SMU Looks to Avoid Upset Against Struggling Pitt

The Mustangs need to get back on track after two straight losses to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:31pm

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SMU (15-7, 4-5 ACC) will visit Pitt (9-14, 2-8 ACC) on Saturday afternoon, looking to avoid an upset loss against the cellar-dwelling Panthers. The Mustangs have dropped two in a row and need to get back on track to maintain their NCAA Tournament aspirations, while Pitt is searching for more consistent play and a way to end its recent struggles.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for SMU's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they sit at 34th in the NET rankings and need to avoid damaging losses against teams like Pitt. For the Panthers, this is an opportunity to pull off an upset and potentially spark a turnaround to their disappointing season.

The details

SMU is led by Boopie Miller, who is averaging 19.1 points per game, but the Mustangs suffered a tough 84-83 loss to NC State in their last outing. Pitt, on the other hand, has struggled with lack of depth, size, poor free-throw shooting, and turnovers, leading to a 2-8 conference record. The Panthers are led by Brandin Cummings (12.5 ppg) and Cameron Corhen (12.1 ppg).

  • SMU and Pitt will face off on Saturday afternoon.

The players

Boopie Miller

SMU's leading scorer, averaging 19.1 points per game.

Brandin Cummings

Pitt's leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game.

Cameron Corhen

Pitt's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game.

Andy Enfield

SMU's head coach.

Allen Greene

Pitt's athletic director, who recently spoke about the team's disappointing season.

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What they’re saying

“The league is certainly better this year. More quality teams from top to bottom, meaning on a national scale, some of these teams, including SMU, won big out-of-conference games in November and early December... So every game we play now is a pretty important game for us on the regional and league scale, but also nationally.”

— Andy Enfield, SMU Head Coach (statenews.net)

“We have high expectations for our men's basketball program, and we haven't lived up to those expectations this year. Obviously, Coach (Capel) knows that, the staff is aware of that, the players are aware of that. They want more out of what we got going on, and I know they're working their tails off to try to fix it.”

— Allen Greene, Pitt Athletic Director (statenews.net)

What’s next

The outcome of this game will have a significant impact on SMU's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they look to avoid a damaging loss against the struggling Panthers. Pitt, on the other hand, will be hoping to pull off an upset and potentially spark a turnaround to their disappointing season.

The takeaway

This game highlights the depth and competitiveness of the ACC this season, as SMU, a team with NCAA Tournament aspirations, must avoid a slip-up against a Pitt squad that has underperformed but still poses a threat. The Mustangs need to get back on track, while the Panthers are searching for a way to turn their season around.