How to watch: SMU at Tulane

SMU (17-7, 8-3 AAC) at Tulane (13-10, 4-7 AAC)
Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse – New Orleans, Louisiana
Thursday, February 15, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
Gameday Central | Live Stats
SMU Notes | Tulane | American
SMU Basketball Yearbook | SMU Digital Game Program

SMU visits Tulane on Thursday, meeting the Green Wave for the second time this season. The Mustangs won the first matchup 80-76 in Dallas on February 1.

SMU has won four straight games after a 71-68 home victory over North Texas on Sunday. Four Mustangs scored in double-figures as SMU overcame an 11-point second-half deficit for the win. Jalen Smith and Ja’Heim Hudson each had a team-high 14 points off the bench. Hudson hit the go-ahead three-pointer for a 65-63 lead with 3:17 left. That was part of an 11-0 run that created a 69-63 advantage. SMU closed the game 23-10 over the last 11:31. Chuck Harris added 13 points and Zhuric Phelps 10. The Mustangs had 12 steals and outrebounded UNT 34-28. 

AAC WEEKLY HONOR ROLL: Zhuric Phelps was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. He averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 52.2% (12-23) in wins at Rice and at home over North Texas. This is his second AAC Weekly Honor of the season and sixth of his career.

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 39.2% (1st AAC, 10th NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 29.1% (1st AAC, 15th NCAA). Opponents are averaging 64.6 points (2nd AAC, 19th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC, 33rd NCAA), 5.0 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 24th NCAA) and have a +5.6 in rebound margin (1st AAC, 40th NCAA).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.4, 13th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.0). Phelps is also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.5 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.83 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.3 assists (13th AAC) and a 2.63 assist-to-turnover ratio (11th AAC). Emory Lanier is shooting 41.2% on threes and Harris is hitting 40.7% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.6 (6th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks (3rd AAC). Keon Ambrose-Hylton is averaging 1.0 blocks (13th AAC).

PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 10-0 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 5-0 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).
– Western Illinois 11/8 (4)
– vs West Virginia 11/20 (4)
– Texas A&M – Commerce 12/3 (4)
– Houston Christian 12/19 (4)
– at Murray State 12/22 (5)
– Tulsa 1/20 (4)
– Tulane 2/1 (5)
– UAB 2/4 (4)
– at Rice 2/7 (5)
– North Texas (4)

SMU Season FG% Defense
1.    .345 (498-1443)    1953-54
2.    .364 (656-1804)    1957-58
3.    .367 (766-2087)    1955-56
4.    .373 (609-1631)    1958-59
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62
6.    .381 (691-1815)    2014-15
7.    .385 (762-1977)    2013-14
8    .386 (745-1928)    2016-17
9.    .387 (576-1488)    1959-60
10.    .389 (661-1698)    1954-55
—-    .392    2023-24

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .291    2023-24
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
4.    .314 (157-500)    1992-93
5.    .321 (248-773)    2013-14
    .321 (282-878)    2016-17
7.    .322 (197-611)    2006-07
8.    .326 (268-823)    2014-15
9.    .330 (187-567)    1997-98
10.    .331 (224-676)    2015-16

Scoring defense
1.    59.8 (34 games)    2014-15
2.    60.0 (35 games)    2016-17
3.    60.1 (32 games)    2011-12
4.    61.3 (35 games)    2010-11
5.    61.4 (29 games)    1985-86
6.    62.2 (25 games)    1957-58
7.    62.2 (37 games)    2013-14
8.    62.6 (31 games)    2006-07
9.    62.7 (32 games)    2012-13
10.    63.2 (24 games)    1958-59
—-    64.6    2023-24

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
—-    11.6    2023-24
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88
6.    9.4 (69.1-59.8)    2014-15
7.    8.8 (71.0-62.2)    2013-14
8.    8.4 (77.1-68.7)    1953-54
9.    8.1 (75.9-67.8)    1983-84
10.    8.0 (75.5-67.5)    1984-85

