SMU Looks to Bounce Back in ACC Tournament
The SMU Mustangs had a tough end to their regular season, losing four of their last seven games and playing five of them without their leader in points and assists, Boopie Miller. However, with Miller now back in the lineup, the team is looking to bounce back in the ACC tournament.
The Mustangs will make their ACC tournament debut on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. CT against 14-seed Syracuse, a team they edged in a close game just last week. SMU dropped seven conference games, but could get a chance at revenge against Clemson and Louisville before even reaching the tournament championship. Duke or North Carolina, two other teams SMU lost to, could very well be in that title game.
A Fresh Start
March is known for upsets, and that’s in SMU’s favor this year. The sixth-seeded Mustangs are looking to take advantage of the even playing field in the ACC tournament. “It’s hard to beat a team multiple times,” SMU forward Matt Cross said. “We’ve just got to look at it as there is no seeding. There’s no wins or losses before. Crazy stuff happens in March, so everybody’s kind of on the same page. Anything can happen.”
Unlike many of its games early in conference play, SMU had to fight to the finish against both Syracuse and Florida State this week. The Mustangs narrowly beat the Orange, but did not hold a second-half lead until the last minute of the game. They trailed Florida State for the entire second half and got close but couldn’t close the gap.
Room for Improvement
There’s room for improvement for SMU against either team it faces on Wednesday night, and it’s not a given that the Mustangs advance to the quarterfinals. “Syracuse, they’re playing well at the right time,” SMU head coach Andy Enfield said. “We’ve been kind of up and down, and I think we need to get back to the level we were playing at to have a chance to win a few games.”
A win over Syracuse is a critical first step in what needs to be a successful week in Charlotte for the Mustangs to have any chance at an NCAA Tournament berth. The Mustangs sat on the bubble for weeks but are now on the outside looking in after a challenging few weeks of play without Miller.
A Chance to Rebound
But with Miller now back in the lineup and a few games under his belt, Enfield is confident his team can pick back up where they once were. “We have to get out and run and make some shots,” Enfield said. “Our scoring is usually the result of making other teams miss or stealing the ball. We have to have deflections. We have to have steals. We have to play off missed shots.”
A win on Wednesday would set up a meeting with Clemson, the three-seed and No. 10 team in the nation. Another win would likely have the Mustangs meet Louisville, the No. 13 team. And from there, most expect No. 1 Duke will be waiting in the championship game.
A Long Road Ahead
It’s no easy road, but it offers SMU the opportunity it’s been waiting for — a chance at some quality wins at the most important time of the year. That’s what the Mustangs need to become a tournament team, which they have looked like at times this year. Even though they haven’t quite looked the part over the latest stretch of games, it no longer matters. What they show in Charlotte may be all that does.
“It’s kind of a reset,” Cross said. “We don’t have all the worries of win this, lose this, standings and all that. Now it’s just a fresh mind. Everybody’s on the same page. It’s just win, and that’s all that matters.
“It’s do or die now.”
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Conclusion
The SMU Mustangs are looking to bounce back in the ACC tournament after a tough end to their regular season. With Boopie Miller back in the lineup, the team is confident they can pick up where they left off and make a run in the tournament. It won’t be an easy road, but the Mustangs are ready for the challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the SMU Mustangs and the ACC tournament:
Q: Who is SMU’s first opponent in the ACC tournament?
A: SMU’s first opponent in the ACC tournament is 14-seed Syracuse.
Q: What time does the game start?
A: The game starts at 8:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
Q: Can SMU still make the NCAA Tournament?
A: Yes, SMU can still make the NCAA Tournament with a successful run in the ACC tournament.
Q: Who is SMU’s leader in points and assists?
A: Boopie Miller is SMU’s leader in points and assists.
