How to watch: SMU at Florida Atlantic

SMU (19-7, 10-3 AAC) at [rv/rv] Florida Atlantic (20-6, 10-3 AAC)
Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena – Boca Raton, Florida
Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 7pm ET / 6pm CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
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SMU Basketball Coaches Show Presented By The SMU Cox School Of Business – Monday 7pm At Ozona Grill & Bar

SMU begins a two-game road trip with a contest at Florida Atlantic on Thursday. This is the only scheduled meeting in the regular season. 

SMU has won six straight after a 106-79 home victory versus Memphis on Sunday. Five Mustangs scored in double figures for the second straight game. Ricardo Wright had a season-high 26 points (6-8 on 3FGs), including 18 in the first half. Zhuric Phelps and Samuell Williamson each scored 18 while Chuck Harris and Tyreek Smith each added 10 points. SMU outrebounded Memphis 40-29 and had 17 offensive rebounds. Williamson led the Mustangs with eight boards as seven Mustangs had at least 3 rebounds. The team recorded 11 steals and totaled 28 assists on 42 field goals. Phelps had a season-high seven assists while B.J. Edwards had five. Tyreek Smith grabbed a career-high four steals.

ELITE DEFENSE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs’ defense is among the best in the country. SMU is holding opponents to 39.8% (2nd AAC, 16th NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 29.7% (1st AAC, 21st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 65.7 points (3rd AAC, 32nd NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 28th NCAA), 5.1 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 21st NCAA) and have a +5.9 rebound margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA).

AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 50 nationally in several offensive categories. SMU is averaging 16.7 assists (1st AAC, 27th NCAA), 13.9 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 11th NCAA) and 27.7 bench points (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA) while having a 1.44 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 47th NCAA). 

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 11th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.4). Phelps is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.6 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.6 (6th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).

AAC WEEKLY HONOR ROLL: Samuell Williamson was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. He averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals while hitting 11-of-21 from the field as SMU won at Tulane and defeated Memphis at home. In the 106-79 victory against Memphis, he had 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block while shooting 8-of-13.  He scored his 1,000th career point in the win at Tulane. This is his second AAC Weekly Honor of the season and third of his career. SMU has five AAC Weekly Honor Roll nods this season: Zhuric Phelps (2), Samuell Williamson (2) and Chuck Harris.

PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-0 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-0 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
—-    .297    2023-24
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12

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
—-    12.1    2023-24
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,030 – 39th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,018) both hit the 1,000-point milestone in the 87-79 win at Tulane on Feb. 15. Chuck Harris (1313) 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    1077    Steve Strange, 1958-61
37    1046    John Colborne, 1985-90
38    1041    Gerald Lewis, 1989-93
39    1030    Zhuric Phelps

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 26 games (20 starts)… averaging 7.3 points (10+ 6 times), 4.2 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots while shooting 65.6% (3rd 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 26 games (25 starts)… averaging 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists (12th AAC) and 1.1 steals with a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC)…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 all 26 games… averaging 13.4 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.2% on threes (6th AAC) and 86.5% on FTs… Has a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th 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 24 games…Averaging 4.4 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 26 games… Averaging 3.6 points and shooting 38.9% on 3FGs (21-54)… has 21 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 11 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: Averaging 14.7 points (13th AAC), 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 11 total blocks and hitting 76.3% on FTs (16th AAC, 87-114)… 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 26 games… averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 37.0% on threes (34-92)…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 26 games (6 starts)…Averaging 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 61.4% 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 26 games… Averaging 9.3 points, 7.6 rebounds (5th AAC), 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals… 4 double-doubles (9th 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 25 games… Averaging 6.7 points (10+ in 7 games) and shooting 39.8% on threes (37-93)… 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.

Editor’s Note: SMU press release.