SMU (20-10, 11-6 AAC) at UAB (19-11, 11-6 AAC)
Bartow Arena – Birmingham, Alabama
Sunday, March 10, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. CT
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SMU concludes the regular season with a road game at UAB on Sunday. The Mustangs won the first meeting this season, 72-69, in Dallas on February 4. The Mustangs enter the final game of the regular season playing for a double-bye in the AAC Championship. With a win, SMU will be a top-four seed at Dickies Arena and wouldn't play until the quarterfinal round on March 15. 

The Mustangs earned their 20th win of the season with an 80-77 overtime victory over East Carolina on Wednesday at Moody Coliseum on Senior Night. Zhuric Phelps hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. He finished with 15 points, including 10-of-10 on free throws. Chuck Harris had a team-high 16 points and Ricardo Wright scored 10. Samuell Williamson was honored pregame and then had a game-high 13 rebounds with six points, three assists, two blocks and a steal. 

AAC TOURNAMENT SCENARIOS: SMU is
- No. 3 seed with WIN (at UAB) and Charlotte loss (at ECU) and Memphis loss (at FAU) - SMU wins tiebreaker with Charlotte due head-to-head win
- No. 4 seed with WIN (at UAB) and Charlotte win (at ECU) and Memphis loss (at FAU) - SMU is only team at 12-6
- No. 4 seed with WIN (at UAB) and Charlotte loss (at ECU) and Memphis win (at FAU) - all three teams T-3rd at 12-6, SMU and Memphis would be 2-1 in mini-conference (Charlotte is No. 5). Memphis would have tiebreaker with 2-0 record vs FAU
- No. 5 or 6 seed with LOSS (at UAB) and Memphis loss (at FAU). SMU and Memphis split, so tiebreaker would depend upon final standings

ELITE DEFENSE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs' defense is ranked among the best in the country. SMU is holding opponents to 40.6% (1st AAC, 28th NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 30.8% (1st AAC, 31st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 67.4 points (3rd AAC, 61st NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 30th NCAA), 5.0 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 20th NCAA) and have a +5.6 rebound margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA).

AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 60 nationally in several other categories. SMU is averaging 15.8 assists (1st AAC, 41st NCAA), 14.7 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 5th NCAA) and 28.1 bench points (3rd AAC, 24th NCAA) while having a 1.41 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 48th NCAA). The Mustangs have a 9.7 scoring margin on the season (2nd AAC, 38th NCAA).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 13th AAC), Chuck Harris (13.2), Samuell Williamson (8.8) and Tyreek Smith (8.0). Phelps is also averaging 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.5 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.74 assist-to-turnover ratio (8th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 2.9 assists. Chuck Harris is hitting 40.0% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.5 (6th AAC) with 10+ in seven games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks (3rd AAC).

MOODY MAGIC: In 11 seasons in the American Athletic Conference, SMU went 77-22 (.766) at Moody Coliseum, including 8-1 this season.

ALMOST PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-2 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-2 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
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
—-    .308    2023-24
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
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88
—-    9.7    2023-24
6.    9.4 (69.1-59.8)    2014-15

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,089 - 36th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,039) 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    1089    Zhuric Phelps

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 30 games (20 starts)... averaging 7.2 points (10+ 7 times), 4.3 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots (12th AAC) while shooting 64.1% (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 30 games (28 starts)... averaging 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steal with a 2.26 assist-to-turnover ratio...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 29 of 30 games (missed 3/2 vs UTSA)... averaging 13.2 points (20+ 3 times), 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steal while shooting 40.0% on threes (6th AAC) and 84.7% on FTs... Has a 1.74 assist-to-turnover ratio (8th 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 28 games...Averaging 4.7 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 30 games... Averaging 3.7 points and shooting 39.7% on 3FGs (25-63)... has 25 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 12 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 30 games (29 starts)... Averaging 14.7 points (13th AAC), 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 13 total blocks and hitting 75.4% on FTs (10-10 on FTs in the win vs ECU 3/6)... 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 30 games... averaging 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 37.9% on threes (39-103)...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 30 games (10 starts)...Averaging 8.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 59.6% 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 30 games... Averaging 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds (6th AAC), 1.6 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 29 games (missed 2/11 vs North Texas)... Averaging 7.2 points (10+ in 10 games) and shooting 38.0% on threes (46-121)... 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, 80-77 OT vs East Carolina on March 6): DALLAS (AP) -- Chuck Harris scored 16 points and Zhuric Phelps scored four in overtime and SMU beat East Carolina 80-77 on Wednesday night. Harris shot 5 of 13 from the field, including 2 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 5 from the line for the Mustangs (20-10, 11-6 American Athletic Conference). Phelps shot 2 of 16 from the field, including 1 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 10 for 10 from the line to add 15 points. Ricardo Wright had 10 points and shot 4 for 9, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. RJ Felton led the Pirates (14-16, 7-10) in scoring, finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds. Brandon Johnson added 13 points and 11 rebounds for East Carolina. Cyr Malonga also had 10 points and nine rebounds. Phelps made the game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. 
POSTGAME NOTES: 
- SMU's first OT game this season
- Zhuric Phelps hit a 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left to tie the game 65-65
- 20 WINS - SMU has at least 20 wins in 6 of the past 11 seasons
- SMU is 14-3 at home this season, 8-1 at Moody Coliseum in AAC games
- Steals: SMU 10, ECU 6
- Turnovers: SMU 8, ECU 17
- Points Off Turnovers: SMU 17, ECU 5
- Offensive Rebounds: SMU 21, ECU 12
- 2nd-Chance Points: SMU 21, ECU 11
- Bench Points: SMU 33, ECU 11

UP NEXT: The American Athletic Conference Championship is March 13-17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. The Mustangs will play their first game on Thursday (second round) or Friday (quarterfinal). 

