Jan. 8, 2010
NCCU AT SMU NOTES 
North Carolina Central University "Eagles"
(2-13 overall, 0-12 road)
vs.
SMU "Mustangs"
(5-8 overall, 4-3 home)
Saturday, January 9, 2010- 3:00 p.m. (EST)
Moody Coliseum - Dallas, Texas
Radio Coverage: NCCU Sports Network
WRJD 1410 AM and NCCUEaglePride.com
THE GAME
This is the final game in NCCU's season long six-game road trip, and the Eagles are still in search of its first win in 2010. NCCU fell in its sixth straight contest on Wednesday against Colgate University, dropping a 75-54 decision to the Raiders at Cotterell Court in Hamilton, N.Y.
THE SERIES
NCCU and SMU are meeting for the first time on the hardwood. This marks the 10th first meeting for NCCU this season, with the Eagles currently 1-8 against the previous nine. NCCU is set to have 16 first meetings during the 2009-10 season. NCCU is facing it's third Conference USA team after battling East Carolina (three times) and Tulsa (one time) in previous matchups. The Eagles are 0-4 against the league.
SMU MUSTANGS
The SMU Mustangs enter this weekend's nonconference affair on the heels of a 49-45 loss to UTEP in its Conference USA opener on Tuesday night in El Paso, Texas at the Don Haskins Center. Senior guard Derek Williams was the lone double-figure scorer for the Ponies with 14 points on 6-of-16 shooting, including a meager 1-for-6 from the outside. The Mustangs are led in scoring by Williams, who averages 16.0 points per contest, which is good enough for 7th in Conference USA. Two other Ponies average in double figures, senior forward Mouhammed Faye (12.1 ppg) and junior forward Papa Dia (11.0 ppg). Former North Carolina head coach Matt Doherty is in his fourth season at SMU, where he has compiled a 38-66 record. Throughout his nine years of head coaching experience Doherty has an overall record of 128-137. This is his 18th season in collegiate coaching with eight NCAA Tournaments, seven conference titles, a Final Four appearance and the 2001 AP National Coach of the Year award. He also has 22 players that have gone to the NBA.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's tilt in Dallas the Eagles return home to begin a three-game home stand on Monday evening with a rematch against High Point. That contest is set for 7:00 from the friendly-confines of McDougald-McLendon Gym. High Point defeated NCCU 70-58 at the Millis Center on Dec. 29, 2009.
