SMU (13-6, 4-2 AAC) at Wichita State (8-11, 0-6 AAC)
Charles Koch Arena – Wichita, Kansas
Sunday, January 28, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. CT
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The Mustangs play a second straight road game, visiting Wichita State on Sunday. The Mustangs have won seven of their last nine to enter the matchup 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the American Athletic Conference.

On Thursday, SMU had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 68-66 loss at North Texas. Zhuric Phelps led the Mustangs with 22 points, including a career-best 12-of-13 on free throws. Samuell Williamson led SMU with 12 rebounds for his third straight double-digit outing as the Mustangs finished with a 34-32 edge on the glass. Tyreek Smith added 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting. UNT hit 44.6% from the field, just the third SMU opponent above 42% this season.

COACHES VS CANCER SUITS AND SNEAKERS WEEK - Jan. 22-28: Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week is a nationwide event when basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – saving lives from cancer! The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised over $155 million for the American Cancer Society. (SMU also participated in CvC during the home game vs Tulsa on Jan. 20 since the team is on the road for both games this week.)

ELITE DEFENSE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs' defense is among the best in the country. SMU is holding opponents to 37.4% (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA) from the field, holding 16 of 19 opponents under 42.0%. The three-point defense is 26.5% (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA). Opponents are averaging 62.7 points (2nd AAC, 9th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.5 steals (2nd AAC), 5.2 blocked shots per game (2nd AAC, 20th NCAA) and have a +5.4 in rebound margin (1st AAC).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 11th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 3.6 assists per game (11th AAC) with a 2.76 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd AAC) followed by Harris at 3.5 assists (12th AAC) and a 1.81 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.3 (7th AAC). Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks (6th AAC). Keon Ambrose-Hylton is averaging 1.1 blocks (12th AAC).

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
—-    .374    2023-24
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62
    
SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .265    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

Scoring defense
1.    59.8 (34 games)    2014-15
2.    60.0 (35 games)    2016-17
3.    60.1 (32 games)    2011-12
4.    61.3 (35 games)    2010-11
5.    61.4 (29 games)    1985-86
6.    62.2 (25 games)    1957-58
7.    62.2 (37 games)    2013-14
8.    62.6 (31 games)    2006-07
9.    62.7 (32 games)    2012-13
—-    62.7    2023-24
10.    63.2 (24 games)    1958-59

Scoring margin
1.    14.3 (74.3-60.0)    2016-17
2.    13.9 (77.3-63.4)    2015-16
3.    13.4 (77.6-64.2)    1956-57
—-    13.1    2023-24
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Started all 19 games... averaging 8.1 points (10+ 5 times), 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots (12th AAC) while shooting 67.7% (3rd AAC)...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 4.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists (11th AAC) and 1.2 steals with a 2.76 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd AAC)...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 4 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 19 games... averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (12th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.7% on threes (3rd AAC) and 82.5% on FTs... Has a with a 1.81 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC)...Has 1 double-double (18 points, 10 assists) vs Tulsa 1/20... Scored 1,000th career point in the win vs Lamar 11/9... AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D18) | 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 3.7 points and 3.3 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 4.1 points and shooting 43.9% on 3FGs (18-41)... has 18 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 8 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 14.7 points (11th AAC), 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 10 total blocks and hitting 77.8% on FTs (14th AAC, 70-90)... 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 5.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 34.4% on threes (22-64)...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 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.5 blocks (6th AAC) while shooting 60.9% on FGs and 71.2% on FTs (37-52)...Has 2 double-doubles... 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 5 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 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds (7th AAC) and 1.4 assists... 3 double-doubles (10th AAC)... AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D26)... 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 4.8 points and shooting 37.0% on threes (20-54)... 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 5 games... SCHOLARSHIP: During a team meeting on Jan. 6, Head Coach Rob Lanier announced that Jackson Young was awarded a scholarship... 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.

LAST GAME (L, 68-66 at North Texas on Jan. 25): DENTON, Texas (AP) -- CJ Noland hit a 3-pointer with just under two minutes left and Jason Edwards added two of his 22 points from the free throw line in the final minute as North Texas beat SMU 68-66 on Thursday night. Edwards shot 8 for 18 (3 for 9 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free throw line for the Mean Green (12-6, 5-1 American Athletic Conference). Robert Allen scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds. John Buggs III had 12 points and finished 4 of 4 from 3-point range. Zhuric Phelps finished with 22 points for the Mustangs (13-6, 4-2). Tyreek Smith added 13 points for SMU. In addition, Chuck Harris finished with eight points and four assists. North Texas went into halftime ahead of SMU 33-32. Edwards scored 11 points in the half. Buggs' 3-pointer with 4:46 remaining in the second half gave North Texas the lead for good at 56-53.
POSTGAME GAME NOTES
- Snaps SMU's 3-game win streak. 7-2 in last 9 games 
- Zhuric Phelps scored 22 – career-high 12-13 FTs
- Tyreek Smith scored 13 – 6-6 FGs, 7th game this season with 10+
- SMU outrebounded UNT 34-32 - Samuell Williamson had 12
- SMU outscored the UNT bench 27-26 - more bench points in 15 games, including 8 straight

UP NEXT: The Mustangs host Tulane on Thursday and UAB on Feb. 4.

