SMU coach Andy Enfield said standout guard B.J. Edwards did not play in Wednesday’s First Four loss to Miami (Ohio) because Edwards didn’t feel “game ready,” despite the program announcing last Friday that he would be available for the NCAA tournament.
Edwards’ absence became a focal point after SMU entered the First Four with his availability publicly affirmed, only for him to sit out the elimination game. Enfield addressed the situation by pointing to Edwards’ readiness rather than a change in the team’s stance on his status.
What Enfield said
Enfield explained that Edwards did not take the floor because he didn’t feel prepared to play at game speed, framing the decision as a matter of readiness following his injury situation.
SMU’s season ended with the loss to Miami (Ohio), making Edwards’ status and the timing of the earlier announcement a notable storyline coming out of the Mustangs’ NCAA tournament exit.