SMU (19-9, 10-5 AAC) vs UTSA (10-19, 4-12 AAC)
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Saturday, March 2, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. CT
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SMU Basketball Coaches Show Presented By The SMU Cox School Of Business – Monday 7pm At Ozona Grill & Bar
Joe Beard Named 2023 Silver Anniversary Mustang Honoree (presentation at halftime)

SMU hosts UTSA on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Mustangs have won nine straight home games and are 13-2 at Moody Coliseum this season.

This is the first game for the Mustangs since Sunday's 79-68 loss at AAC-leader South Florida. SMU had four double-digit scorers and a 45-32 rebound advantage in the road contest. The Mustangs had 39 second-chance points on 27 offensive rebounds, which is the most offensive boards by SMU in an AAC game. Zhuric Phelps had 11 points and nine rebounds, Samuell Williamson added 12 points and seven boards while Tyreek Smith went for 11 points and seven rebounds. Ricardo Wright had a team-high 16 points, including hitting 4-of-9 on threes.

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 40.3% (2nd AAC, 21st NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 30.1% (1st AAC, 22nd NCAA). Opponents are averaging 69.7 points (3rd AAC, 45th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA), 5.0 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 23rd NCAA) and have a +5.8 rebound margin (1st AAC, 38th NCAA).

AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 55 nationally in several offensive categories. SMU is averaging 15.9 assists (1st AAC, 40th NCAA), 14.4 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 7th NCAA) and 27.9 bench points (3rd AAC, 28th NCAA) while having a 1.40 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 52nd NCAA). 

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.6, 13th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.5 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.1 assists (13th AAC) and a 2.42 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 40.3% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.3 (7th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).

MOODY MAGIC IN THE AAC: SMU is 7-0 at home in conference play this year. The Mustangs finished undefeated at Moody Coliseum in the American in 2016-17 (9-0) and in 2021-22 (8-0). SMU has finished undefeated at home in league play 11 times.

ALMOST PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-1 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-1 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
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
—-    .301    2023-24
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
4.    .314 (157-500)    1992-93

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
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
—-    10.5    2023-24
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,056 - 37th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,030) both hit the 1,000-point milestone in the 87-79 win at Tulane on Feb. 15. Chuck Harris (1331) 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    1056    Zhuric Phelps

2023 SAM AWARD - JOE BEARD HONORED MARCH 2: The SMU Lettermen's Association's Board of Directors and its Silver Anniversary Mustang (SAM) Award Committee will honor Joe Beard as the recipient of the 2023 SAM Award on Saturday, March 2, at halftime of the SMU men's basketball game against UTSA. Beard was an All-SWC and honorable mention All-American guard for the Mustangs, helping the football program claim Southwest Conference Championships and National Championships in 1981 and 1982.

Beard is the President and CEO of Westdale Real Estate Investment and Management, which he co-founded in 1991. Westdale's focus on community development through commercial real estate investment, construction, and property management, has transformed communities across the United States, positively impacting the lives of thousands of tenants. In Dallas, Westdale played a major role in the transformation of Deep Ellum.

Beard began his career in real estate after graduating from SMU in 1983 with a degree in history and minors in political science and psychology. He is a principal donor to the Weber End Zone Complex, a strong supporter of the Letterman's Club, and is committed to the success of SMU Athletics as well as our communities. He has been selected as a distinguished business leader in Dallas and was named to the 1994 Dallas Business Journal's 40 Under 40.

Joe and his wife of more than 40 years, Sherry Hicks Beard, support causes and programs that benefit and promote youth development. These include: MISD Hunger Free Campaign, which sends nutritious food home with food insecure students over weekends and holiday breaks; the Midway Education Foundation, which generates and distributes resources for educational programs and projects; Inspiración, which promotes equity through empowering at-risk Hispanic families to break the cycle of poverty; Waco Family Medicine, which will welcome people in the Heart of Texas regardless of income or insurance status; and The Family Place, which empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence.

Each year, the SMU Lettermen's Association Board of Directors awards the SAM Award to a former letterwinner at least 25 years removed from their time on campus. The recipient has brought honor to SMU, made contributions that have lasting and positive effects on his or her fellow citizens, and has been a model citizen in his or her community.

