How to watch: SMU vs. UAB

SMU (14-7, 5-3 AAC) vs UAB (14-7, 6-2 AAC)
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Sunday, February 4, 2024 – 5:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
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The Mustangs host UAB at Moody Coliseum on Sunday at 5 p.m. The teams meet twice this season with the second matchup in Birmingham for the regular-season finale on March 10.

SMU is 10-2 at Moody Coliseum and has won six straight home games after an 80-76 victory over Tulane on Thursday. The Mustangs had five score in double figures and dominated the glass 52-33. SMU tied a season-high with 19 offensive rebounds that led to a 24-3 advantage in second-chance points. Tyreek Smith had a career-high 16 points (8-9 FGs) and Ricardo Wright had a season-high 16 points to lead the scoring. Samuell Williamson had 10 points and 13 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Zhuric Phelps scored 15 points with five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Chuck Harris added 12 points in the victory. Keon Ambrose-Hylton grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds to go with six points.

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 38.2% (1st AAC, 7th NCAA) from the field, holding 16 of 21 opponents under 42.0%. The three-point defense is 27.3% (1st AAC, 5th NCAA). Opponents are averaging 64.0 points (2nd AAC, 18th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.3 steals (4th AAC), 4.9 blocked shots per game (2nd AAC, 35th NCAA) and have a +5.5 in rebound margin (1st AAC).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.6, 11th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC). B.J. Edwards has a team-best 3.4 assists per game (12th AAC) with a 2.67 assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd AAC) followed by Harris at 3.4 assists (13th AAC) and a 1.783assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC). Harris is shooting 42.3% on threes (4th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.4 (7th AAC) with 10+ in four of the past five games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 6.0 rebounds (18th AAC) and 1.5 blocks (8th AAC). Keon Ambrose-Hylton is averaging 1.0 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
4.    .373 (609-1631)    1958-59
5.    .380 (609-1602)    1961-62
6.    .381 (691-1815)    2014-15
—-    .382    2023-24
7.    .385 (762-1977)    2013-14
8    .386 (745-1928)    2016-17
9.    .387 (576-1488)    1959-60
10.    .389 (661-1698)    1954-55

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
—-    .273    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 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
—-    11.8    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: Played all 21 games (20 starts)… averaging 7.9 points (10+ 5 times), 4.3 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 1.0 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 65.8% (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: Played all 21 games (20 starts)… averaging 4.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists (12th AAC) and 1.1 steals with a 2.67 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 21 games… averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists (13th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.4% on threes (4th AAC) and 84.1% on FTs… Has a 1.73 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 3.6 points 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: Averaging 3.9 points and shooting 43.2% on 3FGs (19-44)… has 19 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 14.6 points (11th AAC), 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals (4th AAC) with 10 total blocks and hitting 78.4% on FTs (16th AAC, 76-97)… 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 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 35.6% on threes (26-73)…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 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds (18th AAC), 0.9 steals and 1.5 blocks (8th AAC) while shooting 62.1% on FGs and 70.9% on FTs (39-55)…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 9.0 points, 7.4 rebounds (7th AAC, 10+ in 4 of past 5 games) and 1.5 assists… 4 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 5.5 points (6+ in 9 of past 10 games) and shooting 38.5% on threes (25-65)… 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, 80-76 vs Tulane 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
– SMU 8-3 in past 11 games
– 6 straight home wins, 10-2 at Moody Coliseum
– Rebounds: SMU 52 (season high), Tulane 33
– Offensive Rebounds: SMU 19 (tied season high), Tulane 4
– Second-Chance Points: SMU 24, Tulane 3
– SMU had 5 score 10+ | 6th game this season with at least 4 in double figures (6-0)

UP NEXT: The Mustangs are at Rice on Wednesday before hosting the rematch with North Texas on Feb. 11. The Mustangs then have a trip to Tulane on Feb. 15 followed by a home matchup with [rv/rv] Memphis on Feb. 18.

THE SERIES VS. UAB (2-9): This is the first meeting as American Athletic Conference opponents after playing 10 times as Conference USA mates (2005-13). The last meeting was a 53-52 UAB victory in the first round of the 2013 C-USA Tournament. UAB won seven of the eight Conference USA regular-season meetings. SMU’s lone C-USA win came in a 60-56 victory at UAB in 2007. The teams met twice in the C-USA Tournament. The first  meeting was a 79-63 SMU win in the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Dec. 29, 1983.