How to watch: SMU vs. North Texas

SMU (13-5, 4-1 AAC) at North Texas (11-6, 4-1 AAC)
The Super Pit – Denton, Texas
Thursday, January 25, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2

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The Mustangs visit North Texas on Thursday at 6 p.m. This is the first of two matchups this season with SMU hosting the second contest on Feb. 11. 

SMU is 13-5 and 4-1 in the American Athletic Conference after a 103-70 win over Tulsa on Saturday. The Mustangs have won three straight and seven of their last eight. The scoring tied for the most by SMU in an AAC game, tying the mark from the 103-62 win against Memphis on March 4, 2017. The Mustangs had 13 steals and held Tulsa to 41.9% shooting while recording 21 assists on 36 field goals. Chuck Harris led SMU with 18 points, a career-high 10 assists and six rebounds. Samuell Williamson recorded a second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Zhuric Phelps had 18 points, six rebounds and three steals. 

COACHES VS CANCER SUITS AND SNEAKERS WEEK – Jan. 22-28: 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. (SMU also participated in CvC during the home game vs Tulsa on Jan. 20 since the team is on the road for both games this 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 37.0% (1st AAC, 3rd NCAA) from the field, holding 16 of 18 opponents under 42.0%. The three-point defense is 25.6% (1st NCAA). Opponents are averaging 62.4 points (2nd AAC, 8th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.7 steals (2nd AAC), 5.3 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 18th NCAA) and have a +5.6 in rebound margin (1st AAC).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.3, 14th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.3). Phelps is also averaging 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 3.8 assists per game (9th AAC) with a 2.88 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC) followed by Harris at 3.5 assists (12th AAC) and a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.0 (8th AAC). Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks (6th 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
—-    .370    2023-24
4.    .373 (609-1631)    1958-59
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .256    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

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
—-    62.4    2023-24
8.    62.6 (31 games)    2006-07
9.    62.7 (32 games)    2012-13
10.    63.2 (24 games)    1958-59

Scoring margin
1.    14.3 (74.3-60.0)    2016-17
2.    13.9 (77.3-63.4)    2015-16
—-    13.9    2023-24
3.    13.4 (77.6-64.2)    1956-57
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 18 games… averaging 8.3 points (10+ 5 times), 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 69.1% (3rd 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 4.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists (9th AAC) and 1.2 steals with a 2.88 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 18 games… averaging 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (12th AAC) and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.4% on threes (3rd AAC) and 82.5% on FTs… Has a with a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th 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: 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 4.2 points and shooting 42.5% on 3FGs (17-40)… has 17 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 8 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 14.3 points (14th AAC), 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 9 total blocks and hitting 75.3% on FTs (58-77)… 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 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 34.4% on threes (21-61)…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, 5.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.5 blocks (6th AAC) while shooting 58.0% on FGs and 72.0% on FTs (36-50)…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 5 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 9.4 points, 7.0 rebounds (8th AAC) and 1.4 assists… 3 double-doubles (8th 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 4.9 points and shooting 37.0% on threes (20-54)… 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 5 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, 103-70 vs Tulsa on Jan. 20): DALLAS (AP) — Chuck Harris and Zhuric Phelps both had 18 points in SMU’s 103-70 victory over Tulsa on Saturday. Harris also added six rebounds and 10 assists for the Mustangs (13-5, 4-1 American Athletic Conference). Phelps added six rebounds and three steals. Samuell Williamson went 7 of 14 from the field to finish with 15 points. The Golden Hurricane (10-8, 1-5) were led in scoring by PJ Haggerty, who finished with 19 points and two steals. Tulsa also got 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks from Jared Garcia. Cobe Williams also put up 12 points, five assists and two steals.
POSTGAME GAME NOTES
– SMU has won 3 straight and 7 of its past 8 games
– All 13 of SMU’s wins this year are by double figures
– Tied SMU’s most points in an AAC game – vs Memphis 3/4/2017 (W, 103-62)
– SMU’s 6th largest margin of victory in an AAC game
– SMU held Tulsa to 41.9% from the field and has held 16 of 18 opponents under 42%
– SMU had 21 assists on 36 FGs

UP NEXT: The Mustangs visit play a second straight road game, visiting Wichita State on Sunday. The next two  games are at home against Tulane on Feb. 1 and UAB on Feb. 4.

SERIES HISTORY VS NORTH TEXAS (34-17): SMU and North Texas are meeting for the first time since the 2002-03 season. SMU has won three straight and nine of the 11 meetings since the 1984-85 season. The last time these two teams faced off, SMU defeated UNT 88-75 in Moody Coliseum on November 29, 2002. The first game in the series dated back to Jan. 9, 1917, when the Mustangs won 25-23 on the road. This will be the first conference game between these two teams.