All articles tagged with #bj edwards
SMU earned the final at-large bid expecting star guard B.J. Edwards to play, but he did not suit up in the First Four, contributing to an 89-79 loss to Miami (Ohio); the outcome sparked questions about whether the committee was duped, though coach Andy Enfield said there was no wrongdoing and pointed to Edwards' injury and SMU's overall metrics as justification for the bid.
SMU earned the final at-large bid largely on the premise that star defender B.J. Edwards would return, but as his status shifted from probable to out, questions emerged about injury transparency and whether the selection committee weighed unreliable health updates too heavily in choosing the field.
With Selection Sunday looming, SMU publicly said BJ Edwards would return for the NCAA Tournament and allegedly told the selection committee he’d be available, a late update that supporters say could have influenced SMU’s bubble status over Oklahoma. Committee chair Keith Gill indicated Edwards’ projected return helped SMU regain full strength, prompting ethics questions about transparency and whether the update swayed the bid.
SMU will miss BJ Edwards in its NCAA Tournament opener vs Miami (OH) due to an ankle injury, but the team is hopeful he can return if SMU advances beyond the First Four; Corey Washington will play after being questionable. Edwards averages 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists; he hasn’t played since Feb. 25, and SMU is 1-5 without him. Coach Andy Enfield said they’ll do what’s best for the student-athlete. The winner faces Tennessee in Philadelphia in the Round of 64; tip-off is at 9:15 p.m. ET.