The SMU Mustangs men’s basketball team is rewriting its narrative in its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) season, surging to a 19-6 record (10-4 ACC) and positioning itself as one of college basketball’s most electrifying dark horses. Fresh off a dominant 97-73 road victory over Notre Dame on February 19, SMU has now won six of its last eight games, including marquee wins over Virginia, Boston College, and Miami.
ACC Transition Fuels Momentum
SMU’s July 2024 move to the ACC – its first power-conference home since the Southwest Conference dissolved in 1996 – has supercharged the program. Head coach Andy Enfield’s roster blends veteran transfers like B.J. Edwards (Tennessee) and Chuck Harris (Butler) with rising stars such as Turkish guard Tibet Görener, who dropped 21 points against Notre Dame. This depth has propelled SMU to 5th in the ACC standings, trailing only bluebloods like Duke and North Carolina.
Key Factors Driving Success:
- Elite Defense: SMU ranks top-25 nationally in steals per game (8.1) and forced turnovers
- Balanced Scoring: Six players average double figures, led by guard Boopie Miller’s 14.7 PPG
- Transfer Portal Wins: Recent additions Kario Oquendo (Georgia) and Chance Puryear bolster frontcourt depth
Upcoming Crucible
The Mustangs face a season-defining stretch starting February 22 against #18 Clemson, followed by matchups with Syracuse and Florida State. A strong finish could secure SMU’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 2017 – a remarkable turnaround after going 25 years without dancing from 1994-2019.