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 28 games (20 starts)... averaging 7.4 points (10+ 7 times), 4.3 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 65.7% (4th 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 28 games (26 starts)... averaging 3.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists (13 AAC) and 1.0 steals with a 2.42 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th 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 28 games... averaging 13.1 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.3% on threes (6th AAC) and 85.2% on FTs... Has a 1.75 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: Played 26 games...Averaging 4.5 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) and 3.2 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 28 games... Averaging 3.7 points and shooting 41.4% on 3FGs (24-58)... has 24 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: Played all 28 games (27 starts)... Averaging 14.6 points (13th AAC), 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 13 total blocks and hitting 74.0% on FTs... 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 28 games... averaging 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists while hitting 36.8% on threes (35-95)...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 28 games (8 starts)...Averaging 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 60.7% 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 28 games... Averaging 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds (7th AAC), 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals... 4 double-doubles (10th 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 27 games... Averaging 6.9 points (10+ in 8 games) and shooting 38.3% on threes (41-107)... 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 (L, 79-68 at [rv/rv] South Florida on Feb. 25): TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kasean Pryor scored 19 points off the bench and South Florida increased its win streak to 13 with a 79-68 victory over SMU on Sunday. Pryor also contributed nine rebounds for the Bulls (21-5, 14-1 American Athletic Conference). Selton Miguel made three 3-pointers and scored 18. Chris Youngblood added 12 points. The Mustangs (19-9, 10-5) were led by Ricardo Wright with 16 points. Samuell Williamson pitched in with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Zhuric Phelps totaled 11 points and nine rebounds.
POSTGAME NOTES
Offensive Rebounds: SMU 27, USF 4 | Most offensive rebounds by SMU in an AAC game
2nd Chance Points: SMU 39 (season high), USF 4
Points in the Paint: SMU 36, USF 16
Turnovers: SMU 8, USF 15 (USF entered game averaging 10.4) 

UP NEXT: SMU hosts ECU for senior day on Wednesday, March 6. The AAC season concludes at UAB on March 10. The American Athletic Conference Championship is March 13-17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

THE SERIES VS UTSA (2-2): The teams have split a pair of home-and-home series. In 1990-91 and 1991-92, each team won at home. Then the 2007-08 and 2008-09 series saw the road team win each matchup.

LAST GAME (L, 80-75 on Dec. 29, 2008): DALLAS (AP) - Travis Gabbidon scored 18 points and Texas-San Antonio withstood a late SMU rally for an 80-75 victory Monday night. Bamba Fall cut Texas-San Antonio's lead to 78-75 with 5.4 seconds left, but Gabbidon inbounded the ball to Morris Smith IV, who went up the sideline and made a dunk for the final score and the Roadrunners' third straight win. Smith finished with 15 points, 12 of those off 3-pointers. Devin Gibson had 14 and Demarco Stepter 10 for Texas-San Antonio (6-4). Paul McCoy led SMU (3-7) with 19 points. Derek Williams scored 17 and Fall had 11.

EARNING A SCHOLARSHIP: During a team meeting in Memphis on Jan. 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. Young was featured on NBC's Today Show in the Morning Boost segment on Jan. 13.

NET IMPROVEMENT: SMU is No. 44 in the NCAA NET (Through Feb. 28). That is 165 spots better than the end of 2022-23 (No. 209). That is the 8th-largest improvement from the end of 2022-23 through Feb. 28.

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
4    11.0    1955-56
—-    10.5    2023-24
5    10.4    1987-88

SO CLOSE: Five of SMU's nine 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 15.9 assists (1st AAC, 52nd NCAA) against just 11.3 turnovers. That gives the Mustangs a 1.40 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 52nd NCAA). B.J Edwards has a 2.42 assist-to-turnover ratio this season (4th AAC) and Chuck Harris has a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC).
SMU Season Best Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
1.    1.74    1986-87
2.    1.71    1987-88
3.    1.50    2016-17
4.    1.42    2015-16
—-    1.40    2023-24
5.    1.37    1985-86
SMU Season Fewest Turnovers Per Game
1.    10.8    2016-17
2.    11.0    2018-19
—-    11.3    2023-24
3.    11.6    1996-97
    11.6    2017-18

