Thursday, February 22
Boca Raton, FL
6:00 p.m.
SMU
at
Florida Atlantic
Feb 19 | Men's Basketball
SMU (19-7, 10-3 AAC) at Florida Atlantic (20-6, 10-3 AAC)
Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena – Boca Raton, Florida
Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 7pm ET / 6pm CT
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Samuell Williamson Named To American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll
SMU begins a two-game road trip with a contest at Florida Atlantic on Thursday. This is the only scheduled meeting in the regular season.
SMU has won six straight after a 106-79 home victory versus Memphis on Sunday. Five Mustangs scored in double figures for the second straight game. Ricardo Wright had a season-high 26 points (6-8 on 3FGs), including 18 in the first half. Zhuric Phelps and Samuell Williamson each scored 18 while Chuck Harris and Tyreek Smith each added 10 points. SMU outrebounded Memphis 40-29 and had 17 offensive rebounds. Williamson led the Mustangs with eight boards as seven Mustangs had at least 3 rebounds. The team recorded 11 steals and totaled 28 assists on 42 field goals. Phelps had a season-high seven assists while B.J. Edwards had five. Tyreek Smith grabbed a career-high four steals.
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 39.8% (2nd AAC, 16th NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 29.7% (1st AAC, 21st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 65.7 points (3rd AAC, 32nd NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 28th NCAA), 5.1 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 21st NCAA) and have a +5.9 rebound margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA).
AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 50 nationally in several offensive categories. SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (1st AAC, 27th NCAA), 13.9 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 11th NCAA) and 27.7 bench points (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA) while having a 1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 47th NCAA).
MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 11th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.4). Phelps is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.6 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.6 (6th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).
AAC WEEKLY HONOR ROLL: Samuell Williamson was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. He averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals while hitting 11-of-21 from the field as SMU won at Tulane and defeated Memphis at home. In the 106-79 victory against Memphis, he had 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block while shooting 8-of-13. He scored his 1,000th career point in the win at Tulane. This is his second AAC Weekly Honor of the season and third of his career. SMU has five AAC Weekly Honor Roll nods this season: Zhuric Phelps (2), Samuell Williamson (2) and Chuck Harris.
PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-0 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-0 in AAC games. SMU has had five in double figures three times this season (at Murray State 12/22, Tulane 2/1, at Rice 2/7, at Tulane 2/15, Memphis 2/18).
SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—- .297 2023-24
1. .298 (210-705) 2021-22
2. .305 (120-394) 1987-88
3. .308 (203-660) 2011-12
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
—- 12.1 2023-24
4. 11.0 (78.8-67.7) 1955-56
5. 10.4 (82.3-71.8) 1987-88
GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,030 - 39th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,018) both hit the 1,000-point milestone in the 87-79 win at Tulane on Feb. 15. Chuck Harris (1313) surpassed it on Nov. 9 vs Lamar. Phelps became the 44th Mustang to score 1,000 points at SMU.
SMU Career Scoring
Rank Points Name, Years
30 1198 Lynn Phillips, 1966-69
31 1179 Butch Moore, 1982-86
32 1166 Shake Milton, 2015-18
33 1110 Sterling Brown, 2013-17
34 1096 Jan Loudermilk, 1959-62
35 1093 Eric Castro, 2001-05
36 1077 Steve Strange, 1958-61
37 1046 John Colborne, 1985-90
38 1041 Gerald Lewis, 1989-93
39 1030 Zhuric Phelps
MEET THE MUSTANGS:
Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 26 games (20 starts)... averaging 7.3 points (10+ 6 times), 4.2 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots while shooting 65.6% (3rd AAC, on pace to break SMU season record which is 63.7%) ... 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: Played all 26 games (25 starts)... averaging 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and 1.1 steals with a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd 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 26 games... averaging 13.4 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC) and 86.5% on FTs... Has a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th 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: Played 24 games...Averaging 4.4 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) and 3.1 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: Played all 26 games... Averaging 3.6 points and shooting 38.9% on 3FGs (21-54)... has 21 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 11 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 (13th AAC), 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 11 total blocks and hitting 76.3% on FTs (16th AAC, 87-114)... Reached 1,000 career points during he win at Tulane 2/15... Recorded 100th career steal in the win vs Western Illinois 11/8...AAC Weekly Honor Roll (N27, F12), 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: Played all 26 games... averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 37.0% on threes (34-92)...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: Played all 26 games (6 starts)...Averaging 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 61.4% on FGs (6th AAC)...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 7 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: Started all 26 games... Averaging 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds (5th AAC), 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals... 4 double-doubles (9th AAC)... AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D26, F19)... Reached 1,000 career points during the win at Tulane 2/15... 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.) | 2023-24: Played in 25 games... Averaging 6.7 points (10+ in 7 games) and shooting 39.8% on threes (37-93)... 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 34.6% on 3FGs... Had 4 games with 10+ points.
