SMU (19-6, 10-4 ACC) at Notre Dame (11-14, 5-9 ACC)
Purcell Pavilion – South Bend, Indiana
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT
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SMU plays at Notre Dame on Wednesday as the programs meet for the first time as ACC opponents. The Mustangs enter the matchup 19-6 overall and 10-4 in the ACC after having their five-game winning streak snapped in a 77-66 loss to Wake Forest. SMU is 5-1 on the road in ACC play this season, including four straight wins away from Dallas. 

SMU is averaging 82.1 points (1st ACC, 23rd NCAA) while shooting 47.8% (2nd ACC, 42nd NCAA) overall and 38.2% on threes (2nd ACC, 18th NCAA). The Mustangs are also leading the ACC in total rebounds (39.7, 22nd NCAA) and bench points (26.6, 44th NCAA). SMU is second in the ACC in rebound margin (+5.7, 35th NCAA), second in offensive rebounds (13.0, 40th NCAA), second in assists (16.4, 37th NCAA), second in steals (7.7), third in scoring margin (+10.8, 30th NCAA), second in fastbreak points (13.8, 34th NCAA), third in field-goal defense (40.2%, 28th NCAA), third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.42) and sixth in blocked shots (3.9). SMU is one of seven teams in the top 45 nationally in field-goal percentage and field-goal defense (Duke, Liberty, Auburn, Yale, Bradley, Michigan).

Boopie Miller is averaging 13.4 points (25th ACC), 5.7 assists (4th ACC, 30th NCAA) and 1.6 steals (7th ACC) with a 2.58 assist-to-turnover ratio (5th ACC, 38th NCAA). Chuck Harris is next in scoring at 12.5 (35th ACC) while hitting 44.5% from three. B.J. Edwards is averaging 10.3 points (49th ACC), 3.8 assists (10th ACC) and 2.2 steals (2nd ACC, 20th NCAA). Matt Cross has six double-doubles (6th ACC) and is leading the Mustangs in rebounding (8.2, 5th ACC) while adding 11.9 points (37th ACC). The Mustangs are one of two teams with six scoring in double figures (Auburn) with Samet Yiğitoğlu (10.7, 45th ACC) and Kario Oquendo (10.3, 49th ACC). Yiğitoğlu is second for SMU in rebounds (6.5, 15th ACC) and leading the Mustangs in blocked shots (1.1, 13th ACC). 

First-year head coach Andy Enfield took the helm of the SMU program following 11 seasons at USC, where he led the Trojans to five of the last eight NCAA Tournaments, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2021. He took over an SMU program that finished last season 20-13 after earning an NIT bid. That was the Mustangs' sixth postseason berth in the past 10 possible postseasons, including two NCAA bids and four NITs.

INAUGURAL ACC SEASON (10-4): SMU's inaugural ACC home slate includes Virginia (Dec. 7, W 63-51), [4/4] Duke (Jan. 4, L 89-62), Georgia Tech (Jan. 11, W 93-71), [25/rv] Louisville (Jan. 21, L 98-73), Cal (Jan. 29, W 76-65), Stanford (Feb. 1, W 85-61), Pitt (Feb. 11, W 83-63), Wake Forest (Feb. 15, L 77-66), Clemson (Feb. 22) and Syracuse (Mar. 4). The Mustangs' road ACC contests are Boston College (Dec. 21, W 103-77), North Carolina (Jan. 7, L 82-67), Virginia (Jan. 15, W 54-42), Miami (Jan. 18, W 117-74), N.C. State (Jan. 25, W 63-57), Virginia Tech (Feb. 5, W 81-75), Notre Dame (Feb. 19), Cal (Feb. 26), Stanford (Mar. 1) and Florida State (Mar. 8). The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament is March 11-15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LAST GAME (L, 77-66 vs Wake Forest on Feb. 15): DALLAS (AP) -- Hunter Sallis scored 12 of his 20 points before halftime and Wake Forest ended SMU's five-game win streak with a 77-66 victory on Saturday night. Wake Forest (19-7, 11-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) rebounded from a 72-70 loss against Florida State on Wednesday night and has won four of its last five games. Sallis was just 4 of 15 from the field but shot 11 of 14 from the free-throw line and grabbed nine rebounds to go with six assists. Parker Friedrichsen made five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points for Wake Forest. Ty-Laur Johnson scored 12 points and Efton Reid had 10. Tre'Von Spillers added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The Demon Deacons opened the second half on a 19-8 run for a 51-40 lead with 13:44 remaining. Spillers scored six points, Harris added four points that included a dunk, and Sallis hit a 3 during the stretch. SMU pulled with three points, 51-48, a few minutes later but didn't get closer. Chuck Harris scored 15 points for SMU (19-6, 10-4). Kario Oquendo added 13 points, B.J. Edwards had 12 and Matt Cross 11. The Mustangs shot 36% (22 of 61) from the field and 8 of 35 (23%) from distance. Harris and Cross each made three 3s. Harris scored 11 points to help SMU build a 34-32 halftime advantage.

