OFFICIAL: SMU vs. MinneSNOWta FOR THE NIT 'SHIP

[PonyPride]

I asked Larry Brown something about how similar Minnesota's press was to the press the other Pitino drew up at Louisville against the Mustangs. Brown was quick to say (sorry — video is still loading) the press wasn't what caused problems for the Ponies; he pointed out that SMU beat the press several times and got a couple of dunks against it. Instead, he was upset about the fact that the Ponies had a couple of three-on-two breaks that led to no points.

He didn't mention the officiating — and he never would — but he sure looked upset about some calls, and in several cases, he had every right to be. Somebody chasing a rebound landed ON Cannen Cunningham — no call. Sterling Brown got grabbed and thrown to the floor — no call. But complaining about the officiating isn't Brown's M.O. That's for fans and media to do (and, to be fair, they missed more calls than you would expect that could have helped Minnesota, too — not a good night for the officials, but they were fairly inadequate. It's hard to say they decided the game.)

[ojaipony]

I think people are looking at this the wrong way. The NIT Championship means nothing, literally. The thing is, the team got X extra practices and 5 extra games and those are going to go a long way next year. That's absolutely huge. I wouldn't be depressed, nothing to hang heads about, it was a great season and setting up next year very nicely. Might as well go get drunk and have some fun, Minnesota will barely get a mention on Sports Center. I'm just glad the team put together a run and maximized their postseason # of games they could have played along with practices.

OBF talking me off the ledge. This helps. And I'm not joking. Thanks man. You are right. I'm slowly getting over this. Going to be a long offseason. PP, you got to help us out with interviews/updates, etc, to get us through man.

[ojaipony]

on the second turnover Manual had Shawn Williams standing 2 feet from goal all by himself-should have been easy basket. The first one is more debatable. The 2 turnovers came with SMU up 4-on prior play Minnesota's guard blew by 3 defenders for layup and foul

Manuel is a great athlete. No doubt about it. Average bball player. How do you best utilize someone like that? When someone needs a quick rest and bring him in on defense, maybe draw a foul or 2 on somebody strategically depending on game situation? But I don't think he needs more than 10 MPG next year (against lesser teams he can certainly get more to rest Nic/Eman depending on circumstances). I feel his ball handling has gotten better, though. Everything else is subpar (bball IQ, shooting).

[Stallion]

"I asked Larry Brown something about how similar Minnesota's press was to the press the other Pitino drew up at Louisville against the Mustangs. Brown was quick to say (sorry — video is still loading) the press wasn't what caused problems for the Ponies; he pointed out that SMU beat the press several times and got a couple of dunks against it. Instead, he was upset about the fact that the Ponies had a couple of three-on-two breaks that led to no points."

That's the way I saw It. I wasn't upset about the way SMU broke the press, I was upset about the way we failed to execute the advantage

[mrydel]

There are several plays that could have changed and we would have won. Nic missed 2 late 3s. We missed passes under the basket. We threw the ball away. We missed free throws when needed, AND MADE A FREE THROW when we needed to miss.

But guess what, there are just as many plays on the Minn end that could have benefited them. We lost to a team that matched up with us and made the plays they needed to win. Learn form it and do not let it happen again next year.

[JasonB]

"I asked Larry Brown something about how similar Minnesota's press was to the press the other Pitino drew up at Louisville against the Mustangs. Brown was quick to say (sorry — video is still loading) the press wasn't what caused problems for the Ponies; he pointed out that SMU beat the press several times and got a couple of dunks against it. Instead, he was upset about the fact that the Ponies had a couple of three-on-two breaks that led to no points."

That's the way I saw It. I wasn't upset about the way SMU broke the press, I was upset about the way we failed to execute the advantage

The bounce pass was right there on the second one, just didn't execute. The first was just a mess.

Ryan is no threat for a jumper. So when he leads the break, you just back off and guard the passing lanes and make him try to finish. That is what Minn did both times, sucked him in and compressed space

[Stallion]

yeah-also Manual's 2 turnovers DID NOT come when we were up 7 although it seems to be the conventional wisdom on this board. . Probably the worst defense we played all nite came when we were up 7 though. Minnesota guard in half court set blew by Nic Moore, Markus Kennedy and went to the glass for a layup and foul by Nick Russell. Nick Russell also had a key turnover near the time of Manual's turnovers but redemed himself with a 3. The 2 last minute FTs hurt badly. There was plenty of blame to go around-but I understand scapegoating Manual seems to be in vogue.

[SMU Section F]

I understand scapegoating Manual seems to be in vogue.

Why stop now? It's been that way all year.

I really don't understand why #1 is so polarizing. There's plenty to be critical of in his game, but he also brings a lot to the table that our other players are lacking. The guy made some mistakes, but he didn't lose the game (or any others) by himself.

[Stallion]

DMN pointed out we missed 5 FTs in final 4 minutes not including the one we wanted to miss

[Mustangs_Maroons]

Needed a day to cool off. Watched the game live. The reality as many if you know is we blew it. The guys relaxed after being up 7 pts. Manuel should never have been out there after they cut the lead down to four. Nic and Markus missed Key ft that Minnesota didn't. Add to that bad clock management at the end and we still really only lose by 1. We blew this game. I know it doesn't mean a lot to many but fans really wanted the nit title. Very bitter.

Oh and I never would have imagined it but the fans from Minnesota sitting on 106 were a bunch of thugs. So disrespectful to Shawn when he got sent off among many other comments.

[B1GPonyFan]

Our fans aren't exactly viewed as choir boys when teams come to Moody. That's just the way it is. No fan base is immune from it.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

There are thugs and there is bball heckling. There IS a difference.

[bubba pony]

The NIT Championship means nothing, literally.

sometimes I am amazed at some of the idiotic statements on this board. "Literally" means nothing?
we get more money, recognition, invited to the pre NIT tournament in November. It certainly meant something to LB, the players and most on this board. Also a lot of alumni got a trip to a wonder and exciting city. We would have gotten to hang a flag next to the very few we have now that would be in the rafters longer than anyone on this board will be alive.