Jackson Young (6-2, 185, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played in 7 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 (W, 106-79 vs Memphis on Feb. 18): DALLAS (AP) -- Ricardo Wright's 26 points off of the bench led SMU to a 106-79 victory over Memphis on Sunday night. Wright was 9 of 12 shooting (6 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Mustangs (19-7, 10-3 American Athletic Conference). Samuell Williamson scored 18 points while going 8 of 13 from the field, and added eight rebounds. Zhuric Phelps shot 8 for 15, including 1 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 18 points, while adding seven assists. The Mustangs picked up their sixth straight win. David Jones finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for the Tigers (18-8, 7-6). Nae'Qwan Tomlin added 17 points for Memphis. Jahvon Quinerly also recorded nine points and five assists. SMU took the lead with 18:57 left in the first half and did not give it up. Wright led his team in scoring with 18 points in the first half to help put them up 58-36 at the break. SMU outscored Memphis by five points over the final half, while Phelps led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points.
FIRST HALF
- SMU led 58-36 Memphis at halftime
- Most for SMU in the first half this season and most in the first half in at least 20 seasons
- Most for SMU in a half since 62 in the 2nd half vs Hampton 12/17/2015 (W, 105-72)
- Ricardo Wright had 18 points at halftime, most in the first half by a Mustang this season
- Rebounds: SMU 26, Memphis 9
- Offensive Rebounds: SMU 14, Memphis 3
- 2nd Chance Points: SMU 17, Memphis 2
- Assists: SMU 14, Memphis 4
POSTGAME NOTES
- SMU has won 5 straight and is 13-3 in past 16 games
- SMU has won 9 straight at Moody Coliseum and is 13-2 at home this season
- SMU had 5 score 10+ (5th time this season with 5 in double figures, 4 of those in AAC play)
- 12-0 this season with at least 4 in double figures
- 28 assists, most for SMU in an AAC game
UP NEXT: SMU finishes the two-game road swing at [rv/rv] South Florida on Sunday. Then the Mustangs have the last two home games of the regular season, hosting UTSA on March 2 and East Carolina for Senior Day on March 6. The AAC season concludes at UAB on March 10.
SERIES HISTORY VS FLORIDA ATLANTIC (2-0): The programs have met just twice. SMU swept a home-and-home in 1997-98 (W, 62-54 at FAU) and 1998-99 (W, 91-61 at SMU).
LAST TIME VS FLORIDA ATLANTIC (W, 91-61 at SMU on Nov. 29, 1998): DALLAS – DeWayne Floyd had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead SMU to a 91-61 victory over Florida Atlantic at Moody Coliseum. Eighty-nine of SMU's 91 points tonight came from freshmen and sophomores with Chad Elsey's 18 points leading the way. The +28 rebound margin for SMU was the highest for the team under Mike Dement. This was the 17th consecutive non-conference home win for the Mustangs.
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.
NET IMPROVEMENT: SMU is No. 34 in the NCAA NET (Through Feb. 18). That is 175 spots better than the end of 2022-23 (No. 209). That is the 6th-largest improvement from the end of 2022-23 through Feb. 18.
LEAVE NO DOUBT: SMU has 15 wins by double digits. The 4 single-digit wins are 80-76 vs Tulane on Feb. 1, 72-69 vs UAB on Feb. 4, 71-68 vs North Texas on Feb. 11 and 87-79 at Tulane on Feb. 15.
SMU Season Scoring Margin
1 14.3 2016-17
2 13.9 2015-16
3 13.4 1956-57
—- 12.1 2023-24
4 11.0 1955-56
5 10.4 1987-88
SO CLOSE: Five of SMU's seven losses this season are by five points or less. The Mustangs lost 77-72 at Wichita State on Jan. 28, 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 crowd 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 5,086 from 3,916 last season.
