The SMU Mustangs aim to secure a vital home win, boosting their NCAA Tournament chances against a struggling Irish squad.
SMU returns to Dallas on Tuesday with a chance to build momentum and strengthen its postseason resume as the Mustangs host a struggling Notre Dame squad at Moody Coliseum.
The Mustangs enter the matchup at 16-7 overall and 5-5 in ACC play after delivering one of their most complete performances of the season.
SMU rolled past Pitt 86-67 on the road Saturday, snapping a two-game skid that came against Quad 1 opponents and reasserting itself in the at-large NCAA Tournament conversation.
Offensively, the Mustangs were in rhythm from the opening tip. Jaron Pierre Jr. led the way with 21 points, while Boopie Miller added 20 points and nine assists to orchestrate the attack.
Samet Yigitoglu chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jaden Toombs provided a spark off the bench with 10 points. SMU shot an impressive 57.1 percent from the field and limited Pitt to just 36.1 percent shooting.
That efficiency has become a calling card for Andy Enfield’s group. SMU leads the ACC in scoring at 86.4 points per game, and when the Mustangs defend well enough to get into transition, their offensive ceiling rises quickly.
Notre Dame arrives in Dallas searching for answers.
The Fighting Irish are 11-13 overall and 2-9 in conference play, tied at the bottom of the ACC standings. A four-game losing streak has dropped Notre Dame in nine of its last ten outings, with the lone win coming Jan. 24 against Boston College.
Despite the record, Notre Dame has shown flashes.
In Saturday’s 82-79 loss to Florida State, Braeden Shrewsberry scored 18 points and Jalen Haralson added 15 before fouling out late.
The Irish erased an 18-point deficit to briefly take a second-half lead, but missed free throws down the stretch proved costly.
With the stretch run approaching, the Mustangs have a chance to stack wins, stay relevant in the ACC race, and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes trending in the right direction.