SMU and Notre Dame Clash in Crucial ACC Basketball Showdown

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The SMU Mustangs (19-6, 10-4 ACC) face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-14, 5-9 ACC) on February 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at Purcell Pavilion. Both teams are looking to improve their standings in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Mustangs are coming off a recent loss to Wake Forest, where they fell 77-66, despite Chuck Harris scoring a team-high 15 points. Notre Dame, meanwhile, is trying to bounce back from a 75-60 defeat to Louisville, led by Markus Burton‘s 22 points.

This matchup is significant for both teams as they strive for postseason positioning. Notre Dame has struggled this season but hopes to capitalize on a strong performance in front of their home crowd. The Irish have a historic edge in the all-time series against SMU, leading 4-1, with their last victory being a 63-49 win back in February 1990.

Markus Burton has been a standout performer for Notre Dame, averaging 21.3 points per game, ranking fifth nationally and first in the ACC. He aims to become the second player in program history to average at least 20 points and three assists in a single season, joining David Rivers. “I’m just trying to do anything I can to help my team win,” Burton stated in a recent interview.

SMU’s leading scorer, Boopie Miller, missed the last game due to a foot injury, making his availability uncertain for this matchup. In his absence, BJ Edwards and Chuck Harris will need to step up to fill the scoring void. Edwards averages 10.3 points per game and will be crucial in the backcourt.

Statistically, SMU has shown greater offensive potency, averaging 82.1 points per game and shooting at a 47.8% field goal percentage, which is significantly higher than Notre Dame’s 73.2 points per game and 45.5% shooting. The Mustangs are also proficient in three-point shooting, averaging 8.3 per game, compared to the Irish’s 7.9.

As both squads prepare for an intense battle, the game is projected to be competitive, with a point spread favoring SMU by 1.5 points and an over/under set at 145.5.

Fans can catch the action live on the ACC Network and are encouraged to arrive early to support their teams as they embark on crucial late-season matchups.