SHARING THE BALL: SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (1st AAC, 27th NCAA) against just 11.5 turnovers. That gives the Mustangs a 1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 47th NCAA). B.J Edwards has a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio this season (3rd AAC) and Chuck Harris has a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC).
SMU Season Best Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
1. 1.74 1986-87
2. 1.71 1987-88
3. 1.50 2016-17
—- 1.44 2023-24
4. 1.42 2015-16
5. 1.37 1985-86
SMU Season Fewest Turnovers Per Game
1. 10.8 2016-17
2. 11.0 2018-19
—- 11.5 2023-24
3. 11.6 1996-97
11.6 2017-18
5. 12.0 1998-99
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 39.9 rebounds (2nd AAC, 27th NCAA) and 13.9 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 11th NCAA) with a +5.9 margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA). SMU has been +10 or better 10 times this season. Samuell Williamson leads the team at 7.6 (6th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.6. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.3 offensive rebounds (8th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 2.0 (16th AAC). 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
—- 5.9 2023-24
5. 5.7 (48.5-42.8) 1959-60
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 5.1 blocks for the season (1st AAC, 21st NCAA). Tyreek Smith leads the team with 1.8 blocks per game (3rd AAC).
SMU Season Blocked shots average
—- 5.1 2023-24
1. 5.0 2002-03
2. 4.8 2005-06
3. 4.6 1978-79
4.6 2015-16
MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 28th NCAA). SMU recorded 17 in the win over Western Illinois on Nov. 8 (T-3rd program history) and has 10 or more 8 times. Ten different Mustangs have at least 8 steals this season, led by Zhuric Phelps (2.0 - 4th AAC).
SMU Season Steals Average
1. 9.3 1999-00
—- 8.7 2023-24
2. 8.6 2004-05
3. 8.5 1987-88
KE-ON TARGET: Keon Ambrose-Hylton is shooting 65.6% from the field this season (3rd AAC) and Tyreek Smith is at 61.4% (6th AAC) this season. In the 90-47 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 3, Keon Ambrose-Hylton scored 19 points, going 9-9 on FGs. The Mustangs shot 69.2% from the field in that victory, which is 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. In the 80-76 win over Tulane on Feb. 1, Tyreek Smith was 8-9 on FGs, tying for fifth in an AAC game for SMU with at least 8 made FGs.
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
Best FG% By A Mustang In AAC Game (At Least 8 Made FGs)
10-10 Markus Kennedy, 22/22 Memphis, 2-1-2014 (W+,87-72)
9-9 Semi Ojeleye, Tulsa, 3-2-2017 (W, 93-70)
9-10 Ryan Manuel, UCF, 1-31-2015 (W, 75-56)
9-10 Samuell Williamson, ECU, 2-19-2023 (W, 86-70)
8-9 Feron Hunt, Connecticut, 2-12-2020 (W, 79-75)
8-9 Tyreek Smith, Tulane, 2-1-2024 (W, 80-76)
SMU Best Season FG% (Since 1953-54) (Min. 75 Field Goals Made)
—- 65.6 Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Sr.), 2023-24
1 63.7 Terry Williams (Sr.), 1986-87 (142-233)
2 62.1 Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84 (211-340)
3 62.0 Terry Williams (Jr.), 1985-86 (150-242)
—- 61.4 Tyreek Smith (Sr.), 2023-24
4 61.3 Ben Moore (Fr.), 2013-14 (84-137)
5 60.7 Larry Davis (Jr.), 1983-84 (219-361)
6 60.2 Sterling Brown (Jr.), 2015-16 (109-181)
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), [rv/-] Memphis (L at UM, W at SMU), North Texas (L at UNT, W at SMU), Tulane (Won both) and UAB (W at SMU). The Mustangs will play home games only against Charlotte (W), Temple (W), Tulsa (W) and UTSA, and play road games only versus [rv/rv] Florida Atlantic, Rice (W), [rv/rv] South Florida and Wichita State (L). The American Men's Basketball Championship is March 13-17 (Wednesday-Sunday) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
STEALING THE SHOW: Zhuric Phelps has 146 career steals, which is 8th at SMU. He is averaging 2.0 this season (4th 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
8 146 Zhuric Phelps, 2021-
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.
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.
