SMU Basketball: Semi Ojeleye playing big role during Mustangs' winning streak

SMU Basketball: Semi Ojeleye playing big role during Mustangs’ winning streak

Nov 18, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) looks to shoot during the championship game of the 2016 2K Classic against the Michigan Wolverines at Madison Square Garden. Michigan won, 76-54. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Redshirt junior Semi Ojeleye has been vital during SMU basketball’s 10-game winning streak.

The SMU Mustangs have proven that they’ll be a tough team to defeat in AAC play. First year head coach Tim Jankovich has his Mustangs playing solid basketball. They won their 10th straight game Saturday, 84-65, at home versus USF.

While the team has been terrific, much of SMU’s success goes to their leading scorer, forward Semi Ojeleye. The Duke transfer sits third in the conference in scoring with 17.9 points per game.

Ojeleye is also one of the top rebounders in the conference, fifth in total rebounds with 7.7 rebounds per game and third in offensive rebounds with 3.0 per game.

The redshirt junior transferred from Duke during the 2014-15 season. He only appeared in six games for the Blue Devils that year. Ojeleye didn’t play last season because of NCAA transfer rules. Because of this, he’s finally taking advantage of his opportunity.

More from Busting Brackets

In Saturday’s win, Ojeleye scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Ojeleye has been a catalyst on offense for the Mustangs during this 10-game winning streak, as he is averaging 17 points per game during the stretch. The noteworthy performance during the streak came in the conference opener versus Memphis on Dec. 27. Ojeleye scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help the Mustangs get the 58-54 victory against the Tigers.

SMU still fields a strong basketball team even beyond Ojeleye, including the backcourt tandem of Sterling Brown and Shake Milton.

Brown is third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.4 points per game. The senior scored 19 in the win against USF. Milton, a sophomore, is sixth in the conference in assists (4.1) and fourth in true shooting percentage (.603).

SMU can claim first place outright in the conference this season, but first they have to play Cincinnati. The Bearcats are the only other undefeated team in AAC play.

Next: New Year, brand new top 25

Cincinnati has won six straight and 11 of its last 12 games, including Saturday night versus Houston. SMU split both meetings against Cincinnati last season. The two teams face off Thursday night with the winner claiming sole possession of first place in the conference.