THE SERIES VS. WICHITA STATE (6-11): SMU has dropped seven straight (both by 2 points last season) since winning on Jan. 17, 2017 at then-No. 7/4 Wichita State, 83-78, in Kansas to end the Shockers' 27-game Koch Arena winning streak. The first meeting dates back to Dec. 22, 1956, when SMU won 85-67 in Wichita. The then-No. 5 Mustangs won the following year in Dallas, 93-70. Wichita State bested SMU in the NCAA Midwest Regional, 86-81, on March 12, 1965, for its first win of the series. After a 1-1 split between 1970 and 1971, the two teams went 2-2 between 1993-1996 as the home team won each matchup.

LAST SEASON VS WICHITA STATE (L 2OT, 91-89 at Wichita State on Feb. 12): WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Kenny Pohto totaled 28 points, Craig Porter Jr. scored 22 and Jaykwon Walton added 20 as Wichita State beat SMU 91-89 in double overtime. Porter made a layup for the Shockers with two seconds remaining to tie the game at 75 and force the first overtime. Zhuric Phelps pulled the Mustangs even at 80-all on a layup with 42 seconds to go but missed a 3-pointer with two seconds left to force a second OT. Pohto scored the first four points on two free throws and a jumper and WSU grabbed an 84-80 lead at the 3:41 mark. Porter's basket gave WSU an 88-83 lead with 40 seconds left, but Phelps hit 1-2 free throws and turned a Shockers' turnover into a layup to get SMU with two points 10 seconds later. Porter was fouled and hit both foul shots to give Wichita State a two-possession lead. Phelps missed a layup, but Samuell Williamson grabbed the rebound, was fouled and completed the three-point play to get the Mustangs within a point with 14 seconds remaining. SMU fouled Isaac Abidde, who made the second of two foul shots, but Jalen Smith missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Pohto sank 13-15 shots from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds for WSU. Porter hit 9-13 shots, adding six assists, four boards and three blocks. Walton made 6-11 shots. Phelps paced SMU with 26 points and five assists. Efe Odigie added 21 points. Williamson finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Zach Nutall contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. (L, 71-69 at SMU on Jan. 22): DALLAS (AP) -- Jaykwon Walton scored 18 points, Craig Porter Jr. made three free throws to give Wichita State the lead with 35 seconds left and the Shockers rallied to beat SMU 71-69. Walton made 5-9 shots and 8-12 free throws for the Shockers. James Rojas finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Porter hit 3-5 shots and all five of his free throws, scoring 11. He also blocked four shots. Zach Nutall led the Mustangs with 17 points and three steals. Efe Odigie added 16 points and 11 rebounds. Zhruic Phelps finished with 13 points, five assists and two steals. Walton scored 16 points in the second half to help the Shockers rally from a 29-25 halftime deficit.

EARNING A SCHOLARSHIP: During a team meeting in Memphis on January 6, Head Coach Rob Lanier announced that Jackson Young was being awarded a scholarship. Young came to SMU as a walk-on before the 2022-23 season. Jackson Young was featured on NBC's Today Show in the Morning Boost segment on Jan. 13.

AAC UNITY WEEK - Together We Stand is Jan. 27 to Feb. 4: The American Athletic Conference is committed to racial equality and continuous development of an environment that embraces and celebrates diversity, inclusion, advocacy, accountability, and education for student-athletes, coaches, conference staff, administrators, and our fans. As a component of our commitment to immediate and ongoing action, The American has established conference-wide "Unity Weeks" where student-athletes will wear special warm-up shirts, signifying their commitment to these principles. SMU's games during Unity Week are at Wichita State on Jan. 28 and at home versus Tulane on Feb. 1.

LEAVE NO DOUBT: All 13 SMU wins are by double figures.

SO CLOSE: Four of SMU's six losses this season are by three points or less. The Mustangs lost 68-66 at North Texas on Jan. 25, 62-59 at [15/15] Memphis on Jan. 7, 76-74 at Arizona State on Dec. 6 and 65-63 to Dayton on Nov. 29. 

