How to watch: SMU vs. UTSA

SMU (19-9, 10-5 AAC) vs UTSA (10-19, 4-12 AAC)
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Saturday, March 2, 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 Notes | UTSA | American

SMU hosts UTSA on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Mustangs have won nine straight home games and are 13-2 at Moody Coliseum this season.

This is the first game for the Mustangs since Sunday’s 79-68 loss at AAC-leader South Florida. SMU had four double-digit scorers and a 45-32 rebound advantage in the road contest. The Mustangs had 39 second-chance points on 27 offensive rebounds, which is the most offensive boards by SMU in an AAC game. Zhuric Phelps had 11 points and nine rebounds, Samuell Williamson added 12 points and seven boards while Tyreek Smith went for 11 points and seven rebounds. Ricardo Wright had a team-high 16 points, including hitting 4-of-9 on threes.

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 40.3% (2nd AAC, 21st NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 30.1% (1st AAC, 22nd NCAA). Opponents are averaging 69.7 points (3rd AAC, 45th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA), 5.0 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 23rd NCAA) and have a +5.8 rebound margin (1st AAC, 38th NCAA).

AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 55 nationally in several offensive categories. SMU is averaging 15.9 assists (1st AAC, 40th NCAA), 14.4 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 7th NCAA) and 27.9 bench points (3rd AAC, 28th NCAA) while having a 1.40 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 52nd NCAA). 

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.6, 13th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.5 assists per game (10th AAC) with a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.1 assists (13th AAC) and a 2.42 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 40.3% on threes (6th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.3 (7th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).

MOODY MAGIC IN THE AAC: SMU is 7-0 at home in conference play this year. The Mustangs finished undefeated at Moody Coliseum in the American in 2016-17 (9-0) and in 2021-22 (8-0). SMU has finished undefeated at home in league play 11 times.

ALMOST PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-1 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-1 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, at Tulane 2/15, Memphis 2/18).

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
—-    .301    2023-24
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
4.    .314 (157-500)    1992-93

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
4.    11.0 (78.8-67.7)    1955-56
—-    10.5    2023-24
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,056 – 37th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,030) both hit the 1,000-point milestone in the 87-79 win at Tulane on Feb. 15. Chuck Harris (1331) surpassed it on Nov. 9 vs Lamar. Phelps became the 44th Mustang to score 1,000 points at SMU.
SMU Career Scoring
Rank    Points    Name, Years
30    1198    Lynn Phillips, 1966-69
31    1179    Butch Moore, 1982-86
32    1166    Shake Milton, 2015-18
33    1110    Sterling Brown, 2013-17
34    1096    Jan Loudermilk, 1959-62
35    1093    Eric Castro, 2001-05
36    1077    Steve Strange, 1958-61
37    1056    Zhuric Phelps

2023 SAM AWARD – JOE BEARD HONORED MARCH 2: The SMU Lettermen’s Association’s Board of Directors and its Silver Anniversary Mustang (SAM) Award Committee will honor Joe Beard as the recipient of the 2023 SAM Award on Saturday, March 2, at halftime of the SMU men’s basketball game against UTSA. Beard was an All-SWC and honorable mention All-American guard for the Mustangs, helping the football program claim Southwest Conference Championships and National Championships in 1981 and 1982.

Beard is the President and CEO of Westdale Real Estate Investment and Management, which he co-founded in 1991. Westdale’s focus on community development through commercial real estate investment, construction, and property management, has transformed communities across the United States, positively impacting the lives of thousands of tenants. In Dallas, Westdale played a major role in the transformation of Deep Ellum.

