Southern Methodist University (SMU) is making a notable entrance into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) under the leadership of new head coach Andy Enfield. The university is set to experience significant changes both within the team and its strategic focus, as it transitions to a more competitive basketball conference.
Before joining the ACC, SMU was part of the American Athletic Conference, where it secured a 20-13 record last season. This season marks a new chapter with Andy Enfield at the helm. Enfield, known for his success with Florida Gulf Coast’s “Dunk City” run to the NCAA Sweet 16, brings a wealth of experience from his 11-year tenure at the University of Southern California (USC).
SMU’s move to the ACC came alongside Pac-12 teams California and Stanford, making the league home to 18 basketball teams. Enfield’s appointment is closely tied to SMU’s conference transition. He confirmed that he might not have taken up the position if the Mustangs hadn’t moved to the ACC, indicating the attractiveness of the ACC as a major factor.
The restructuring of the team is evident, with only three starters returning from the previous season. Senior guard Chuck Harris, senior forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton, and junior guard B.J. Edwards are the returning players. Harris, a former player at Butler, averaged 13.4 points per game last season and is known for his sharp shooting, particularly from the three-point range. Ambrose-Hylton holds a record for field goal percentage, while Edwards boasts a strong turnover-to-assist ratio.
SMU’s roster is bolstered by 11 new players, including seven transfers and four freshmen. The new entrants feature Long Beach State transfer AJ George, who brings a reputation of strong performance, and guard Kario Oquendo, who has played for power conference teams including Oregon and Georgia. Prominent among the freshmen is Samet Yigitoglu, a 7-foot-2 center from Turkey, and Chance Puryear, a guard noted for his scoring prowess in high school basketball.
The Mustangs begin their ACC journey with a lineup of six games, five of which will be played at their home venue, Moody Coliseum. The ACC opener is scheduled for December 7 against Virginia at the same location. The Mustangs will also host high-profile teams like Duke on January 4 and travel to face North Carolina shortly after.