The SMU Mustangs solidify "should be in" status with clutch wins and a manageable schedule, controlling their March destiny.
With Selection Sunday roughly six weeks away, the SMU Mustangs find themselves in an encouraging position in the latest NCAA Tournament bubble conversations.
According to CBSSports.com and schedule-based projections, SMU is currently viewed as a team that “should be in” the 2026 NCAA Tournament field if the season ended today.
That distinction matters. It places SMU above the true cut line and separates the Mustangs from the most volatile bubble teams fighting week-to-week for survival.
Despite hitting a brief skid that included back-to-back losses - one of them a tough home defeat to NC State - SMU responded exactly how a tournament-caliber team needs to. The Mustangs steadied their body of work with a convincing road win at Pittsburgh, reasserting themselves in the ACC race.
From a resume standpoint, SMU continues to compare favorably within what could be an eight-bid ACC.
The Mustangs currently rank seventh among conference teams in some metrics, a key data point when selection committees begin comparing similar profiles.
Predictive models place SMU in a similar range, sitting seventh in the ACC and inside the national top 40 in overall projection strength.
One of the quiet advantages working in SMU’s favor is what lies ahead.
The Mustangs own the nation’s 73rd-hardest remaining schedule, giving them a manageable runway to protect their current standing. While quality wins still matter, SMU doesn’t face an overwhelming slate that would force it into desperation mode just to stay afloat.
On the court, SMU’s recent success has been fueled by balanced production and timely scoring, highlighted by performances like Jaron Pierre Jr. and Boopie Miller combining for 41 points in the win over Pittsburgh.
That type of response is exactly what bracket evaluators look for when weighing consistency versus volatility.
There’s still work left to do, starting with a home matchup against Notre Dame, but the outlook is clear ... SMU controls its postseason fate.
Right now, the Mustangs are positioned as a team that belongs in March, provided they keep handling business.