SMU (6-4) at Florida State (4-4)
Tucker Civic Center – Tallahassee, Florida 
Saturday, December  16, 2023 – 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: ACCN
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The Mustangs visit Florida State on Saturday to begin the final week of non-conference play. SMU hosts Houston Christian on Tuesday before playing at Murray State on Dec. 22.

SMU is 6-4 after a 76-74 loss at Arizona State on Dec. 6. Zhuric Phelps led SMU with 24 points and nine rebounds while Chuck Harris added 17 points and six boards. The Mustangs had a 42-22 advantage on points in the paint and shot 45.3% from the field while holding ASU to 36.5% overall. SMU was plus-10 in rebounding (44-34). 

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (16.1, 7th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.2). Phelps is also averaging 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals (7th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 4.1 assists per game (7th AAC) and a 2.93 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC, 47th NCAA - 41 assists / 14 turnovers). Tyreek Smith and Samuell Williamson are the leading in rebounding at 5.7. SMU is averaging 8.4 steals (4th AAC), 4.3 blocked shots (5th AAC) and 13.4 offensive rebounds (3rd AAC).

DEFENSIVE DIFFERENCE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs' defense is holding opponents to 37.5% (1st AAC, 15th NCAA) from the field after allowing 45.3% in 2022-23. SMU has held 9 of 10 opponents under 42.0% this season. The three-point defense has also improved from 34.9% last season to 28.0% (1st AAC, 35th NCAA) so far this season. The Mustangs have increased blocked shots per game to 4.3 (5th AAC) from 3.4 and are also +5.4 in rebound margin (2nd AAC) this season after a -2.6 last season.

SMU Season FG% Defense
1.    .345 (498-1443)    1953-54
2.    .364 (656-1804)    1957-58
3.    .367 (766-2087)    1955-56
4.    .373 (609-1631)    1958-59
—-    .375    2023-24
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62
6.    .381 (691-1815)    2014-15
7.    .385 (762-1977)    2013-14
8    .386 (745-1928)    2016-17
9.    .387 (576-1488)    1959-60
10.    .389 (661-1698)    1954-55
    
SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .280    2023-24
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
4.    .314 (157-500)    1992-93
5.    .321 (248-773)    2013-14
    .321 (282-878)    2016-17
7.    .322 (197-611)    2006-07
8.    .326 (268-823)    2014-15
9.    .330 (187-567)    1997-98
10.    .331 (224-676)    2015-16

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Started all 10 games... averaging 8.9 points (10+ 4 times) and shooting 75.5%...Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, shot 56.3% from the field (9-16) while averaging 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds. 2022-23: Played all 32 games... averaged 3.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocked shots... Hit 65.7% on FGs. 

Denver Anglin (6-1, 185, G, So.) | 2023-24: Redshirting this season following a stress reaction in his left foot... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 6.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and an assist per outing. 2022-23 at Georgetown: Played in 18 games.

B.J. Edwards (6-3, 185, G, So.) | 2023-24: Averaging 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists (7th AAC) and 1.5 steals (20th AAC) with a 2.93 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC, 47th NCAA)...Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, he averaged a team-best 6.0 assists with 5.3 points and 6.0 rebounds and a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. 2022-23 at Tennessee: Played 14 games for a team that made the NCAA Sweet 16.

Xavier Foster (7-0, 225, F, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played 2 games... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, had a team-high four blocked shots in the three games while adding 4.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per matchup. 2022-23: Played 10 games... had 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Chuck Harris (6-4, 190, G, Sr.): 2023-24: Started all 10 games... averaging 13.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 41.9% on threes (18-43) and 84.6% on FTs (22-26)... Scored 1,000th career point in the win vs Lamar 11/9 | Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 11.0 points and 2.0 assists while hitting 5-of-6 on free throws. 2022-23 at Butler: played in 29 of 32 games (missed 3 due to injury) with 24 starts…Averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals while hitting 34.0% on 3FGs...Team-high 85.3% on FTs (7th Big East)… Led team in scoring six times while scoring in double figures 16 times...Three 20-point games… Eight games with 5+ rebounds and four games with 3+ steals.

Ja'Heim Hudson (6-7, 220, G, Sr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 9.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and a steal… Recorded his tour-best 12 boards in the final contest at Barcelona. 2022-23 at Georgia State: Averaged team-best 6.9 rebounds (12th Sun Belt) with 10.1 points… Led the team with 22 blocked shots and was third with 27 steals ... Had three double-doubles ... Scored in double figures 13 times and grabbed double-figure rebounds in five games.

