Compete 4 Cause Classic
SMU (9-1)  vs LSU (8-1)
Smoothie King Center- New Orleans, La.
Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 7:30  p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
SMU Radio: SMU Mobile App | The Varsity Network | SiriusXM
Gameday Central | Live Stats
SMU Notes | LSU | ACC
SMU Basketball Yearbook | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube

Recap: Pierre Jr. Drops 35, Lifts SMU Past Texas A&M in OT, 93-80

SMU plays its fourth straight game against an SEC opponent, facing LSU in the Compete 4 Cause Classic at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday. The Mustangs are 9-1 after defeating Texas A&M, 93-80 in overtime, in the Hoop Hype XL matchup in Arlington on Sunday.

Jaron Pierre Jr. led SMU with 35 points as SMU defeated Texas A&M Sunday. He had nine points in overtime as the Mustangs outscored the Aggies 16-3 in the extra frame. He was one of four Mustangs that scored in double figures as Boopie Miller had 19 points along with four assists, Samet Yigitoglu had 12 points with eight rebounds, and Corey Washington scored 14. B.J. Edwards just missed his second triple-double of the season with nine points, nine rebounds and 11 assists. Edwards also had four steals. The SMU defense held Texas A&M to 37.2% shooting for the game.

2025-26 RANKINGS: The Mustangs are receiving votes in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll (11) and the Associate Press Top 25 (3) this week. The second straight week for votes in both polls and the third straight week in the Coaches Poll. SMU is No. 31 in the NCAA NET rankings (Dec. 8). Through 10 games, SMU has five players averaging double figures in scoring: Boopie Miller (20.6, 4th ACC, 24th NCAA), Jaron Pierre Jr. (19.5, 7th ACC), Corey Washington (13.5, 30th ACC), B.J. Edwards (13.0, 32nd ACC) and Samet Yigitoglu (11.5, 46th ACC). 

SMU has had at least four double-figure scorers in nine of 10 games and five in double figures five times. (As of Dec. 10, SMU was one of 19 teams with five averaging 10+ points and one of five programs with five averaging 13+ points: California, Illinois, Ohio State.) All five have also recorded at least one double-double this season with Boopie Miller and Corey Washington at three apiece. SMU is one of five teams nationally to have five different players record a double-double this season (Kennesaw State, Lindenwood, Miami [FL], Oklahoma State). 

Yigitoglu is leading the Mustangs in blocks (1.4, 9th ACC) and rebounds (8.3, 8th ACC). Boopie Miller is second on the team in steals (2.3, 3rd ACC, 37th NCAA) and leads in assists (6.8, 1st ACC, 6th NCAA) with a 2.37 assist-to-turnover ratio (15th ACC). B.J. Edwards is averaging 5.6 assists (5th ACC, 39th NCAA) and 2.5 steals (2nd ACC, 22nd NCAA) with a 3.11 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th ACC). Corey Washington is second for SMU at 6.8 rebounds (17th ACC). SMU is shooting 48.6% overall (5th ACC, 67th NCAA) and holding opponents to 40.3% (10th ACC). SMU is leading the ACC in fastbreak points (17.3, 29th NCAA), free throws made (20.5, 14th NCAA) and free-throw percentage (77.9%, 19th NCAA). SMU is second in the ACC in scoring offense (89.8, 19th NCAA) and fourth in steals (8.8, 61st NCAA).

2025-26 HONORS: Boopie Miller was selected preseason All-ACC second team. B.J. Edwards was named ACC Player of the Week on Nov. 24. Jaron Pierre Jr. was selected the Hoop Hype XL Player of the Game on Dec. 7.

