SMU Basketball Gets UNLV Test In Phoenix

SMU basketball is getting another national-stage opportunity, and this one comes with some real December juice.

The Mustangs will face UNLV on Saturday, Dec. 19, in the 2026 Hall of Fame Series Phoenix at Mortgage Matchup Center, giving coach Andy Enfield’s program another high-profile non-conference matchup after returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.

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For SMU, this is exactly the kind of game that tells people whether the Mustangs are just having a moment or actually building something bigger.

The doubleheader also includes Arizona vs. Arkansas, a likely preseason Top 10 heavyweight fight and a rematch of Arizona’s 109-88 Sweet 16 win over Arkansas in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

But don’t let the headliner steal the whole show. SMU vs. UNLV has plenty of intrigue, especially with both programs trying to climb.

“We are excited to play in the Hall of Fame series, one of the premier events in college basketball,” Enfield said. “Our program has incredible momentum after returning to March Madness, and this is another great opportunity to showcase our Mustangs in a high-profile non-conference matchup.”

That’s the key word: momentum.

SMU isn’t easing into the season with soft scheduling and quiet gym games. The Mustangs are stepping into an event tied to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in an NBA-level venue, against a recognizable national brand.

UNLV is trying to make noise, too. The Rebels won 18 games in Josh Pastner’s first season, and Pastner knows this is more than just another date on the calendar.

“We are excited to be part of the Hall of Fame Series Phoenix and to represent UNLV on the national stage,” Pastner said. “Any time you have the opportunity to compete in an event connected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, it is special for the players, the staff, and the fans.

"We have great respect for SMU and their program, and we're looking forward to the challenge on December 19 at Mortgage Matchup Center. This will be a first-class event, and we're grateful to be participating in it.”

The history leans SMU. The Mustangs lead the all-time series 5-3 and won the two most recent matchups in 2019 and 2021. The programs also shared time in the WAC from 1996-99, with SMU sweeping all three league meetings during the 1998-99 season.

Melissa Meacham-Grossman, President of Position Sports, called SMU and UNLV “programs on the upswing,” and that’s exactly what makes this matchup valuable. It’s not just a showcase. It’s a measuring stick.

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John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said Phoenix deserves “the caliber of matchups this event deserves.”

For SMU, that means one thing: show up, win, and make people keep watching.

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