UP NEXT: SMU hosts [18/17] Clemson on Saturday at Moody Coliseum before the trip west to face Cal (Feb. 26) and Stanford (March 1).

THE SERIES VS NOTRE DAME (1-4): SMU's only win came in the first round of the 1988 NCAA Tournament, an 83-75 victory in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Fighting Irish won the other four meetings, two in South Bend and two in Dallas. 

ACRISURE HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Nov. 26-27): SMU dominated the second half in a 77-60 victory over Washington State to win the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Springs, California the night before Thanksgiving. Boopie Miller was named the tournament MVP, averaging 16.0 points and 5.0 assists, which included the game-winning shot with 2.1 seconds left in the 79-77 semifinal win over Cal Baptist. In the victory over Washington State, SMU outscored the Cougars 50-29 in the second half to claim the title. Five Mustangs scored in double figures, led by Boopie Miller with 16 points and five assists. The Mustangs had a 51-25 rebound advantage with Samet Yiğitoğlu recording his first double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Cross finished with seven points and 10 rebounds. 

ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS: Matt Cross, Chuck Harris and Boopie Miller are among the NCAA's active career leaders. Cross is 69th in rebounds (742); Harris is 49th in points (1,705), 39th in threes made (256); while Miller is 57th in scoring (14.4), 60th in assists (421), 32nd in assists average (4.53) and 41st in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.74).

ASSISTS: SMU is second in the ACC in assists at 16.4 (37th NCAA. Boopie Miller is averaging 5.7 (4th ACC, 30th NCAA). B.J. Edwards is next for the Mustangs at 3.8 (10th ACC). Both are also among the league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio with Boopie Miller at 2.58 (5th ACC, 38th NCAA) and B.J. Edwards at 2.29 (8th ACC).

ASSISTS 2.0: B.J. Edwards has a 2.36 assist-to-turnover ratio in his career at SMU. That ranks third among those averaging at least 3.0 assists per game. Boopie Miller is at 2.58 this season (5th ACC, 38th NCAA) and B.J. Edwards is at 2.29 on the season (8th ACC).

BALANCING ACT: The Mustangs have had at least five players in double figures in 11 games (10-1), at least six with 10+ three times (3-0) and seven at 10+ twice (2-0):

BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY: Four-star prospects Jermaine O'Neal, Jr., Jaden Toombs and Nigel Walls have signed to play at SMU beginning with the 2025-26 season, Head Coach Andy Enfield announced today. The 2025 signing class is ranked as high as No. 6 nationally, the highest in program history. Walls (6-10, F), from St. Francis Episcopal in Houston, is ranked as high as No. 57 nationally. Toombs and O'Neal Jr. are teammates are Dynamic Prep in Irving, where Toombs (6-10, C) is rated as high as No. 38 nationally and O'Neal Jr. (6-5, F) is listed as high as No. 88 nationally. All three are McDonald's All-American Game nominees.
- SMU Class Rankings | #6 ESPN | #13 On3 | #7 247 Sports
- Jermaine O'Neal, Jr. (Dynamic Prep in Irving, Texas) | 4-star | #88 ESPN | #111 On3 | #126 247 Sports
- Jaden Toombs (Dynamic Prep in Irving, Texas) | 4-star | #38 ESPN | #45 On3 | #47 247 Sports
- Nigel Walls (St. Francis Episcopal in Houston, Texas) | 4-star | #62 ESPN | #57 On3 | #58 247 Sports

BOARDROOM: SMU is +5.7 in rebounding this season (2nd ACC / 35th NCAA) with eight games of +10 or better. The Mustangs average 13.0 offensive rebounds (2nd ACC / 40th NCAA).

BUZZER-BEATER BOOPIE: Boopie Miller has a pair of late game winners this season. He hit a right-win 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left for a 54-52 win at Virginia on Jan. 15. He also hit a 10-foot running jumper with 2.1 seconds left for a 79-77 win over Cal Baptist in the Acrisure Hilday Invitational semifinal on Nov. 26.

