On Saturday, February 14, the Syracuse Orange will host the SMU Mustangs in a highly anticipated matchup at the JMA Wireless Dome, starting at 2:00 p.m. Syracuse enters the game with a record of 14-11 and 5-7 in the ACC after securing a thrilling double-overtime victory over California, winning 107-100. This marks Syracuse’s highest scoring game since they collected 112 points against Indiana in overtime in November 2021.
In their recent win, the Orange excelled with six players scoring in double figures, led by senior who recorded a career-high 16 rebounds alongside 15 points, marking his team-high fourth double-double of the season. Junior also made a significant contribution, tallying 14 points and 10 assists to join the double-double club. Senior’s impressive performance saw him score 27 points, while fellow senior added 21 points, tying his season high. Sophomore and freshman also chipped in, scoring 16 and 10 points, respectively. Syracuse dominated inside, outscoring California 62-46 in the paint, and shooting an impressive 53.5 percent from the field.
The Orange have a solid home record of 11-4 at the JMA Wireless Dome, having won their last two games at home, including a 14-point victory over Notre Dame. In front of their home crowd, Syracuse is averaging 79.3 points per game while limiting opponents to 68.8 points, accentuated by an average of 7.2 blocks per game. Senior Freeman leads the scoring at home, averaging 16.4 points per game, while Kingz trails with 12.7 points and a team-high 32 three-pointers made at the Dome. Kyle III has been a defensive standout, averaging over three blocks per game along with solid rebounding and scoring stats.
SMU rides into Syracuse boasting a 17-7 overall record and a 6-5 mark in ACC play, fresh off wins against Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. The Mustangs made a strong statement early in conference play with a convincing 97-83 victory over North Carolina. SMU is known for its potent offense, ranking second in the ACC and 17th nationally for scoring, with an average of 86.5 points per game and a commendable shooting percentage of 49.7% from the field.
At the helm of SMU is senior Boopie Miller, averaging 19.2 points per game and coming off two consecutive 20-point performances. Close behind him is senior Jaron Pierre Jr. with an average of 17.7 points and a season-high of 35 against Texas A&M. The team features a balanced attack with five players averaging double figures, including B.J. Edwards, who leads the ACC with 2.5 steals per game, and senior forward Corey Washington.
Head coach Andy Enfield, now in his second season with the Mustangs, previously enjoyed success with a 24-11 record and a top seed in the NIT in his first year. Known for leading in high-pressure situations, Enfield previously made history by guiding Florida Gulf Coast to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 as a 15 seed.
This matchup marks the third meeting between Syracuse and SMU, with the Mustangs having won both prior contests. The upcoming game promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams look to continue their momentum. Fans can purchase season and individual tickets at cuse.com/feature/basketball-tickets.