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)
F12 - Zhuric Phelps (13.0 pts, 4.5 asts, 4.5 rebs, 2.0 stls in 2-0 week)
F19 - Samuell Williamson (14.0 pts, 7.5 rebs, 3.5 asts, 1.5 stls, 11-21 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)
Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena – Boca Raton, Florida
Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 7pm ET / 6pm CT
TV: ESPN2
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SMU Basketball Coaches Show Presented By The SMU Cox School Of Business – Monday 7pm At Ozona Grill & Bar
Samuell Williamson Named To American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll
SMU begins a two-game road trip with a contest at Florida Atlantic on Thursday. This is the only scheduled meeting in the regular season.
SMU has won six straight after a 106-79 home victory versus Memphis on Sunday. Five Mustangs scored in double figures for the second straight game. Ricardo Wright had a season-high 26 points (6-8 on 3FGs), including 18 in the first half. Zhuric Phelps and Samuell Williamson each scored 18 while Chuck Harris and Tyreek Smith each added 10 points. SMU outrebounded Memphis 40-29 and had 17 offensive rebounds. Williamson led the Mustangs with eight boards as seven Mustangs had at least 3 rebounds. The team recorded 11 steals and totaled 28 assists on 42 field goals. Phelps had a season-high seven assists while B.J. Edwards had five. Tyreek Smith grabbed a career-high four steals.
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 39.8% (2nd AAC, 16th NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 29.7% (1st AAC, 21st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 65.7 points (3rd AAC, 32nd NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 28th NCAA), 5.1 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 21st NCAA) and have a +5.9 rebound margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA).
AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 50 nationally in several offensive categories. SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (1st AAC, 27th NCAA), 13.9 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 11th NCAA) and 27.7 bench points (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA) while having a 1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 47th NCAA).
MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 11th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.4). Phelps is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.6 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.6 (6th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).
AAC WEEKLY HONOR ROLL: Samuell Williamson was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. He averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals while hitting 11-of-21 from the field as SMU won at Tulane and defeated Memphis at home. In the 106-79 victory against Memphis, he had 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block while shooting 8-of-13. He scored his 1,000th career point in the win at Tulane. This is his second AAC Weekly Honor of the season and third of his career. SMU has five AAC Weekly Honor Roll nods this season: Zhuric Phelps (2), Samuell Williamson (2) and Chuck Harris.
PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-0 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-0 in AAC games. SMU has had five in double figures three times this season (at Murray State 12/22, Tulane 2/1, at Rice 2/7, at Tulane 2/15, Memphis 2/18).
SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—- .297 2023-24
1. .298 (210-705) 2021-22
2. .305 (120-394) 1987-88
3. .308 (203-660) 2011-12
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
—- 12.1 2023-24
4. 11.0 (78.8-67.7) 1955-56
5. 10.4 (82.3-71.8) 1987-88
GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,030 - 39th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,018) both hit the 1,000-point milestone in the 87-79 win at Tulane on Feb. 15. Chuck Harris (1313) surpassed it on Nov. 9 vs Lamar. Phelps became the 44th Mustang to score 1,000 points at SMU.
SMU Career Scoring
Rank Points Name, Years
30 1198 Lynn Phillips, 1966-69
31 1179 Butch Moore, 1982-86
32 1166 Shake Milton, 2015-18
33 1110 Sterling Brown, 2013-17
34 1096 Jan Loudermilk, 1959-62
35 1093 Eric Castro, 2001-05
36 1077 Steve Strange, 1958-61
37 1046 John Colborne, 1985-90
38 1041 Gerald Lewis, 1989-93
39 1030 Zhuric Phelps
MEET THE MUSTANGS:
Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 26 games (20 starts)... averaging 7.3 points (10+ 6 times), 4.2 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots while shooting 65.6% (3rd AAC, on pace to break SMU season record which is 63.7%) ... 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: Played all 26 games (25 starts)... averaging 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and 1.1 steals with a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd 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 26 games... averaging 13.4 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC) and 86.5% on FTs... Has a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th 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: Played 24 games...Averaging 4.4 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) and 3.1 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: Played all 26 games... Averaging 3.6 points and shooting 38.9% on 3FGs (21-54)... has 21 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 11 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 (13th AAC), 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 11 total blocks and hitting 76.3% on FTs (16th AAC, 87-114)... Reached 1,000 career points during he win at Tulane 2/15... Recorded 100th career steal in the win vs Western Illinois 11/8...AAC Weekly Honor Roll (N27, F12), 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: Played all 26 games... averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 37.0% on threes (34-92)...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: Played all 26 games (6 starts)...Averaging 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 61.4% on FGs (6th AAC)...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 7 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: Started all 26 games... Averaging 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds (5th AAC), 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals... 4 double-doubles (9th AAC)... AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D26, F19)... Reached 1,000 career points during the win at Tulane 2/15... 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.) | 2023-24: Played in 25 games... Averaging 6.7 points (10+ in 7 games) and shooting 39.8% on threes (37-93)... 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 34.6% on 3FGs... Had 4 games with 10+ points.