ACC PRESEASON POLL & HONORS: Senior guard Boopie Miller was selected preseason All-ACC Second Team and the Mustangs were picked sixth in the vote by a select media panel. Miller received the highest vote total of any member of the preseason All-ACC Second Team (27). The teams picked in front of the Mustangs were [3/3] Duke, [11/11] Louisville, [14/15] North Carolina, NC State and [24/25] Virginia. Miller was All-ACC Third Team last season after averaging 13.2 points (26th ACC), 5.5 assists (4th ACC, 33rd NCAA), 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals (9th ACC) with a 2.50 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd ACC, 41st NCAA). He also had a pair of game-winning shots, including a right-wing 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in a 54-52 win at Virginia. He was the Acrisure Holiday Invitational MVP after SMU defeated Washington State in the championship.

NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: The Mustangs have nine non-conference home games, including a home game with Butler on Nov. 15 (W, 87-85). SMU also faces four SEC teams beginning with a visit to Mississippi State on Nov. 28 (W, 87-81 ot) and then [17/16] Vanderbilt in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Dec. 3 (L, 88-69). Texas A&M is next in the Hoop Hype XL matchup at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 7 (W, 93-80 ot) followed by the Compete 4 Cause Classic versus [rv/rv] LSU in New Orleans on Dec. 13.

LAST GAME (W, 93-80 OT vs Texas A&M on Dec. 7): ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Jaron Pierre Jr. scored a season-high 35 points, including five straight in overtime that gave SMU the lead for good in a 93-80 victory over Texas A&M on Sunday. Pierre, who sank a jumper with 25 seconds left to force OT, hit two free throws and a 3-pointer to break a tie at 79 and SMU stayed in front over the final 3:08. The Mustangs (9-1) outscored the Aggies 16-3 in the extra 5-minute period. Pierre made 13 of 21 shots and fell a point shy of his career high. He shot 3 for 8 from 3-point range and made all six of his free throws. Boopie Miller went 10 for 10 at the foul line and scored 19 for SMU, adding six rebounds and four assists. Corey Washington had 14 points and Samet Yigitoglu totaled 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out. B.J. Edwards just missed a triple-double with nine points, nine rebounds and 11 assists. Marcus Hill totaled 25 points and seven rebounds for the Aggies (7-3) before fouling out. Rashawn Agee and Mackenzie Mgbako both scored 13 with Agee snagging 11 rebounds. Pierre had 11 points and Yigitoglu scored 10 to help SMU cruise into halftime up 41-27. Pierre sank a jumper to give SMU its largest lead four minutes into the second half, 49-34. The Mustangs stayed ahead until Hill and Mgbako had layups followed by Pop Isaacs' 3-pointer, capping a 7-0 run and giving the Aggies a 77-73 lead with 1:17 left. Edwards made two free throws and Pierre hit a jumper to force OT tied at 77.
Postgame Notes
-Boopie Miller's 18th straight game w/ 10+ points (Longest streak since 18 by Kendric Davis 11/15/21-1/29/22)
-SMU had 4 double-digit scorers, at least 4 with 10+ in 8 of 9 games (8-1 this season)
-SMU 26-28 FTs (Boopie Miller 10-10 - 21st time an SMU player perfect on 10+ FTA (his 3rd time this season)
-Hoop Hype XL Player of the Game - Jaron Pierre Jr.

THE SERIES VS LSU (4-2) (+3-2): This is the second of a two-year neutral-site agreement with the Compete 4 Cause Classic. SMU won the matchup last season, 74-64, at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. Prior to that, the most recent meeting had been in the 2014 NIT second round. The Mustangs advanced 80-67 en route to the NIT title game. The home team has prevailed in each of the five home-court meetings with the first four matchups in consecutive seasons between 1962-66. (+ win in 2013-14 vacated)

