Texas A&M Basketball faces another tough road test vs. SMU

On Tuesday night, 13th-ranked Texas A&M will travel to Dallas to take on an undefeated SMU team looking to play spoiler.

Credit to Texas A&M Basketball head coach Buzz Williams for not just devising one of the toughest non-conference schedules this season but trusting that his veteran team is up for the challenge after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly five seasons last March.

Ranked 13th in the AP Poll and sitting at 2-0 on the season, including their recent 73-66 win over Ohio State on the road last Friday, the Aggies have solidified their scoring trio. At the same time, senior forward Julius Marble continues to work through his “University process” while his return status remains unknown, leading to Wade Taylor IV (21 points), Tyrece Radford (21 points), and Henry Coleman III (20 points) scoring 85% of the A&M’s scoring against the Buckeyes.

On Tuesday, Texas A&M will take on undefeated SMU (3-0) for the second consecutive road game in the young season. While the Mustangs present an obvious challenge as the hosts, junior guard Zhuuric Phelps (13.7 PPG) and senior guard Chuck Harris (12.0 PPG) are as tough a backcourt duo as you’ll find in the country, but if A&M’s consistent defense, holding opponents to 56 points per contest so far this season holds, expect enough scoring from the likes of Taylor, Radford, and Coleman to keep the Aggies in good position throughout the night.

Other Players to watch: Texas A&M guard Hayden Hefner (11.5 PPG) was quiet after his 19-point eruption against Texas A&M Commerce, netting just four points against Ohio State, but he has a chance to break out on any given night if the shots start falling. Already ascending in his second season on the defensive end, sophomore forward Solomon Washington constantly plays with non-stop energy. At the same time, his projection as a threat in the post may come as soon as SEC play.

Texas A&M will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 against SMU in Dallas, Texas at Moody Coliseum. The game is available to stream on ESPN+. The Aggies are currently a -5.5 favorite.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Lobos Secure Huge Road Win at SMU: New Mexico 84, SMU 63

Game Recap: New Mexico 84, SMU 63 Josiah Allick helps lead Lobo attack in double-digit road win. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico posts 21-point road win over SMU, lead by four Lobos in double figures DALLAS, TX-The New Mexico …

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 Game Recap: New Mexico 84, SMU 63


Josiah Allick helps lead Lobo attack in double-digit road win. 


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico posts 21-point road win over SMU, lead by four Lobos in double figures

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DALLAS, TX–The New Mexico Lobos are living up to every bit of preseason hype they received by national media. Dubbed The Sleeper of the Mountain West Conference. The pieces are coming together early for head coach Richard Pitino, and his program is becoming a date on the calendar no opponent is looking forward to at the moment.

Two wins to start the season over an up and coming Southern Utah program. As well as a Southern Alabama squad, who will challenge for a Sun Belt Conference regular season title this year says quite a bit.

But, those quality wins at home inside one of the greatest home court advantages in the country are one thing. Taking things on the road Tuesday night was going to be a true test to just how far this team has come.

The Lobos traveled east to face a SMU Mustangs program in a bit of a rebuilding year. Longtime head coach Tim Jankovich announced his retirement in late March, with his successor Rob Lanier was named his successor shortly after.

That came after a successful season at Georgia State, which saw the Panthers make a run to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship and a punched ticket to face #1 seeded Gonzaga in the first round.

The visiting Lobos really hit the ground running inside Moody Coliseum. Leading the game for all but about four minutes early on. Spearheaded by efficient defense, careful ball handling and a balanced attack. New Mexico forced 15 turnovers (11 in the first-half) and capitalized with 20 scored points on those turnovers. While themselves dishing out 21 assists to just 10 of their own turnovers.

Now, the offensive attack wasn’t exactly balanced. As the Lobos shot a poor 29.4% from three-point range, but scoring contributions came from all over the roster in this one. With the Lobos’ leading man for majority of the night being post player Josiah Allick. One of four Lobos to reach double-digit scoring (18 points) alongside Jaelen House (18 points), Jamal Mashburn Jr. (16 points) and Morris Udeze (15 points).

All of this fire power, helped New Mexico shoot a whopping 52.5% from the field. Helping secure one of their biggest wins of the Richard Pitino era.

