SMU Men’s Basketball Earns Coaches Poll Votes as Illinois, Tech Surge Up Rankings

The latest Coaches Poll delivered a clear message about the shifting landscape of college basketball, and while SMU didn’t crack the Top 25 just yet, the Mustangs are very much part of the conversation.

For the first time in weeks, SMU received votes in the Coaches Poll, a significant milestone for a program navigating its early life in the ACC and seeking national recognition.

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While votes don’t come with a ranking number, they do signal respect, visibility, and momentum, especially in a season defined by volatility across the country.

Illinois was one of the biggest winners in the poll, climbing back into the Top 10 at No. 10 after a nine-game winning streak that included multiple Big Ten victories.

Texas Tech also continued its rise, jumping to No. 11 after knocking off Houston in a marquee matchup. Those types of wins are exactly what SMU is chasing as it looks to convert close games and quality performances into national recognition.

For the Mustangs, receiving votes reflects progress under head coach Andy Enfield, even as the results haven’t fully translated into a ranked breakthrough.

SMU has shown flashes of being able to compete with physical, high-level opponents, and the poll acknowledgment suggests that voters are paying attention to more than just win-loss records.

Metrics, competitiveness, and conference strength all matter - and SMU is checking more boxes than it did earlier in the season.

The Coaches Poll also underscores how unforgiving the ACC and Big 12 have become. With traditional powers jockeying for position and newcomers surging, earning votes is often the first sign that a team is nearing a tipping point.

For SMU, the task now is simple but difficult: stack wins, protect home court, and steal one or two games that move the needle nationally.

READ MORE: Andy Enfield Earns No. 300 as SMU Outlasts Florida State Behind Jaron Pierre Jr.

Momentum matters in January and February.

Teams that are “just outside” the rankings often find themselves inside the Top 25 quickly with one strong week. SMU’s inclusion in the voting pool keeps that door open.

Below is the full Jan. 26 Coaches Poll, with first-place votes in parentheses:

Coaches Poll

SMU may not be ranked yet ... but the votes are proof the Mustangs are getting closer.