SMU’s perfect record at Moody Coliseum is about to face its toughest challenge yet. No. 16 Virginia rolls into Dallas on Saturday afternoon for an ACC showdown that pits two of the conference’s most explosive offenses-and two teams riding very different emotional highs.
The Mustangs (13-4, 2-2 ACC) are coming off one of the most jaw-dropping finishes of the college basketball season. On Wednesday night, Boopie Miller called game-literally-from half court. His buzzer-beating heave lifted SMU to a 77-76 win over Virginia Tech, preserving their spotless 11-0 home record and sending Moody Coliseum into a frenzy.
Miller was the hero, and not just for the final shot. He poured in 19 of his 24 points in the second half, gutting through an illness to log 35 minutes and deliver his ninth 20-point performance of the season. Simply put, the Mustangs needed every bit of his production.
“We just had to keep him in there because we had no chance to win without him,” head coach Andy Enfield said after the game. “Of course, he delivered.”
And he wasn’t alone. SMU had four players in double figures.
Samet Yigitoglu chipped in 14 points, Jaron Pierre Jr. added 13 points and nine boards, and Jaden Toombs came off the bench with a strong 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. This group has depth, and they’re not afraid of the moment.
But Saturday’s test is a different beast.
Virginia (15-2, 4-1 ACC) didn’t need any last-second magic in their most recent outing. The Cavaliers jumped all over No.
20 Louisville on the road, opening the game on a 14-0 run and never looking back in a 79-70 win. It was their fourth straight victory and a statement that this team is starting to click under first-year head coach Ryan Odom.
“Clearly, the start really helped us,” Odom said. “When you're on the road in a hostile environment, a great place like Louisville, getting off to a good start is imperative... And I thought our guys did a really nice job throughout of answering the majority of the challenges that came our way.”
Virginia’s balance was on full display. Malik Thomas caught fire from deep, knocking down 6-of-8 from beyond the arc en route to a team-high 19 points. Johann Grunloh added 16 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, anchoring the defense and giving the Cavaliers a two-way presence in the paint.
The matchup with SMU has all the makings of a shootout. The Mustangs lead the ACC in scoring at 88.4 points per game, shooting a blistering 50.1% from the field.
They’ve cracked the 90-point mark eight times already this season. But Virginia isn’t far behind, averaging 84.7 points per game with a deep rotation that can hurt you in a variety of ways.
Where the Cavaliers separate themselves is from beyond the arc. They’ve already knocked down 178 threes this season, shooting 37.0% as a team.
For context, their opponents have hit just 110 threes on 28.6% shooting. That’s a major gap, and it could be the difference on Saturday.
Eight different players have hit at least 10 threes, and that kind of spacing makes them tough to guard.
Thijs De Ridder leads Virginia with 16.0 points per game, but this is far from a one-man show. Seven different Cavaliers have led the team in scoring in at least one game, and eight have scored 16 or more in a single outing. It’s a team that can beat you in waves.
SMU counters with a starting five where every player is averaging double figures. Miller is the engine, leading the team in both points (20.8) and assists (7.1).
Pierre is a steady second option at 17.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, while B.J. Edwards brings an all-around game-13.4 points, 5.5 boards, 5.4 assists, and 2.5 steals per contest.
This team plays fast, shares the ball, and has multiple players capable of taking over.
There’s also some recent history between these two. SMU swept the season series last year, winning 63-51 at home and edging out a 54-52 win in Charlottesville. Virginia would love nothing more than to flip that script-and with a win, they’d surpass their total from last season (15-17), a clear sign of the program’s resurgence under Odom.
Saturday’s clash is more than just a battle of top-tier offenses. It’s a measuring stick for both squads-a chance for SMU to prove their home dominance holds up against elite competition, and for Virginia to show they’re ready to make noise not just in the ACC, but nationally.
Get ready for fireworks in Dallas.