had two shots in the closing seconds that went off the rim. Sterling Brown led the Mustangs with a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, but he missed a 3-point shot that would have given the Mustangs the lead with 10 seconds left. His shot rolled around the rim and came off to Ben Moore, who missed a putback attempt to tie it. Kyle Washington had a pull-up jumper and a 3-pointer during a 16-point run that put Cincinnati ahead 27-12. SMU opened the game 4 of 19 from the field with five turnovers. Semi Ojeleye , who leads the Mustangs at 17.9 points per game, was limited to two free throws in the first half. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Mustangs shot 47 percent from the field while making their comeback in the second half.
 
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 208-130 (.615) [51-9 at SMU (.850), including 36-0 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 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)
 
BEST WINNING PCT. - CURRENT SCHOOL (At least 2nd season - Through Jan. 4 - courtesy KenPom)
Tim Jankovich (SMU) - .850
Bill Self (Kansas) - .824
John Calipari (Kentucky) - .826
Mark Few (Gonzaga) - .816
Mike Kzyzewski (Duke) - .788
Roy Williams (UNC) - .777
Sean Miller (Arizona) - .771
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WINS (Thorugh Jan. 4): SMU leads The American in league wins (47-10) 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      47           10           0.825
Cincinnati            43           13           0.768
Tulsa      37           20           0.649
Temple 34           23           0.596
Connecticut        30           26           0.536
Houston               30           27           0.526
Memphis             27           29           0.482
UCF        24           33           0.421
East Carolina      17           40           0.298
Tulane  14           43           0.246
USF        8              49           0.140
---
Wichita State     2              0              1.000
 
AAC Teams - Win Percentage Since Start of 2014-15 (courtesy KenPom)
1. SMU - .817 (94-21)
2. Cincinnati - .746 (88-30)
3. Houston - .613 (68-43)
AAC Teams - Wins Since Start of 2014-15 (courtesy KenPom)
1. SMU - 94
2. Cincinnati - 88
3. Temple - 70
AAC Teams - Scoring Margin Since Start of 2014-15 (courtesy KenPom)
1. SMU +12.9
2. Cincinnati +11.2
3. Houston +6.1
 
AP TOP 15 WINS (Through Jan. 4): The Mustangs have four wins against the AP top 15 in the past two seasons.
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
Wins vs top 15 last 2 season
7 - Kansas, Duke
6 - UNC, Butler, Arizona, Florida State
5 - Villanova, West Virginia
4 - SMU, Baylor, Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan, Virginia, Georgia Tech
 
 
AAC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR - 3 STRAIGHT: The Mustangs have taken home three straight AAC Player of the Year honors. Nic Moore was awarded the league's top honor in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Semi Ojeleye took home the award in 2016-17. This is the longest active streak nationally for the league men's basketball player of the year.
 
AAC SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR - 3 STRAIGHT: The Mustangs have taken home three straight AAC Sixth Man of the Year honors. Markus Kennedy was awarded the league's top reserve honor in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Ben Emelogu II shared the award in 2016-17. 
 
AWARDS IN PRESEASON - BOB COUSY AWARD, LUTE OLSON AWARD, WOODEN AWARD & NAISMITH TROPHY WATCH LISTS/AAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Junior guard Shake Milton is one of 20 candidates named to the 2018 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award watch list by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, one of 40 on the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Watch List, one of 50 on the Citizen Naismith Trophy Watch List and a member of the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50. Milton was also named the 2017-18 preseason American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He also competed at the 2016 and 2017 Nike Hoops Summit in Los Angeles.
 
AWARDS - AAC WEEKLY HONORS: Shake Milton has been named AAC Player of the week twice (Nov. 13, Dec. 4). Jimmy Whitt (Dec. 18), Ben Emelogu (Dec. 26) and Jarrey Foster (Jan. 2) have each been named to the Weekly Honor Roll, and Ethan Chargois was the Rookie of the Week twice (Nov. 13, Dec. 18).
 
AWARDS - SENIOR CLASS AWARD: Senior Ben Emelogu II was named one of 30 candidates for the 2017-18 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. This is the third straight year SMU has boasted a national service/character award nominee. In 2015-16, the Mustangs had two representatives in Nic Moore (Senior CLASS candidate) and Semi Ojeleye (NABC Good Works Team), while Jonathan Wilfong was a NABC Good Works Team nominee in 2016-17.
 
3 TIMES THE CHARM: Shake Milton, Jarrey Foster and Ben Emelogu II are among the program's best career 3-point shooters.
SMU Best Season 3FG Pct (40.0%+) (Since 1986-87)
Minimum 20 Made
                ---           60.3        Ben Emelogu II (Sr.), 2017-18
                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              44.9        Sterling Brown (Sr.), 2016-17 (61-136)
                10           44.4        Sterling Brown (So.), 2014-15 (20-45)
                                44.4        Jarrey Foster (So.), 2016-17 (32-72)
                ---           43.9        Ethan Chargois (Fr.), 2017-18
                12           43.6        Nic Moore (So.), 2013-14 (72-165)
                13           42.6        Shake Milton (Fr.), 2015-16 (52-122)
                14           42.4        Semi Ojeleye (Jr.), 2016-17 (73-172)
                15           42.3        Shake Milton (So.), 2016-17 (82-194)
 
