Syracuse men’s basketball (14-11, 5-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts SMU (17-7, 6-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) for the first time ever on Saturday afternoon.
SU is fresh off a thrilling 107-100 double overtime win over California on Wednesday. It was a memorable game for several reasons. There were 28 lead changes, the most in a Syracuse game all season, and neither squad led by more than seven at any point. There was Cal center Milos Ilic’s layup at the buzzer to send the game to a second overtime. And, most bizarrely, the lights in the JMA Wireless Dome went out late in the game, meaning the overtime periods were played in a more dimly lit arena. However, SU overcame the wackiness of the night and picked up a nail-biting victory.
It took 50 minutes of basketball, but @Cuse_MBB took down @CalMBBall 107-100 in double overtime.@Nico_Horning and @Drew_Albaugh had the call from the JMA Wireless Dome. pic.twitter.com/LZBNbLeys8
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) February 12, 2026
“I hope it flips a switch [on the season]” said Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry after the game. That win snapped a two-game skid after back-to-back losses to ranked opponents.
If SU wants to prove that Wednesday’s win did, in fact, flip a switch, the work starts against an SMU team that has won its last two games and sits at 34 in the NET rankings. The Mustangs have fit right into the ACC, which they joined last year. The signature moment came earlier this year when SMU knocked off then 11th-ranked North Carolina 97-84.
SMU boasts a high-flying offense that ranks second in the ACC at just under 87 points per game. The focal point of the unit is Boopie Miller, who averages 19 points.
The Orange counter with an offense that is coming off its best offensive output of the season. Guard Nate Kingz has been at the forefront of the success, scoring 27 points against the Golden Bears.
“We have to do a bit more to get him more involved. We thought he was more of a shooter but he’s more of a scorer,” Autry said.
Forward William Kyle has brought a physical element to SU’s team as of late. The senior scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds against Cal.
“He had that look, like, we’re not going to lose this game, and his energy and his talk and his activity was just ferocious…Down the stretch, we all need to be that way,” said Autry.
On a level all his own 💪@WilliamKyleIII pic.twitter.com/5oK7x7eRxt
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 13, 2026
The last time these programs shared the court was last year’s ACC tournament. The Mustangs earned a stress-free second round win, 73-53.
The first ever clash between the two teams gets going Saturday at 2 p.m. WAER’s coverage begins with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Tipoff at 1:30.
