You’re probably scrambling to find the remote or wondering if you have enough time to grab a burger before tip-off. If you are asking what time do SMU play today, the answer is pretty straightforward, but the stakes for this specific matchup are anything but simple.
The SMU Mustangs (13-4, 2-2 ACC) are hosting the No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers (15-2, 4-1 ACC) right now at Moody Coliseum.
The game is scheduled for an 11:00 AM CT tip-off (that's 12:00 PM ET for those on the East Coast). If you aren’t at the arena in University Park, you can catch the broadcast live on ESPN2. For those who prefer the radio or are stuck in Dallas traffic, the game is airing on the SMU Mobile App, the Varsity Network, and SiriusXM.
Why This Saturday Morning Slot Matters
Early games can be weird. Players are still shaking off the morning fog, and sometimes the energy in the building takes a minute to ramp up. But Moody Coliseum has been a literal fortress lately. SMU is coming into today with an 11-0 home record. They haven't lost on their own court all season.
Honestly, the momentum from Wednesday night is still vibrating through the campus. If you missed it, Boopie Miller hit a ridiculous half-court buzzer-beater to sink Virginia Tech 77-76. That kind of win changes a team's DNA. It turns a "maybe" season into a "watch out" season.
But Virginia isn't some pushover visiting for a paycheck. They’re ranked 16th in the country for a reason. Under Ryan Odom—the guy who famously coached UMBC to that historic upset over UVA years ago and is now leading the Cavaliers—they’ve become an offensive juggernaut. They’re averaging nearly 85 points a game. That’s not the "pack-line defense" slog we used to expect from the Hoos. It’s a track meet.
Breaking Down the Matchup
- Home Court vs. National Rank: SMU's 11-game home winning streak meets Virginia's four-game overall win streak. Something has to give.
- The Boopie Factor: Boopie Miller is the engine. He dropped 24 points against the Hokies. If he gets hot early, Virginia’s 12th-ranked defense will have a long afternoon.
- The Glass: Virginia averages about 38 rebounds per game compared to SMU’s 35. If the Mustangs can’t keep Jaden Toombs (who just had a double-double) active on the boards, they’ll give up too many second-chance points.
How to Watch and Follow
You've got options. If you're a cord-cutter, Fubo and YouTube TV carry ESPN2.
If you're more of a stats nerd, the live box score on the SMU Athletics website is the way to go. It’s usually a few seconds ahead of the TV broadcast. This is actually pretty important if you're betting or just following along on social media—nobody likes getting a "GAME OVER" notification while the TV still shows 10 seconds on the clock.
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The atmosphere at Moody is expected to be electric. Since joining the ACC, these "big name" visits have felt different. It’s not just another Saturday; it’s a chance for SMU to prove they belong in the upper echelon of their new home.
What’s Next for the Mustangs?
Regardless of how today ends, the schedule doesn't get any easier. SMU hits the road after this. They’ll head to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest on Tuesday, January 20th, at 8:00 PM CT. That one will be on the ACC Network.
Then they come back home on the 24th to face Florida State. It’s a brutal stretch. The ACC is a meat grinder this year, and every single game feels like a tournament play-in.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Tune in now: Set your TV to ESPN2 or open the ESPN app.
- Check the radio: If you're driving, download the Varsity Network app and search for the SMU feed for high-quality audio that doesn't cut out like standard AM/FM.
- Look ahead: If you want to see the Florida State game in person next week, buy your tickets now. Moody is selling out faster than usual this season because of the move to the ACC.
- Follow the stars: Keep an eye on Boopie Miller and Samet Yigitoglu; their performance in the first ten minutes usually dictates whether SMU covers the spread or falls behind.