ACC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

17. SMU Mustangs

2023-24 season record: 20-13 (11-7 AAC)

Despite doubling its win total from the previous year, SMU made the surprising decision to fire head coach, Rob Lanier after just two seasons overall. He ended up taking another AAC job (Rice) but it must have been about the program wanting a safer bet as they moved up to ACC Basketball. 

Andy Enfield comes over from USC to take his place, coming off a poor season with the Trojans. He now has the tough task of building up the Mustangs into a competitive power conference roster. They also have work to do, with leading scorer Zhuric Phelps going to the portal, along with forward Tyreek Smith.

Most of the other rotation pieces from last season were seniors with no more eligibility left. Among the players returning are Chuck Harris (13.4 ppg and 3.4 apg) and forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton. Starter BJ Edwards (3.7 apg) also is on the current roster.

Among the two transfer newcomers are Kario Oquendo and AJ George. Oquendo averaged 7.2 ppg at Oregon and is a proven power conference contributor, while George is a 6’6 wing from Long Beach State who averaged 10.6 ppg and 4.1 rpg. These are solid pickups but they’ll need more to have a good introduction to ACC Basketball next season.