SMU Defends NCAA Tournament Bid, Cites BJ Edwards Injury

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips argues SMU deserves a spot in the Big Dance despite recent losses without their star player.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:59am

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Following SMU's loss to Louisville in the ACC Tournament, the Mustangs are on the NCAA Tournament bubble. However, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips defended SMU's resume, citing the team's strong performance when star player BJ Edwards was healthy and the impact of his recent injury. Phillips noted SMU's nine wins against top opponents and lack of bad losses, arguing they deserve a spot in the Big Dance.

Why it matters

SMU's NCAA Tournament hopes are hanging in the balance, and the impact of BJ Edwards' injury could be the deciding factor. As an experienced member of the NCAA selection committees, Phillips' public defense of SMU's resume carries significant weight and could sway the committee's decision.

The details

SMU went 20-13 overall this season and 8-10 in conference play. When BJ Edwards, who averages 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.3 steals, was in the lineup, the Mustangs were 19-9. However, Edwards missed the last five games due to injury, and SMU went just 1-4 during that stretch. Phillips argued that SMU's nine wins against Quadrant 1 and Quadrant 2 opponents, including four in Q1, as well as their lack of bad losses, make them deserving of an NCAA Tournament bid.

  • SMU lost to Louisville in the ACC Tournament on March 13, 2026.
  • BJ Edwards suffered his injury and missed the last five games of the regular season.
  • Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is just a few days away.

The players

Jim Phillips

The commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and a former member of the NCAA men's and women's basketball selection committees.

BJ Edwards

The star player for SMU who missed the last five games of the regular season due to injury. He averages 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

Boopie Miller

Another key player for SMU.

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What they’re saying

“The facts are they're 19-8 when they have BJ Edwards and Boopie Miller. BJ Edwards lost four games in a row, and that's what SMU did. They lost four games in a row. They're 37th in the NET. They have nine Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins. They have zero Quad 3 and Quad 4 losses. Just watch SMU play. And before BJ Edwards got injured, they were at 30 in the NET. Now, they're at 37. All the other teams that I see compared to SMU are in the 40s and 50s in the NET.”

— Jim Phillips, ACC Commissioner (ESPN2)

What’s next

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