What's Up with Brown?

[PoconoPony]

We are far exceeding everyone's preseason dreams and now someone thinks losing to memphis and louisville must be intentional or incompetent coaching. Ridiculous, but in a good way

Yes. Two years ago we could not have even dreamed of getting on the floor with these teams let alone be competitive. We are experiencing both physical and mental growing pains. Our season has been an overwhelming success even if the season ended today. The real big picture is next year and thereafter. Anything we accomplish this year is icing on the cake.

[SMULaxer]

exactly-and preferably at Moody
Just remember its pretty common for SMU to put a team on the floor of players who never played with each other before this year. Its pretty damn miraculous to me we have beaten 4 Top 25 teams. How many Top 25 teams has SMU beaten on the road on their Senior Day in your life. Move on-the future is bright as hell

Spot on.

After the gnarly wave we've ridden this season, it should be tough to criticize.

[SMULaxer]

exactly-and preferably at Moody
Just remember its pretty common for SMU to put a team on the floor of players who never played with each other before this year. Its pretty damn miraculous to me we have beaten 4 Top 25 teams. How many Top 25 teams has SMU beaten on the road on their Senior Day in your life. Move on-the future is bright as hell

Spot on.

After the gnarly wave we've ridden this season, it should be tough to criticize.

[max the wonder dog]

Let's not forget that Memphis had the #23 recruiting class in the country in 2012 and #3 last year. Shaq Goodwin was a 4 star and the #10 PF, Austin Nichol was a 5 star and the #7 PF in his class. Memphis played with 3 senior guards.

Memphis was a talented, experienced team playing at home. No one expected SMU to finish 3rd in the conference. The team overachieved, and with experience and more talent next year, it really will be exciting.

[sadderbudweiser]

Jeez…please! Even at the top in the college game there are going to be stretches that look bad or things that aren't readily explainable. We lost two games to two good teams. Happened to Syracuse last week. Happened to Arizona. Happens all the time. Lighten up Francis.

[hoopmanx]

We have personel this year, and those that followed closely had actual expectations. We've been good this year, but I wouldn't say we overachieved, nor would I say Larry is immune from criticism.

[RGV Pony]

We have personel this year, and those that followed closely had actual expectations. We've been good this year, but I wouldn't say we overachieved, nor would I say Larry is immune from criticism.

I think Larry would agree w all of that

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Coach Brown will appreciate this thread since fans criticize coaching decisions at programs like Kansas and UCLA.

[Nacho]

Anytime you lose the naysayers come out with the I told you sos. No surprise. Just have to win to shut them up.

[hoopmanx]

We have personel this year, and those that followed closely had actual expectations. We've been good this year, but I wouldn't say we overachieved, nor would I say Larry is immune from criticism.

I think Larry would agree w all of that

He's been about the best builder of culture you can imagine. That's the most important aspect of the hire. He's a teacher, universally respected and tireless. The best ambassador ever, and hired snipers for the trail. There is so much to love. What I don't love is our roster management, inability to handle the press, the fact we never press, odd player combinations etc. it's a drop in the bucket compared to the good he's done, but there are definitely some questions I'd like to see the man asked.

[GiddyUp]

We have personel this year, and those that followed closely had actual expectations. We've been good this year, but I wouldn't say we overachieved, nor would I say Larry is immune from criticism.

well said. He's been out of college and game situations forever. Hope Jank helps him out

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

One of the things that really impressed me Wednesday was Pitino up off the bench and making offensive/defensive subs up 10 under three minutes left - which is something we just don't really do.

Last year it made sense since we didn't have anybody to sub - but then today we were really smart near the end of the first half to use offensive/defensive subs with Nic Moore to keep him off defense and to keep him at one foul.

My biggest coaching criticism today is not going after Goodwin. We were by far the stronger team and made our big run after Goodwin went out in the first with his two fouls.

He didn't pick up his third until 12-something left in the second and never got a fourth.

Markus, Yanick, and Cannen (not to mention a driving Russell, Williams, and Brown) should have been going at him non-stop in the second.

[The Falcon]

When I sAw the title of this thread I thought it was a comment on Sterling.

Larry wasn't excellent but he was OK, on the other hand - Sterling Brown left his game
back in Dallas. He looked very tentative and passed up several good shots around the paint
or free throw line. Keith's defense is horrible and this has been true all year. Other players are
constantly telling him where to go (no pun) and he constantly loses his man only to find him
scoring 3 ball. This may have been Cannen's worst game and the two fouls at the beginning
of the game didn't help him. Normally consistent, Ben Moore had a subpar game for him.

Our passing was terrible, our spacing was lacking, and in general we were just not good
If we cut down on the turnovers and Memphis steals, we probably win the game-even with
our poor shooting.

Yanick, Kennedy, Nic, Shawn and Nick played fairly well but certainly not there best.

My hope is that they can right the ship and beat Houston which will give them some confidence
to beat one of the better teams. If we lose to Houston it may put us on the bubble which will
lean slightly negative. _

So - GO MUSTANGS - PLAY HARD - PLAY SMART - and PLAY the RIGHT WAY

[AusTxPony]

My cousin who is a long time Kentucky bball fan explains Kentucky's team is young and they tend to panic in the face of adversity, hence their 'down year' record. That may be our problem. However, in September, how many thought we'd make the NCAA Tournament THIS YEAR.

[Oliver]

We have personel this year, and those that followed closely had actual expectations. We've been good this year, but I wouldn't say we overachieved, nor would I say Larry is immune from criticism.

I still think that's a bit of an overestimation of the talent, I hope I'm wrong but I don't see one guy on the current roster who I expect to contribute at the next level. I think RM technically has the athleticism, and that Ben Moore is a possibility with more polish and strength. If Sterling can go through a late bloom and develop Shannon's body and athleticism or if Markus can attain an elite fitness level, then those would might have a chance as well. Just my opinion though. I think it's a testament still to Larry's job this year, but that doesn't mean he is without fault either.