SMU Basketball Thriving in ACC: Mustangs Face Key Test vs. Virginia Tech
In its debut season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), has defied expectations, sitting in the upper third of the standings after being projected to finish . The Mustangs (17-5, 8-3 ACC) have capitalized on a down year for the conference, securing seven of their eight conference wins against teams with losing ACC records.
However, they now face a tougher test on in Blacksburg, Va., as the Hokies show signs of resurgence.
Under first-year head coach , SMU has won six of its last seven games. While their record is impressive, .
Their most notable conference victory came in a , marking their first win against a team with a winning ACC record.
Enfield, who took over after a successful tenure at USC, has managed to build chemistry despite . His emphasis on in-season improvement has been crucial in SMU’s development.
“It’s important that your teams try to improve through the season, like this team has, especially with so many transfers,” Enfield said.
Virginia Tech, despite a rough start to the season, has gained momentum with over Florida State and Virginia.
The Hokies’ recent success has been driven by , who have been standout performers:
Virginia Tech head coach believes Schutt is now showing his potential after a slow start.
“He had two years at Duke and he played very little,” Young said. “Took him a bit to get the rust off the hinge, for lack of a better expression.”
Given the Hokies’ recent form, .
Wake Forest transfer has been SMU’s most consistent player, leading the team in:
His ACC experience has provided much-needed stability for a team full of new faces.
UMass transfer has stepped up in recent games, averaging:
His ability to stretch the floor and contribute on the boards makes him a key factor in SMU’s success.
Freshman is beginning to find his stride, averaging:
After a dominant showing against Stanford, where he posted a , Enfield praised his impact.
“He played a spectacular game,” Enfield said. “He was very active defensively.”
With Yigitoglu’s emergence, , alleviating early-season reliance on their backcourt.
A win over Virginia Tech would further solidify , while a loss could expose their struggles against stronger competition.
For Virginia Tech, this game represents an opportunity to continue their turnaround and push toward .500 in ACC play.
As the Mustangs look to prove they belong among the conference’s elite, Wednesday’s matchup will serve as a critical test of whether SMU’s success is sustainable or merely a product of favorable scheduling.
