ECU Game Thread....

[ojaipony]

REMINDER: There's about a 99% chance this season ends in a crushing loss-happens to about 65 of 66 Tournament teams every darn year

Great point.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Dayton got beat by a 9 seed.

That was crazy. I was thinking of taking a flyer on them in my bracket too.

[sadderbudweiser]

REMINDER: There's about a 99% chance this season ends in a crushing loss-happens to about 65 of 66 Tournament teams every darn year

Yup. Not today.

[Comet]

A win is a win. Good for this highly ranked team to smell their own mortality from time to time.

On to the next one boys!

[Junior]

What the heck happened today?

[Mustangs35SMU]

What the heck happened today?

Completely dominated the first half.

Came out just going through the motions of the 2nd half and ECU took advantage around the 10 minute mark of it and...then we escaped.

[SMU_Alum11]

What happen today? SEMI beat ECU!

[sadderbudweiser]

What the heck happened today?

Depends who you ask.

[kc711]

We don't deserve to win and be in tourney. This is embarassing.

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis. Thus, under your thoughtful approach, Kansas is out of the NCAA tournament because they lost to TCU! Who are you going to place in the NCAA tournament in lieu of Kansas? Houston Baptist?

Below is your three step guide to self-improvement and maturity:

1. Reduce your coffee intake;

2. Learn much, much more about basketball; and

3. Grow up, even a little bit!

By the way, are you related to Jason B?

Haha wow you just continued be a perpetual [deleted]. I'm sorry but before your criticize or just say nonsensical jibber jabber, where's your analysis? Oh right you don't have one little troll. If you can try to gather your few little brain cells, my criticism was how bad we played and how unfocus we were to not be deserving a tourney run. It had nothing to do with other teams.

So here's your guide on not being a [deleted]

1) add value to your comments

2) maybe just don't continue with ponyfans

3) know that everyone thinks you are [deleted].

Thanks!

Actually, you provided no analysis in your original comment, rather it was was a nonsensical comment filled with panic.

The analysis of the game is as follows. We did lose focus, just at the time ECU caught fire from 3. They were not only hitting contested threes, but shots from NBA range and beyond. In the last ten minutes of the second half, ECU put on an absolute three point shooting clinic. Additionally, SMU did become tentative, and very good players - Shake, Sterling, and Jarray - made uncharacteristic mistakes. With that being said, winning teams typically make winning plays, whereas less confident teams often struggle at the most critical times. Thus, Kentrell Barkley, who had an absolutely stellar second half (22 points in the second half), struggled with a bounce pass to him under the basket with 15 seconds to play. If he catches it, he has a uncontested dunk, and the game is tied. Meanwhile on the ensuing inbounds play, the ball is passed to Semi who is fouled and calmly drains two tough foul shots. Then, SMU played 13 seconds of lights out defense, which did not allow ECU to get even one good look at a decent shot. Game over.

As an earlier poster said, we are very likely going to end this year with a crushing loss. However, may I respectfully suggest that we all try to enjoy this amazing ride. The last four years have been the best four consecutive years of SMU men's basketball. We all become nervous during games and wish our wonderful players would always be perfect. They are not perfect, but they are an amazing and enjoyable team, filled with high character people. I am very thankful for all the joy and excitement they have brought to SMU fans.

Peace.

[Junior]

Well, a W is a W at this point. Win and advance. 8 more.

[Stallion]

I don't know how accurate these are-but look at this graph of the Deep 3s ECU apparently hit. Sometimes I question just how beneficial it is to chase a 3 point shooter much deeper than the 3 pointline because you just create more holes in your defense. SMU takes advantage of teams that do that all the time-especially Semi and Sterling

If accurate it looks like ECU made at least 9 extra long range Bombs-on about 6 of the longer ones I say Good Luck with hitting that consistently. Of course, UCF has Matt Williams who takes the deepest 3s in the Conference. This graph, if accurate, makes me feel better about what happened. Its not like we just let snipers toe the 3 point line for easy 3s

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/playbyplay?gameId=400945786

[Dukie]

Dayton got beat by a 9 seed.

That was crazy. I was thinking of taking a flyer on them in my bracket too.

Grooooan.

[Dukie]

Glad we won.

XL Center needs a renovation.

Semi shouldn't get into talking trash with courtside UConn fans.

Happy to be back in Manhattan in plenty of time to get to Duke-UNC in Brooklyn this evening.

[Arkpony]

Lotsa 1 seeds went down today. We weren't one of them.

[lollaperuna]

Obviously would have been a horrible loss, but thankfully it wasn't. I think it could be a positive that helps them refocus. All of the accolades, awards and attention they have been getting is great, but also a big distraction.

Bring on UCF