SMU RPI's Since 2000

[OldPony]

Things may not be as bad as I think. I agree with CP that Rack might have helped quite a bit this year. Yes- Stallion, it would help to get JUCO's but this year was the one where we had a mature team. JUCO's are not the magic bullet. It woulds be difficult to attract top JUCOs for the same reason it is for top HSers. NO FAN SUPPORT.
We obviously need help next year underneath and it is unlikely that Falls will make a very large contribution. That is a huge load to expect Rack to carry and I doubt he can do it. I also doubt that we can or will attract a JUCO who would make a great deal of difference. We will have an exellent backcourt with Bhop and Dez and Killen and Roberts should be better. I see the team being a little less able to withtand a power team that this year's though albeit they should run better
The best thing that can be said of this year's team is that they didn't quit this year and they still believe. You can attribute that to Tubbs because these guys showed their character last year. The WAC tourney will be interesting with most of the guys getting well toward the end of the season.

[OldPony]

I left out Pearson when talking about guys who should really contribute next year. OP's bad. He will be critical to our success next year.

[Pony_Fan]

OP, don't worry about Pearson. He's going to be fine and a RB machine.

RA,
I was excited about the Purdue win last year but it's funny how everyone thinks that win was so great. Purdue lost in the 1st round of the NIT last year and are 7-18 and 3-11 in conference this season. Katy's days are numbered. SMU also lost to Boise State by 39 pts, Rice by 40pts , and OK State by 35. Was the potential there? Maybe for a few more wins but let's get serious....there are reason for blowouts like that aside from Dement. The team had glaring problems in scoring ever since Ross left. I think Tubbs has added a defensive presence and more steals (haven't checked stats). I just don't think Dement could communciate very well for whatever reason. He lost his players. Players didn't improve that much.

What were your real expectations? NCAA's? As HF pointed out, we were picked 6th by WAC coaches - I guess that doesn't mean anything. What does much better mean OP?? This team was 12-18 last year ....and lost 6 out of its last 8. "No reason" - meant we definitely let some slip away that should not have been lost.

The 2000 team was a better team. Give me them over this bunch....Sasser, Kelly, Davis, Hancock, Ross, Woods. Missing a Ely type person and that team would have made it.

I am afraid the RPI will jump back up again. Our very bright spots are Hopkins, Roberts, and Pearson. Other than that, we have projects in Fall, Dez, and the TC kid. Castro has been the MVP this year. We desperately need a fill gap JC person as some have mentioned.

My problems have been with Isham and his lack of improvement and Simpson being a softie with his size.

[Stallion]

Dez Willingham is not likely to be a project-he could be the star or at least the playmaker of the team if Hopkins leaves. He is a National Top 50 or so and has quality experience in the Big 12. Dez also was the MVP of the Class 5A Tournament in High School so he's got the resume. I expect him to be a star next year. Again, we have a very solid group at PG, SG and Small Forward-just a shame to waste it by not going out this year and getting IMMEDIATE help in the JUCO ranks. That is what just about every program in the country would do in this situation.

[rich_alum]

I didn't think we were going to the tourney, but I thought we might smell it....get an NIT bid......make the conf tourney finals?

I really thought that the nucleus of Hopkins, Simpson, and Castro would make us a strong team. I had also thought that coaching was a key part of the problem. I never questioned some of the talent Dement brought in...I thought he brought in some solid players but couldn't bring them together as a team.....rid of the sloppy play, and play better defense. Its valid to say some of the lack of depth has hurt us....not having Rack, Miller, etc...but I still think we underachieved the first part of the year.

Its starting to look like things are coming around......if any of you have noticed, Hopkins has significantly reduced the number of TO's these last several games which has helped tremendously. Perhaps Tubbs has played a big part in this. I think this team is starting to play to their capability, although they have yet to beat anyone of significance so the jury is still out to some degree.

Maybe I have underestimated the time it takes a first year coach to get guys into a groove, but I don't stray from the fact that I think the talent was there this year to be a top 1-3 WAC team. It will be interesting to see how these guys close out the year.

[rich_alum]

Wouldn't argue that Purdue is not the team we perceive them to be (Robinson, Cardinal, whoever else they have had back in the day).....but when is the last time we beat a major conf team on the road? Again, we also beat Nevada and Tech.

That Boise St. loss at home last year is still one of the most bizarre losses ever. Not sure how we lost to that team at home by that many. George Karl appeared to enjoy it though.

[Pony_Fan]

I was nervous watching the Texas State game and a team that looked in shambles with terrible shots and turnovers but things are coming together. Injuries have not been exaggerated.

You are optimistic to think this team should have competed for #1-3 in the conference after being 12-18 last year. We are 6th now, where predicted. SMU bball teams haven't overacheived in a long time.

Tubbs said the team played great from start to finish last night but there is still lots of room for improvement. It was great to see smiles all around last night.

Let's hope for a competitive game at the Don Haskins Center but they just beat La Tech by 20pts.

Last game:UTEP outscored SMU 8-0 over the final 2:56, as the Miners rallied from a three-point deficit to edge the Mustangs, 60-55, on Jan. 27 in Dallas.