Beard began his career in real estate after graduating from SMU in 1983 with a degree in history and minors in political science and psychology. He is a principal donor to the Weber End Zone Complex, a strong supporter of the Letterman’s Club, and is committed to the success of SMU Athletics as well as our communities. He has been selected as a distinguished business leader in Dallas and was named to the 1994 Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

Joe and his wife of more than 40 years, Sherry Hicks Beard, support causes and programs that benefit and promote youth development. These include: MISD Hunger Free Campaign, which sends nutritious food home with food insecure students over weekends and holiday breaks; the Midway Education Foundation, which generates and distributes resources for educational programs and projects; Inspiración, which promotes equity through empowering at-risk Hispanic families to break the cycle of poverty; Waco Family Medicine, which will welcome people in the Heart of Texas regardless of income or insurance status; and The Family Place, which empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence.

Each year, the SMU Lettermen’s Association Board of Directors awards the SAM Award to a former letterwinner at least 25 years removed from their time on campus. The recipient has brought honor to SMU, made contributions that have lasting and positive effects on his or her fellow citizens, and has been a model citizen in his or her community.

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 28 games (20 starts)… averaging 7.4 points (10+ 7 times), 4.3 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 65.7% (4th 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 28 games (26 starts)… averaging 3.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists (13 AAC) and 1.0 steals with a 2.42 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 28 games… averaging 13.1 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (10th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.3% on threes (6th AAC) and 85.2% on FTs… Has 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: Played 26 games…Averaging 4.5 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) 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: Played all 28 games… Averaging 3.7 points and shooting 41.4% on 3FGs (24-58)… has 24 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 11 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: Played all 28 games (27 starts)… Averaging 14.6 points (13th AAC), 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 13 total blocks and hitting 74.0% on FTs… Reached 1,000 career points during he win at Tulane 2/15… 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 28 games… averaging 5.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists while hitting 36.8% on threes (35-95)…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: Played all 28 games (8 starts)…Averaging 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 60.7% on FGs (6th 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 7 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 28 games… Averaging 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds (7th AAC), 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals… 4 double-doubles (10th AAC)… AAC Weekly Honor Roll (D26, F19)… Reached 1,000 career points during the win at Tulane 2/15… 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.) | 2023-24: Played in 27 games… Averaging 6.9 points (10+ in 8 games) and shooting 38.3% on threes (41-107)… 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 7 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 (L, 79-68 at [rv/rv] South Florida on Feb. 25): TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kasean Pryor scored 19 points off the bench and South Florida increased its win streak to 13 with a 79-68 victory over SMU on Sunday. Pryor also contributed nine rebounds for the Bulls (21-5, 14-1 American Athletic Conference). Selton Miguel made three 3-pointers and scored 18. Chris Youngblood added 12 points. The Mustangs (19-9, 10-5) were led by Ricardo Wright with 16 points. Samuell Williamson pitched in with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Zhuric Phelps totaled 11 points and nine rebounds.
POSTGAME NOTES
Offensive Rebounds: SMU 27, USF 4 | Most offensive rebounds by SMU in an AAC game
2nd Chance Points: SMU 39 (season high), USF 4
Points in the Paint: SMU 36, USF 16
Turnovers: SMU 8, USF 15 (USF entered game averaging 10.4) 

UP NEXT: SMU hosts ECU for senior day on Wednesday, March 6. The AAC season concludes at UAB on March 10. The American Athletic Conference Championship is March 13-17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

THE SERIES VS UTSA (2-2): The teams have split a pair of home-and-home series. In 1990-91 and 1991-92, each team won at home. Then the 2007-08 and 2008-09 series saw the road team win each matchup.

LAST GAME (L, 80-75 on Dec. 29, 2008): DALLAS (AP) – Travis Gabbidon scored 18 points and Texas-San Antonio withstood a late SMU rally for an 80-75 victory Monday night. Bamba Fall cut Texas-San Antonio’s lead to 78-75 with 5.4 seconds left, but Gabbidon inbounded the ball to Morris Smith IV, who went up the sideline and made a dunk for the final score and the Roadrunners’ third straight win. Smith finished with 15 points, 12 of those off 3-pointers. Devin Gibson had 14 and Demarco Stepter 10 for Texas-San Antonio (6-4). Paul McCoy led SMU (3-7) with 19 points. Derek Williams scored 17 and Fall had 11.

SMU press release.