Emory Lanier (6-4, 190, G, Sr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 4.7 points and shooting 50.0% on 3FGs (11-22)... has 11  3FGs this season (5 in 2022-23, 3 total in 2 seasons at Davidson 2020-22)... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, he totaled eight points, five assists and two steals. 2022-23: Played in 27 games... totaled 46 points, 22 rebounds, 13 assists and 8 steals... AWARDS: NABC Honors Court... AAC All-Academic Team.

Mo Njie (6-11, 250, C, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played 4 games... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 3.0 rebounds and a blocked shot… Had a tour-best seven rebounds in the win in Valencia. 2022-23: Played in 25 games...had 42 points, 39 rebounds and 9 blocked shots.

Zhuric Phelps (6-5, 195, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 16.1 points (7th AAC), 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals (7th AAC) with 5 total blocks... Recorded 100th career steal in the win vs Western Illinois 11/8...AAC Weekly Honor Roll (N27), Fort Myers Tip-Off All-Tournament Team, Preseason All-AAC Second Team. | Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 15.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals in just 18.0 minutes. | 2023 NBA DRAFT: On April 12, Zhuric Phelps announced he would enter the NBA?Draft and maintain his collegiate eligibility. On May 24, he announced he would withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to SMU for his junior season. | 2022-23: Started all 30 games he played... Averaged 17.5 points (6th AAC), 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, (11th AAC) 2.3 steals (1st AAC, 16th NCAA)... Scored 19+ in 17 games... Had 5+ assists 8 times, including 7 of last 13 games... Had 17 games with multiple steals... AWARDS: AAC Player of the Week (D26)...AAC Weekly Honor Roll (N28, F13, F20)... Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic All-Tournament Team (D22-25)... SMU SEASON RECORDS: 524 points (23rd), 2.3 steals (T-4th), 68 steals (4th).

Jalen Smith (6-2, 195, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 4.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists while hitting 34.5% on threes (10-29)...Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 8.3 points and 2.3 assists without committing a turnover… Hit 64.7% on field goals (11-17) and 2-5 on threes. 2022-23: Played all 32 games with 23 starts...averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists with a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio... Scored 10+ five times.

Tyreek Smith (6-8, 225, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks (7th AAC) while shooting 57.4% on FGs and 82.1% on FTs (23-28)...Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged a team-best 8.0 rebounds with 6.7 points and a block per game… Had 9 points and a team-high 12 rebounds in the opening win at Madrid. 2022-23 at Oklahoma State: Played all 36 games with 9 starts as team made the NIT Quarterfinals… Averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots while shooting 59.7% from the field… Had seven games scoring 10+ and four games with 10+ rebounds (all in the last 5 games)… Had 2 double-doubles… Had multiple blocks 6 times.

Trey Utter (6-0, 160, G, So.) | 2023-24: Played in 2 games... Summer 2023 in Spain: Played in the last two games, scoring two points in his first appearance in the victory in Valencia. 2022-23: Played in 2 games...Made his SMU debut in the AAC-opening win vs Tulsa 1/1... AWARDS: AAC All-Academic Team.

Samuell Williamson (6-8, 205, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Averaging 7.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists...Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged team-best 16.0 points with 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 assists while shooting 62.5% (20-32)… Game-high 26 points (12-17 FGs) with 7 rebounds in the win in Valencia. 2022-23: Played all 32 games with 30 starts... Averaged 9.3 points, 7.3 rebounds (6th AAC), 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals (11th AAC), 0.8 blocked shots.... Had 6 double-doubles (6th AAC)... Scored 10+ in 16 games... Had 7+ rebounds 17 times... 15 games with multiple steals... AWARDS: AAC Weekly Honor Roll (J2), AAC All-Academic Team.

Ricardo Wright (6-3, 185, G, Sr.) | Averaging 2.9 points and shooting 7-23 on threes (30.4%)... Summer 2023 in Spain: In three games, averaged 5.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. 2022-23: Played in 27 games... averaged 3.1 points and 0.8 rebounds with 9 assists and 6 steals... Shot b34.6% on 3FGs... Had 4 games with 10+ points.

Jackson Young (6-2, 185, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played in 2 games... Summer 2023 in Spain: Played in the last two games, hitting a pair of threes in finale in Barcelona and totaling two assists. 2022-23: Played in 5 games.

ROCKET MORTGAGE FORT MYERS TIP-OFF: SMU defeated West Virginia 70-58 in the semifinal before falling 69-61 to Wisconsin in the championship game. Zhuric Phelps was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals. In the semifinal, SMU outscored West Virginia 45-22 in the second half en route to the win. In the final against Wisconsin, the Mustangs led by as many as 11 and the game was tied at 57-57 with 2:48 left.