Jackson Young (6-2, 185, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played in 7 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 (W, 106-79 vs Memphis on Feb. 18): DALLAS (AP) -- Ricardo Wright's 26 points off of the bench led SMU to a 106-79 victory over Memphis on Sunday night. Wright was 9 of 12 shooting (6 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Mustangs (19-7, 10-3 American Athletic Conference). Samuell Williamson scored 18 points while going 8 of 13 from the field, and added eight rebounds. Zhuric Phelps shot 8 for 15, including 1 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 18 points, while adding seven assists. The Mustangs picked up their sixth straight win. David Jones finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for the Tigers (18-8, 7-6). Nae'Qwan Tomlin added 17 points for Memphis. Jahvon Quinerly also recorded nine points and five assists. SMU took the lead with 18:57 left in the first half and did not give it up. Wright led his team in scoring with 18 points in the first half to help put them up 58-36 at the break. SMU outscored Memphis by five points over the final half, while Phelps led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points.
FIRST HALF
- SMU led 58-36 Memphis at halftime
- Most for SMU in the first half this season and most in the first half in at least 20 seasons
- Most for SMU in a half since 62 in the 2nd half vs Hampton 12/17/2015 (W, 105-72)
- Ricardo Wright had 18 points at halftime, most in the first half by a Mustang this season
- Rebounds: SMU 26, Memphis 9
- Offensive Rebounds: SMU 14, Memphis 3
- 2nd Chance Points: SMU 17, Memphis 2
- Assists: SMU 14, Memphis 4
POSTGAME NOTES
- SMU has won 5 straight and is 13-3 in past 16 games
- SMU has won 9 straight at Moody Coliseum and is 13-2 at home this season
- SMU had 5 score 10+ (5th time this season with 5 in double figures, 4 of those in AAC play)
- 12-0 this season with at least 4 in double figures
- 28 assists, most for SMU in an AAC game
UP NEXT: SMU finishes the two-game road swing at [rv/rv] South Florida on Sunday. Then the Mustangs have the last two home games of the regular season, hosting UTSA on March 2 and East Carolina for Senior Day on March 6. The AAC season concludes at UAB on March 10.
SERIES HISTORY VS FLORIDA ATLANTIC (2-0): The programs have met just twice. SMU swept a home-and-home in 1997-98 (W, 62-54 at FAU) and 1998-99 (W, 91-61 at SMU).
LAST TIME VS FLORIDA ATLANTIC (W, 91-61 at SMU on Nov. 29, 1998): DALLAS – DeWayne Floyd had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead SMU to a 91-61 victory over Florida Atlantic at Moody Coliseum. Eighty-nine of SMU's 91 points tonight came from freshmen and sophomores with Chad Elsey's 18 points leading the way. The +28 rebound margin for SMU was the highest for the team under Mike Dement. This was the 17th consecutive non-conference home win for the Mustangs.
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.
NET IMPROVEMENT: SMU is No. 34 in the NCAA NET (Through Feb. 18). That is 175 spots better than the end of 2022-23 (No. 209). That is the 6th-largest improvement from the end of 2022-23 through Feb. 18.
LEAVE NO DOUBT: SMU has 15 wins by double digits. The 4 single-digit wins are 80-76 vs Tulane on Feb. 1, 72-69 vs UAB on Feb. 4, 71-68 vs North Texas on Feb. 11 and 87-79 at Tulane on Feb. 15.
SMU Season Scoring Margin
1 14.3 2016-17
2 13.9 2015-16
3 13.4 1956-57
—- 12.1 2023-24
4 11.0 1955-56
5 10.4 1987-88
SO CLOSE: Five of SMU's seven losses this season are by five points or less. The Mustangs lost 77-72 at Wichita State on Jan. 28, 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 crowd 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 5,086 from 3,916 last season.
SHARING THE BALL: SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (1st AAC, 27th NCAA) against just 11.5 turnovers. That gives the Mustangs a 1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 47th NCAA). B.J Edwards has a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio this season (3rd AAC) and Chuck Harris has a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC).
