How to watch: SMU vs. East Carolina

SMU (19-10, 10-6 AAC) vs East Carolina (14-15, 7-9 AAC)
SMU Senior Day
David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
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SMU hosts East Carolina for Senior Day on Wednesday. The Mustangs will honor Samuell Williamson as well as managers Lino Caputo and Jacob Johnson in a pregame ceremony.

SMU is 7-1 at home in American Athletic Conference play and 13-3 at home overall this season following Saturday’s 77-73 loss to UTSA. The Mustangs had four score in double figures as the nine-game home win streak was snapped. Zhuric Phelps had a team-high 18 points, Jalen Smith scored a career-high 15, Ricardo Wright 13 and Ja’Heim Hudson 10. Samuell Williamson led SMU with eight rebounds, followed by Tyreek Smith at seven rebounds and seven points. Chuck Harris, SMU’s second-leading scorer (13.1) and assists leader (3.5) missed the game.

ELITE DEFENSE: In the second season under Head Coach Rob Lanier, the Mustangs’ defense is ranked among the best in the country. SMU is holding opponents to 40.5% (2nd AAC, 22nd NCAA) from the field. The three-point defense is 30.6% (1st AAC, 26th NCAA). Opponents are averaging 67.0 points (3rd AAC, 50th NCAA). The Mustangs are averaging 8.6 steals (2nd AAC, 31st NCAA), 5.0 blocked shots per game (1st AAC, 21st NCAA) and have a +5.7 rebound margin (1st AAC, 32nd NCAA).

AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS: The Mustangs are also in the top 60 nationally in several other categories. SMU is averaging 15.7 assists (1st AAC, 42nd NCAA), 14.5 offensive rebounds (1st AAC, 6th NCAA) and 27.9 bench points (3rd AAC, 26th NCAA) while having a 1.39 assist-to-turnover ratio (1st AAC, 56th NCAA). The Mustangs have a 10.0 scoring margin on the season (1st AAC, 38th NCAA).

MUSTANG LEADERS: The Mustangs are led in scoring by preseason All-AAC selection Zhuric Phelps (14.7, 13th AAC) and Chuck Harris (13.1). Phelps is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC). Chuck Harris has a team-best 3.5 assists per game (9th AAC) with a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th AAC) followed by B.J. Edwards at 3.0 assists (13th AAC) and a 2.26 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th AAC). Chuck Harris is hitting 40.3% on threes (7th AAC). Samuell Williamson is leading in rebounding at 7.3 (7th AAC) with 10+ in six games. Tyreek Smith is averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC).

SENIOR NIGHT: SMU will honor Samuell Williamson as well as managers Lino Caputo and Jacob Johnson in a pregame ceremony.

ALMOST PERFECT BALANCE: The Mustangs are 12-2 this season when at least four score in double figures, including 7-2 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).
– Western Illinois 11/8 (4)
– vs West Virginia 11/20 (4)
– Texas A&M – Commerce 12/3 (4)
– Houston Christian 12/19 (4)
– at Murray State 12/22 (5)
– Tulsa 1/20 (4)
– Tulane 2/1 (5)
– UAB 2/4 (4)
– at Rice 2/7 (5)
– North Texas 2/11 (4)
– at Tulane 2/15 (5)
– Memphis 2/18 (5)
– at South Florida 2/25 (4)
– UTSA 3/2 (4)

SMU Season 3FG% Defense
1.    .298 (210-705)    2021-22
2.    .305 (120-394)    1987-88
—-    .306    2023-24
3.    .308 (203-660)    2011-12
4.    .314 (157-500)    1992-93
5.    .321 (248-773)    2013-14
    .321 (282-878)    2016-17

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
5.    10.4 (82.3-71.8)    1987-88
—-    10.0    2023-24
6.    9.4 (69.1-59.8)    2014-15
7.    8.8 (71.0-62.2)    2013-14
8.    8.4 (77.1-68.7)    1953-54
9.    8.1 (75.9-67.8)    1983-84
10.    8.0 (75.5-67.5)    1984-85

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: Zhuric Phelps (1,074 – 37th at SMU) and Samuell Williamson (1,033) 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    1074    Zhuric Phelps

MEET THE MUSTANGS:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton (6-6, 220, F, Sr.) | 2023-24: Played all 29 games (20 starts)… averaging 7.2 points (10+ 7 times), 4.2 rebounds (career-high 11 vs Tulane 2/1) and 0.9 blocked shots (13th AAC) while shooting 65.0% (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 29 games (27 starts)… averaging 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists (13th AAC) and 1.1 steals with a 2.26 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 28 of 29 games (missed 3/2 vs UTSA)… averaging 13.1 points (20+ 3 times), 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists (9th AAC) and 1.0 steals while shooting 40.3% on threes (7th 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 27 games…Averaging 4.7 points (season-high 14 in win vs North Texas 2/11) 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: Played all 29 games… Averaging 3.7 points and shooting 41.7% on 3FGs (25-60)… has 25 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 12 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 29 games (28 starts)… Averaging 14.7 points (13th AAC), 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals (5th AAC) with 13 total blocks and hitting 73.5% 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 29 games… averaging 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists while hitting 36.6% on threes (37-101)…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 29 games (9 starts)…Averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks (3rd AAC) while shooting 60.3% 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 29 games… Averaging 8.9 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 28 games (missed 2/11 vs North Texas)… Averaging 7.1 points (10+ in 9 games) and shooting 37.3% on threes (44-118)… 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, 77-73 vs UTSA on March 2): DALLAS (AP) — Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 33 points and UTSA beat SMU 77-73 on Saturday night. Ivy-Curry shot 12 for 22 (5 for 9 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free throw line for the Roadrunners (11-19, 5-12 American Athletic Conference). PJ Carter scored 23 points while going 8 of 15 (5 for 9 from 3-point range). Dre Fuller Jr. shot 5 for 7, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points. Zhuric Phelps finished with 18 points for the Mustangs (19-10, 10-6). Jalen Smith added 15 points for SMU. In addition, Ricardo Wright finished with 13 points and two steals. Carter’s 17-point second half helped UTSA finish off the four-point victory.averaging 10.4) 

UP NEXT: SMU concludes the regular season at UAB on Sunday. The American Athletic Conference Championship is March 13-17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

SERIES VS ECU (21-6): SMU holds a 21-6 series lead over East Carolina. SMU has won 16 of the past 18 meetings. The past 18 meetings have been since the teams have been in The American. Two matchups were in the AAC Tournament, in 2015 and 2017 when the Mustangs went on to win the championship. The foes were 4-4 while both were in Conference USA. The first meeting between the two teams was on Dec. 21, 1985 at the Kentucky Invitational (W, 71-62).