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (993 – all at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (990) are both approaching the 1,000-point milestone. Chuck Harris (1278) surpassed it on Nov. 9 vs Lamar.
SMU Career Scoring
Rank    Points    Name, Years
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    1027    Bobby Mills, 1954-57
40    1026    Kevin Lewis, 1982-86
41    1024    Ethan Chargois, 2017-21
42    1005    Carlton McKinney, 1986-88
43    1003    Markus Kennedy, 2013-16
—-    993    Zhuric Phelps

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 24 games (20 starts)… averaging 7.4 points (10+ 6 times), 4.2 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 1.0 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 66.9% (2nd 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 24 games (23 starts)… averaging 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists (13th AAC) and 1.2 steals with a 2.63 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 24 games… averaging 13.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.7% on threes (6th AAC) and 84.8% on FTs… Has a 1.83 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 22 games…Averaging 4.2 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) and 3.0 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 24 games… Averaging 3.8 points and shooting 41.2% on 3FGs (21-51)… 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 10 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 14.4 points (13th AAC), 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 10 total blocks and hitting 78.3% on FTs (16th AAC, 83-106)… 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 24 games… averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while hitting 36.9% on threes (31-84)…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: Averaging 7.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 62.1% on FGs (5th 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 6 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 24 games… Averaging 9.0 points, 7.6 rebounds (6th AAC), 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals… 4 double-doubles (9th AAC)… AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D26)… 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.) | Averaging 6.1 points (10+ in 3 straight games) and shooting 38.3% on threes (31-81)… 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 6 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, 71-68 vs North Texas on Feb. 11): DALLAS (AP) — Ja’Heim Hudson helped lead SMU past North Texas on Sunday with 14 points off of the bench in a 71-68 win. Jalen Smith also scored 14 points for SMU (17-7, 8-3 American Athletic Conference). Chuck Harris finished with 13 points. Jason Edwards scored 18 points for the Mean Green (13-10, 6-5). North Texas got 16 points from Robert Allen and 15 points from John Buggs III. Smith scored 12 points in the first half and SMU went into the break trailing 34-30. After trailing by 10 points in the second half, SMU went on a 7-0 run to narrow the score to 58-55 with 10:37 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Hudson scored 11 second-half points.
CLOSING RUN
– Closed the game 23-10 from down 58-48 with 11:54 left
– Included an 11-0 run to take a 69-63 lead with 2:10 remaining 
POSTGAME NOTES
– SMU has won 4 straight and is 11-3 in past 14 games
– SMU has won 8 straight at Moody Coliseum and is 12-2 at home this season
– Steals: SMU 12, UNT 5
– Fast-Break Points: SMU 10, UNT 3
– Rebounds: SMU 34, UNT 28
– Offensive Rebounds: SMU 15, UNT 12

UP NEXT: The Mustangs host a rematch with [rv/-] Memphis on Sunday. Then the two-game road swing at [24/rv] Florida Atlantic on Feb. 22 and South Florida on Feb. 25.

THE SERIES VS TULANE (27-17): SMU leads the series 27-17 and is 12-4 in meetings as AAC opponents. The Mustangs are 19-3 at home with a 7-1 record in AAC match-ups. SMU is 5-3 in New Orleans in AAC matchups. The Mustangs were 6-5 against the Green Wave in C-USA from 2005-06 to 2012-13. The first meeting between the programs came on Dec. 18, 1959, an 86-61 victory for SMU.

LAST MEETING VS TULANE (W, 80-76 at SMU on Feb. 1): DALLAS (SP) — Tyreek Smith and Richardo Wright both had 16 points in SMU’s 80-76 victory against Tulane on Thursday night. Smith also contributed seven rebounds for the Mustangs (14-7, 5-3 American Athletic Conference). Wright was 5 of 12 from the floor, including 3 for 8 from 3-point range, and 3 for 4 from the line. Zhuric Phelps was 5 of 19 shooting, including 1 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line to finish with 15 points, while adding five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Kevin Cross led the Green Wave (12-9, 3-6) in scoring, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Sion James added 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Tulane. In addition, Tre’ Williams finished with 12 points.
POSTGAME NOTES
– Rebounds: SMU 52 (season high), Tulane 33
– Offensive Rebounds: SMU 19 (tied season high), Tulane 4
– Second-Chance Points: SMU 24, Tulane 3