SMU Opens Rebuilt Season Against Southern
The Mustangs host Southern Monday at 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum with a roster featuring five new starters.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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SMU men's basketball opens the 2026-27 season Monday night at 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum against Southern. Head coach Andy Enfield is replacing all five starters and 10 total players from last season's team.
Why it matters
Only 12.8 of SMU's 84.1 points per game from last season return, making the opener an early test of how quickly a heavily reshaped roster can produce. The Mustangs are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
Returning players account for 12.8 of last season's 84.1 points per game, a sharp drop in continuity from the 2025-26 team. How quickly the new roster produces remains unresolved until games are played.
The players
Andy Enfield
Andy Enfield is in his third season as SMU's head coach, having previously led USC through a multi-year rebuild.
Cameron Lomax
Cameron Lomax is a freshman guard from Frisco Heritage listed at 6-1 and 170 pounds, who averaged 25.9 points as a high school senior.
The details
SMU is replacing all five starters and 10 total players from last year's roster, relying on homegrown players and transfers. The Class of 2025 included four four-star recruits and ranked No. 15 nationally according to 247 Sports.
Timeline
Monday at 7 p.m.: SMU hosts Southern at Moody Coliseum to open the 2026-27 season.
2025-26 season: SMU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
Season Trajectory
SMU's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 set a high bar for a team now replacing its entire starting group. The 2026-27 opener will show whether the program can extend that progress or must rebuild its identity from the start.
Fantasy managers tracking SMU players should note that most of last season's scoring has departed, limiting returning production to a small share of the roster. Early box scores from Monday's opener will clarify which new Mustangs are taking on larger roles.
The takeaway
The opener against Southern is the first concrete measure of whether a heavily rebuilt SMU roster can compete. Watch early minutes distribution to see who is stepping into the scoring void.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
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