Coach Andy Enfield does not doubt that SMU can win games in the NCAA tournament right now. But Mustangs did not get a place in the event and was moved to be a No. 1 seed in Rivet.
Mustangs (24-10) responded by defeating Northern Iowa 73-63 Wednesday in the opening round and will host Oklahoma State (16-17) in a second round of NIT games Sunday afternoon in Dallas.
“We feel that our team, if you saw us playing this year, especially when we were healthy with Boopie (Miller), we were an NCAA tournament team. We could win games in the tournament,” Enfield said during his radio interview after the game Wednesday. “I was proud of our guys to put their disappointment aside, come here and play in zeal and give a good effort tonight against a good team.”
SMU defeated northern Iowa even though Miller was on the side due to a hand injury. The status of Miller, which leads the team in points an average of 13.2 points per match, is questioned into the Oklahoma State game.
With Miller Out Wednesday, BJ Edwards led Mustangs with a double double out of 16 points and 10 returns. He added seven assists and four steals.
At the same time, Oklahoma State-sympaged in fourth place in his fastener victory 89-79 Tuesday at home over Wichita State in the first round. Bryce Thompson scored a team high 23 points for Cowboys, while Jamyron Keller scored 12 points by going 4-for-4 from 3-point range.
The cowboys will look to carry that momentum on the road, where they are 2-10.
First year’s coach Steve Lutz talked about Oklahoma State vote and said he felt the team was in a “big place mentally” this post season and did not expect too hostile for a road environment during the spring trip.
“If we play together and stick together, we will have a good time no matter where we play,” Lutz said.
-Field level media