THE SECOND HALF OF THE STORY: The Mustangs rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit (and by as many as 12) for a 70-58 win against West Virginia on Nov. 20, and then rebounded from a 30-23 halftime deficit (and by as many as 11) in the home win versus ULM on Nov. 26.

SOLD OUT: The SMU game versus [13/15] Texas A&M on Nov. 14 was played in front of a sellout crow of 6,852 at Moody Coliseum. It was the first sellout since Feb. 24, 2018 against [13/12] Wichita State. The SMU home attendance this season is up to 4,743 from 3,916 last season.

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 40.1 rebounds with a +5.4 margin. The 13.4 offensive rebounds per game ranks 3rd in the AAC and is 41st nationally. Four Mustangs are averaging at least 4.4 rebounds with Tyreek Smith at 5.7, Samuell Williamson at 5.7, Zhuric Phelps at 4.7 Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 4.4. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.6 offensive rebounds (8th AAC).

KE-ON TARGET: The Mustangs shot 69.2% from the field in the 90-47 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 3. That ranks fourth in program history. Keon Ambrose-Hylton scored a career-high 19 points, going 9-9 on FGs. He was the first Mustang to be perfect from the floor on at least 9 attempts since Semi Ojeleye was 9-9 vs Tulsa 3/2/17.
SMU Highest Field Goal Percentage In A Game
1.    72.3 (34-47) vs Lamar, 11-21-2010
2.    69.8 (30-43) vs Southern Miss, 1-22-2011
3.    69.4 (34-49) vs Savannah State, 12-19-2005
4.    69.2 (36-52) vs Texas A&M-Commerce 12-3-2023
5.    67.7 (42-62) vs Texas Tech, 1-5-1983

THE SCHEDULE: The non-conference schedule is highlighted by home games against Dayton (L, 65-63) and then-[13/15] Texas A&M (L, 79-66), road match-ups with Arizona State (L, 76-74) and Florida State plus the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off with West Virginia (W, 70-58 - semifinal) and Wisconsin (L, 69-61 - championship). SMU will play five AAC opponents twice: ECU, [rv/rv] Memphis, North Texas, Tulane and UAB. The Mustangs will play home games only against Charlotte, Temple, Tulsa and UTSA, and play road games only versus [15/14] Florida Atlantic, Rice, South Florida and Wichita State. The American Men's Basketball Championship is March 13-17 (Wednesday-Sunday) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

SO CLOSE: In the past two seasons, SMU has played 16 games decided by six points or fewer, going 5-11 in those games. Two of these losses are two-point games this season, 65-63 to Dayton on Nov. 29 and 76-74 at Arizona State on Dec. 6. The Mustangs were 5-9 in those games in 2022-23.

MUSTANGS GO 3-0 IN SPAIN: SMU finished 3-0 on its exhibition tour in Spain. The Mustangs won 88-77 in Madrid, 125-66 in Valencia and 92-60 in Barcelona. For the three games, the Mustangs shot 50.2% from the field, averaged 15.7 steals and had a plus-21.7 rebound margin (55.7-34.0). 

Samuell Williamson averaged 16.0 points to lead the team in scoring, while pulling down 6.3 rebounds and shooting 62.5% (20-32). Zhuric Phelps added 15.7 points while totaling seven assists and six steals in the three contests. B.J. Edwards led with 6.0 assists while also averaging 5.3 points and 6.0 rebounds with a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
Ja'Heim Hudson contributed 9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds. Chuck Harris scored 11.0 per game with 2.0 assists. Tyreek Smith a team-best 8.0 rebounds per game with 6.7 points. Denver Anglin added 6.7 points and an assist per outing. Keon Ambrose-Hylton shot 56.3% from the field (9-16) while averaging 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds. Ricardo Wright added 5.3 points and 1.3 assists. Emory Lanier had eight points, five assists and two steals for the trip.
 
During the trip, the travel party visited historic sites in each city. Highlights included Madrid's Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace as well a tour of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid, the Port of Valencia and a tour at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.4 steals (4th AAC). SMU recorded 17 in the win over Western Illinois on Nov. 8. Ten different Mustangs have a steal this season, led by Zhuric Phelps (1.9 - 7th AAC), B.J. Edwards (1.5 - 20th AAC), Tyreek Smith (1.1) and Chuck Harris (1.0).
SMU Single-Game Steals
- 19, Ark-Pine Bluff, 12-20-2004
- 18, [15] Tulsa, 3-4-2000
- 17, Houston Baptist,12-2-2020
- 17, Western Illinois, 11-8-2023
SMU Season Steals Average
1.    9.3 (30 games)    1999-00
—-    8.4    2023-24
2.    8.6 (28 games)    2004-05
3.    8.5 (35 games)    1987-88
4.    8.3 (28 games)    1992-93
5.    8.3 (30 games)    1998-99