The score may not reflect it, but the Mustangs still gave the Lobos some fight Tuesday night. Led by sophomore guard Zhuric Phelps, who led the Mustangs with 16 points. And a press felt by the Lobos’ ballhandlers for the full range of the court and all night.

The Lobos 21-point road win against a team of Southern Methodist’s caliber feels very nostalgic for Lobo fans. It’s been quite awhile since the program had such a winning momentum. And lived up to the preseason hype. But still, it’s very early in the season and another huge test in their non-conference slate waiting for them back in Albuquerque this weekend.

Player Spotlights

New Mexico: Sr. F Josiah Allick

A big focus of coach Pitino this offseason was getting his high scoring duo of House and Mashburn Jr. some support on the scoreboard. Another element lacking from last season’s squad was points in the paint, insert Josiah Allick.

The 6-8 transfer forward from Kansas City looked like an all-league caliber forward Tuesday night in Dallas. Leading the Lobo attack most of the night, Allick finished with 18 points (8-9 from the floor, 88.9%), 9 rebounds & 2 blocked shots in just under thirty minutes of play. He was getting it done from multiple spots on the court. Running the floor, posting up in the paint and of course attacking the rim.

He and fellow transfer forward Morris Udeze are a powerful one-two punch in the frontcourt for coach Pitino. Which perfectly complements his star studded backcourt of Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Southern Methodist: So. G Zhuric Phelps

SMU struggled most of the night, on both sides of the ball. But Phelps was one Mustang who never took his foot off of the gas against the Lobos. Finishing the night with 16 points, 3 assists, 1 rebounds & 1 steal in just 27 minutes on the floor. While shooting 5-11 from the floor (45.5%) and 5-7 (71.4%) from the free throw line.

Phelps really challenged the Lobo backcourt to stay on top of their defensive assignments. With quality shot selection and smart play when drawing some of the few fouls called against New Mexico all night.

Three Takeaways

  • The Lobos look like the real deal after this quality road win. Of course SMU isn’t the exact same program that has challenged for the top spot in the American the last few seasons. But a quality road win nonetheless. As New Mexico was 2-12 away from the Pit last season, so progress in their first true road test of the season is progress.
  • Once again, the fact that this team is now capable of getting their scoring from other players besides just House and Mashburn is huge. I mean, house didn’t pass the double-digit threshold until well into the second-half. Where he once again took over the game with his speed, high motor and ability to get to the bucket, fouled or not (9-10 on FTs). But say Allick didn’t have his first half performance, the game would have been a lot closer and more of a dogfight given very similar statistics on both sides.
  • KJ Jenkins is really putting forward his name for Mountain West 6th Man of the Year early on. With 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds & 3 steals in just 19 minutes off of the bench, Jenkins look good when he’s on the floor. Contributing with shots, distributing, rebounding as always and now playing defense. Even though he is still struggling to find his three point shot this season (4-13 through three games), he’s certainly the sparkplug off of the bench the this team needs.

Next Up:

The Lobos head home to prepare for this year’s first installment of the Rio Grande Rivalry. As they host the New Mexico State Aggies Saturday the 15th at 5:00 PM. That matchup tips-off  the Mountain West Network and is must see streaming for all fanbases involved.

The Lobos are playing some of their best basketball in years. While the Aggies displayed some growing pains in their recent down to the wire loss at fellow rival UTEP over the weekend. This is a big test for coach Pitino and his revamped program. A win Saturday may let the rest of the Mountain West know they’ve returned.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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Houston vs Memphis Prediction, Game Preview: American Athletic Conference Championship

Houston vs Memphis prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Sunday in the American Athletic Conference Championship.

Houston vs Memphis prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Sunday, March 13


Houston vs Memphis Game Preview, American Athletic Conference Championship How To Watch

Date: Sunday, March 13
Game Time: 3:15 ET
Venue: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Houston (28-5), SMU (24-7)
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SMU vs Houston College Basketball Prediction, Game Preview

SMU vs Houston prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Sunday.

SMU vs Houston prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Sunday, February 27


SMU vs Houston How To Watch

Date: Sunday, February 27
Game Time: 12:30 ET
Venue: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: SMU (20-6), Houston (23-4)
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SMU vs Houston Game Preview


Why SMU Will Win

This is one very, very dangerous team for Houston for one key reason – rebounds.

