TULSA, Okla. – The 3-pointer was hardly a surprise. The player who made it is one who is expected to take, and make, a shot of such magnitude. The coaching staff that called the defense on the play expected the player to be open.
Elijah Stewart, a 38 percent 3-point shooter, was open in the left corner. He already had 19 points and five 3-pointers. He is the team leader in made 3-pointers.
SMU’s defense was set up to leave him there. Standing outside SMU’s locker room, Tim Jankovich explained the strategy, simultaneously drawing it out on a borrowed notepad.