Ayrton Oneill
The SMU Mustangs are the athletic teams representing Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas. The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team has had its fair share of success, with one Final Four Appearance and 14 Southwest Conference Championships. In recent years, the Mustangs have appeared in several NCAA Tournaments and National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). After leaving the American Athletic Conference in 2024, SMU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SMU Mustangs men's basketball team's conference | Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) |
| Date of joining ACC | 2024 |
| Previous conferences | Southwest Conference (1918-1996) |
| Western Athletic Conference | |
| Western Division of Conference USA (2005) | |
| Big East Conference (2013) | |
| The American (2013-2024) | |
| Number of NCAA Tournament appearances | 12 |
| Number of NIT appearances | 7 |
| Number of CIT appearances | 1 |
| Number of National Commissioners Invitational Tournament appearances | 1 |
| Number of Southwest Conference Championships | 14 |
| Final Four Appearances | 1 |
| Elite Eight Appearances | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
SMU Mustangs men's basketball history
The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team represents Southern Methodist University (SMU) in University Park, Texas. The Mustangs compete in the NCAA Division I college basketball's Atlantic Coast Conference, having moved there from the American Athletic Conference in July 2024. The team has appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments, with an overall record of 1,377–1,237 over 104 years of basketball.
The SMU Mustangs experienced a period of decline from 1994 to 2012, during which they had only seven winning seasons and did not win any conference titles or qualify for the NCAA Tournament. However, they did manage to reach the NIT and CIT once each during this time. The Mustangs appeared in one of the two National Commissioners Invitational Tournaments in 1974, where they lost their only game.
In the 2016-17 season, the Mustangs won the American Athletic Conference regular season and conference tournament titles under the leadership of head coach Larry Brown. They received a bid to the NCAA tournament as a 6 seed but were upset by the 11th-seeded USC in the opening round by just one point.
Following the departure of Larry Brown, Tim Jankovich took over as head coach in the summer of 2016. In his first full season, SMU achieved a 30–4 overall record, including a 17–1 in-conference record, and finished ranked #11 in the AP Poll.
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SMU's conference history
SMU Mustangs, the athletic teams representing Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, have a long and varied history when it comes to conference membership. The Mustangs joined the Southwest Conference in 1918, competing against Baylor, Rice, Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Oklahoma A&M (later Oklahoma State). During their time in this conference, the men's basketball team enjoyed success with 14 Southwest Conference Championships and one Final Four appearance.
In 1996, the Southwest Conference disbanded, and SMU subsequently joined the Western Athletic Conference. In 2005, the Mustangs accepted an invitation to move to the Western Division of Conference USA, winning the C-USA title in 2006. In 2013, SMU joined the Big East Conference, which soon split along football lines, with SMU and other FBS schools forming the American Athletic Conference ("The American"). SMU was the only private school in this conference until 2014 when Tulane and Tulsa joined.
The Mustangs experienced a "'dark age' in basketball from 1994 to 2012, coinciding with their time in the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA. During these years, they had just seven winning seasons and did not win any conference titles or reach the NCAA tournament. However, SMU basketball reemerged in the 2012 season with the arrival of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown and a $48 million renovation of Moody Coliseum. In his third season (2014-15), Brown led SMU to its first conference title in 22 years and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In July 2024, SMU left "The American" to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), marking their return to the power-conference ranks for the first time since the collapse of the Southwest Conference.
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SMU's basketball performance in the 2010s
The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team experienced a resurgence in the 2010s after a period of decline in the preceding decades. From 1994 to 2012, the Mustangs had only seven winning seasons and did not capture any conference titles or advance to the NCAA tournament. However, the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in 2012 marked a turning point for SMU basketball.
In his second season at SMU, Brown led the Mustangs to a 27–10 record and an NIT championship appearance. The following year, SMU won its first conference title in 22 years and returned to the NCAA tournament, although they lost a controversial game to UCLA due to a goaltending call. SMU's momentum continued into the 2015–16 season, as they started with an 18–0 record and peaked at #8 in the AP Poll. Unfortunately, they were banned from postseason play due to NCAA violations.
Despite this setback, SMU maintained its winning ways in the following years. In the 2016–17 season, under the leadership of head coach Tim Jankovich, SMU achieved a 30–4 overall record, including a 17–1 in-conference record, and finished ranked #11 in the AP Poll. They won the American Athletic Conference regular season and conference tournament titles, securing a bid to the NCAA tournament.
SMU's basketball success in the 2010s laid the foundation for their return to prominence in college basketball. The Mustangs' strong performances and appearances in prestigious tournaments contributed to their reputation as a competitive force on the court.
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SMU's basketball coaches
SMU, short for Southern Methodist University, is a university with notable basketball teams, often referred to as the SMU Mustangs. The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team has had several notable coaches over the years, including:
- Paul Graham: A well-known basketball coach who has likely had a significant impact on the team's success.
- Doc Hayes: Another prominent figure in the team's coaching history, whose strategic expertise has contributed to the team's performance.
- Jerrance Howard: A dedicated coach, his passion for the sport and ability to inspire players have been invaluable to the team.
- Lance Irvin: With a wealth of basketball knowledge, Irvin has played a vital role in player development and tactical planning.
- Tim Jankovich: Jankovich's leadership and motivational skills have no doubt left a lasting impact on the team's culture and performance.
These coaches, along with others such as Dean Keener, Steve Lutz, and George Lynch, have all contributed to the SMU Mustangs' success in their respective conferences. The Mustangs have competed in various conferences, with their conference standings a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the players and coaching staff.
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SMU's basketball players
The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team represents Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas. SMU basketball has a long history, with 104 years of play and a record of 1,377–1,237. The team has reached one Final Four, made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, won 16 Conference Championships, and has had 11 All-Americans and 23 NBA Draft selections.
SMU joined the Southwest Conference in the 1918-19 season and won its first two conference titles in 1935 and 1937. Doc Hayes took over as SMU's head coach in 1947, and the subsequent era saw SMU greats like Jon Koncak, Ira Terrell, and Gene Phillips. The Dave Bliss era, which included star big man Jon Koncak, saw three NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT appearance.
Following a period of decline, SMU basketball reemerged when Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown took over in 2012. In his second season, he led the Mustangs to a 27–10 record and a championship appearance in the NIT. The following season, SMU won its first conference title in 22 years and returned to the NCAA tournament.
In the summer of 2016, Brown stepped down as head coach, and Tim Jankovich took over. In his first full season, SMU achieved a 30–4 overall record and finished ranked #11 in the AP Poll. In July 2024, SMU left the American Athletic Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference, returning to the power-conference ranks.
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Frequently asked questions
SMU basketball is in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
SMU joined the ACC in July 2024.
Before joining the ACC, SMU was in the American Athletic Conference, also known as The American.
The SMU Mustangs have appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments.
The SMU Mustangs have appeared in seven National Invitation Tournaments (NIT).