STEALING THE SHOW: Zhuric Phelps has 114 career steals, which is 19th at SMU. He is averaging 1.9 this season (7th AAC). He had 68 steals in 2022-23, averaging 2.3 per game (1st AAC, 16th NCAA). That was fifth in a season at SMU. Phelps had a career-high 7 steals at Wichita State on Feb. 12, which tied for third in a game at SMU and was the most since Nic Moore had 7 vs Texas Southern 11/26/2014. Phelps also had 6 at Tulsa on Jan. 18 as well as 5 against Cincinnati on Jan. 14 and five at USF on Feb. 25.
SMU Career Steals
    1    225    Bryan Hopkins, 2002-06
    2    209    Gerald Lewis, 1989-93
    3    205    Carl Wright, 1982-85
    —-
    12    130    Butch Moore, 1982-86
    13    128    David Piehler, 1979-83
    14    127    Roderick Hampton, 1987-91
    15    126     Justin Isham, 2001-05
        126    Kato Armstrong, 1985-89
    17    125    Phil Hale, 1976-80
    18    123    Troy Matthews, 1993-97
    19    114    Zhuric Phelps, 2021-
SMU Career Steals Avg. (min. 35 games)
    1    2.1    Bryan Hopkins (225/105), 2002-06
        2.1    Carl Wright (205/96), 1982-85
    3    1.9    Gerald Lewis (209/112), 1989-93
    4    1.7    Carlton McKinney (111/64), 1986-88
        1.7    Jeryl Sasser (197/117), 1997-01
        1.7    Jemeil Rich (136/81), 1994-97
    7    1.6    Stephen Woods (179/112), 1996-00
        1.6    Jimmy Whitt Jr. (103/63), 2017-19
        1.6    Zhuric Phelps, 2021-
SMU Season     Steals Average
    1    2.9    Gerald Lewis (Sr.), 1992-93 (79/27)
    2    2.4    Bryan Hopkins (Sr.), 2005-06 (52/22)
        2.4    Bryan Hopkins (Jr.), 2004-05 (59/25)
    4    2.3    Carl Wright (So.), 1983-84 (77/33)
        2.3    Carl Wright (Jr.), 1984-85 (76/33)
        2.3    Gerald Lewis (Jr.), 1991-92 (63/28)
        2.3    Zhuric Phelps (So.), 2022-23
    8    2.2    Willie Davis (Jr.), 1999-00 (67/30)
    9    2.1    Bryan Hopkins (Fr.), 2002-03 (61/29)
    10    2.0    Jeryl Sasser (So.), 1998-99 (60/30)
        2.0    Peter Lodwick (Sr.,) 1976-77 (53/27)
    —-    1.9    Zhuric Phelps (Jr.), 2023-24
SMU Season Steals
    1     79    Gerald Lewis (Sr.), 1992-93
    2    77    Carl Wright (So.), 1983-84
    3    76    Carl Wright (Jr.), 1984-85
    4    68    Zhuric Phelps (So.), 2022-23
    5    67    Willie Davis (Jr.), 1999-00
SMU Single-Game Steals
    1    9    Bryan Hopkins, San Jose State, 2-10-2005
    2    8    Willie Davis, [15] Tulsa, 3-4-2000
    T3    7    Zhuric Phelps, at Wichita State, 2-12-2023 (7 other times)

LEADING THEM ALL: Twice in 2022-23, Zhuric Phelps led or co-led the Mustangs in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in the same game. He had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block in the 77-74 win against [rv/rv] Utah State on Dec. 23. Phelps had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block in the 80-65 home loss to [2/2] Houston on Feb. 16.

LAST GAME (L, 76-74 at Arizona State on Dec. 6): TEMPE, Ariz. -- — Jose Perez scored 20 points, Frankie Collins added 17, and Arizona State rallied in the second half to defeat SMU 76-74 on Wednesday night. Tyreek Smith, Chuck Harris and Zhuric Phelps scored four points each — all in the paint — and the Mustangs broke open a close game near the midway point of the second half, leading 63-50. But Arizona State, which is accustomed to second-half comebacks, stormed back to take a 68-66 lead at the 5-minute mark. The 16-5 run began with a 3-pointer from Collins and was capped off by three consecutive dunks, two of them by Collins. The Sun Devils pushed their lead to six while SMU was mired in a 1-for-10 shooting slump. SMU got within three points twice in the final minute, but Arizona State made enough free throws to lead by five with three seconds left. SMU's Phelps made a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin. The Sun Devils cashed in with 32 free throws in 43 attempts to overcome 36.5% shooting. SMU shot 45.3% and made 10 more field goals than Arizona State but was only 10 for 19 from the line. Phelps led SMU (6-4) with 24 points and nine rebounds. Harris scored 17 and Smith added 12. Alonzo Gaffney added 12 points for Arizona State (6-2). Sparked by a personal 7-0 run from Kamari Lands, the Sun Devils built an eight-point lead near the 12-minute mark of the first half. The Mustangs came right back and after opening the game 6 of 17 from the field, they made five of their next 10 and tied it at 26 on a three-point play by Phelps. Later in the half, a 7-0 run put the Mustangs up by six points and they went on to lead 40-36 at the break.

