SMU guard Brittany Gilliam driving for the basket during Thursday’s game against UCF. (MICHAEL DOOLEY/The Daily Campus)

Even the lure of post-season play can’t deter SMU head coach Rhonda Rompola from focusing on tonight’s game against the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
 

“Our worry is Tulsa,” Rompola said. “This is when you want to be peaking – there is no time for an off game.”
 

The game against the Golden Hurricane will be the last home game of the season, beginning at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
 

On the verge of March Madness, the Mustangs remain in a very flexible position. They have secured a first round bye, but the rest of the tournament schedule is unknown at this time.
 

Currently, the team is tied for third with the University of Houston. However, if they win Wednesday and Houston loses, then SMU will clinch third.With a win, they also have the opportunity to climb to second if Houston and the University of Memphis both lose.
 

On top of such a pivotal game, it will also be the game to say goodbye to the team’s seniors: Alice Severin, Jillian Samuels and Brittney Gilliam.
 

“Our kids have found a way to win at Moody, and it is important for our seniors to finish on a high note,” Rompola said.
 

Overall, the Mustangs have been 20-11 against the Golden Hurricane. Recently however, they have found some difficulty.
 

The teams last met in February and SMU finished just three points behind Tulsa. This time around, Rompola hopes to move the ball, find the shot and utilize home court advantage.
 

Tulsa traditionally uses zone defense, but during the last game put more pressure on the Mustangs individually with a man-on-man defense, which has proven to be difficult for the Mustangs at times earlier this season.
 

Tulsa has had their own trouble on the road though; teams that they have been able to defeat at home have given them more trouble away from Oklahoma.
 

Regardless, Moody Coliseum will be filled with spirit and emotion tonight as SMU takes on Tulsa and prepares for March Madness.
 

Rompola asked, “How could you not be fired up?”