Three SMU players UNC must contain in first ACC road test

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Three SMU players UNC must contain in first ACC road test

Grant Chachere, Tar Heels Wire · Tar Heels Wire

Fri, Jan 2, 2026 ·

2 min read

Boopie Miller

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Boopie Miller (2) with the ball as Clemson Tigers guard Chase Hunter (1) defends in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Miller is a fifth-year senior in his second season at SMU after previous stops at Central Michigan and Wake Forest. He has averaged nearly 15 points, 4.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in his career.

After earning All-ACC honors last season, Miller is having the best season of his career, averaging 19.9 points, 7.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. He also is shooting 47.2% from the field, 42.6% from 3-point range and 92.2% from the free-throw line, leading the ACC.

He is third in the ACC in assists and steals per game, fourth in scoring and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.77).

Jaron Pierre

Pierre has transitioned nicely to SMU after transferring from Jacksonville State. He is averaging 18.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He also is an efficient shooter, converting 46.6% of his field-goal attempts and shooting 33% from beyond the arc.

While at Jacksonville State, he was the Conference USA Player of the Year after averaging 21.6 points per game, leading the league and ranking fourth nationally.

BJ Edwards

Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner (3) steals the ball away from SMU guard B.J. Edwards (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Edwards is one of the most versatile combo guards in the country and is SMU's version of Seth Trimble. He is averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the ACC.

What makes him especially dangerous is what he does on the defensive end. Edwards averages 2.6 steals per game, leading the ACC. Earlier this season, he had 10 steals in SMU's 100–69 win over Arkansas State on Nov. 21, 2025.

Edwards is the only player in the country with two triple-doubles this season. He recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in SMU's most recent game against Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 30. His first triple-double came in the win over Arkansas State, when he finished with 24 points, 13 assists and 10 steals.

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