UP NEXT: The Mustangs host Houston Christian on Wednesday then conclude the non-conference at Murray State on Dec. 22. AAC play begins with an ESPN2-televised home contest against Charlotte on Jan. 2.

THE SERIES VS FLORIDA STATE (0-1): The only previous meeting was in the final game of the 2006 Colonial Classic with Florida State winning 59-52 on Nov. 14, 2006.

LAST MEETING (L, 59-52 at Florida State on Nov. 14, 2006): TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Toney Douglas scored 14 points in the second half, including a pair of crucial free throws with 39 seconds left, to lead Florida State to a 59-52 victory over SMU in Tuesday's final in the Colonial Classic. Al Thornton scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds and Jerel Allen added 11 points for the Seminoles (3-0). SMU's Jon Killen scored a career-high 15 points, but also had eight turnovers. Donatas Rackauskas added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench. The Mustangs also got 12 points from Derrick Roberts. SMU (2-1) held a 26-25 halftime lead, and led late in the second half. Douglas hit three consecutive baskets to give Florida State a 45-41 lead with 5:29 left in the game. SMU closed to within two points with 44 seconds left on a three-pointer from Rackauskas before Douglas' free throws. Ike Ofoegbu and Killen were named to the All-Tournament Team. Ofoegbu averaged 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds. Killen averaged 10.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.3 steals.

HISTOR-ACC DAY: SMU celebrated one of the most important moments in the school's history on Sept. 1 when it received and accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference. With the additions of SMU, Cal & Stanford, the ACC will have 18 members.

PONY UP DALLAS: In just seven days after announcing the move into the Atlantic Coast Conference on Sept. 1, SMU raised $100 million to support the Mustangs' transition to the ACC in 2024. The generous early commitments from a group of thirty donors that includes trustees and key donors – alumni and non-alumni alike – enables SMU to align and compete with an elite group of national institutions with powerhouse athletic programs, benefiting both SMU Athletics and the entire University community. The move to the new conference is also creating additional impact. Mustang fans have responded enthusiastically to the planned move, with men's basketball season ticket sales jumping 30% in the last week and hundreds of new football season tickets being sold as well. Notably, the move has immediately raised SMU's profile, with media coverage of the move generating more than $163 million in advertising value in the first three days. In that same small window, SMU also experienced a 103% increase in visitors to its undergraduate admissions homepage.

HEAD COACH ROB LANIER... is in his second season  at SMU after arriving from Georgia State. He has more than 30 years as a collegiate coach, including eight seasons as a head coach. His teams have made 12 NCAA Tournaments and earned 19 total postseason bids. Those teams also have five conference titles, three regular season championships and two tournament crowns, plus five more trips to a league tournament final. 

Following his first season on the Hilltop, which included a runner-up finish at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Lanier brought in a transfer class ranked as high as No. 42 nationally and No. 2 in The American. In August of 2023, the Mustangs went 3-0 in Spain with games in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. The team visited several historic sites including Madrid's Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace as well a tour of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid, the Port of Valencia and a tour at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. 

After arriving at SMU, Lanier was named a training camp coach for the 2022 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team. He worked with the team in Houston prior to its gold-medal run at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Mexico. 

In his three seasons at Georgia State, the Panthers went 53-30, winning the Sun Belt Tournament in 2022 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers also made the Sun Belt Tournament final in 2021. Additionally, he led GSU to a victory over Georgia Tech, the program's first win over an ACC opponent. The Panthers also claimed the 2019-20 2K Empire Classic Riverside Regional. 

In addition to being the head coach at Georgia State and Siena, he has been associate head coach or an assistant coach at Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Rutgers and his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. Lanier has played a role in signing 10 McDonald's All-Americans, and 11 players that he either signed or coached have become NBA Draft Picks.

