SMU Mustangs Aim to Break NCAA Drought in 2023-24 Season

The SMU Mustangs are gearing up for their second season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) under head coach Andy Enfield. With aspirations to end a six-year absence from the NCAA Tournament, the team looks to build on last season’s success, where they tied their most wins since the school-record 30 victories in 2017. While they did not make the NCAA Tournament last year, they secured a spot in the NIT, indicating a promising trajectory for the program.

Returning to the court are key players including guards Boopie Miller and B.J. Edwards, along with 7-foot-2 center Samet Yigitoglu, who hails from Turkey. The Mustangs have also strengthened their roster by adding Jaron Pierre Jr., last season’s Conference USA Player of the Year, who averaged an impressive 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game during his time at Jacksonville State.

Miller, now entering his third season in the ACC, transferred to SMU from Wake Forest. Last season, he averaged 13.2 points and 5.5 assists while starting all 28 games. His previous performance at Wake Forest saw him contributing 15.6 points and 3.5 assists in 35 games. His experience will be crucial as the Mustangs navigate a challenging schedule.

Along with Pierre, the Mustangs have brought in Corey Washington from Wichita State and Sam Walters from Michigan, both of whom have demonstrated strong capabilities on the court. Washington averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds last season, while Walters played a critical role in all 37 games for Alabama’s NCAA Final Four team before transferring to SMU.

The roster features five true freshmen, including Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and Jaden Toombs, who are expected to have a significant impact this season. O’Neal and Toombs previously played together in the Dynamic Prep program near the SMU campus, coached by O’Neal’s father, former six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal.

As the Mustangs prepare for the upcoming season, they will play their first seven games at home. This early schedule includes a series of challenging matchups against teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), starting with games against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. They will also face Texas A&M on December 7, 2023, at the University of Texas-Arlington campus, and then take on LSU at the home venue of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans on December 13, 2023.

The Mustangs’ ACC opener is set for December 1, 2023, at home against No. 25 North Carolina, followed by a high-stakes game against sixth-ranked Duke. Enfield emphasized the importance of recruiting freshmen this season, noting that most of the bench will be filled with first-year players, making their readiness to compete essential.

In preparation for the season, the Mustangs showcased their potential with an 86-71 exhibition victory over Oklahoma State, a team they faced in the second round of the NIT last March. This victory not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive tone as they look to make a significant impact in the ACC and beyond this season.

With a promising lineup and a strong recruiting class, the SMU Mustangs are eager to make their mark and potentially end their NCAA Tournament drought in the 2023-2024 season.