The Mustangs will play their first of three straight home games against UAB, a team that is eighth in Conference USA rankings, Wednesday.
The Blazers are 10-14 this season, but have won three of their last four games, including a big win against Southern Miss.
SMU is looking to bounce back on this home-stand, as they have lost six out of seven of their last games.
Despite having an overall record of 11-14, the Mustangs have been tough to beat at home, where they’ve won seven games and lost three games this season.
SMU was without starting point guard and team captain Jeremiah Samarrippas against Rice due to an ankle sprain in practice, but he should see minutes Wednesday.
The addition of their captain makes a big difference in how the Mustangs play offense, as evidence by their season low in scoring against Rice without their point guard.
On the defensive side of the ball, SMU has really played well this season.
The Mustangs give up 60 points a game. This number is good enough to be second only to Tulane in Conference USA statistics, and puts SMU at No.26 in the NCAA for this category.
Senior forward Robert Nyakundi has led SMU this season. His scoring average, 15.3, is highest on the team, and seventh best in Conference USA.
Despite going 0-4 from behind the arc last game, Nyakundi has been lethal from three-point range. He hits 43.3 percent of the three-pointers he takes, which is highest in C-USA and No.23 in the NCAA. Nyakundi also leads SMU in rebounds.
University of Texas at Austin transfer Shawn Williams has played well for the Mustangs lately.
With players either injured or just playing poorly, SMU has needed someone to step up and Williams has been guy.
The sophomore had 11 points and eight rebounds against Rice, leading the team in both categories for that game.
The game before the win against TCU, Williams had a well-rounded eight points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Mustangs will need players like Nyakundi, Williams and a healthy Samarrippas to have a good game on Wednesday if SMU wants to come away with a win.
In conference, the Mustangs have struggled this year, winning just two out of 10 games.
With the Conference USA tournament approaching, SMU will want to pick up some conference wins to bolster its stock going in.
The game against UAB will tipoff at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.