SMU Season Best Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
1. 1.74 1986-87
2. 1.71 1987-88
3. 1.50 2016-17
—- 1.44 2023-24
4. 1.42 2015-16
5. 1.37 1985-86
SMU Season Fewest Turnovers Per Game
1. 10.8 2016-17
2. 11.0 2018-19
—- 11.5 2023-24
3. 11.6 1996-97
11.6 2017-18
5. 12.0 1998-99
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 39.9 rebounds (2nd AAC, 27th NCAA) and 13.9 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 11th NCAA) with a +5.9 margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA). SMU has been +10 or better 10 times this season. Samuell Williamson leads the team at 7.6 (6th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.6. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.3 offensive rebounds (8th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 2.0 (16th AAC). 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
—- 5.9 2023-24
5. 5.7 (48.5-42.8) 1959-60
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 5.1 blocks for the season (1st AAC, 21st NCAA). Tyreek Smith leads the team with 1.8 blocks per game (3rd AAC).
SMU Season Blocked shots average
—- 5.1 2023-24
1. 5.0 2002-03
2. 4.8 2005-06
3. 4.6 1978-79
4.6 2015-16
MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 28th NCAA). SMU recorded 17 in the win over Western Illinois on Nov. 8 (T-3rd program history) and has 10 or more 8 times. Ten different Mustangs have at least 8 steals this season, led by Zhuric Phelps (2.0 - 4th AAC).
SMU Season Steals Average
1. 9.3 1999-00
—- 8.7 2023-24
2. 8.6 2004-05
3. 8.5 1987-88
KE-ON TARGET: Keon Ambrose-Hylton is shooting 65.6% from the field this season (3rd AAC) and Tyreek Smith is at 61.4% (6th AAC) this season. In the 90-47 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 3, Keon Ambrose-Hylton scored 19 points, going 9-9 on FGs. The Mustangs shot 69.2% from the field in that victory, which is 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. In the 80-76 win over Tulane on Feb. 1, Tyreek Smith was 8-9 on FGs, tying for fifth in an AAC game for SMU with at least 8 made FGs.
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
Best FG% By A Mustang In AAC Game (At Least 8 Made FGs)
10-10 Markus Kennedy, 22/22 Memphis, 2-1-2014 (W+,87-72)
9-9 Semi Ojeleye, Tulsa, 3-2-2017 (W, 93-70)
9-10 Ryan Manuel, UCF, 1-31-2015 (W, 75-56)
9-10 Samuell Williamson, ECU, 2-19-2023 (W, 86-70)
8-9 Feron Hunt, Connecticut, 2-12-2020 (W, 79-75)
8-9 Tyreek Smith, Tulane, 2-1-2024 (W, 80-76)
SMU Best Season FG% (Since 1953-54) (Min. 75 Field Goals Made)
—- 65.6 Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Sr.), 2023-24
1 63.7 Terry Williams (Sr.), 1986-87 (142-233)
2 62.1 Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84 (211-340)
3 62.0 Terry Williams (Jr.), 1985-86 (150-242)
—- 61.4 Tyreek Smith (Sr.), 2023-24
4 61.3 Ben Moore (Fr.), 2013-14 (84-137)
5 60.7 Larry Davis (Jr.), 1983-84 (219-361)
6 60.2 Sterling Brown (Jr.), 2015-16 (109-181)
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), [rv/-] Memphis (L at UM, W at SMU), North Texas (L at UNT, W at SMU), Tulane (Won both) and UAB (W at SMU). The Mustangs will play home games only against Charlotte (W), Temple (W), Tulsa (W) and UTSA, and play road games only versus [rv/rv] Florida Atlantic, Rice (W), [rv/rv] South Florida and Wichita State (L). The American Men's Basketball Championship is March 13-17 (Wednesday-Sunday) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
STEALING THE SHOW: Zhuric Phelps has 146 career steals, which is 8th at SMU. He is averaging 2.0 this season (4th 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
8 146 Zhuric Phelps, 2021-
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.
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.
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)
F12 - Zhuric Phelps (13.0 pts, 4.5 asts, 4.5 rebs, 2.0 stls in 2-0 week)
F19 - Samuell Williamson (14.0 pts, 7.5 rebs, 3.5 asts, 1.5 stls, 11-21 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)
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/ Men's BasketballSunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25
Saturday, October 24
