Clemson Men's Basketball: Clemson Heads to Dallas for Matchup With 20-Win SMU Mustangs

Coach Brownell looks on as the Tigers went against the Pitt Panthers in January. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The Clemson Tigers are set to hit the road to take on the Southern Methodist Mustangs, who are coming off a dominant victory over Notre Dame. SMU holds a 20-6 overall record and an 11-4 mark in ACC play, tying them for fourth place with Wake Forest. Despite their strong season, the Mustangs remain on the NCAA tournament bubble, with ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently projecting them as the second team out. Their lack of a signature win has kept them on the outside looking in, making this matchup against Clemson a crucial opportunity.

The SMU Mustangs

Head Coach Andy Enfield, in his first season with SMU, previously spent 11 seasons at USC. Before that, he made a name for himself at Florida Gulf Coast, leading the 2012-13 “Dunk City” team to a historic Sweet 16 run. A win over Clemson would mark SMU’s first Quad 1 victory this season and strengthen their case for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016-17.

If SMU wants to win, they'll need a balanced scoring attack, as six players currently average double-digit points per game. While they lack a true star, they boast one of the nation’s top offenses, ranking 20th in points per game and 17th in offensive rating. However, their defense remains a concern, ranking 171st in points allowed per game and 126th in defensive rating. In their last outing, the Mustangs showcased their offensive firepower, shooting 58.6% from the field and 40% from three-point range. To defend their home court, they'll have to break through Brad Brownell’s elite Clemson defense.

Clemson Riding High After Dominant Win Over Florida State

The Tigers enter this matchup on a high note after a 26-point rout of Florida State last Saturday. Clemson holds a 21-5 record and a 13-2 mark in ACC play, tying them for second place with Louisville. Clemson’s defense shined in their win over Florida State, forcing 14 turnovers and holding the Seminoles to just 34% shooting from the field, 13.3% from three, and 42.1% from the free-throw line. While the defense excelled, the offense struggled, shooting 47.5% overall and just 29.6% from deep. Star player Chase Hunter had an off night, scoring just three points.

However, the bright spot was Dillon Hunter, Chase’s younger brother. Dillon led all scorers with 17 points, adding four assists on 7-of-11 shooting and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Since stepping into the starting lineup, Hunter has been a difference-maker, averaging 10 points, three assists, and a steal, while shooting an impressive 63.2% from the field and 54.5% from three.

Another key contributor has been Viktor Lakhin. Over the last three games, Lakhin has averaged 17.7 points, six rebounds, and 2.7 blocks, shooting 62.9% from the field and 66.7% from deep. If Clemson wants to slow down the SMU Mustangs' high-powered offense, they’ll need Dillon Hunter and Lakhin to continue their strong play.

Game Details

📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

⏰ Time: 4:00 PM ET

📍 Location: Moody Coliseum

📺 TV: ACC Network

This game is a must-watch as Clemson looks to solidify its NCAA Tournament position, while SMU fights to break into the tournament field.