SMU Upsets Louisville in Front of Top Recruits

Mustangs knock off ranked Cardinals team in front of elite prospects

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The SMU Mustangs men's basketball team pulled off an impressive upset victory over the No. 21 ranked Louisville Cardinals in front of a lively home crowd at Moody Coliseum. The game was attended by several elite high school basketball prospects who the Mustangs are actively recruiting.

Why it matters

This win over a ranked opponent in front of top recruits is a significant boost for the SMU basketball program, which is looking to build on its recent success and attract top talent to the Dallas campus. Impressing elite prospects at home games is crucial for SMU's efforts to continue elevating the program.

The details

SMU, led by head coach Andy Enfield, defeated Louisville by a final score of 72-65 in an exciting matchup. The Mustangs were able to contain Louisville's top players and execute their game plan effectively in front of the raucous home crowd.

  • The game took place on February 18, 2026.

The players

Andy Enfield

The head coach of the SMU Mustangs men's basketball team.

Louisville Cardinals

The men's basketball team from the University of Louisville, who entered the game ranked No. 21 in the nation.

SMU Mustangs

The men's basketball team from Southern Methodist University, who pulled off the upset victory over Louisville.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for our program in front of some of the top recruits in the country. Our guys really stepped up and executed the game plan to perfection.”

— Andy Enfield, Head Coach, SMU Mustangs (on3.com)

What’s next

SMU will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference play schedule, with an eye towards securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs will also continue their efforts to land commitments from the elite prospects who attended this game.

The takeaway

SMU's upset victory over a ranked Louisville team in front of top recruits demonstrates the program's ability to compete with the best teams in the country and attract elite talent to the Dallas campus. This win could be a significant step forward for the Mustangs as they aim to elevate their basketball program to new heights.