LAST MEETING VS LSU (W, 74-64 vs LSU on Dec. 14, 2024): FRISCO, Texas (AP) -- Matt Cross scored 16 points and tied a career-high with 16 rebounds and SMU used a strong second half to win its fifth straight game, beating LSU 74-64 on Saturday in the Compete 4 Cause Classic at the Comerica Center. It was Cross' third double-double of the season. B.J. Edwards and Samet Yigitoglu each scored 12 and reserve Chuck Harris scored 11 for the Mustangs (9-2). Jordan Sears scored 21 points, Dji Bailey 13 and Cam Carter 11 for LSU (8-2). SMU ended the Tigers' four-game win streak. After trailing 33-27 at halftime, SMU used an 8-2 run out of intermission with Yigitoglu making a jump shot followed by consecutive layups by Cross, Yohan Traore and Edwards. Later, Cross made a 3, Jerrell Colbert threw down a dunk, Harris hit a 3, Kario Oquendo and Edwards dunked and Cross added a layup to create a 14-0 run that made for a 51-39 lead with 11:01 remaining. Cam Carter's 3 capped an 8-3 run for the Tigers to bring them within 58-52, but Harris made a 3 and Boopie Miller made two foul shots to extend the lead to 63-52. LSU staged another rally, this time getting within 66-63 on Damion Collins' jump shot with 1:47 left before LSU sealed it by going 7 for 8 from the foul line.

A POLL APPEARANCE: SMU received votes in the Associated Press (3) and USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll (11) on Dec. 8. It is the second straight week for votes in both polls. SMU also received votes (4) in the Coaches Poll on Nov. 24, marking the first time the Mustangs received votes since Feb. 21, 2022.

ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Nov. 24): SMU guard B.J. Edwards was named ACC Player of the Week on Nov. 24. For the week, he averaged 17.5 points, 11.0 assists, 6.5 steals and 5.0 rebounds in two wins while shooting 59.1% overall (13-22), 6-of-12 from three and 3-of-4 on free throws. In the win against Arkansas State on Nov. 21, he had a triple-double with career highs of 24 points, 13 assists and 10 steals. The triple-double was just the sixth in SMU history and the 42nd in ACC history. It is the first for either that included steals. The 10 steals set the SMU program record and tied for second in ACC history.

ASSISTS: SMU is averaging 18.1 assists (4th ACC, 37th NCAA) with Boopie Miller pacing at 6.8 assists (1st ACC, 6th NCAA) and B.J. Edwards dishing 5.6 per game (5th ACC, 39th NCAA). Last season, SMU was second in the ACC in assists at 15.9 (44th NCAA). Boopie Miller averaged 5.5 (4th ACC, 33rd NCAA). B.J. Edwards was next for the Mustangs at 3.7 (10th ACC). 

ASSISTS 2.0: Boopie Miller has a 2.45 assist-to-turnover ratio in his career at SMU and B.J. Edwards has a 2.31 assist-to-turnover ratio in his time on the Hilltop. Both rank among the top 10 for those averaging at least 3.0 assists per game. This season, B.J. Edwards is at 3.33 (8th ACC) and Boopie Miller at 3.24 (10th ACC). In 2024-25, Boopie Miller was at 2.50 (2nd ACC, 41st NCAA) and B.J. Edwards at 2.02 (10th ACC).

BALANCING ACT: SMU had at least five score in double figures five times this season (5-0) and at least six twice (2-0). The Mustangs are 17-1 under Head Coach Andy Enfield when at least five players in double figures, 6-0 when at least six score 10+ and 2-0 when seven are at 10+. In 2024-25, the Mustangs were one of two teams with six scoring at least 9.9 per game (Ole Miss) with Kario Oquendo (11.2, 46th ACC) and Samet Yiğitoğlu (10.0, 51st ACC). Yiğitoğlu was second for SMU in rebounds (6.2, 17th ACC) and double-doubles (3, 21st ACC) while leading the Mustangs in blocked shots (1.0, 15th ACC). 

BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY: The SMU high school signing class was ranked as high as No. 4 nationally, the best in program history. B.J. Davis-Ray, Jermaine O'Neal Jr., Jaden Toombs, Nigel Walls and Billy White III signed to join SMU for the 2025-26 season. 
O'Neal Jr., Toombs and Walls were McDonald's All-American Game nominees.
- SMU Class Rankings | #10 ESPN | #11 On3 | #4 247 Sports
- B.J. Davis-Ray (JSerra Catholic HS) | 4-star | #133 On3
- Jermaine O'Neal, Jr. (Dynamic Prep [TX]) | 4-star | #88 ESPN | #111 On3 | #126 247 Sports
- Jaden Toombs (Dynamic Prep [TX]) | 4-star | #38 ESPN | #45 On3 | #47 247 Sports
- Nigel Walls (St. Francis Episcopal [TX]) | 4-star | #62 ESPN | #57 On3 | #58 247 Sports
- Billy White III (Veterans Memorial HS [TX]) | 2026 rankings | 4-star | #45 ESPN | #38 On3 | #31 247 Sports

BONUS BASKETBALL: SMU is 2-0 in overtime games this season, winning 87-81 at Mississippi State 11/28 and 93-80 vs Texas A&M 12/7.

BUCKETS FOR BOOPIE: Boopie Miller is averaging 20.6 points (4th ACC, 24th NCAA) and has five 20-point games this season. He is shooting 46.0% overall, 39.1% on threes and 92.5% on free throws (2nd ACC, 30th NCAA). He is also helping others with 6.8 assists per game (1st ACC, 6th NCAA). He has three double-doubles this season (7th ACC, 52nd NCAA) with points and assists, including 23 points and 12 assists in the 87-85 win over Butler on Nov. 15.

CAPTAINS: The captains for the 2025-26 season are Boopie Miller and B.J. Edwards. Miller was also a captain for the 2024-25 season.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Samet Yiğitoğlu is averaging 11.5 points (46th ACC), 8.3 rebounds (8th ACC) and 1.4 blocks (9th ACC) while shooting 61.3%. Last season, sophomore center Samet Yiğitoğlu averaged 10.0 points (51st ACC), 6.2 rebounds (17th ACC), 2.4 offensive rebounds (12th ACC) and 1.0 blocks (15th ACC) while shooting 53.5% from the field and recording three double-doubles (21st ACC).

CHARITY WORK: The Mustangs are shooting 77.9% as a team at the free-throw line (1st ACC, 19th NCAA) and making 20.5 per game (1st ACC, 14th NCAA). Boopie Miller is hitting 92.5% (2nd ACC, 30th NCAA) and Corey Washington is shooting 86.4% (5th ACC). Boopie Miller has three of the top-21 performances in program history, knocking down 11-11 vs Tarleton State 11/3, 12-12 vs Radford 11/24 and 10-10 vs Texas A&M 12/7.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Five Mustangs have recorded double-doubles in their careers: Corey Washington (16), Jaron Pierre Jr. (7), Boopie Miller (7), Samet Yiğitoğlu (4), B.J. Edwards (2). TRIPLE-DOUBLE: B.J. Edwards had a triple-double of 24 points, 13 assists and 10 assists in the 100-69 win vs Arkansas State 11/21. It was the sixth in SMU history and the 42nd in ACC history, but the first with steals. The 10 steals set an SMU record and tied for second in ACC history. TRIPLE DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Three Mustangs had a double-double in the 89-72 win over Radford 11/24. Boopie Miller (25 points, 10 assists), Jaron Pierre Jr. (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Corey Washington (21 points, 12 rebounds) became the first SMU trio to have double-doubles in the same game since 12/16/2015 vs Nicholls (Jordan Tolbert 18pts, 23rebs; Ben Moore 22pts,15rebs; Sterling Brown 10pts,11rebs)

MEN OF STEALS: SMU is averaging 8.8 steals this season (4th ACC, 61st NCAA). B.J. Edwards is averaging 2.5 (2nd ACC, 22nd NCAA) and Boopie Miller is averaging 2.3 (3rd ACC, 37th NCAA). Last season, SMU led the ACC at 8.1 (55th NCAA). B.J. Edwards led SMU at 2.4 steals (2nd ACC, 11th NCAA) and set a program record with 83 total steals. Boopie Miller averaged 1.6 per contest (9th ACC).

