SMU (13-5, 4-1 AAC) at North Texas (11-6, 4-1 AAC)
The Super Pit – Denton, Texas
Thursday, January 25, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
Gameday Central | Live Stats
SMU Notes | UNT | American
SMU Basketball Yearbook | SMU Digital Game Program
Facebook | X | Instagram
SMU Basketball Coaches Show Presented By The SMU Cox School Of Business – Monday 7pm At Ozona Grill & Bar
 
DALLAS – Before taking the court for last Saturday's game against Tulsa, SMU men's basketball coach Rob Lanier needed a moment to reset his squad. 

The Mustangs came into the contest with six wins in their last seven outings. The team's confidence was high and rightfully so. However, the focus during practice leading up to the game was a little disjointed. 

"You're always concerned with how your team is handling success," Lanier said during Monday's Coaches Show. "School is starting back and you worry about young people hearing so much about how good they are and I thought we had a couple of days there where we weren't totally locked in in practice. And we addressed it and they responded and I thought Saturday represented the fact they realized that we've still got a long way to go. And they played with that sense of urgency so that was good."

SMU (13-5 overall, 4-1 American) went on to post a 103-70 win, tying the program record for most points in an American Athletic Conference game. 

Now, the Mustangs must carry that same mentality with them the road. 

It starts Thursday with a 45-minute drive to Denton for a 6 p.m. battle with North Texas (11-6, 4-1). On Sunday, the Mustangs will head to Kansas for a 2 p.m. contest at Wichita State (8-10, 0-5). 

Defense continues to set the tone for SMU as the squad has limited opponents to 62.39 points per game, the second best scoring defense in the AAC. The only team sitting ahead of the Mustangs is North Texas at 58.29 points allowed. 

The Mean Green play at a slower tempo, emphasizing longer possessions to limit an opponent's opportunities. Conversely, Wichita State plays at a much quicker pace, averaging 74.41 points per game on offense. SMU is slightly better, scoring at 76.28 clip per game. 

The week ahead presents the Mustangs with two very different teams playing two very different styles of basketball. The only common denominator between the programs is that both have first-year head coaches. 

North Texas elevated Ross Hodge to head coach last April after he served as an assistant during the team's run to an NIT championship. Wichita State brought in Paul Mills in March after he guided Oral Roberts to two NCAA Tournament bids in his last three years on the job. 

No matter the tempo, style of play or environment, Lanier believes the Mustangs have the focus to handle any challenge that is presented. In fact, he's counting on it. 

"When we lost the Memphis game, it was the first time that we had lost in over a month at that time. And you could feel the pain. It was real pain. And you don't want your guys to be in pain but I was proud of how disappointed they were in a way. And that's going to be the next challenge for us," Lanier said. "We hope to continue to win every chance we get, but being able to handle some adversity at some point that is bound to happen, how we handle that is going to be the next test of how connected we really are."