A Century of Hoops: The History of SMU NCAA Basketball
The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team, representing Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, boasts a rich history spanning over a century. As they compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I college basketball, a look back at their journey reveals a tapestry of triumphs, challenges, and periods of both dominance and rebuilding. In 104 years of basketball, SMU's record is 1,377-1,237.
Early Years and Southwest Conference Dominance
The program's inception dates back to 1916, with the inaugural season showcasing a promising 12-2 record. SMU joined the Southwest Conference (SWC) in the 1918-19 season, marking the beginning of a long and storied affiliation.
The arrival of Doc Hayes as head coach in 1947 marked a turning point. By 1955, Hayes had propelled SMU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, reaching the Sweet Sixteen and securing their first conference title in nearly two decades. The subsequent four-year stretch (1955-58) witnessed unparalleled success, with the Mustangs posting a 77-28 record, winning four consecutive Southwest Conference championships, and making three Sweet Sixteen appearances. This golden era culminated in the school's only Final Four appearance in the 1955-56 season, led by All-American Jim Krebs. The No. 32 also hangs in Moody’s rafters. They beat Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma City (now NAIA) before losing to Bill Russell’s San Francisco Dons in the Final Four, although they would beat Temple for third place.
During the Doc Hayes era, SMU won eight SWC championships and reached the NCAA tournament six times, including Final Four and Elite Eight appearances. 1955 was SMU’s first ever NCAA appearance.
The Era of Mediocrity and Glimmers of Hope
Following Doc Hayes' departure, SMU basketball entered a period of relative mediocrity, punctuated by occasional flashes of brilliance. Talented players like Jon Koncak, Ira Terrell, and Gene Phillips emerged, but sustained success proved elusive.
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The Bob Prewitt and Sonny Allen eras, while largely unsuccessful, did yield one Southwest Conference Championship between 1968 and 1980. The program seemed poised for a resurgence during the Dave Bliss era. Bliss and star big man Jon Koncak led SMU to 3 NCAA tournament appearances and an NIT appearance. The Dave Bliss era was highlighted by his final season where SMU went 28-7 winning the SWC regular season and tournament championships and making it to the Second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Dark Ages and a Rebirth
The period from 1994 to 2012 represented a "dark age" for SMU basketball. The program struggled to maintain consistency, recording just seven winning seasons and failing to secure any conference titles or NCAA Tournament berths.
The reemergence of SMU basketball began with the arrival of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in the 2012 season, coinciding with the $48 million renovation of Moody Coliseum. By his second season, he had led SMU to a 27-10 record, and to a championship appearance in the NIT. In his third season, (2014-15) led by Nic Moore, SMU won its first conference title in 22 years (regular season and tournament champions), and returned to the NCAA tournament, losing a controversial game to UCLA on a goaltending call. In the 2015-16 season, SMU was banned from postseason play due to NCAA violations, but still managed to start the season with an unprecedented 18-0 record, peaking at the #8 spot in the AP Poll, and finish the season at 25-5. It was SMU's third straight 25+ win season. In the summer of 2016, Brown stepped down as SMU's basketball coach unexpectedly, finishing with a record of 85-39(.685).
Recent History and Notable Appearances
Tim Jankovich took over in the summer of 2016 following the departure of Larry Brown. SMU finished the 2016-17 season with a 30-5 record and won their second conference title in three years. Ben Moore in entering the NBA draft where both Ojeleye and Brown were selected 37th and 46th overall, respectively.
SMU's last NCAA tournament win came on St. Patrick’s Day in 1988 against Notre Dame, whose luck of the Irish (or lack thereof) wasn’t enough to overcome Kato Armstrong’s 29 points. The Mustangs would go on to lose to second-seeded Duke in the round of 32, and would not return to the NCAA tournament until 1993.
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That 1988 season wasn’t SMU’s only successful season that decade. 1985 saw No. 5 seed SMU earn an 85-68 win over No. 12 seed Old Dominion. The Mustangs lost to Top 25 opponent Loyola (Ill.) in the next round. That 1984 berth came 17 years after the previous Mustang NCAA appearance. The 1967 squad knocked off Louisville before losing to Houston in the Regional Finals, commonly know today as the Elite Eight. The year before, SMU lost to Kansas and All-American Jo Jo White, but beat Cincinnati in the regional third place game. (This was before the NCAA tournament adopted the current bracket format).
NCAA Tournament History
The Mustangs have appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments. Here's a glimpse into their tournament journey:
- 1956: Final Four appearance
- 1967: Lost to Houston in the Regional Finals, commonly know today as the Elite Eight.
- 1985: SMU earn an 85-68 win over No. 12 seed Old Dominion. The Mustangs lost to Top 25 opponent Loyola (Ill.) in the next round.
- 1988: SMU’s last NCAA tournament win came on St. Patrick’s Day in 1988 against Notre Dame, whose luck of the Irish (or lack thereof) wasn’t enough to overcome Kato Armstrong’s 29 points. The Mustangs would go on to lose to second-seeded Duke in the round of 32.
Other Postseason Appearances
Beyond the NCAA Tournament, the Mustangs have also participated in other postseason events:
- National Invitation Tournament (NIT): 7 appearances
- CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT): 1 appearance
Looking Ahead
As SMU transitions into the ACC, the program aims to build on its historical foundation and establish itself as a consistent contender on the national stage. With a dedicated fanbase and a commitment to excellence, the Mustangs are poised to write the next chapter in their basketball legacy.
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