SMU (19-10, 10-6 AAC) vs East Carolina (14-15, 7-9 AAC)
SMU Senior Day
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
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DALLAS – When Rob Lanier arrived at SMU two seasons ago, he was looking to bring in players that fit his vision for what men's basketball could be in Dallas. 
 
Among his first gets was Texas native and Louisville transfer Samuell Williamson, a 6-foot-8 forward who was looking for a new home. On Wednesday, the Mustangs will get the opportunity to celebrate one of the bedrock players who has helped get the program back to competing at a high level. 
 
While the roster has six players listed as seniors, Williamson is the only one participating in Senior Night prior to the 7 p.m. tip-off with East Carolina as he is the lone SMU student-athlete to exhaust his eligibility. 
 
A steady force in the paint throughout his career in Dallas, Williamson is third on the team in scoring, averaging 8.9 points per game while leading the program with 7.3 rebounds an outing. 
It's an impressive stat line, but one Lanier feels like has the potential to get better down the home stretch. 
 
"He puts a lot of pressure on himself. He works really hard, but he's going to play well on Wednesday and I love him," Lanier said. "I'm proud of him and I think his best basketball is going to rear its head before we're done here and I'm excited for him."
 
Managers also being honored
Williamson won't be the only person from the program being honored Wednesday as senior managers Lino Caputo and Jacob Johnson will also be recognized for their efforts behind-the-scenes to make the Mustangs successful. 
 
Lanier offered high praise to Caputo, Johnson and the other four managers who have worked diligently all season to make sure SMU is organized and prepared for the rigors of college basketball schedule, crediting their diligence as a big factor in the team's success. 
 
"It takes so much to run a basketball program. And you need the contributions of all of these young people, and I feel like we're operating at a much different level this year and without question it's got a lot to do with those young people," Lanier said. "The amount of work and time that they put in so that we can function at a high level, it really is underrated, and we really appreciate and are grateful for these guys' effort."
 
Looking to finish strong
There would be no better time than now for that higher level of play as the Mustangs (19-10 overall, 10-6 American) enter the game looking for a victory. SMU has dropped three straight contests, falling into a tie with UAB for fifth in the AAC with only two games left in the regular season. East Carolina (14-15, 7-9) sits a few spots back with a chance to continue making up ground and create a bigger log jam in the middle of the standings. 
 
While the past few outings have certainly been difficult, Lanier believes the setbacks could benefit the Mustangs in the long run. 
 
"We're 19-10 and we've been riding high, and right now it (feels like) the end of the world, all within 10 days. And all of those experiences amount to something if you process them correctly," Lanier said. "If you wallow in the disappointment, then you're going to falter. And if you get too wrapped up in the successes, you're going to falter. But you have to have all of those experiences to learn how to manage them and those are the teachable moments that we have as coaches."