All articles tagged with #smu mustangs
Abdul-Malik Olajuwon, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to play college basketball for SMU. The 2027 four-star shooting guard chose the Mustangs over Minnesota after an official visit, becoming the first recruit in SMU's 2027 class. He is ranked among the top prospects in his class and will join a program that recently returned to the NCAA tournament.
No. 23 Louisville defeated No. 16 SMU 41-31 on Saturday at L&N Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak against the Mustangs. Keyjuan Brown rushed for a career-high 163 yards and two touchdowns, while the Cardinals forced three turnovers, including a critical fumble at the goal line with under three minutes remaining. Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz threw for 177 yards and two scores, leading the team to 442 total yards. SMU’s Kendrick Raphael rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, but quarterback Kevin Jennings threw two interceptions. The win improves Louisville to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC, while SMU falls to 2-1.
Florida State lost 27-24 to SMU despite winning the turnover margin and time of possession, extending a 3-14 ACC record. Fans booed head coach Mike Norvell, whose job security is threatened by a potential $51 million buyout and failed coordinator hires.
Florida State lost 27-24 to No. 19 SMU in a game delayed nearly two hours by a stadium power outage. The Seminoles struggled with a weak passing game and defensive lapses, while SMU capitalized on turnovers. The loss deepens concerns about the program's direction under coach Mike Norvell.
Former SMU running back TJ Harden has entered the NCAA transfer portal, joining a growing list of NFL rookies seeking to return to college football. This move follows a Louisiana court ruling granting temporary restraining orders to 16 players, including Harden, allowing them to bypass standard eligibility limits. Harden, who went undrafted in 2026 and was waived by the Seattle Seahawks, now seeks a third college opportunity after stints at UCLA and SMU. The development highlights the chaos surrounding new NCAA eligibility rules, which have prompted several undrafted free agents to pursue additional seasons despite signing professional contracts.
Former Tennessee guard B.J. Edwards is re-entering the transfer portal after three seasons at SMU, aided by NCAA eligibility rule changes allowing an extra year of play following lawsuits; Edwards previously signed an Exhibit-10 with the Sacramento Kings and appeared in the NBA Summer League, but a reunion with Tennessee is unlikely as the Vols boast a deep backcourt and are pursuing other targets.
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.
SMU coach Andy Enfield defended Miami University of Ohio’s NCAA Tournament bid after their 31-0 regular season, calling out “one or two media people” who doubted the RedHawks and praising their record as deserving of a spot in the field ahead of the First Four against SMU.
Louisville survived a defensive slog to beat SMU 62-58 in the ACC Tournament opener in Charlotte, with Ryan Conwell delivering the big plays late (an end-of-possession 3 with 1:17 left and a driving layup after a SMU miss) despite a rough shooting night; Vangelis Zougris provided energy in the post, and Adrian Wooley ran point with 14 points and zero turnovers as Louisville forced 14 SMU turnovers and earned a quarterfinal date with Miami.
Duke topped No. 24 SMU 82-75, extending its streak against ranked opponents, but coach Jon Scheyer said the defense has slipped recently and shown communication and rotation gaps. Duke’s earlier elite potential has cooled into a more inconsistent effort, though perimeter stopper Dame Sarr has emerged as a potential fix, creating a helpful defensive surge and multiple steals that could stabilize the unit as the team pursues deeper success.
The article provides a detailed play-by-play account of the college basketball game between SMU Mustangs and Duke Blue Devils on January 10, 2026, highlighting key moments, scores, and player actions throughout the game.
The article provides a detailed play-by-play account of the college basketball game between North Carolina Tar Heels and SMU Mustangs on January 3, 2026, highlighting key plays, scores, and player actions throughout the game.
Alabama Crimson Tide will not participate in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the third time since 2014, as the selection committee chose the SMU Mustangs over them for the final at-large berth. Despite Alabama's stronger schedule, former coach Nick Saban, now an ESPN analyst, expressed concerns about the incentive to schedule tough nonconference games if strength of schedule isn't prioritized. Saban acknowledged that the best teams made the playoffs and emphasized that teams control their own destiny through their performance.
SMU coach Rhett Lashlee argues that excluding the Mustangs from the College Football Playoff (CFP) would undermine the principles of college football, following their narrow 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Despite SMU's strong season, including an 11-0 conference record, their playoff chances are uncertain due to their 0-2 record against ranked teams and a weaker strength of schedule. The CFP selection committee faces a tough decision, weighing SMU against other contenders like Alabama, as they deliberate on the final playoff spots.