Everything BJ Edwards, Boopie Miller said after SMU beat UNC Greensboro

SMU guards BJ Edwards and Boopie Miller met with the media on Monday after the Mustangs beat UNC Greensboro. Here’s what they had to say to reporters.

What did you guys think overall about the way your team played tonight? 

Boopie: “You know, I feel like we started off rough, but you know, those type of games, you know, we got to finish strong, you know, just keep locking up on defense, you know, going with the game plan. So I’m happy we came out with the win.” 

What was rough in the early going for you? 

B.J.: “I’d say, you know, we was giving up a lot of offense and rebounds. Our defense, we weren’t all the way locked in. We was getting back doors. We let some of their shooters shoot. But definitely, the second half, we turned it up some more. So that’s what the game was supposed to be.” 

UNC Greensboro presented some different defensive looks for you guys. Some zones, some man on man. How were you guys able to adjust when they would switch between their defensive styles? 

Boopie: “You know, just locking into the game plan that our coaches tell us. You know, 12 was a shooter. I feel like we ran him off the line a couple of times. But, you know, I feel like just following the game plan from start to finish is going to be the reason we win games on the road. So we have to keep doing that.”

B.J., you have five steals tonight, you’ve got 12 in three games. Where would you say you’ve taken the biggest step on the defensive end, either in your off season training or just since you’ve been working with this coaching staff? 

B.J.: “I will honestly say I’ve always been a good defender. I like to play defense, it leads to my offense. And honestly, I’m always in the right spot at the right time. I like to gamble a lot and the coaches get on me about that, but at the same time, they’ll encourage me to do that.” 

What was it like having the big guy in the middle tonight for SMU? 

Boopie: “It was amazing, man. We’re gonna keep working on him, he’s gonna keep getting better day by day and game by game. It was just his first game back. I don’t know what he had on stats, but I feel like he played good and I feel like he can talk more on defense like that. So he’s coming along, we’re gonna be a great team with him.” 

How big is that? How much of his game that you’ve been able to see in practice, translated into the game tonight? 

Boopie: “He’s a game changer, him being seven foot, small guards will be scared to go down there because they’re gonna get their shot blocked. So just having him, his presence is a big thing for our team. He’s the anchor of the team, so I love having him.” 

B.J.: “Honestly, I can add on to that. He’s a great passer as well. You guys didn’t see that tonight that much, but in practice he can kiss it on the post, kick out, he got a good hook shot. I guess a lot of stuff that he hasn’t shown you, it’s gonna be a good year for him.” 

It’s easy for us to look at Samet, because like you said, he’s seven feet tall. But SMU also got Matt Cross back. What has he had on either the offensive or defensive end for you guys? 

B.J.: “Matt Cross, he’s a great guy, real strong, and he can shoot it as well. He can really crash through glass. He can space out the floor as well. He’s a great player, great guy. Defensively, he’s gonna box out and rebound. He’s like our tough guy.” 

Obviously, AJ, Coach said he was sick, so he didn’t play. So you still haven’t necessarily had the full complement of guys for SMU. But at least now, you’ve kind of got to see a little bit of everybody. How nice is that, to kind of see what this roster and what this team can really be with all your pieces together? 

Boopie: “It feels good with the guys coming back when we get our full team. I think we have a great potential. For me being in ACC last year, with everybody on the floor, with everybody back, I think we’re gonna be a great team.” 

Boopie, you’ve scored at least 20 in each of the three games. Can we expect that every time out now? 

Boopie: “Yeah, for sure. I just feel like I played terrible today. BJ had a great game, but I’m gonna play with confidence each and every game. No matter how many points I score or anything like that, I just wanna go out there and get the win for my team.” 

How big is a game like this where maybe it was a little bit of a step up in competition and to kind of see how you guys were able to respond and fair against probably your toughest opponent so far this season? 

B.J.: “Honestly, it was a very good game for us. They’re a good team as well. So it definitely… we was excited to play and we just come to every game like the same way. We don’t take anybody for granted, can’t ever underestimate an opponent. So definitely just, we glad we got to play now and good luck to them the rest of the season.” 

When Samet and Tibet  are on the floor together, do they speak to each other in English or Turkish? 

Boopie: “Definitely Turkish, Turkish practice, they do Turkish a lot.” 

B.J.: “Turkish in practice in the locker room, it’s fun.”

Is that frustrating for the rest of you guys, knowing that they’re chatting and you have no idea what they’re talking about? 

Boopie: “Not really, it’s their connection. Sometimes they talk to each other like that, like what are y’all talking about? What are y’all saying? Y’all can say it in English, but that’s their vibe.” 

Do you guys know any Turkish? 

Boopie: “Nah, not at all.” 

Not getting them to teach you some as the season goes along, maybe? 

Boopie: “Definitely gonna try to.” 

How big is a game like this before SMU goes on its first road trip? Obviously a quality team to kind of take this and build on it. 

Boopie: “These types of games are great for us. You know, that team is good. Like them winning their conference, that’s gonna help us for making the tournament, you know, like those quad one games, stuff like that. So we go on the road, you know, just gonna try to get this win, go back to the game plan and look over what we did wrong and what we did right. So that’s gonna help us at the end and win games.” 

In your first year at SMU, was it easy for you to connect with the guys here? 

Boopie: “Definitely. I feel like I’m an open dude. You know, a lot of other people on the team are open too. So I feel like I connected with the guys well off the basketball court.”