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Five Mustangs are true freshmen (B.J. Davis-Ray, Jermaine O'Neal Jr., Jaden Toombs, Nigel Walls, Billy White III) with three more redshirt freshmen (Mitchell Holmes, Niccolo Kalischer-Stork, Chance Puryear). Only Jaron Pierre Jr. entered the season with more than 100 collegiate games played.

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

B.J. Edwards (6-3, 200, G, Sr.) | 2024-25: Started all 35 games... 9.9 points (52nd ACC), 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists (10th ACC), 2.4 steals (2nd ACC, 11th NCAA), 2.02 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th ACC), double-double...ACC All-Defensive Team...received votes for ACC Most Improved Player.

Chance Puryear (6-7, 210, F, Fr-Rs.) | 2024-25: Redshirted… 2023-24: He was named TABC 4A All-State at Carter High School in Dallas… District 13-4A Player of the Year and a 2024 McDonald's All-American Game Southwest Nominee.

Boopie Miller (6-0, 175, G, Sr.) | Preseason All-ACC Second Team... 2024-25: All-ACC Third Team... Acrisure Holiday Invitational MVP… Played/started 28 of 35 games... 13.2 points (26th ACC), 5.5 assists (4th ACC, 33rd NCAA), 2.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals (9th ACC), 2.50 assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd ACC, 41st NCAA), 81.6% FTs (13th ACC), 2 double-doubles … GAME-WINNERS: Game-winning right-wing 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left at Virginia for 54-52 win 1/15... 10-foot running jumper with 2.1 seconds left for 79-77 win vs Cal Baptist 11/26… 

Corey Washington (6-6, 190, F, Sr.) | 2024-25 (Wichita State): Played all 34 games (33 starts)... Second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg), rebounding (7.5 rpg), double-doubles (9) and steals (34)... Five games with 20+ points… Second Team All-AAC... One of five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week on Feb. 18... American Player of the Week on Feb. 17... American Weekly Honor Roll 3 times (Nov. 25, Dec. 9, Feb. 10).

Sam Walters (6-9, 230, F, Jr.) | 2024-25 (Michigan): Played in 23 games (Missed final 14 games due to injury)... Averaged 5.0 points and 1.6 rebounds while hitting 36.6% on threes... Posted five double-figure scoring games... Totaled 13 assists, four blocks, and two steals.

Jaron Pierre Jr. (6-5, 210, G, Sr.) | 2024-25 (Jacksonville State): C-USA Player of the Year… Started all 36 games… averaged 21.6 points (1st C-USA, 4th NCAA), 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists (6th C-USA), 0.7 steals, 1.32 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th C-USA)… 38.2% 3FGs (3rd C-USA, 66th NCAA), 2.9 made 3FGs (3rd C-USA, 46th NCAA), 81.0% FTs (6th C-USA)… 2-time C-USA Player of the Week, Lute Olson Player of the Week (Feb. 10), Oscar Robertson Player of the Week (Nov. 18), Lou Henson Player of the Week (Nov. 18).

Jermaine O'Neal Jr. (6-5, 185, F, Fr.) | 2024-25 (Dynamic Prep): Ranked No. 88 by ESPN, No. 111 by On3 and No. 126 by 247 Sports... As a senior, he averaged 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals as Dynamic Prep advanced to the Chipotle Nationals title game and was No. 1 in the final National Top 10 high school rankings.

Billy White III (6-8, 195, F, Fr.) | 2024-25 (Veterans Memorial HS): As a junior in 2024-25, he was selected to the All-State Tournament Team and named All-South Texas MVP after averaging 18.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals as he led Veterans Memorial to a 39-1 record including a run to the UIL 5A Division I semifinals.