COACHSPEAK.NET: Head Coach Rob Lanier runs the site as a platform for coaches from all levels across all sports to express themselves on a wide range of topics. It began as an idea in the spring of 2016 and became a reality in 2017. This is a not a site about Strategy, Instruction or Coaching philosophy but it certainly can and will explore those areas. This is a site about people. Coach Lanier has also written articles for the site:
TWO STEP by Rob Lanier 
https://www.coachspeak.net/two-step-by-rob-lanier/
RECALLING MY NBA DAYS…ALL 5 OF THEM by Rob Lanier
https://www.coachspeak.net/recalling-my-nba-days-all-5-of-them-by-rob-lanier/

SMU BASKETBALL COACHES SHOW PRESENTED BY THE COX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: The SMU Basketball Coaches Show presented by the Cox School of Business features Men's Basketball Head Coach Rob Lanier and Women's Basketball Head Coach Toyelle Wilson beginning Monday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at Ozona Grill and Bar. Ozona Grill and Bar is located at 4615 Greenville Ave., just a short distance from the SMU campus. Fans can watch LIVE on the SMU Mustangs Facebook page, or listen on SMUMustangs.com and on the SMU Mobile App. SHOW DATES: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 4,  11

2023-24 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll
     N27 - Zhuric Phelps (19.0 pts, 6.3 rebs, 2.0 asts, 2.0 stls in 2-1 week)
- Fort Myers Tip-Off All-Tournament Team - Zhuric Phelps (18.0 pts, 7.5 rebs, 2.0 asts, 2.0 stls)
- Preseason All-American Athletic Conference - Zhuric Phelps (2nd Team)
2022-23 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS (returnees):
- American Athletic Conference Player of the Week
     D26 - Zhuric Phelps (19.7 pts, 5.7 rebs, 3.0 asts, 1.7 stls in 3 games at Diamond Head Classic)
- American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll
     N28 - Zhuric Phelps (20.0 pts, 6.0 rebs, 4.0 asts, 2.5 stls, 2.0 blks in 2 games)
     J2 - Samuell Williamson (17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal vs Tulsa)
     F13 - Zhuric Phelps (22.5 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.0 asts, 5.5 stls in 2 games, game-winning FT vs Temple)
     F20 - Zhuric Phelps (18.5 pts, 5.5 rebs, 7.5 asts, 2.5 stls, 5-9 3FGs in 2 games
- Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic All-Tournament Team
     D22-25 - Zhuric Phelps (19.7 pts, 5.7 rebs, 3.0 asts, 1.7 stls in 3 games)
2021-22 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS (returnees):
- American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week
     D13 - Zhuric Phelps (13 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls, 1 ast, 6-8 FG, 1-1 3FG in win vs Dayton)

ZHURIC PHELPS NBA DRAFT: On April 12, Zhuric Phelps announced he would enter the NBA Draft and maintain his collegiate eligibility. On May 24, he announced he would withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to SMU for his junior season.

PORTAL POWER: 247 Sports ranked SMU as the No. 42 transfer class and the No. 2 class in the American Athletic Conference (Memphis). The transfers included two ranked as four-star (B.J. Edwards - Tennessee, Chuck Harris - Butler) and three as three-star (Denver Anglin - Georgetown, Ja'Heim Hudson - Georgia State, Tyreek Smith - Oklahoma State) additions.

2022-23 IN REVIEW: SMU finished 10-22 in the first season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, playing 14 games decided by six points or less (5-9). The Mustangs played in the championship game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, falling to Hawaii 58-57 on a buzzer-beater.

Zhuric Phelps earned an AAC Player of the Week honor, three AAC Weekly Honor Roll nods and Diamond Head Classic All-Tournament Team. Samuell Williamson earned one AAC Weekly Honor Roll.

Zhuric Phelps averaged a team-best 17.5 points (6th AAC). Phelps also averaged 3.2 assists (11th AAC) and 2.3 steals (1st AAC, 16th NCAA). Zach Nutall was second for the Mustangs scoring 13.2 per game (19th AAC). He made 2.0 threes per game (13th AAC). Efe Odigie added 11.3 points, Samuell Williamson 9.3 per game. Williamson led the Mustangs at 7.3 rebounds (6th AAC) followed by Odigie at 6.9 (9th AAC). Odigie and Williamson each had six double-doubles (T-6th AAC). Williamson averaged 1.4 steals (11th AAC) and 0.8 blocks per game (14th AAC). 

PLAYING THEM CLOSE: In 2022-23, the Mustangs played 14 games decided by six points or fewer, going 5-9 in those games. SMU defeated Iona 85-81 on Dec. 22, Utah State 77-74 on Dec. 23, Tulsa 79-76 in overtime on Jan. 18 , USF 82-80 on Jan. 29 and Temple 72-71 on Feb. 8. The Mustangs have lost nine games decided by six points or less, including the AAC tournament opener vs UCF (76-70), AAC games at USF (71-67) on Feb. 25, at Wichita State (91-89 2OT) on Feb. 12, at ECU (77-72) on Feb. 4, against Wichita State (71-69) on Jan. 22 and versus Cincinnati (54-52) on Jan. 14. The Mustangs fell 58-57 on a buzzer-beater at Hawaii Dec. 25, 74-70 in OT to Louisiana on Nov. 22 and 69-68 to Jackson State on Dec. 3.

