SMU faces an unforgiving ACC schedule, battling elite teams and close losses, proving their tournament mettle on every possession.
The ACC schedule has offered little breathing room, and the SMU Mustangs have felt every bit of it.
At the midpoint of conference play, SMU has already been pushed by the league’s elite and emerged with proof that it belongs in the conversation.
Through nine ACC games, the Mustangs have faced seven of the league’s top eight teams, including all five currently ranked in the national top 25.
Three of those matchups came away from home.
Despite that gauntlet, SMU has stayed competitive night after night, with three of its five conference losses decided by four points or fewer.
The latest example came Tuesday in a one-point setback against the NC State Wolfpack, a game that again went down to the final possession. While the loss stung, head coach Andy Enfield believes it reinforced what his team is capable of in this league.
“We still have a good record, and we’re in a good position,” Enfield said. “We’ve lost a couple heartbreakers at home, which is frustrating, but we also have some really good wins.”
It marked just the second time this season SMU has dropped consecutive games. The first time it happened, the Mustangs responded immediately, and Enfield expects a similar bounce-back as they head to Pittsburgh for a Saturday afternoon road test against the Panthers.
The strength of the ACC has been a recurring theme this season after a down year by league standards last winter.
SMU has seen that resurgence up close. The Mustangs cracked the top 25 for the first time since 2017 earlier this season and have held firm in the NCAA NET rankings, sitting at No. 34 despite the narrow loss to NC State.
Eight ACC teams currently rank inside the NET Top 40, underscoring the depth SMU has been navigating.
“This league is very good from top to bottom,” Enfield said. “These games are supposed to come down to the last possession. That’s ACC basketball.”
Senior guard B.J. Edwards echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of learning from close losses. “We’ve got to turn it into a lesson and stay positive,” Edwards said. “We treat every team the same and focus on the details.”
Guards Jaron Pierre Jr. and the rest of the backcourt have helped anchor a group that opponents continue to praise. Multiple ACC coaches, including NC State’s Will Wade, have labeled SMU an NCAA Tournament-caliber team.
The Mustangs know those words don’t guarantee anything. With half the ACC slate still to play, SMU’s focus is narrow and deliberate ... one game at a time, starting Saturday, with momentum and March aspirations firmly in mind.