Only 9 teams lost 5 or fewer games last season: 1 of them made the NCAA title game (Gonzaga) and 2 others were #1 seeds (Villanova/Kansas). SMU was 1 of the other 6, but after losing a few seniors as well as Semi Ojeleye they will need a strong season out of Ben Emelogu II. He missed the entire 2016 season due to injury and only started 3 games last year but was such a force off the bench that he was named AAC Co-6th Man of the Year. If his performance during the Mustangs’ Canadian tour this past August is any indication (11.3 PPG, 13-26 FG, 7-15 3PM), perhaps another conference championship will be within reach. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Ben about why he transferred to Dallas and what it meant to get his degree last spring.
You grew up in Texas but originally signed with Virginia Tech: how did it feel to be named team captain as a freshman? It was huge. It was a big load to carry as a freshman but was an exciting moment.
Why did you decide to transfer in 2014, and what made you choose SMU? I found out that my grandmother had cancer so we talked it out with everyone and I just decided to come back home.
You won a pair of AAC tourneys in 2015/2017: what did it mean to you to win a pair of titles? It was a big payoff and a big momentum-builder going into the NCAA tourney. It put a stamp on our whole season.
In the 2015 NCAA tourney you had a 1-PT loss to UCLA (on a questionable goaltending call) and in the 2017 NCAA tourney you had a 1-PT loss to USC (who overcame a double-digit deficit): how sick are you of playing Pac-12 teams from Los Angeles in the postseason?! I cannot stand it but we get USC again this year so I am looking forward to that game. Hopefully this season we can go deeper in the tourney.
Last year you were named conference co-6th Man of the Year: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? I give the credit to my teammates/coaches who helped me out throughout the season after I was coming off of an injury. Even if I am not scoring points I am still helping the team win.
You got your degree in Sports Performance Leadership with a minor in Sport Management last May: does it feel any different to enter the season with a degree under your belt? It has not hit me yet because I am still taking sports management classes but my family is very happy for me.
You are 1 of only 2 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this season? There is a lot of pressure but I can deal with it. We have a great culture here so we will teach the young guys and get everyone on the same page.
You will spend Thanksgiving at the Battle 4 Atlantis: how do you prepare to possibly face Arizona/Villanova on consecutive nights? We are just trying to get better as a team right now and get ready to compete. We have a tough schedule and the conference has gotten better as well.
Your brother Lindsey played basketball at Weber State and your cousin Cedrick played basketball at Washington State: who is the best athlete in the family? That is a tough 1. I want to say me but my brother/cousin were also good so pick your poison with any of us!
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Just to win and have fun doing it. Each year we play with a chip on our shoulder and try to prove everyone wrong.