{"id":109997,"date":"2026-01-04T01:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T01:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/109997\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T01:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T01:31:12","slug":"smu-takes-major-step-forward-with-momentum-building-upset-of-no-12-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/109997\/","title":{"rendered":"SMU takes major step forward with momentum-building upset of No. 12 North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"

UNIVERSITY PARK \u2014 SMU<\/a> wanted to move to the ACC for opportunities exactly like Saturday.<\/p>\n

In front of a packed crowd at Moody Coliseum, the Mustangs (12-2) pulled off their biggest win in four years, upsetting No. 12 North Carolina (13-2) 97-83 in their ACC opener.<\/p>\n

Point guard Boopie Miller<\/a> and Wichita State transfer Corey Washington led SMU with 27 and 23 points apiece to knock off the Tar Heels, who before Saturday, had only fallen to No. 11 Michigan State this season.<\/p>\n

The win is SMU\u2019s first against a Quad 1 team (which is defined as beating a team ranked 1-30 at home, 1-50 on a neutral site and 1-75 on the road) since they beat Utah State on Dec. 23, 2022. It\u2019s their first win over a ranked opponent since they beat No. 6 Houston on Feb. 9, 2022.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cThis was a big game for us. It\u2019s a big game in the standings. It\u2019s a big game on the national stage,\u201d SMU coach Andy Enfield said. \u201cIt\u2019s our biggest win since we\u2019ve been here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead Saturday with an 11-0 run in the first six minutes of the game. SMU led by as many as nine points in the first half.<\/p>\n

SMU was able to maintain that lead through stellar 3-point shooting. The Mustangs finished 14-of-27 (51.9%) from beyond the arc. They also shot 60% from the field overall against a North Carolina team that ranks second in the nation in shooting defense (36.1%).<\/p>\n

But late in the first half, a 13-2 run by the Tar Heels capped off by a 3-pointer from 7-foot center Henri Veesaar put UNC up 31-29.<\/p>\n

A layup by Miller at the buzzer allowed SMU to tie the game at 39-39. Miller, in addition to leading all scorers, shot 10 of 13 from the field and added 12 assists for the double-double.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was terrific,\u201d Enfield said. \u201cHe handled the ball most of the game. It was one of the best performances I\u2019ve seen for a guard like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, it was Miller\u2019s teammate Washington who helped the Mustangs build a lead early in the second half. Despite suffering a knee injury late in the first half, Washington scored nine points in the first three minutes of the second half, including two 3-pointers, to put SMU up 50-46. Through a team effort, SMU was able to grow that lead to as much as 16 points. The Mustangs never trailed in the second half.<\/p>\n

BJ Edwards \u2014 fresh off his second triple-double of the season, making him the only player in the nation with two \u2014 also finished with 15 points, six assists and four rebounds. Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre added 13 points, and true freshman Jaden Toombs had 12.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew our guards had to play well,\u201d Enfield said. \u201cYou can\u2019t beat a team like this, as talented as Carolina is, without your guards playing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because North Carolina\u2019s two leading scorers are their posts, Veesaar and Caleb Wilson. SMU held both below their season averages. The two players combined for 27 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Seth Trimble led the Tar Heels with 22 points.<\/p>\n

The win caps off a stellar weekend for the university after its football team beat No. 17 Arizona at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego Friday night.<\/a><\/p>\n

It is also a huge momentum-builder for Enfield\u2019s team as it enters the heart of its season. The Mustangs have already recorded quality wins over Butler, Texas A&M and now No. 12 UNC. Their only losses were to two Quad 1 SEC teams \u2014 No. 17 Vanderbilt and LSU. <\/p>\n

It won\u2019t get any easier for the Mustangs. They\u2019ll face three more ranked ACC opponents \u2014 No. 6 Duke, No. 21 Virginia and No. 16 Louisville \u2014 this month.<\/p>\n

But Saturday\u2019s win over a blue blood was a big step to help SMU build a resume worthy of an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time in nine years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have some goals we want to accomplish,\u201d Enfield said. \u201cOur players believe we can compete for an ACC championship. This is Game 1, so we\u2019re not taking anything for granted, but they want to go compete, and I think you saw that today.\u201d<\/p>\n

On X\/Twitter: @Lassimak<\/a><\/p>\n

Upset city! See photos from SMU basketball’s victory over No. 12 North Carolina at Moody Coliseum<\/p>\n

\"SouthernView Gallery2026 NCAA football transfer portal: Tracking moves for Texas Tech, SMU, other area schools<\/a>SMU linebacker Zakye Barker announces plan to enter transfer portal<\/a><\/p>\n

Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n