Smu Mustangs vs Alabama State Hornets Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

After Tournament Win, SMU Turns Eyes to Alabama State

SMU Builds Momentum with Acrisure Holiday Invitational Victory

Fresh off a championship win at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational, SMU (6-2) prepares to host Alabama State (3-4) in Dallas on Tuesday night. This marks the Mustangs’ final nonconference game before beginning Atlantic Coast Conference play against Virginia on Saturday.

Under first-year coach Andy Enfield, SMU has been strong at home, boasting a 4-1 record this season. The Mustangs capped their tournament run in Palm Desert, Calif., with an impressive 77-60 victory over Washington State last Wednesday, fueled by their best defensive performance of the season.

“Defensively, that was the best half we’ve played the entire season,” Enfield said on SMU’s radio broadcast. “Our guys were engaged and we were able to get to the 3-point shooters.”

SMU will look to carry that defensive momentum into the matchup with Alabama State, a team averaging 79.1 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting.

Offensive Depth Propels SMU

The Mustangs rank among the nation’s top scoring teams, averaging 86.8 points per game, tied for 20th in the NCAA. Guard Boopie Miller leads the team with 17.0 points per game, while Chuck Harris (12.6), B.J. Edwards (11.0), and Samet Yigitoglu (10.8) also average double figures.

“We’ve improved a lot since the beginning of the season,” Enfield noted. “We have a ways to go. But that’s what the out-of-conference is for.”

Alabama State Searches for Consistency

Alabama State enters Tuesday’s matchup after back-to-back losses to Akron and Cincinnati, including a 77-59 defeat to the then-No. 16 Bearcats last Wednesday. Despite those setbacks, the Hornets showed promise earlier in the season with wins over Omaha and Lamar.

Coach Tony Madlock has been experimenting with his lineup, starting seven different players across seven games. Amarr Knox, TJ Madlock, and Ubong Okon have been the constants, forming the core of a group that returns six of the team’s top nine players from last season.

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“We have a good mixture of returning guys with new guys,” Madlock said at the SWAC preseason media day. “We feel good about them along with the eight newcomers.”

Guard CJ Hines leads the Hornets in scoring at 15.7 points per game but did not play in the loss to Cincinnati. Knox, averaging 15.3 points, stepped up with a 24-point effort against the Bearcats.

Key Storylines

• SMU’s defense will be key as the Mustangs face an Alabama State squad that relies on balanced scoring and strong outside shooting.
• Alabama State looks to rebound from consecutive losses and find a more cohesive lineup as they test themselves against a high-powered SMU offense.
• With ACC play looming, SMU aims to maintain its rhythm and solidify its defense for tougher competition ahead.

Tuesday’s game offers both teams an opportunity to fine-tune their play before entering the heart of their respective conference schedules.