CAPTAINS: The captains for the 2024-25 season are Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Chuck Harris and Boopie Miller.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Freshman center Samet Yiğitoğlu is averaging 10.7 points (45th ACC), 6.5 rebounds (15th ACC) and 1.1 blocks (13th ACC) while shooting 57.0% from the field. He had a career-high 20 points, including 4-4 on free throws in the final two minutes to seal the 63-57 win at NC State on Jan. 25. Both were 1-and-1 situations, sinking a pair at 1:59 and again with 18 seconds left. 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS: Matt Cross is leading the Mustangs at 8.2 rebounds per game (5th ACC). He has six double-doubles this season (6th ACC). He had a career-high tying 16 rebounds in the win versus LSU on Dec. 14. The 16 rebounds were the most by a Mustang since 19 by Jordan Tolbert against Hampton on 12/17/15. He is also ninth in the ACC with 2.5 offensive rebounds per game, grabbing season highs of seven against Washington State and LSU.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Matt Cross (6, 6th ACC), Samet Yiğitoğlu (3, 17th ACC), Yohan Traore (2, 22nd ACC), Boopie Miller (2, 22nd ACC)

DOUBLE FIGURES: Nine Mustangs have scored in double figures multiple times this season: Boopie Miller (17), Chuck Harris (17), Matt Cross (17), B.J. Edwards (15), Samet Yiğitoğlu (15), Kario Oquendo (13), Yohan Traore (6), Keon Ambrose-Hylton (4), Jerrell Colbert (2).

FLOOR EXPERIENCE: Five Mustangs have played in 100 or more NCAA D-I games: Chuck Harris (141), Tibet Görener (126), Kario Oquendo (121), Keon Ambrose Hylton (119), and Matt Cross (119).

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Four Mustangs have reached the 1,000-point milestone: Chuck Harris (1,705), Kario Oquendo (1,358), Boopie Miller (1,335) and Matt Cross (1,275).

LEADING BY COMMITTEE: Six Mustangs have led the team in scoring this season: Boopie Miller (8x), Chuck Harris (7x), Matt Cross (5x), Kario Oquendo (4x), Samet Yiğitoğlu (3x), B.J. Edwards (1x)

MEN OF STEALS: B.J. Edwards is leading SMU at 2.2 steals (2nd ACC, 20th NCAA). Boopie Miller is averaging 1.6 per contest (8th ACC).

NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (9-2): The Mustangs played an 11-game non-conference schedule that included six teams that made the postseason last season. The slate included a home matchup with Mississippi State, who is in the top 25 (L, 84-79 11/22), a neutral-site game versus LSU (W, 74-64 on Dec. 14 at Comerica Center in Frisco), and a road game at Butler (L, 81-70 on 11/15). The Mustangs won the Acrisure Holiday Invitational Nov. 26-27 (W, 79-77 vs Cal Baptist 11/26; W, 77-60 vs Washington State 11/27). The Butler game started a home-and-home that includes a game at Moody Coliseum in 2025-26, and the LSU game is a two-game neutral-site series that includes a game in New Orleans in 2025-26. Mississippi State, Washington State and Longwood (W, 98-82 12/29) made NCAA tournament appearances last season while Butler and LSU were in the NIT. Tarleton State (W, 96-62 11/4) earned a CIT bid while UNC Greensboro (W, 81-68 on 11/11) was a 21-win team last season.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Mustangs are 5-1 on the road in the ACC and 8-2 away from Moody Coliseum.

RUN, RUN: The Mustangs have 25 runs of at least 10-0 this season.

SWEEP: SMU swept Virginia, winning 63-51 in Dallas on Dec. 7 and 54-52 in Charlottesville on Jan. 15. The Mustangs became the first team to sweep Virginia since the 2018-19 season (Duke).

TRIPLE THREAT: The Mustangs are 38.2% from three this season (2nd AAC, 18th NCAA). SMU has made at least 10 three-pointers in 11 games this season. In the 103-77 win at Boston College on Dec. 21, SMU hit 68.8% (11-16), the fifth-highest percentage in program history.

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-9, 220, F, Sr.) | 2024-25: Played all 25 games...3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 53.4% FGs ... 2023-24: Played all 33 games (20 starts)... Averaged 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks... Shot an SMU season-record 64.1%... SMU SEASON RECORD: FG% (64.1%, 1st).

Jerrell Colbert (6-10, 235, F, Jr.) | 2024-25: Played all 25 games...2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 59.5% FGs... 2023-24 (Kansas State): Averaged 2.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks as the Wildcats went 19-15 overall, earning a trip to the NIT.

Matt Cross (6-7, 230, F, Sr.) | 2024-25: ACC Player of the Week (Dec. 16)... Played 24 games... 11.9 points (37th ACC), 8.2 rebounds (5th ACC), 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 50.0% FGs, 39.2% 3FGs, 6 double-doubles (6th ACC) ... 2023-24 (UMass): NABC All-District Selection… Atlantic 10 First-Team Selection… Averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals… Hit 54.0% field goals, 32.9% threes, and 79.8% free throws.

