How to watch: SMU vs. Tulsa

SMU (12-5, 3-1 AAC) vs Tulsa (10-7, 1-4 AAC)
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Saturday, January 20, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
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 – THIS WEEK MOVED TO THURSDAY 7pm At Ozona Grill & Bar (next show is MONDAY, Jan. 22)

The Mustangs host Tulsa on Saturday at Moody Coliseum. SMU is 12-5 overall and has won six of its last seven games after the 77-64 victory against Temple on Tuesday. All 12 wins this season are by double digits. The Mustangs are 8-2 at home.

In the win over Temple, Samuell Williamson had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Chuck Harris scored a team-high 18 points. B.J. Edwards added a career-high 10 points with six assists and three steals. SMU held the Owls to 36.9% shooting, including 7-28 (25.0%) from 3-point range. The defensive effort included 10 steals and nine blocked shots. Keon Ambrose-Hylton had a career-high four blocks.

COACHES VS CANCER – Jan. 20 vs Tulsa: Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week is a nationwide event when basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – saving lives from cancer! The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised over $155 million for the American Cancer Society. (The Week of Jan. 22-28 is the CvC Week. SMU will use the home game vs Tulsa on Jan. 20 to support CvC since the team doesn’t have a home game that week.)

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 36.7% (1st AAC, 2nd NCAA) from the field, holding 15 of 17 opponents under 42.0%. The three-point defense is 25.5% (1st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 61.9 points (2nd AAC, 8th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.4 steals (4th AAC), 5.5 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 16th NCAA) and have a +5.5 in rebound margin (3rd AAC).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.1, 15th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 3.7 assists per game (11th AAC) with a 2.63 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th AAC) followed by Harris at 3.1 assists (16th AAC) and a 1.51 assist-to-turnover ratio (12th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 6.8 (10th AAC). Tyreek Smith is averaging 6.2 rebounds (18th AAC) and 1.6 blocks (4th AAC). Keon Ambrose-Hylton is averaging 1.1 blocks (13th AAC).

SMU Season FG% Defense
1.    .345 (498-1443)    1953-54
2.    .364 (656-1804)    1957-58
3.    .367 (766-2087)    1955-56
—-    .367    2023-24
4.    .373 (609-1631)    1958-59
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .255    2023-24
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12

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
—-    61.9    2023-24
6.    62.2 (25 games)    1957-58
      62.2 (37 games)    2013-14

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
—-    12.8    2023-24
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Started all 17 games… averaging 8.2 points (10+ 5 times), 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 69.3% (2nd AAC)…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 4.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists (11th AAC) and 1.3 steals with a 2.63 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 17 games… averaging 13.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists (15th AAC) and 1.1 steals while shooting 41.7% on threes (4th AAC) and 81.6% on FTs (31-38)… Has a with a 1.51 assist-to-turnover ratio (12th AAC)… 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 3.4 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 3.9 points and shooting 41.0% on 3FGs (16-39)… has 16 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 7 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 14.1 points (15th AAC), 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 9 total blocks and hitting 74.7% on FTs (56-75)… 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 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while hitting 33.3% on threes (19-57)…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 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds (18th AAC), 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks (13th AAC) while shooting 57.7% on FGs and 71.7% on FTs (33-46)…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 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds (10th AAC) and 1.5 assists… 2 double-doubles… 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 4.8 points and shooting 38.8% on threes (19-49)… 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… 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, 77-64 vs Temple on Jan. 16): DALLAS — — Chuck Harris’ 18 points helped SMU defeat Temple 77-64 on Tuesday night. Harris was 5 of 10 shooting, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line for the Mustangs (12-5, 3-1 American Athletic Conference). Samuell Williamson scored 17 points while shooting 7 of 11 from the field and 3 for 4 from the line, and added 12 rebounds. B.J. Edwards finished 4 of 4 from the field to finish with 10 points, while adding six assists and three steals. Jahlil White led the way for the Owls (8-10, 1-4) with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Shane Dezonie added 14 points for Temple. In addition, Matteo Picarelli had 10 points. SMU opened the game on a 15-0 run before Temple rallied and closed to within 30-28 at halftime. A 7-0 run in the second half turned a one-point deficit into a six-point lead for SMU.
POSTGAME GAME NOTES
– SMU has won 6 of its past 7 games
– 8-2 at Moody Coliseum
– All 12 of SMU’s wins this year are by double figures
– FG%: SMU 42.9% (60.0% in 2nd half), Temple 36.9% (Finished game 1 of last 11 on FGs)
– Assists: SMU 18, Temple 13
– FTs: SMU 22-25, Temple 9-12

UP NEXT: The Mustangs visit North Texas on Thursday followed by a game at Wichita State on Jan. 28. The next two home games are against Tulane on Feb. 1 and UAB on Feb. 4.

THE SERIES VS. TULSA (26-33): The Mustangs have won 14 of the last 17 meetings, including all six since the 2020-21 season. In 2014-15, the teams met in the regular season finale when the Mustangs clinched the American Athletic Conference Championship with a 67-62 win over the Golden Hurricane in Moody Coliseum on March 8, 2015. The teams were members of the WAC from 1996 to 2005 and then Conference USA from 2005 through 2013. The series between the two schools dates back to 1919-20.

Editor’s Note: SMU press release.