The Cougars are dominant on the boards, but they’ll give up offensive rebounds once in a while. How did they lose to the Mustangs 85-83 a few weeks ago?

SMU was able to win the first time around despite being -8 in rebounding margin and allowing the Cougars to hit 54% from the field.

The Mustang defense has been terrific over the last four games since then – no one has been able to get to 67 points – and the rebounding has been terrific with dominant games against East Carolina, Memphis, and Tulsa on the offensive glass.

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Houston Will Win

Yeah, the SMU defense has been fantastic, but the offense is sputtering a bit.

It’s not getting to the free throw line enough, it’s a bit too reliant on the three at times, and there are times when the O goes dead cold.

The Mustangs have won their last 17 games when cranking up 40% or better from the field, and 0-3 when they don’t.

Seven of the last ten teams to face Houston have failed to get to 40%.

The Cougars might not be razor-sharp over the last few weeks, but the defense has locked down – outside of the loss to SMU – and …

Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Houston will outrebound SMU again, but the results will be much, much different.

SMU couldn’t seem to miss in the first meeting – that’s part of the reason why the offensive boards weren’t there – and now it’s about to hit a brick wall.

It’s not making 52% from three against the Cougars again, and the offensive punch won’t be there to overcome the lack of big shots from the outside.

SMU vs Houston Prediction, Lines

Houston 74, SMU 62
Line: Houston -11, o/u: 137
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: March
1: February

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Houston vs SMU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Houston vs SMU prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Wednesday.

Houston vs SMU prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Wednesday, February 9


Houston vs SMU How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, February 9
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, TX
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Houston (20-2), SMU (16-5)
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Houston vs SMU Game Preview


Why Houston Will Win

The Cougars have been ripping through everyone lately without any issues, winning seven of the last eight games by double-digits and not losing since mid-December.

What’s going so right?

The Cougars are rebounding every thing. Teams just aren’t getting enough second chance opportunities, and double-digit offensive rebounds have been the norm for Houston lately.

SMU can hit the boards, but it doesn’t force a whole lot of mistakes or generate pressure, and Houston doesn’t turn it over.

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why SMU Will Win

How is Houston gettable?

Again, you have to be able to hit the boards, and you’ve got to hit your shots when you get a chance.

SMU doesn’t have Houston’s firepower, but the defense has been great over the second half of the season and the threes have been coming. No one in the American Athletic Conference makes more threes per game, and SMU is one of the few teams on the Houston slate that can take over from the outside.

At home, the Mustangs have to fire, keep firing, and try to keep up when Houston gets on the move. But …

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What’s Going To Happen

The rebounding.

Again, SMU isn’t bad on the boards, but it’s not going to be able to get the offensive rebounds needed when those shots from the outside don’t connect.

Houston is brilliant at guarding from the outside allowing teams to make just 28% from three.

Houston vs SMU Prediction, Lines

Houston 75, SMU 66
Line: Houston -5.5, o/u: 136.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Valentine’s Day big heart-shaped cookie
1: Marry Me

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Oklahoma makes another transfer addition with SMU forward Ethan Chargois

Oklahoma basketball has made their fourth transfer addition of the offseason with SMU forward Ethan Chargois.

Oklahoma basketball’s roster continues to round into form with another transfer pickup on Thursday evening with the commitment of former SMU forward Ethan Chargois.

Chargois is the fourth addition through the transfer portal for new head coach Porter Moser, joining Tanner and Jacob Groves from Eastern Washington and Jordan Goldwire from Duke. Much like each of those players, Chargois will be an instant contributor as he goes into his fifth year of college basketball.

A local kid from Tulsa, he averaged 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in a little over 24 minutes per night a year ago with the Mustangs. Two seasons ago, those were numbers were higher: 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in just under 29 minutes of action.

Once again, this looks to be a solid addition made by Moser and the Sooners as they continue to replenish the roster that was ravaged with transfers and graduates after last season. Chargois should be able to step right in and play big minutes in Norman next season.

Sooners Wire will continue to provide updates as the basketball roster starts to take a clear shape in the first offseason under the new regime.