B.J. Davis-Ray (6-6, 195, G, Fr.) | 2024-25 (JSerra Catholic HS): Averaged 17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists as he helped the Lions to a 24-11 record his senior season, reaching the California Interscholastic Foundation Division 1 South Regional Quarterfinals... Named CIF-SS Open Division First Team and All-County First Team.

Jaden Toombs (6-10, 230, C, Fr.) | 2024-25 (Dynamic Prep): Ranked No. 38 by ESPN, No. 45 by On3 and No. 47 by 247 Sports... As a senior, he averaged 15.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks as Dynamic Prep advanced to the Chipotle Nationals title game and was No. 1 ranking in the final National Top 10 high school rankings… Was on the 2024-25 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Boy's High School Player of the Year watch list.

Mitchell Holmes (6-10, 230, F, Fr-Rs.) | 2024-25: Redshirted… 2023-24 (Link Year Prep): The three-star signee was ranked in the top 10 overall in Missouri and top 70 at his position nationally… Before attending Link Academy, the McDonald's All-American nominee scored more than 1,500 points at The Oakridge School in Arlington.

Nigel Walls (6-10, 200, F, Fr.) | 2024-25 (St. Francis Episcopal): Four-star prospect... Ranked No. 62 by ESPN, No. 57 by On3 and No. 58 by 247 Sports... As a senior, averaged 13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals as St. Francis Episcopal went 29-8 and won the TAPPS 4A State Championship.

Samet Yiğitoğlu (7-2, 270, C, So.) | 2024-25: Played/started 32 of 35 games... 10.0 points (51st ACC), 6.2 rebounds (17th ACC), 1.0 blocks (15th ACC), 53.5% FG, 3 double-doubles (21st ACC)... 2023-24: Averaged 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and shot 82.6% on FGs in four games with Sigortam Istanbul in Turkey in 2023-24… Sigortam finished tied for first at 28-6 in the Turkish second division…Played for Turkey in the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship in Greece, averaging 12.7 points and 8.6 rebounds while hitting 66.0% on FGs (33-50).

Trey Utter (6-0, 175, G, Sr.) | 2024-25: Played 5 games, including 2 ACC games and the ACC Tournament win vs Syracuse 3/12… 2023-24: Played in 7 games.

Niccolo Kalischer-Stork (6-2, 205, G, Fr-Rs.) | 2024-25: Redshirted… 2023-24 (Harvard-Westlake School): Played as a guard for the Wolverines as the team went 91-9 from 2021-24… As a senior in 2023-24, averaged 3.2 points per game.

HEAD COACH ANDY ENFIELD... is in his second season at SMU after being named SMU's Head Men's Basketball on April 1, 2024. In his first season on the Hilltop, he led the Mustangs to a 24-11 overall record and earned a No. 1 seed in the NIT. The Mustangs went 13-7 in the program's inaugural season in the ACC to tie for fourth. SMU signed the nation's fourth-ranked high school recruiting class, which is the best in program history. 

Enfield burst onto the coaching scene in 2013 when, in his second year as a head coach, he guided Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Following that success, he was hired by the Southern California (USC), where he led the Trojans to five NCAA Tournaments, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2021. He came to SMU after 11 seasons at USC, where he compiled a 220-147 record. The Trojans set a school single-season win record and posted the most wins in program history over two-year, three-year, four-year, five-year, six-year, seven-year and eight-year periods. Enfield's 220 wins ranks third on USC's all-time wins list. 

Over his final seven seasons at USC, the Trojans had eight players selected in the NBA Draft, tied for the fifth-most by any program in the country, with Evan Mobley going No. 3 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and Onyeka Okongwu being selected No. 6 in the 2020 Draft. USC was one of three teams to have had at least one player selected in six of the last seven NBA Drafts. In total, 11 players during Enfield's time at USC have made the NBA.