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY: This season marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the renovated Moody Coliseum. The remodeled facility made its basketball debut on Jan. 4, 2014 with a matchup against then-No. 17/15 UCONN, giving the Huskies a 74-65 loss. Since the renovation, SMU was been ranked or receiving votes in eight of those seasons getting as high as No. 8, won two AAC championships and made five postseasons (2 NCAA, 3 NIT).

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.

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 4,803 from 3,916 last season.

EYE ON 1000 POINTS: Zhuric Phelps (926 - all at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (948) are both approaching the scoring milestone. Chuck Harris (1213) surpassed is on Nov. 9 vs Lamar.

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 40.2 rebounds (3rd AAC, 32nd NCAA) and 13.5 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 22nd NCAA) with a +5.4 margin (1st AAC). SMU has been +10 or better 7 times this season. Samuell Williamson leads the team at 7.3 (7th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.9 and Zhuric Phelps at 4.5. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.1 offensive rebounds (14th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 1.9. 5X5: Four times this season, SMU has had at least 5 Mustangs record 5+ rebounds (Western Illinois 11/8, at Arizona State 12/6, at Florida State 12/16, Charlotte 1/2)
SMU Season Rebound Margin
1.    10.2 (39.4-29.3)    2015-16
2.    8.7 (38.1-29.5)    2016-17
3.    8.4 (37.2-28.8)    1988-89
4.    6.7 (36.6-29.9)    2014-15
5.    5.7 (48.5-42.8)    1959-60
—-    5.4    2023-24
6.    5.0 (46.5-41.5)    1958-59
7.    4.8 (36.0-31.3)    2013-14

BLOCK PARTY: The Mustangs had 12 blocked shots in the win over Houston Christian. That ties for fourth in program history. Seven Mustangs had a block. Keon Ambrose-Hylton and Tyreek Smith each had three. SMU is averaging 5.2 blocks for the season (2nd AAC, 20th NCAA). Tyreek Smith leads the team with 1.5 blocks per game (6th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 1.1 (12th AAC).
SMU Season Blocked shots average
—-    5.2    2023-24
1.    5.0 (30 games)    2002-03
2.    4.8 (29 games)    2005-06

MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.5 steals (2nd AAC, 43rd). SMU recorded 17 in the win over Western Illinois on Nov. 8 (T-3rd program history) and has 10 ore more 5 times. Ten different Mustangs have at least 7 steals this season, led by Zhuric Phelps (1.9 - 5th AAC).
SMU Season Steals Average
1.    9.3 (30 games)    1999-00
2.    8.6 (28 games)    2004-05
3.    8.5 (35 games)    1987-88
—-    8.5    2023-24

KE-ON TARGET: Keon Ambrose-Hylton is shooting 67.7% from the field this season (3rd AAC). In the 90-47 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 3, he scored a career-high 19 points, going 9-9 on FGs. The Mustangs shot 69.2% from the field in that victory. That ranks fourth in program history. 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.

THE SCHEDULE: SMU went 9-4 against a non-conference schedule 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 (W, 68-57) plus the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off with West Virginia (W, 70-58 - semifinal) and Wisconsin (L, 69-61 - championship). SMU plays five AAC opponents twice: ECU (W at ECU), [19/22] Memphis (L at UM), North Texas (L at UNT), Tulane and UAB. The Mustangs will play home games only against Charlotte (W), Temple (W), Tulsa (W) and UTSA, and play road games only versus [22/24] 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.

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.

STEALING THE SHOW: Zhuric Phelps has 132 career steals, which is 12th at SMU. He is averaging 1.9 this season (5th 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
    4    197    Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01
    5    179    Stephen +Woods, 1996-00
    6    160    Willie Davis, 1997-01
    7    153    Quinton Ross, 1999-03
    8    144    Jon Killen, 2004-08
    9    139    Sterling Brown, 2013-17
    10    136    Jemeil Rich, 1994-97
        136    Nic Moore, 2013-16
    12    132    Zhuric Phelps, 2021-

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.

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)
     D18 - Chuck Harris (24 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts in win at Florida State)
     D26 - Samuell Williamson (14.0 pts, 10.5 rebs, 2.0 asts, 13-20 FGs in 2-0 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)

SEEING DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Samuell Williamson has 6 double-doubles in AAC play at SMU. In 2022-23, he had 6 double-doubles for the season including 4 in AAC games.
SMU Career Double-Doubles In AAC Games
11 - Ben Moore, 2013-17
7 - Markus Kennedy, 2013-16
6 - Samuell Williamson, 2022-24

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.

AAC HONORS: SMU leads The American in Players Of The Year (4) and is second in All-AAC honors (19)