SMU Basketball: Offensive Depth Proves Decisive in Victory Over Notre Dame
The SMU Mustangs are demonstrating a potent offensive versatility that’s proving difficult for opponents to contain. Their recent 89-81 victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday night exemplified this strength, with contributions coming from multiple players throughout the game.
A Tale of Two Halves: Miller and Pierre Lead the Charge
Boopie Miller ignited the offense in the first half, racking up 18 points with a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Yet, Notre Dame didn’t significantly alter its defense to counter Miller, and his scoring cooled off in the second half, managing only two points. Jaron Pierre Jr. Then stepped up, exploding for 18 second-half points, including a highlight-reel windmill dunk, to spearhead a crucial 19-6 run that gave SMU a commanding lead.
“Boopie had a great first half, and Jaron was not very good,” SMU head coach Rob Enfield commented. “And then, in the second half, Boopie struggled, and Jaron was terrific.”
Beyond Miller and Pierre: A Deep Bench of Scoring Threats
The Mustangs’ offensive prowess isn’t limited to just two players. B.J. Edwards, Corey Washington, and Samet Yiğitoğlu all average double figures in scoring, providing consistent offensive support. Freshmen Jaden Toombs and Jermaine O’Neal Jr. Are too emerging as reliable scoring options.
“We have a lineup of guys that can score the ball at every position,” Enfield stated. “When someone doesn’t have it, we’ve been able to score enough points to win a lot of games this year because we’re talented enough offensively in multiple positions.”
Utilizing Size and Teamwork
SMU effectively leveraged its size advantage, utilizing the 7-foot-2 Yiğitoğlu and 6-foot-10 Toombs. A strategic shift to a two-substantial lineup in the second half, featuring Yiğitoğlu and Toombs, proved particularly effective, contributing to a significant run and extending their lead. Yiğitoğlu and Toombs combined for 20 second-half points.
Assists and All-Around Contributions
The Mustangs’ success isn’t solely based on scoring. Edwards contributed six assists and eight rebounds, even as Miller and Pierre each dished out seven and six assists, respectively, demonstrating a commitment to ball movement and team play.
“We trusted in what we was doing,” Pierre said. “But at the same time, Boopie led us the whole way, kind of kept telling us, ‘Let’s retain locking up. Let’s not take them for granted. Let’s keep on putting a whooping on him.’ So in the second half, that’s what we kept doing to keep the lead.”
Pierre Reaches Career Milestone
Jaron Pierre Jr.’s 22-point performance marked his third consecutive game with at least 20 points, the fourth time in five games, and the ninth time this season. It also pushed his career point total over 2,000.
FAQ
Q: Who were the leading scorers for SMU against Notre Dame?
A: Jaron Pierre Jr. Led with 22 points, followed by Boopie Miller with 20 points.
Q: What was the key to SMU’s second-half surge?
A: Jaron Pierre Jr.’s strong performance and the implementation of a two-big lineup featuring Samet Yiğitoğlu and Jaden Toombs were crucial.
Q: How key is SMU’s offensive depth?
A: It’s a significant advantage, allowing them to remain competitive even when individual players struggle, as demonstrated by the contrasting performances of Miller in the first and second halves.
Q: What is SMU’s record as of February 10, 2026?
A: SMU’s record is 17-7 overall and 6-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Did you know? SMU shot 52.5% from the floor in the game against Notre Dame.
Pro Tip: A balanced offense, like SMU’s, is often more difficult for opponents to defend than relying on a single star player.
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