Northwestern St. @ Southern Methodist preview

SMU junior guard Shake Milton added to his early-season honors as the Mustangs prepare to host winless Northwestern State on Wednesday. Milton was named one of the 50 candidates for the Wooden Award this week after being named to the preseason Naismith Trophy, Lute Olson Award and Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year awards.

Milton, who was also named the American Athletic's preseason player of the year, is averaging 26 points through two games and earned the league's first weekly honor. SMU freshman Ethan Chargois was also honored after giving a big boost to the Mustangs' thin frontcourt. Classmate Everett Ray is averaging 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds while graduate transfer Akoy Agau hasn't played because of an infection in his knee. SMU could score in bunches against a Demon team ranked 340th out of 346 teams in scoring defense at 102 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN STATE (0-2): Freshman guard Czar Perry leads the Demons with 12 points per game while senior guard Iziahiah Sweeney adds 11 points and 6.5 rebounds. The Demons, who gave up 105 points to Texas and 99 points to Division III opponent Le Tourneau, have lost 39 turnovers in two games. They are playing without seventh-year senior Jalan West, who is expected to make his debut Friday after missing the majority of the past two seasons with two ACL injuries, as he finishes a three-game suspension for a self-reported violation.

ABOUT SMU (2-0): Chargois was named the AAC rookie of the week after averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds in his first two games. Junior guard Jarrey Foster adds 16 points and seven rebounds - splitting time in the backcourt and post - while Milton has hit four 3-pointers in each game. Arkansas transfer Jimmy Whitt chips in 7.5 points and a team-high 6.5 assists.

TIP-INS

1. Twenty of SMU's victories during its 24-game home win streak are by double digits.

2. Milton has played 79 of the 80 available minutes this season.

3. SMU, which was ranked third nationally in scoring defense last year at 60.0, is allowing 66.0 points through two games.

PREDICTION: SMU 88, Northwestern State 61