Unbeaten SMU, Butler test mettle in early showdown

SMU has recorded double-digit wins in each of its first three games of the season.

The Mustangs (3-0) look to continue their fast start on Saturday afternoon in Dallas when they host Butler (3-0), which has won every game by at least 30 points.

Boopie Miller, a preseason All-ACC second-team selection, is averaging 20.7 points per game. He erupted for 28 points in SMU's 102-91 victory over Murray State on Tuesday.

The Mustangs were much more pleased with their 11-point victory over the Racers than with their 11-point win again Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 6.

"The biggest factor was that if they didn't play hard, I was going to take them all out right away," SMU coach Andy Enfield said. "After our Texas A&M-Corpus Christi game, we weren't too happy. They gave tremendous effort, they played together, they played tremendous defense, and they were getting out in transition, so very proud of them for how they started and throughout the game."

Along with Miller, the Mustangs have four other players averaging double digits in scoring. Corey Washington is averaging 15.3 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game.

Butler, meanwhile, has gotten off to an impressive start with three lopsided home wins against Southern Indiana, IU Indianapolis and Chicago State.

Michael Ajayi posted a double-double in each game and is averaging 15.0 points and 12.3 rebounds.

Another player to watch is Yohan Traore, an SMU transfer who is averaging 10.3 points. When these teams played last season in Indianapolis, Traore scored nine points for the Mustangs but Butler won the game 81-70.

"SMU is extremely talented, there's no doubt," Bulldogs coach Thad Matta said during a radio interview on 93.5 The Fan in Indianapolis. "I think it'll be good for us to get on the road and sort of see what we're made of down there."