2022-23 AAC HONORS - ZHURIC PHELPS (POTW DEC. 26, HONOR ROLL NOV 28, FEB. 13, FEB. 20): Zhuric Phelps was named to the Feb. 20 AAC Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.5 steals in games against [2/2] Houston and the win over ECU. That made it back-to-back honors after being on the Feb. 13 AAC Weekly Honor Roll following 22.5 points, 5.5 steals, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in two games. He hit the game-winning free throw in the 72-71 win against Temple. Phelps was named the AAC Player of the Week on Dec. 26 after averaging 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, earning all-tournament honors. His first AAC Weekly Honor Roll was Nov. 28 after averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks in two games. Phelps has four career AAC Weekly Honor. He was the conference's Freshman of the Week on Dec. 13, 2021. SAMUELL WILLIAMSON  (HONOR ROLL JAN. 2): Samuell Williamson was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Jan. 2. He had 17 points with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocked shots and a steal in the 92-67 AAC-opening win over Tulsa on New Year's Day.

AAC HONORS: SMU leads The American in Players Of The Year (4) and is second in All-AAC honors (19)
AAC Players of the Year
4 - SMU 
2 - Cincinnati, Houston
1 - Connecticut, Memphis, Wichita State
All-AAC Honors
21 - Houston
19 - SMU
16 - Cincinnati 
14 – Memphis

Mustangs Selected All-American Athletic Conference
Sterling Brown (2016-17 Second Team)
Kendric Davis (2019-20 Third Team, 2020-21 First Team, 2021-22 First Team)
Feron Hunt (2020-21 Third Team)
Tyson Jolly (2019-20 Third Team)
Markus Kennedy (2013-14 Second Team, 2014-15 Second Team)
Jahmal McMurray (2018-19 Second Team)
Isiaha Mike (2019-20 Third Team)
Shake Milton (2016-17 Second Team, 2017-18 Second Team)
Ben Moore (2016-17 Second Team)
Nic Moore (2013-14 First Team, 2014-15 First Team, 2015-16 First Team)
Yanick Moreira (2014-15 Second Team)
Semi Ojeleye (2016-17 First Team)
Marcus Weathers (2021-22 Second Team)

AAC CHAMPIONSHIPS: SMU has won two regular season titles and two tournament titles.
6 - Houston (4 Season, 2 Tournament)
5 - Cincinnati (3 Season, 2 Tournament)
4 - SMU (2 Season, 2 Tournament)
2 - Louisville (1 Season, 1 Tournament)
1 - Temple (Season), Tulsa (Season), Wichita State (Season), Memphis (Tournament), UCONN (Tournament)

SMU BASKETBALL - HONORS (Awards/Honors since 2013-14)
  •  NBA Draft Picks (Semi Ojeleye & Sterling Brown in '17, Shake Milton in '18)
  •  AAC Players of the Year (Nic Moore '15, '16; Semi Ojeleye '17; Kendric Davis '22)
  •  AP All-America Honorable Mention (Nic Moore '15, '16; Semi Ojeleye '17)
  •  Academic All-American (Semi Ojeleye '17)
  •  Wooden Award Watch List (Nic Moore '15, '16, Shake Milton '18, Kendric Davis '22)
  •  Naismith Trophy Watch List (Nic Moore '15, '16; Shake Milton '18, Kendric Davis '22)
  •  Karl Malone Award Watch List (Markus Kennedy '16)
  •  Bob Cousy Award Watch List (Nic Moore '16; Shake Milton '18, Kendric Davis '22)
  •  Lute Olson Award Watch List (Nic Moore '15; Shake Milton '18; Kendric Davis '21, '22)
  •  Jerry West Award Watch List (Shake Milton '17)
  •  Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List (Nic Moore '16)
  •  NABC All-District (Nic Moore '14, '15, '16; Markus Kennedy '14, '15; Yanick Moreira '15; Ben Moore '16; Semi Ojeleye '17; Shake Milton '17, '18, Kendric Davis '20, '21, '22; Marcus Weathers '22)
  •  USBWA All-District (Nic Moore '14, '16; Semi Ojeleye '17; Shake Milton '18, Kendric Davis '21, '22)
  •  NABC College All-Star (Sterling Brown '17; Ben Moore '17)
  •  All-AAC 1st Team (Nic Moore '14, '15, '16; Semi Ojeleye '17; Kendric Davis '21, '22)
  •  All-AAC 2nd Team (Markus Kennedy '14, '15; Yanick Moreira '15; Sterling Brown '17; Ben Moore '17; Shake Milton '17, '18; Jahmal McMurray '19; Marcus Weathers '22)
  •  All-AAC 3rd Team (Kendric Davis '20, Tyson Jolly '20, Isiaha Mike '20, Feron Hunt '21)
  •  AAC Sixth Man of the Year (Markus Kennedy '15, '16; Ben Emelogu II '17)
  •  NABC Good Works Team Nominee (Semi Ojeleye '16; Jonathan Wilfong '17)
  •  Senior CLASS Award Nominee (Nic Moore '16; Ben Emelogu II '18)