SMU at UNLV: Game Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream, Odds, More

SMU at UNLV: Game Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream, Odds, More Rebels hoping to exorcise some early-season demons Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire UNLV needs a win to turn things around WHO: SMU (4-0, 0-0 American) at UNLV (2-4, 0-0 MWC) …

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SMU at UNLV: Game Preview, TV, Radio, Live Stream, Odds, More


Rebels hoping to exorcise some early-season demons


Contact/Follow @andrewdieckhoff & @MWCwire

UNLV needs a win to turn things around

WHO: SMU (4-0, 0-0 American) at UNLV (2-4, 0-0 MWC)

WHEN: Saturday, November 23 — 7:30 P.M. PT / 8:30 P.M. MT

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

WATCH: Stadium/Facebook; Get a free one-week trial of FuboTV.

LISTEN: TuneIn

ALL-TIME RECORD: Series tied, 3-3

ODDS: SMU -2, per KenPom

PREVIEW: It’s been a rocky road so far for UNLV, but they’ve got a chance to get things back on track at home against undefeated SMU.

Three straight losses to Power 5 teams was one thing, but the Rebels’ loss to Texas State at home was an unexpected speedbump. The Bobcats are a good team, to be sure, but they also lost to Air Force, who has struggled themselves.

But this is all part of the early season, teams ebbing and flowing.

UNLV is definitely ebbing at the moment.

The biggest problem for the Rebels is turnovers. They have already committed 95 turnovers, averaging just shy of 16 per game. That number puts UNLV right around the bottom 20 in the country, per Sports-Reference. The blame can be shared among the entire roster, really. Four players are averaging at least two giveaways per game, while three more are averaging at least one.

The sloppiness has also extended to the shooting game. The Rebels have connected on just 43.6% of their shots over the first six games. Bryce Hamilton’s sub-30% mark isn’t helping.

And though things haven’t clicked as instantly as TJ Otzelberger would have hoped, the roles in his lineup are becoming well-defined.

Amauri Hardy is the primary scorer. Donnie Tillman is the first option in the frontcourt. Elijah Mitrou-Long is playing the part of the veteran floor general. Chiekh Mbacke Diong is a liability on offense, but a monster on the glass. Hamilton and Jonah Antonio are auxiliary scorers. Nick Blair and Vitaly Shibel provide some extra size.

It all sounds good on paper. But can they all perform at the same time?

SMU, on the other hand, has had success in their first few games. Their most recent victory came against Evansville, the same team that knocked off Kentucky last week. The Mustangs also have wins against some decent clubs in Jacksonville State, New Orleans, and Jackson State.

Head coach Tim Jankovic must be enjoying the early success of recent transfers into the program.

Isiaha Mike, a junior forward who transferred from Duquesne, started 32 games last year. Mike is averaging over 17 points and eight rebounds per game in year two at SMU. Tyson Jolly, who played at Baylor in 2017-18, is scoring 18 points per game and shooting a blistering 60% from the field in his first year with the Mustangs.

This two-pronged attack is bolstered by fellow starters Feron Hunt and Ethan Chargois. Hunt is averaging nearly a double-double, with 11 points and 9.5 rebounds. Chargois is also near double digits in scoring, but hasn’t really gotten hot yet.

If these four players can maintain their early chemistry, SMU could suddenly become a dark horse contender in the AAC.

They aren’t without their weaknesses, though. The Mustangs are a little shaky in terms of depth. Their bench players—as well as fifth starter Emmanuel Bandoumel—haven’t had much impact in the scoring column. But Jankovich teaches a slow brand of basketball, it stands to reason that there wouldn’t be too much to go around for anyone outside their top four players.

Actually, both teams play at a slow tempo, so expect this game to be a slugfest. The Rebels have been on the wrong side of these knock-down-drag-out fights so far this season. They are taking on a tough Mustangs team, but those early wins might not hold up against tougher opponents.

It’s too early to start throwing around the phrase “must-win”, but UNLV does need to start steering the ship in the right direction. A win here would provide some positive momentum, which the Rebels can really use in their upcoming games against Cincinnati and BYU—not to mention an early conference game against Fresno State.

Andrew is a current USBWA member, covering college basketball for multiple outlets, including Mountain West Wire of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Busting Brackets of the FanSided Network. He also runs the Dieckhoff Power Index, a college basketball analytics system, and provides bracketology predictions throughout the season.

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