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SMU Postgame Notes – December 23, 2022
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic – Day 2 (Semifinal)
SMU 77, [rv/rv] Utah State 74
SMU (5-7), Utah State (10-2)
SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, Hawaii

NEXT GAME

Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic – Day 3 (Championship)
vs Washington State (5-6) or Hawaii (7-3) – Sunday, December 25 – 7:30pm CT / 3:30pm HT – SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center – Honolulu, Hawaii
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)

NOTES

Starters: #1 Zhuric Phelps (G, So.), #2 Jalen Smith (#=G, So.), #10 Zach Nutall (G, Sr.), #11 Samuell Williamson (F, Sr.), #23 Efe Odigie (F, Sr.)
Fourth time using this starting lineup (Texas A&M Commerce 11/7, at Dayton 11/11, vs Iona 12/22)

Zach Nutall hit a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left to put SMU up 74-68, then assisted on an alley-oop to Samuell Williamson with 16 second left for a 76-68 advantage

SMU had five score in double figures: Zach Nutall (13), Efe Odigie (12), Zhuric Phelps (19), Stefan Todorovic (10), Samuell Williamson (15)
First time with at least 5 in double figures since 11/15/2021 vs Northwestern State (W, 95-48)
Phelps has been in double figures every game this season, entered leading the American Athletic Conference at 19.5 points per game (27th NCAA), 8th straight game with 19+ points

SMU outscored Utah State 42-26 in the paint
Had a 42-24 advantage vs Iona in the first round

SMU shot a 48.3% on field goals after shooting 60.0% in the win over Iona

SMU had a season-best 5 turnovers (was 9 twice)

SMU had 16 assists on 29 made FGs (second-highest this season – 20 vs Lamar 11/27)

Season-best 88.2% on free throws, hitting 15-17 (12-13 2nd half)
Stefan Todorovic 5-5, Efe Odogie 3-3, Zhuric Phelps 3-4

Season-high 40 points in the first half (was 38 vs Lamar 11/27)
Led 40-32 at halftime

SMU RUNS

SMU had a pair of 7-0 runs and a 6-0 run to build a 27-15 lead at 8:13 of the 1st half
With the game tied at 30-30, SMU closed the half 10-2 over the last 3:12 to lead 40-32 at the half

ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Zach Nutall (#10, Sr., G)
13 points with 3 assists
Entered game averaging 14.3 points (14th AAC) and 1.9 threes made per game (13th AAC)
10+ points in 9 of 12 games

Efe Odigie (#23, SR, F)
12 points and 3 rebounds
Entered game averaging 8.4 rebounds (2nd AAC)
3-3 on FTs, entered game at 75.8% (15th AAC)
1-1 on 3-pointers, first make of the season (entered game 0-3)

Zhuric Phelps (#1, So., G)
19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists
Entered game averaging 19.5 points (1st AAC, 27th NCAA), 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals (7th AAC)
Scored in double figures every game this season (9th game with 19+, 8th straight)
8 rebounds is one off career high, 4 assists is also one off career high

Jalen Smith (#2, So., G)
Tied season high 4 rebounds
Tied career high 3 assists

Stefan Todorovic (#3, So., F)
10 points, 2 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot
5th game scoring 10+ this season, all in past 8 games

Samuell Williamson (#11, Sr., F)
Season-high 15 points (was 14) with 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists
Entered game averaging 7.3 rebounds (5th AAC), 1.5 steals (9th AAC), 1.2 blocked shots (9th AAC)
5th game this season scoring 10+

I know nothing about Iona or Utah State, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

Utah State was 10-1 and receiving votes. Iona was 7-3, I believe. Coached by Pitino. Two nice wins.

ponyboy wrote:Utah State was 10-1 and receiving votes. Iona was 7-3, I believe. Coached by Pitino. Two nice wins.

Good wins, indeed and timing could not have been better when so many of us were ready to write this team off for this season. I remember coming into this season thinking the roster is deep and Lanier's trademark has been defensive intensity leading to transition offense with his teams usually finishing the season playing their best ball. The improvement this group has shown since what we saw before exams week is impressive. Beating Hawaii and winning this event would be a huge confidence builder going into AAC play

As noted, our guys had 16 assists on 29 made FGs last night and none bigger than the ball movement and assist that got Nutall the open 3 that put that game away. Should be noted that while on the season this team still has more turnovers than assists, last night they had only 5 turnovers and not one individual had more turnovers than assists. Really impressive!

One of my favorite stats is the 8 steals to 1 in our favor. Nice to see us active getting in the passing lanes. The steal that Todorovich had and his pass to Phelps for the slam was really nice.