Can SMU Mustangs Blaze Past UAB at Moody Coliseum?
As the Southern Methodist University Mustangs gear up to host the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs have been on an impressive run, and their recent performances suggest they're ready to take on any challenge.
In their last outing on December 22 against Murray State Racers, the Mustangs showcased a dominant display of basketball prowess with a resounding 92-65 victory. Their offensive efficiency was off the charts, shooting an astounding 60 percent from the field and an impressive 65 percent from beyond the arc. With such high shooting percentages, it's clear that when SMU gets hot, they're nearly unstoppable.
The defensive end didn't lag either; nine steals and five blocks indicated a team that was just as focused on stopping their opponents as they were on scoring. Moreover, with 38 total rebounds in that game and a significant advantage in points off turnovers (20), SMU demonstrated their ability to capitalize on every opportunity presented to them.
Another notable performance came during their December 20 clash with Houston Christian Huskies where SMU emerged victorious with an 89-53 scoreline. The defense was even more stifling in this matchup; twelve blocks and thirteen steals completely disrupted HCU's rhythm. Offensively, they maintained consistency by shooting over fifty percent from the field while also excelling at free throws with a near-perfect rate of ninety percent.
However, not all games were smooth sailing for SMU; back on December 17 against Florida State Seminoles, they had to grind out a tougher win at 68-57. Despite lower three-point shooting accuracy (32 percent), they still managed to maintain overall field goal percentages above forty-five percent which is commendable under pressure.
The upcoming game against UAB Blazers will test whether SMU can continue its high-level play under home-court advantage conditions. The Blazers will certainly look to disrupt SMU's rhythm but given recent form – particularly in terms of scoring efficiency – it seems likely that the Mustangs will rise up once again.
Looking ahead to February 4th’s contest scheduled for an evening tip-off at Moody Coliseum in Dallas - fans should expect nothing less than another showcase of exceptional basketball from both teams involved. For those unable to attend in person, ESPN2 will broadcast this highly anticipated matchup nationally starting at channel number two hundred nine.
SMU has shown time and again that when it comes down to crunch time - whether through explosive offense or tenacious defense - they are more than capable of securing wins against formidable opponents like UAB Blazers.