Evaluate SMU's early coaching

[Cheesesteak]

The Mustangs are 2-0 in the Coach Tubbs era.

Please post your general impressions about the coaching (player substitutions, team discipline, etc.) so far.

[PK]

Did not see or hear the game, but knowing the type of defense we have practiced (man to man) and the amount of energy that takes, I can't help but think that our guys had to be gasping for air at that altitude. They were not there long enough to adjust to the thin air. Having spent some short periods at altitude I can attest to the fact you run out of gettyup and go pretty quickly. If you are gasping for air, you can bet your shooting is going to suffer too. Not an excuse, just an observation.

[PonyFan]

The opener was a little sloppy, and I agree with PK here, that the fellas must have been gassed in Montana. I know the guys have some bugs to work out, but they are exactly two games into the Tubbs era. From what I saw in the opener, he has the guys running the floor, attacking the rim, and defending more than we've seen around here in ages. It'll take a miracle to upset OSU, but I think this team is going to be good, and this fanbase is going to love Coach Tubbs.

One other note: if some early 3s go down, we would have killed UTT in the opener. One of those nights where it seemed like there was a lid on the hoop, and tonight was at a zillion feet of altitude. Team gets a pass against OSU, but I think we'll all be encouraged after that.

[Mustangs35SMU]

Must agree on the air debate.

I loved how the young guys stood up and lead us to victory last night when Simpson and Hopkin's fouled out. Im not saying we'll beat Oklahoma State but if we play to our foul advantage and get some little lucky we just might, just thank God we're playing them at Moody.

[Pony_Fan]

I still don't like the fact that we have barely beat 2 crappy opponents. Apparently the team ran "more than they ever have in their lives" this offseason. I am sure the altitude was a problem and the coach needs to adjust if he sees the guys grasping for air.

I am very worried about the OSU game. Hopkins stunk.

[ponyboy]

Anything to the theory that since Simpson's from altitude he was our best player last night?

[SMULLET]

I listened to the majority of the game last night. I think Tubbs seemed to be doing a pretty good job making a lot of substitutions to avoid getting too drained due to the altitude. I don't think I've heard of Hopkins playing worse that he did last night. I think he was 0-5 from 3pt range at one point in the first half. At least 2 of those were air balls.

The first half ended with both teams shooting 0% from behind the arc. The halftime score looked similar to a middle school girls game.

The freshman point Killen deserves almost all of the credit for this win. Sure, Castro and Simpson did most of the scoring but he really did a nice job late in the 2nd half and in overtime to steal this one away from MS.

I think Pearson may be the best player on the team.

Also, this was the most exciting game ever to put money on the Ponies (-5).

[PonySnob]

The Tubbs era has started off better than the Bennett era did!

[PK]

Yep...Bennett didn't have the luxury of playing UT-Tyler and Montana State for his first two games.

[The PonyGrad]

Right, and Tubbs did not have his point guards (QBs) disappear on him (so far.)

[jtstang]

Yep...Bennett didn't have the luxury of playing UT-Tyler and Montana State for his first two games.

Yep...but Bennett lost his first two by 62-21, and one of them was Navy. I'm much more optimistic about Tubbs than I'll ever be about any SMU football coach.

[PK]

Any SMU football couch???? you don't leave yourself much wiggle room. Looking forward to the day you get to eat some crow.

[EastStang]

Ron Meyer, Bobby Collins, Ray Morrison, Matty Bell, Hayden Fry all had pretty good runs at SMU. Tubbs will do fine, but come on, better than any SMU football coach. Tubbs started out with a team loaded with very good juniors and seniors. The same players that beat Texas Tech, Nevada, and Purdue last year and played tough against Wake. Bennett started out with a team that was 3-8 the year before and no QB with any game experience.

[jtstang]

Ron Meyer, Bobby Collins, Ray Morrison, Matty Bell, Hayden Fry all had pretty good runs at SMU.

Actually, if you re-read my statement, you'll notice the future tense. But now that you bring it up, Collins and Meyers didn't do me or SMU any favors--anybody remember the death penalty?