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Despite winning 20 games last season as a member of the AAC, the SMU Mustangs decided to part ways with head coach Rob Lanier before heading into the ACC alongside Stanford and Cal.
SMU was able to hire former USC coach Andy Enfield, and Enfield went to work rebuilding this roster by adding six players via the transfer portal and three incoming freshmen – the latest being Turkish born big man Samet Yigitoglu, a 7’2 rim protector who played at the highest level in the Turkish league this year.
The ACC has long been dominated at the top of the standings by Duke and North Carolina, with programs like Virginia, Miami, Clemson, and NC State frequently making noise as well. While no one expects SMU to take down the ‘Heels or Blue Devils, it certainly isn’t out of the question Enfield and the Mustangs could make a serious push for an at-large bid in their first season with the new conference.
Below is a look at SMU’s eight newcomers, including past performances and potential impact for the ‘Stangs in 2024-25:
Cory Knowlton-USA TODAY Sports
From: Wake Forest
2023-24 Stats: 15.6 points, 3.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 36.9% from three
Miller was yet another wildly successful guard transfer for Steve Forbes and the Demon Deacons, coming over from Central Michigan and teaming up with Hunter Sallis to form an elite guard tandem. Now he’ll stay in conference and head to Dallas, where he should have a similar role as a starting guard, high level scorer and rim attacker for coach Enfield.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
From: Oregon
2023-24 Stats: 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 33.3% from three
Oquendo went from JuCo to Georgia, where he averaged 14 points across two seasons as a starter, to coming off the bench last year with the Ducks. He’s never been a great three point shooter but, like Miller, he can attack the rim and gets to the free throw line well and should play a big role on the wing for the Mustangs.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
From: UMass
2023-24 Stats: 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 62.4% on twos
Cross is well travelled, beginning his career in the ACC with Miami before jumping to Louisville for his sophomore year and then spending the past two seasons in the A-10 with UMass.
The 6’7 wing is a solid defender and has shown flashes of being an excellent three point shooter as well, although it was not a strength of his last season with the Minutemen. Still, the high scorer is experienced in the ACC and is a very realistic candidate to lead SMU in scoring in 2024-25.
Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
From: San Jose State
2023-24 Stats: 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 33.9% from three
Gorener played eight games with Arizona as a freshman in 2020-21 before transferring to San Jose State where he has steadily improved each of the past three seasons. Last year saw Gorener take on a bigger share of the offense, and while he likely won’t have as big a role at SMU he is a capable shooter and rebounder who should thrive in a better offensive system.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
From: Kansas State
2023-24 Stats: 2.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 47.5% from field in 11.3 minutes
Colbert played four games for LSU in 2021-22, sat out as a redshirt at Kansas State in 2022-23, and then played a valuable role as a rim protector and enforcer for Jerome Tang’s team this past season.
While his numbers don’t jump off the page, Colbert started 13 games for Kansas State last year and was valuable thanks to his rim protection and offensive rebounding. He’ll fill a similar role for Enfield at SMU.
(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
From: Santa Barbara
2023-24 Stats: 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, 59.8% on twos
Traore was a top 25 prospect who played sparingly as a freshman at Auburn in 2022-23, averaging just 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds before heading across the country to play for the Gauchos of Santa Barbara.
Traore thrived in the Big West, and while he’s still got work to do on the defensive end his offensive game pairs nicely with Colbert in a potentially very good frontcourt for Enfield and the Mustangs.
From: Link Academy (Branson, MO)
Class Ranking (247): 227
Syndication: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
From: Carter (Dallas, TX)
Class Ranking (247): N/A (3-star)
(Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
From: Turkey
International Stats: 10.7 minutes, 3.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, 67.9% from field
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/smu-mustangs-andy-enfield-acc-basketball/