Now that I've recovered somewhat from that donkey punch. . .

by **1983 Cotton Bowl** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:39 am

I'm going to use this opportunity to write a few thoughts about the game, the team, and the future. This is an important step for me in the recovery process, so please be supportive.

1. The game. Wow, just wow. No words. Tough, tough way to lose. But what is done is done. In the annuals of SMU sports, this one was very tough. . .but Mustang Nation seen worse (see 1980 Holiday Bowl, 1983 Sun Bowl, the DP, Larry Johnson's defection, 0-12 football seasons, etc. I could go on and on).

2. The team. Minus yesterday, this was a great season! It had its highs and lows, but overall the Ponies were a really fun team to watch. I love the fact that we won the conference and the conference tourney. And I love the fact that Cannen and Manuel got to experience going from just about the lowest point all the way to the NCAA tourney during their time year. Memories for them that will last a lifetime. And I think this season built upon last year. I like the progression, NIT, then NCAA, and next year lets go back and win a couple in the tourney. If we make it back, we'll have some guys who have experienced the Dance before. . .so I like the trajectory.

And big kudos to the seniors. Tough way for Yanick to go out. . .but we're not even in the tournament without him. Loved watching him develop this year. I also loved watching Cannen and Manual contribute this season. And Jean-Michael, who coached my son at basketball camp, has always been a favorite in our family.

3. The future. I'm nervous about the NCAA investigation, but it is what it is. Hopefully it doesn't result in anything too serious.

As for the new guys coming in next year (both frosh and transfer), I'm pretty excited. If I'm being honest, I'd say next season could be up and down with the new guys either adjusting the college game or adjusting to playing for SMU. But I think a big part of it will be whether Markus and/or Keith return. I'm assuming Nic will be back. If all three of those guys come back and are eligible, then I think we have a chance to be pretty good from the outset. If not, then I suspect we will struggle through non-conference a bit, but hopefully start putting it together during the conference slate and make a run at the post-season.

Finally, I really hope for better things from the rest of the AAC next year. Despite being one and done in the tourney, I think overall SMU carried its weight for the conference this year. The only non-conference loss that I really hated was IU. And kudos to Cincy, Temple, and (to a lesser extent) Tulsa, as well. But we really need to see more out of UConn and Memphis next season, in addition to SMU, Cincy, Temple, and Tulsa hopefully keeping things going. And I'd like to see UH step up and start living up to their potential (as a program) a little more.

by **Junior** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:24 am

please tell me how you recovered so quickly! nothing I'm doing seems to be working!

was it more cowbell? i'll try more cowbell. i'll try anything!

by **Junior** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:28 am

good, positive thoughts. much more clearly written than i could right now.

assuming Nic and Markus and Keith are all back next year, I think we are still a strong squad, especially after adding some more 3-ball shooters.

We're still losing a lot of height in the middle with Cannen and YM graduating. Would be great to find a way to replace at least one of those. maybe Tolbert?

i'm worried about the NCAA investigation, if for no other reason that they are such an inconsistent organization in evaluating and punishing schools. maybe they give us time served after their refs [deleted] us yesterday.

would have been great to have some more AAC conf representation, but I'll be cheering for Cincy now.

by **1983 Cotton Bowl** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:58 am

Junior wrote:please tell me how you recovered so quickly! nothing I'm doing seems to be working!

was it more cowbell? i'll try more cowbell. i'll try anything!

Haha. It took me a good night's sleep to start moving on. I was pretty shocked yesterday. I've found for me personally that it's best to put a little space between a bad SMU loss and when I start posting on PF! Takes some of the crazy out of the equation.

Bottom line, when you step back and look at the big picture this was the best SMU season in forever. Only two teams in the country can go out a winner (I only count the NCAA and NIT tourneys). Everyone else has to end on an L. That's just life.

by **Junior** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:08 am

i started to rationalize it the same way. i figured we'd lose next Thursday or Saturday, so I think things will be better by then.

by **freqz** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:10 am

Junior wrote:please tell me how you recovered so quickly! nothing I'm doing seems to be working!

was it more cowbell? i'll try more cowbell. i'll try anything!

I went to the gym and threw around some heavy weight for awhile. PRd my clean by 10 pounds.

by **TidePony** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:42 am

When I got to work, both a TCU and Auburn alum greeted me with coffee and condemned the the questionable ref. Everyone has been supportive and believes we got hoed. Plus, its nice to be on the good side of a bad situation. And, everyone in the country knows SMU now, that's for sure. Thank you Larry Brown!

by **mrydel** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:00 pm

Living in Arkansas and working for a bank who has the motto "Only in Arkansas" I was surprised that in our officers meeting today all the talk was about SMU rather than the Arkansas close win. A very supportive and sympathetic group.Although one office did throw a shoe across the room. (You would have had to watch the game to understand that.)

by **MoodyMagic** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:20 pm

TidePony wrote:When I got to work, both a TCU and Auburn alum greeted me with coffee and condemned the the questionable ref. Everyone has been supportive and believes we got hoed. Plus, its nice to be on the good side of a bad situation. And, everyone in the country knows SMU now, that's for sure. Thank you Larry Brown!

my coworkers bought my lunch today and have been nothing but positive. Were making more SMU fans with every national screwjob!

by **indianmustang** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 3:31 pm

yes we got better publicity due to the loss,all headlines i have seen so far controversial ending to smu season.it was topic on twitter,ESPN headline and yahoo. so 2 years in row we get good publicity.
Hopefully next year is better and UAB kick ucla.

by **ojaipony** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:54 pm

Thanks for sharing.

I agree with all of that.

by **gostangs** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:58 pm

I know they mean well, but I get very quickly tired of pity. We have had about 30 years worth. I appreciate them being nice, but I'd rather get scorn for wins then pity for demonstrating new and creative ways of getting screwed over.

by **PonyKris89** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:11 pm

Yeah, screw the pity party, I mean, it is nice and I appreciate it, but...

I will take a National Championship next season, even if it means LB is caught on cell phone
video pushing old ladies off the curb.

by **ojaipony** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:16 pm

freqz wrote:
Junior wrote:please tell me how you recovered so quickly! nothing I'm doing seems to be working!

was it more cowbell? i'll try more cowbell. i'll try anything!

I went to the gym and threw around some heavy weight for awhile. PRd my clean by 10 pounds.

Ha ha. Me too. Had one of the best workouts all year today.

by **ponyboy** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:36 pm

Me too. Was killing it at the gym.