UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the SMU Mustangs triumphed over the No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels, winning 97-83 in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener on Saturday. Point guard Boopie Miller showcased an explosive performance, scoring 27 points and dishing out 12 assists to lead his team to victory.
This win marks a significant milestone for the Mustangs, as it is their first against a ranked opponent under head coach Andy Enfield and their first since defeating No. 6 Houston almost four years ago. Miller’s exceptional play was crucial, especially after struggling with injuries last season.
In front of a vibrant crowd in Dallas, Miller shot an impressive 10-of-13 from the field and only committed two turnovers in nearly 34 minutes of play. His performance was pivotal, particularly during a decisive second half where forward Corey Washington contributed significantly by scoring nine of the Mustangs’ first 11 points after halftime.
“They were just able to get anything they wanted to offensively. Boopie was in control of the ball,”
said North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, acknowledging the difficulty his team faced in trying to contain Miller.
The game was tightly contested, with the score tied at 47-all early in the second half. However, Washington’s two critical three-pointers ignited the Mustangs’ momentum, allowing them to take and maintain the lead. “Every game is circled,” Miller stated, reflecting on last season’s struggles. “I feel like I let my team down last year.”
SMU’s shooting was remarkable, hitting 60% (36 of 60) overall and 52% (14 of 27) from beyond the arc. Fellow guard B.J. Edwards also shined, contributing 15 points and six assists, underscoring the team’s offensive depth.
As the Mustangs celebrate this impressive victory, the road ahead looks promising. They aim to build on this momentum in the upcoming ACC games, with Miller determined to lead his team to new heights after a challenging previous season. “He’s probably going to be very sore tomorrow,” Enfield noted regarding Washington’s efforts, “But for now, he feels pretty good.”
With this significant win, SMU is poised to make waves in the ACC, and fans are eagerly watching to see how far this team can go this season.