SMU2NBA / Pros Since 2014: 
- Semi Ojeleye selected 37th in 2017 (picked by Boston)
- Sterling Brown selected 46th in 2017 (picked by Philadelphia, then traded to Milwaukee)
- Shake Milton selected 54th in 2018 (picked by Dallas, then traded to Philadelphia)
- Ben Moore spent 2017-19 with Indiana and San Antonio, played the 2021-22 with Memphis Hustle
- Feron Hunt signed a two-way with the New York Knicks (3/18/22), is now with Birmingham (G League affiliate for New Orleans)
- Jahmal McMurray was picked 21st in the 2019 G League draft by the Northern Arizona Suns (Phoenix)
- Michael Weathers was picked 8th in the 2022 G League draft by the Oklahoma City Blue (OKC)
- Played professionally: Ben Emelogu II, Jarrey Foster, Feron Hunt, Markus Kennedy, Jahmal McMurray, Isiaha Mike, Ben Moore, Nic Moore, Yanick Moreira, Nick Russell, Jordan Tolbert, Marcus Weathers, Michael Weathers

SMU ATHLETICS LAUNCHES STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS DEPARTMENT: As part of its goal of Shaping Champions and preparing students for life, SMU Athletics announced the creation of a Student-Athlete Success Department for the 2022-23 academic year. This department encompasses all student-development-centered efforts such as Life After Ball, SAAC and community service initiatives. Additionally, it houses NIL Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Due to a generous donation from Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin, SMU Athletics is able to grow staffing in these critical areas in our support of our student-athletes.

BOLD - BIG OPPORTUNITIES LIVE IN DALLAS: As part of its goal of Shaping Champions and preparing students for life, SMU Athletics proudly announced the addition of its BOLD (Big Opportunities Live in Dallas) Program to its suite of student-athlete development tools, with the goal of helping student-athletes navigate and capitalize on new Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) legislation. BOLD will, among other things, provide SMU student-athletes with the means to navigate the evolving NIL landscape. The BOLD program incorporates INFLCR, a comprehensive NIL education and compliance solution, and campus resources from the Cox School of Business, the Dedman School of Law, and the Meadows School of the Arts. While the acronym BOLD emphasizes SMU's ties to the City of Dallas, the word is also important in its ties to SMU and the University's Brand Promise, which states, "For the bold, curious, and creative, SMU is the comprehensive research university whose enterprising spirit in a vibrant community empowers leaders to tackle grand challenges."

CHAMPIONS FOR LITERACY (championsforlit.org): This is the 10th straight season SMU has supported Champions For Literacy (formerly Coaching For Literacy), designating the home game against Houston Christian on Dec. 19 as the CFL game at Moody Coliseum for 2023-24. Jonathan Wilfong (SMU '17) and Andrew Renshaw, two then-high school seniors from Memphis, Tennessee, founded CFL in 2012. In partnership with Readers 2 Leaders (readers2leaders.org), proceeds raised from the event go towards funding of effective literacy programs focused on 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 leveraging the unique power of collegiate and professional sports, Champions for Literacy raises money to supports effective local literacy programs and schools focused on educating elementary and middle school students.
CFL Games At Moody Coliseum
1/31/15    vs. UCF (W, 75-56)
2/19/15    vs. Temple (W, 67-58)
1/30/16     vs. Memphis (W, 80-68)
2/10/16    vs. Tulsa (L, 77-82)
12/19/16    vs. Stanford (W, 72-49)
1/28/18    vs. East Carolina (W, 86-61)
1/2/19    vs. East Carolina (W, 82-54)
12/3/19    vs. Northwestern State (W, 77-51)
2/17/21    vs. Tulane (postponed - weather)
1/12/22    vs USF (W, 77-65)
11/19/22    vs Evansville (W, 55-47)
12/19/23    vs Houston Christian