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 40.0 rebounds (2nd AAC, 22nd NCAA) and 14.4 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 7th NCAA) with a +5.8 margin (1st AAC, 31st NCAA). SMU has been +10 or better 11 times this season. Samuell Williamson leads the team at 7.3 (7th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.6. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.4 offensive rebounds (8th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 2.1 (14th 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
—-    5.8    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 5.0 blocks for the season (1st AAC, 23rd NCAA). Tyreek Smith leads the team with 1.8 blocks per game (3rd AAC).
SMU Season Blocked shots average
1.    5.0    2002-03
—-    5.0    2023-24
2.    4.8    2005-06
3.    4.6    1978-79
    4.6    2015-16
5.    4.5    1984-85
    4.5    2013-14
    4.5    2020-21
SMU Season Blocks
1    97    Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84
2    91    Jon Koncak (Sr.), 1984-85
3    79    Ira Terrell (Sr.), 1975-76
4    78    Papa Dia (Sr.), 2010-11
5    70    Reggie Franklin (Sr.), 1978-79
6    67    Bamba Fall (Sr.), 2008-09
7    63    Bamba Fall (Jr.), 2007-08
8    62    Bamba Fall (So.), 2006-07
9    59    Reggie Franklin (Jr.), 1977-78
    59    Cannen Cunningham (So.), 2012-13
11    54    Jon Koncak (So.), 1982-83
12    53    Bamba Fall (Fr.), 2005-06
13    51    Brad Branson (Sr.), 1979-80
14    49    Tyreek Smith (Sr.), 2023-24

MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 31st 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
2.    8.6    2004-05
—-    8.6    2023-24
3.    8.5    1987-88
4.    8.3    1992-93
    8.3    1998-99
6.    7.8    2002-03

KE-ON TARGET: Keon Ambrose-Hylton is shooting 65.7% from the field this season (4th AAC) and Tyreek Smith is at 60.7% (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 Best Season FG% (Since 1953-54) (Min. 75 Field Goals Made)
—-    65.7 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)
4    61.3 Ben Moore (Fr.), 2013-14 (84-137)
5    60.7 Larry Davis (Jr.), 1983-84 (219-361)
—-    60.7 Tyreek Smith (Sr.), 2023-24
6    60.2 Sterling Brown (Jr.), 2015-16 (109-181)
7    59.2 Jon Koncak (Sr.), 1984-85 (219-370)
8    58.1 Terry Thomas (Sr.), 1987-88 (111-191)
9    57.7 Papa Dia (Sr.), 2010-11 (243-421)
10    57.6 Bamba Fall (Sr.), 2008-09 (99-172)

THREE ON TARGET: Emory Lanier is at 41.4% on threes and Chuck Harris is at 40.3% (6th AAC).

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 (L), Rice (W), [rv/rv] South Florida (L) and Wichita State (L). 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 149 career steals, which is 8th 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    149    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.

2024-25 ACC HOME AND ROAD OPPONENTS ANNOUNCED: SMU Men's Basketball's inaugural 20-game ACC schedule includes home and away games with Cal, Stanford and Virginia. SMU will also host Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse and Wake Forest at Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs' road-only opponents are Boston College, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. The 2025 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament will take place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

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)
     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)

SMU CAREER AAC WEEKLY HONORS
21 Kendric Davis
20 Nic Moore
8 Markus Kennedy
8 Semi Ojeleye
7 Shake Milton
6 Ben Moore
6 Jimmy Whitt
6 Zhuric Phelps

SEEING DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Samuell Williamson has 7 double-doubles in AAC play at SMU. In 2022-23, he had 6 double-doubles for the season including 4 in AAC games. This season, he has 4 double-doubles with 3 in AAC games.
SMU Career Double-Doubles In AAC Games
11 - Ben Moore, 2013-17
7 - Markus Kennedy, 2013-16
7 - Samuell Williamson, 2022-24
5 - Feron Hunt, 2018-21
5 - Marcus Weathers, 2021-22

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.

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

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

DAVID B. MILLER COURT: On Dec. 5, 2018, SMU named the Moody Coliseum court after David B. Miller, alumnus and current chair of the Board of Trustees. He was a three-year starter on the basketball team and a member of the 1971-72 Southwest Conference Co-Championship team. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Miller and his wife, Carolyn Lacy Miller, have committed over $100 million to SMU, including more than $50 million to the Cox School of Business, $20 million toward the expansion and renovation of Moody Coliseum and $10 million to the ACC Competitiveness Campaign as a member of the First Week Society.