How To Watch SMU Mustangs Men’s Basketball

✦ Edited and fact-checked by Mike Strayer, our Managing Editor with over 11 years of covering sports and TV.

A look at the 2025–2026 Mustangs

The Mustangs are back in the Big Dance, and the sense of relief in Dallas is palpable. After a decade-long absence from the NCAA tournament, Andy Enfield has steered SMU through a challenging ACC transition and straight into the postseason. While a late-season slide led to some nervous moments on Selection Sunday, the Mustangs possess a high-scoring backcourt that makes them a dangerous threat in any single-elimination scenario.

I’ve been impressed by the resilience of this group, specifically the duo of Boopie Miller and Jaron Pierre Jr. They play with a chips-on-shoulders mentality that is perfect for the tournament atmosphere. The narrative for SMU is one of redemption: After sweating out the selection process, they now have the opportunity to prove that their explosive offense belongs on the national stage, starting with their battle in the First Four.

I want you to have a front-row seat for this long-awaited tournament return, so I’ll break down the best ways to watch SMU men’s basketball so you can catch every highlight from Dayton to the later rounds.

2025–2026 SMU men’s basketball TV schedule

SMU’s tournament journey begins on Wednesday, March 18, in the First Four. They face off against Miami (OH) in Dayton, Ohio, with a late-night tip-off that serves as one of the final hurdles before the Round of 64 officially begins. This play-in game is a national showcase on truTV, providing the Mustangs with a dedicated spotlight to kick off the week’s festivities.

Should SMU win its First Four matchup, the boys will quickly transition to a Round of 64 game later in the week. The turnaround in March is notoriously fast, often requiring teams to travel and prepare for a new opponent in less than 48 hours. I recommend staying glued to the updated brackets, as a win on Wednesday would set up a high-profile clash against a top seed like Tennessee.

Best TV plans for SMU men’s basketball

Since SMU’s opening game in the First Four is on truTV, I recommend using the HBO Max app with the B/R Sports Add-on. Max has become an essential tool for tournament fans because it streams every game that airs on the TNT Sports networks, including truTV. It’s a cost-effective way to catch the Mustangs’ first step back into the tournament spotlight without needing a full cable subscription.

For a more robust option that covers the entire tournament—including potential games on CBS—YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are my top recommendations. Those streaming services include truTV for the First Four and provide the CBS, TBS, and TNT channels needed for every subsequent round. Having the ability to record games with unlimited DVR space is a huge plus, especially for those late-night tip-offs in Dayton.

I’d advise fans to steer clear of services like Fubo during the tournament because they lack the TNT Sports channels that are mandatory for the First Four and much of the early rounds. To make sure you’re ready for SMU’s return to the Big Dance, a service that bundles all four tournament networks is the way to go.

How to watch SMU men’s basketball FAQ

Why you should trust us

Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official SMU men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.

This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.