THE SERIES VS. UAB (3-9): SMU won the first meeting this season 72-69 in Dallas on Feb. 4. This is the first season as American Athletic Conference opponents after playing 10 times as Conference USA mates (2005-13). UAB won seven of the eight Conference USA regular-season meetings. SMU's lone C-USA win came in a 60-56 victory at UAB in 2007. The teams met twice in the C-USA Tournament. The first meeting was a 79-63 SMU win in the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Dec. 29, 1983.

LAST MEETING VS UAB (W, 72-69 at SMU on Feb. 4): DALLAS (AP) -- Samuell Williamson had 14 points in SMU's 72-69 victory over UAB on Sunday night. Williamson added six rebounds for the Mustangs (15-7, 6-3 American Athletic Conference). Chuck Harris scored 14 points and added five assists. Zhuric Phelps shot 4 for 10 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points. Efrem Johnson led the Blazers (14-8, 6-3) in scoring, finishing with 20 points. UAB also got 10 points from Christian Coleman. Yaxel Lendeborg also recorded nine points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Williamson scored six points in the first half for SMU, who led 32-27 at the break. SMU pulled off the victory after an 8-0 second-half run erased a three-point deficit and gave them the lead at 70-65 with 57 seconds remaining in the half. Harris scored 10 second-half points.
CLOSING TIME
16-2 run to go up 70-65 with 55 seconds left (finished on Ricardo Wright 3-pointer)
SMU trailed 57-45 with 9:35 left (finished the game 27-13)
Zhuric Phelps hit 2 FTs with 3.9 seconds left
POSTGAME NOTES
- Steals: SMU 12, UAB 3
- Points In The Paint: SMU 40, UAB 28
- Fast Break Points: SMU 14, UAB 10
- SMU had 4 score 10+

SMU IN THE AAC CHAMPIONSHIP: The Mustangs are 9-6 in the American Athletic Conference Championship, winning the tournament in 2015 and 2017.

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.

LEAVE NO DOUBT: 15 of SMU's 20 wins this season are by double digits.
SMU Season Scoring Margin
1    14.3    2016-17
2    13.9    2015-16
3    13.4    1956-57
4    11.0    1955-56
5    10.4    1987-88
—-    9.7    2023-24
6    9.4    2014-15

SO CLOSE: Six of SMU's 10 losses this season are by five points or less. The Mustangs lost 77-73 to UTSA on March 2, 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. 

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 5,134 from 3,916 last season (up 31%).

SHARING THE BALL: SMU is averaging 15.8 assists (1st AAC, 41st NCAA) against just 11.2 turnovers. That gives the Mustangs a 1.41 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 48th NCAA). B.J Edwards has a 2.26 assist-to-turnover ratio this season and Chuck Harris has a 1.74 assist-to-turnover ratio (8th 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
—-    1.41    2023-24
5.    1.37    1985-86

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDS: SMU is averaging 40.3 rebounds (1st AAC, 12th NCAA) and 14.7 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 5th NCAA) with a +5.6 margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA). SMU has been +10 or better 11 times this season. Samuell Williamson leads the team at 7.5 (6th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.7. Tyreek Smith is grabbing 2.6 offensive rebounds (6th AAC) followed by Keon Ambrose-Hylton at 2.2 (12th AAC) and Samuell Williamson at 1.9 (16th AAC). 5X5: Five 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, ECU 3/6)
SMU Season Rebound Margin
1.    10.2 (39.4-29.3)    2015-16
2.    8.7 (38.1-29.5)    2016-17
3.    8.4 (37.2-28.8)    1988-89
4.    6.7 (36.6-29.9)    2014-15
5.    5.7 (48.5-42.8)    1959-60
—-    5.6    2023-24
6.    5.0 (46.5-41.5)    1958-59

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, 20th NCAA). Tyreek Smith leads the team with 1.7 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
SMU Season Blocked Shots - Team
1    165    2013-14
2    150    2023-24

PERFECT 10: In the overtime win against East Carolina on March 6, Zhuric Phelps was 10-10 on free throws in addition to hitting the game-tying three with 5.4 seconds left in regulation. That was the 18th time in program history that a Mustang was perfect at the line with at least 10 attempts. Zhuric Phelps is at 75.4% for the season (18th AAC).

MEN OF STEALS: The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 30th 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 (1.9 - 5th 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


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 (Won both), 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 (L), and play road games only versus [rv/rv] Florida Atlantic (L), Rice (W), then-[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 151 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    151    Zhuric Phelps, 2021-

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.

ROB LANIER IN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS: He has a 12-6 record in conference tournament 
games and has won two championships. He led Georgia State to the 2022 Sun Belt Tournament title by winning three games in three days. His 2001-02 Siena team won four games in four days to claim the 2002 MAAC Championship.

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)


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
SMU Season Double-Doubles In AAC Games
6 - Ben Moore, 2016-17
5 - Ben Moore, 2015-16
5 - Marcus Weathers, 2021-22
4 - Markus Kennedy, 2013-14
4 - Sterling Brown, 2016-17
4 - Feron Hunt, 2020-21
4 - Samuell Williamson, 2022-23
3 - Yanick Moreira, 2014-15
3 - Jimmy Whitt Jr., 2018-19
3 - Tyson Jolly, 2019-20
3 - Efe Odigie, 2022-23
3 - Samuell Williamson, 2023-24