SMU faces Syracuse in the ACC Tournament seeking revenge after a one-point loss earlier this season as Kevin Miller and Jaron Pierre Jr. lead the Mustangs.
The SMU Mustangs vs Syracuse Orange ACC Tournament matchup in Charlotte on Tuesday carries a little extra edge. SMU enters the game looking for payback after Syracuse escaped with a 79-78 win on Feb. 14, a result that still stings for the Mustangs heading into postseason play.
For SMU basketball, the formula has been simple all season ... push the pace, shoot the three, and let the offense fly.
The Mustangs average 85.0 points per game, one of the better scoring marks in the ACC, and they’ve consistently forced opponents into track-meet style games. When SMU gets rolling, few teams in the conference can keep up.
A big reason for that offensive production is Kevin Miller, who has been the engine of the Mustangs attack. The veteran guard is averaging 19.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, filling the stat sheet while controlling the tempo.
Then there’s Jaron Pierre Jr., who has been red-hot lately. Over the past 10 games, Pierre has averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 48.2 percent, providing scoring punch and versatility on the wing.
SMU also relies heavily on its perimeter shooting, knocking down 8.4 3-pointers per game, which could be a major factor against Syracuse’s defense.
But Syracuse has already proven it can survive against the Mustangs.
In the earlier meeting this season, Donnie Freeman delivered a standout performance with 18 points, helping the Orange hold off SMU in a one-possession thriller. Freeman has been Syracuse’s most consistent performer, averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
The Orange also lean on Nate Kingz, who has been producing lately with 15.1 points per game over his last 10 contests.
Both teams arrive in Charlotte with uneven momentum. SMU has gone 4-6 over its last 10 games, while Syracuse has struggled as well at 3-7 during the same stretch.
That makes Tuesday’s ACC Tournament clash less about momentum and more about execution.
SMU will likely try to speed the game up and lean on its offense. Syracuse, meanwhile, will look to slow things down and recreate the late-game formula that worked the first time.
One thing is certain ... when two teams that already played a one-point thriller meet again in the postseason, expect another tight finish.