 
SMU Career 3FG Pct. - 36.0%+ (min. 50 made)
                1              47.3        Eric Longino (62-131), 1987-89
                2              45.1        Sterling Brown (128-284), 2013-17
                3              43.4        Robert Nyakundi (267-615), 2008-12
                4              42.4        Semi Ojeleye (73-172), 2016-
                5              42.2        Todd Alexander (92-218), 1987-89
                6              42.1        Nic Moore (225-534), 2013-16
                                42.1        Shake Milton (173-411), 2015-
                8              41.1        Troy Dorner (51-124), 1991-94
                9              40.0        Carlton McKinney (64-160), 1986-88
                10           39.2        Rodney Clinkscales (87-222), 2009-12
                11           38.9        Jon Killen (119-306), 2004-08
                12           38.7        Jarrey Foster (63-163), 2015-
                13           37.8        Chad Allen (161-426), 1990-94
                14           37.7        Ben Emelogu II (80-212), 2014-
                15           37.6        Kato Armstrong (50-133), 1985-89
                16           37.3        Jay Poerner (57-153), 1994-98
                17           37.1        Keith Frazier (79-213), 2013-
                18           36.3        Stephen Woods (273-752), 1996-00
                19           36.2        London Giles (63-174), 2010-13
                20           36.0        Bryan Hopkins (256-712), 2002-06
 
Career 3FG Made - 70+ (Games Played)
                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              173         Shake Milton, 2015-
                7              170         Quinton Ross, 1999-03
                8              161         Chad Allen, 1990-94
                9              133         Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01
                10           131         Mike Walker, 2007-11
 
CANADA - 2017 SUMMER TOUR: The team had an eight-day trip to Canada from August 7-14. The journey to Montreal and Toronto included three games (3-0) as well as visits to historic sites in both cities and an excursion to Niagara Falls. The trip started in Montreal, where the Mustangs played McGill University (W, 86-83 OT). The team also visited Mount Royal Park and St. Joseph's Oratory, Old Montreal historic district and took a boat ride in the rapids on the Saint Lawrence River. Then in Toronto, the Mustangs played a pair of exhibition games versus Ryerson University (W, 98-86) and M.A.D.E., the Nike Crown League Champion (W, 79-62). The team also went to the the CN Tower and to the Rogers Centre for batting practice and the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. The day between games in Toronto, the group took a trip to Niagara Falls.
 
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 AAC Player of the Year and All-American Nic Moore helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2015 World University Games in South Korea. 
2017: Team International Tour to Canada (games in Montreal & Toronto)
2016: Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Croatia): Jarrey Foster, Shake Milton
2015: Global Sports Academy Goodwill Tour U.S. Team (Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands): Ben Emelogu II
 
NCAA DIVISION I ACTIVE HOME WINNING STREAKS (Through Jan. 4)
1              Cincinnati            34          
2              SMU                    33          
3              Florida St.           28          
4              Texas Southern  25          
5              Purdue               17          
6              Vermont             16
                UC Davis           16
 
 AKOY AGAU (6-8, 235, F, Sr.): 2017-18: Played in 10 games… 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: Double digit scoring in 10 of 15 games… 20+ points in 3… Averaging 12.6 points (19th AAC), 5.6 rebounds (17th)… Shooting 53.2% FG (66-124) (8th AAC), 43.9% 3FG (25-57) (4th 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 16 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 8 of 16 games… Averaging 10.3 points… 5.3 rebounds… 51.9 FG% (56-108)… 60.3 3FG% (38-63) (1st 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… 2016-17: Averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds… Has three starts, including at UCF (Jan. 25) … 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 12 of 16 games… Scored 19 points 4 times this season… Averaging 13.9 PPG (13th AAC), 5.9 rebounds (14th AAC)… 3.1 assists per game… 1.3 blocks per game (9th AAC) … 2.0 assist/turnover ratio (T3rd 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 15 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 3 of 5… Averaging 11.0 points… 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 16 games, 17 straight going back to 2016-17… 20+ points in 5… Averaging 17.2 PPG (4th AAC)… 4.6 assists (3rd AAC)… 1.5 steals (9th AAC)… 1.9 assist/turnover ratio (6th AAC)… 41.1% 3FG% (9th AAC)… 82.5% FT% (66-80, 9th AAC)… Scored his 1,000th career point against UCF (41st in program history w/ 1,000)… Scored a career-high 28 points (7-18 FG, 4-12 3FG, 10-10 FT) with 3 rebounds, 2 steals, a block and assist against UMBC… Had 24 points (9-14 FG, 3-3 3FG, 3-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal at Tulane… 22 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3FG, 6-10 FT), 9 assists and 5 rebounds against [14/18] USC… 18 points, 9 assists, 4 steals and 2 rebounds at [20/20] TCU… 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 15 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 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists (6th AAC), 2.0 steals (4th AAC)… 58.9 FG% (73-124) (2nd AAC)… 2.0 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.
 
TOP 25: SMU is receiving votes in the AP Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Mustangs were receiving votes in both preseason polls. SMU finished 2016-17 No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. SMU was in the AP top 25 for the final six weeks (after 4 weeks of receiving votes) and the final six coaches polls (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 (2013-17).
 
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.
 
ROAD WARRIORS: The Mustangs are 24-13 on the road since the start of the 2014-15 season with a 33-18 mark away from Moody Coliseum (9-5 neutral site). SMU is 20-8 in AAC road games in that stretch (7-2 in 2014-15; 5-4 in 2015-16; 8-1 in 2016-17; 0-1 in 2017-18). 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
 
 
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.