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Men's Basketball Plays at SMU Saturday
1/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 27, 2012
DALLAS - The Tulsa basketball team is in Dallas for a rematch against SMU at 2 p.m. Saturday at Moody Coliseum, as the Hurricane looks to avenge a last-second loss to the Mustangs three weeks ago. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net, which is Cox Cable Channel 27 in Tulsa.
The Golden Hurricane (12-9, 5-2 C-USA) has won five in a row and seven of its last nine games overall. The Mustangs enter the game at 10-10 overall and 2-4 in league play, and winners of two in a row and seven of their last eight contests. Live audio and live stats will be available at www.TulsaHurricane.com.
Jordan Clarkson leads the Hurricane, which scores 65.7 points per game, with 15.4 points and 2.6 assists per contest. Scottie Haralson averages 11.0 points and makes 3.0 three-pointers per game, while Steven Idlet scores 9.5 points and grabs 5.2 rebounds per game. Tim Peete also dishes 2.2 assists per outing, while Kodi Maduka leads TU with 6.8 rebounds and adds 8.5 points and 1.8 blocks.
The Golden Hurricane ranks 37th in the nation in rebounding margin, averaging 36.3 rebounds per game to its opponents' 30.6 rpg. The TU defense holds its foes to a .409 field goal percentage and 62.5 points per game - including a .395 field goal percentage and 57.9 ppg in C-USA play. Tulsa also ranks 18th in the country in blocked shots, averaging 5.5 per contest. TU shoots 45 percent from the floor.
SMU is led by Robert Nyakundi, who averages 15.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while London Giles scores 11.4 points per outing. Jeremiah Samarrippas averages 7.3 points and 4.5 assists, while Jalen Jones adds 8.2 points per contest. The Mustangs score 62.8 points per game, shooting .428 from the floor, .347 from three-point range and .684 from the free throw line, and allow opponents to score 60.5 points, shooting .424 from the field and .302 from downtown. SMU averages 29.5 rebounds and allows 33.0 rebounds per game.
This is the 42nd meeting between Tulsa and SMU. Tulsa leads the series 28-13. The Hurricane has won 11 of the last 13 games. The Mustangs won, 57-55, on a last-second shot in Tulsa on Jan. 7. SMU captured a 59-58 victory in the first game of the series a year ago in Tulsa, while the Hurricane claimed a 74-66 road win a month later. The Hurricane holds an 11-5 record at home against the Mustangs, and a 16-6 mark in Dallas. The series is tied 1-1 on a neutral court.
For all Tulsa men's basketball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.
