How to watch: SMU vs. Charlotte
SMU (9-4, 0-0 AAC) vs Charlotte (6-6, 0-0 AAC)
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 – 8:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
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SMU opens AAC play on a three-game win streak as it hosts Charlotte at Moody Coliseum on Tuesday.
SMU improved to 9-4 with an 92-65 road victory at Murray State on Dec. 22. Five Mustangs scored in double figures and the defense held MSU to 32.8% from the field. SMU hit 15-23 from three, one make shy of the program record for threes in a game. The Mustangs outscored the Racers 43-24 in the second half, holding them to 20.0% after the intermission. Samuell Williamson had 10 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. Chuck Harris scored 16 (5-8 on 3FG), Ricardo Wright 12 (4-4 on 3FG), Zhuric Phelps 11 (1-2 on 3FG) and Jalen Smith 11 (3-4 on 3FG). Harris led with five of the team’s 22 assists, the second-highest for the team this season.
Samuell Williamson was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 26. He averaged 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds while hitting 13-of-20 from the floor in a home wins over Houston Christian and a road victory at Murray State. He is the third Mustang on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll this season, joining Chuck Harris (D18) and Zhuric Phelps (N27).
AAC OPENERS: The Mustangs have won nine straight AAC openers, including a 92-67 home victory over Tulsa last season.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: The game is just a couple of days before the 10th anniversary of the opening of the renovated Moody Coliseum. The remodeled facility made its basketball debut on Jan. 4, 2014 with a matchup against then-No. 17/15 UCONN, giving the Huskies a 74-65 loss. Since the renovation, SMU was been ranked or receiving votes in eight of those seasons getting as high as No. 8, won two AAC championships and made five postseasons (2 NCAA, 3 NIT).
MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.8, 13th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.9). Phelps is also averaging 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals (6th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 3.9 assists per game (8th AAC) and a 2.68 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th AAC – 51 assists / 19 turnovers). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 6.6 (15th AAC) followed by Tyreek Smith at 5.8.
DEFENSIVE DIFFERENCE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs’ defense is among the best in the country. SMU is holding opponents to 36.3% (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA) from the field, holding 12 of 13 opponents under 42.0%. The three-point defense is 25.8% (1st AAC, 6th NCAA). Opponents are averaging 62.2 points (2nd AAC, 16th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.5 steals (4th AAC), 4.8 blocked shots per game (2nd AAC, 39th NCAA) and have a +5.5 in rebound margin (2nd AAC).
SMU Season FG% Defense
1. .345 (498-1443) 1953-54
—- .363 2023-24
2. .364 (656-1804) 1957-58
3. .367 (766-2087) 1955-56
SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—- .258 2023-24
1. .298 (210-705) 2021-22
2. .305 (120-394) 1987-88
3. .308 (203-660) 2011-12
MEET THE MUSTANGS:
Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Started all 13 games… averaging 8.7 points (10+ 5 times) and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 75.8%…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: Averaging 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists (8th AAC) and 1.4 steals (22nd AAC) with a 2.68 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th 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 13 games… averaging 13.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 44.6% on threes (29-65) and 81.3% on FTs (26-32)… 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: Averaging 3.8 points and 3.2 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: Averaging 4.8 points and shooting 44.1% on 3FGs (15-34)… has 15 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 6 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 14.8 points (13th AAC), 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals (6th AAC) with 7 total blocks… Recorded 100th career steal in the win vs Western Illinois 11/8…AAC Weekly Honor Roll (N27), 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: Averaging 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists while hitting 39.0% on threes (16-41)…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 7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.6 blocks (5th AAC) while shooting 58.9% on FGs and 74.3% on FTs (26-35)…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 4 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: Averaging 8.5 points, 6.6 rebounds (15th AAC) and 1.8 assists…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 4.0 points and shooting 42.4% on threes (14-33)… 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 b34.6% on 3FGs… Had 4 games with 10+ points.
Jackson Young (6-2, 185, G, Jr.) | 2023-24: Played in 4 games… 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, 92-65 at Murray State on Dec. 22): MURRAY, Ky. — Chuck Harris had 16 points in SMU’s 92-65 win over Murray State on Friday night. Harris also contributed five rebounds and five assists for the Mustangs (9-4). Ricardo Wright scored 12 points while shooting 4 for 5, including 4 for 4 from beyond the arc. Zhuric Phelps was 3 of 8 shooting and 4 of 7 from the free throw line to finish with 11 points, while adding six rebounds. Quincy Anderson led the Racers (3-9) in scoring, finishing with 18 points and three steals. Murray State also got 13 points from Brian Moore. Nick Ellington also had nine points, six rebounds and three blocks. The loss was the Racers’ sixth straight.
POSTGAME GAME NOTES
– SMU opened the 2nd half with a 14-0 run to build a 63-41 lead with 16:38 left to play
– FG%: SMU 59.6%, MSU 32.8%
– 3FG: SMU 65.2% 15-23, MSU 19.2% 5-26
– Assists: SMU 22, MSU 8
– Bench Points: SMU 42, MSU 13
– Most points on the road since 92 at Vanderbilt on Jan. 4, 2020
– SMU had 5 score in double figures
– SMU has held 12 of 13 opponents under 42%
– SMU shot 65.2%, 15-23 on threes (T-2nd threes made in program history, 7th in 3FG% in program history)
UP NEXT: The Mustangs are on the road at Memphis on Sunday (4 p.m. on ESPN) and East Carolina on Jan. 13 before hosting Temple on Jan. 16 and Tulsa on Jan. 20.
THE SERIES VS CHARLOTTE (2-0): The Mustangs swept a home-and-home series in the only previous meetings during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. SMU won 68-66 at Moody Coliseum on Feb. 5, 1989 and followed that with a 63-55 victory at Charlotte on Dec. 20, 1989.
LAST MEETING (W, 63-55 at Charlotte on Dec. 20, 1989): CHARLOTTE, N.C. — John Colborne had 26 points in SMU’s 63-55 win against Charlotte. Colborne finished 11 for 19 from the floor for the Mustangs. Roderick Hampton scored nine points, going 4 of 5 from the field with eight assists. Colborne also logged 10 rebounds as the Mustangs finished with a 46-25 advantage on the glass. For Charlotte, Henry Williams led with 19 points and one steal. Cedric Ball added 10 points for Charlotte.
Editor’s Note: SMU press release.