B.J. Edwards (6-3, 185, G, Jr.) | 2024-25: Started all 24 games... averaging 10.3 points (49th ACC), 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists (10th ACC), 2.2 steals (2nd ACC, 20th NCAA), 2.29 assist-to-turnover ratio (8th ACC)... 2023-24:  Played all 33 games (30 starts)... Averaged 3.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists with a 2.43 assist-to-turnover ratio.

AJ George (6-6, 190, G, Jr.) | 2024-25: Played in 14 games... 2023-24 (Long Beach State): Played in all 36 games, averaging 10.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game as LBSU won the Big West Tournament and made the NCAA Tournament… Shot 53.3% on field goals, 34.4% on threes and 72.1% on free throws.

Tibet Görener (6-9, 205, F, Sr.) | 2024-25: Played 22 games (1 start)... 2023-24 (San Jose State): Started all 32 games… 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 33.9% on threes…totaled 25 assists, 15 steals and 11 blocks

Chuck Harris (6-4, 190, G, Sr.): 2024-25: Played all 25 games (9 starts)... 12.5 points (33rd ACC), 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 assist-to-turnover ratio, 44.5% on 3FGs, 2.3 made threes per game (7th ACC)... 2023-24:  Played and started 32 of 33 games... Averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 assists (9th AAC) and 3.2 rebounds while hitting 40.7% on threes (5th AAC) and 81.8% on free throws... Had a 1.77 assist-to-turnover ratio (8th AAC)… Team-high 18 points and reached 1,000 for his career vs Lamar 11/9... HONORS: AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D18).

Mitchell Holmes (6-11, 215, F, Fr.) | 2023-24 ( Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri): 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.

Niccolo Kalischer-Stork (6-3, 190, G, Fr.) | 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.

Boopie Miller (6-0, 175, G, Jr.) | 2024-25: Played/started 24 of 25 games (missed 2/15 vs Wake Forest - injury)... 13.4 points (25th ACC), 5.7 assists (4th ACC, 30th NCAA), 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals (7th ACC), 2.58 assist-to-turnover ratio (5th ACC, 38th NCAA), 82.8% FTs (8th ACC), 2 double-doubles (22nd ACC) ... 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 wtih 2.1 seconds left for 79-77 win vs Cal Baptist 11/26... HONORS: Acrisure Holiday Invitational MVP... 2023-24 (Wake Forest): One of three players to start all 35 games... Averaged 15.6 points (2nd WF, 13th ACC), 3.5 assists (12th ACC), 1.4 steals (10th ACC)... Shot 84.5% on free throws (131-155, 6th ACC) and 46.4% on field goals (11th ACC)

Kario Oquendo (6-4, 220, G, Sr.) | 2024-25: Played all 25 games... 10.3 points (49th ACC), 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 41.7% on 3FGs... 2023-24 (Oregon):  Averaged 7.2 points (.459 FG%), 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.7 minutes per game … Played in 36 games making three starts | 2022-23 (Georgia): Averaged 12.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists playing 25.4 minutes per game for the Bulldogs.

Chance Puryear (6-7, 190, F, Fr.) | 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.

Yohan Traore (6-11, 235, F, Jr.) | 2024-25: Played 22 games... 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 48.1% FGs, 2 double-doubles (22nd ACC)... 2023-24 (UC Santa Barbara): Played and started in 30 of 31 games… Averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 58.3% from the field and 68.6% at the free-throw line.

Trey Utter (6-0, 160, G, Jr.) | 2024-25... Played 4 games... 2023-24: Played in 7 games.

Samet Yiğitoğlu (7-2, 265, C, Fr.) | 2024-25: Played/started 22 games... 10.7 points (45th ACC), 6.5 rebounds (15th ACC), 1.1 blocks (13th ACC), 57.0% FG, 3 double-doubles (17th 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 the 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).

Jackson Young (6-2, 185, G, Sr.) | 2024-25: Played 6 games... 2023-24: Played in 8 games.

HEAD COACH ANDY ENFIELD... was named SMU's Head Men's Basketball on April 1, 2024. A proven winner, 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 University of Southern California (USC), where he led the Trojans to five of the last eight 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. Enfield quickly brought success to the basketball program upon his arrival, as 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, trailing only Sam Barry (260) and Forrest Twogood (251). In 13 seasons as a head coach Enfield has a 261-175 mark. 
 
His teams also excelled in the classroom by setting the program's top team GPAs. Enfield brought in eight consecutive Top-30 recruiting classes, with the 2022 class ranking No. 7 and the 2023 class ranking No. 4.
 
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.