FireMattDoherty.com

[PonyDoh]

I will stand corrected in one thing I said, Doherty has not lost the team. After the win last night its obvious to see these kids are playing hard and I'm proud of them for continuing to fight. I thought the wheels would fall off after the UAB game.
So call me crazy, but if the goal is to be "top 25 in everything we do" I just can't see Doherty leading us there. He took 4 years to find the system that has propelled us to .500 ball at this point, so I'm not optimistic. For us to be top 25, Doherty has to do 3 things that haven't been accomplished yet during his tenure: win, recruit (specifically Dallas), and fill the stands/create excitement about the program. He has failed to have a winning season thus far, he has failed to recruit our fertile backyard, and Moody is beyond depressing. The only positive buzz that has been created in my opinion has been the Crum Center and I will give him major props for that ... but very little on the basketball court has created excitement on the Hilltop or in Dallas in general. "Traction" is nice, but results in the 3 above categories are even better and in 4 years I just haven't witnessed anything to make me believe Doh can make us a top 25 program.
June Jones showed that he could get in done in a year and a half in football...Jones has won, done a great job on the recruiting trail, and provided excitement in Ford and with the bowl win. So it CAN be done and it should be much easier to turn the corner in basketball...yet we are no better off now then we were with Dement or Tubbs unfortunately.

He's recruiting just fine. The wins are starting to come w/systems clearly in place. The '10 class is every bit as good as the football class, especially after adding a point this Spring, so spare me the football comparison. The '11 class will feature some Texans it looks like, maybe even a local or two. People don't quite gasp how much better this staff is, now that Lutz has capable foot soldiers. Brown is doing a good job in Texas, and Geary has a nice eye for the West. Lutz is everywhere, all the time.

Only way Moody gets filled is w/a bulked up schedule and wins. The only way that becomes a reality is recruiting, and this staff has some traction on the trail going forward. Our conference schedule doesn't inspire front running locals, or a disinterested student body, so we need more OOC quality. Higher RPI. Also, we need to win some of those games, and a local recruiting battle or two. We all get it. Either he'll get it done or he won't, but judging off of what we've seen this year, we look to be turning a corner. We can compete w/a bulked up schedule now, certainly better then we could. It's also easy to see why the '10 class fits the system perfectly.

This isn't the first hoops staff or the last, that has a pronounced learning curve at SMU. This isn't an easy position in a very political sport. Question is do you pull the plug early on another contract, just when it's looking up, or do you make a move? If you make a move, who will unquestionably deliver right away? Right now, I don't see too many candidates w/o huge baggage, that have head coaching experience, that aren't AARP members.

[MustangIcon]

Keep in mind it took Scott Drew 5 seasons to break through and he definitely had a major breakthrough season. We were really close in many of our losses including TCU, UAB, Charleston, at Southern Miss, at Texas State, South Florida, at UTEP, at Houston. The way we are playing now, I would think we easily beat TCU, Charleston, Texas State, UAB, and squeeze out 1 or 2 others. That would have us on track for a 20+ win season and post-season play. Not making excuses as all those games were losses, just saying that we are making progress and it is reasonable to expect 20+ wins next season.

2003–2004 Baylor 8-21 3-13 11th —
2004–2005 Baylor 9-19 1-15 12th —
2005–2006 Baylor 4-13 4-12 12th —
2006–2007 Baylor 15-16 4-12 11th —
2007–2008 Baylor 21-11 9-7 T–4th NCAA First Round
2008–2009 Baylor 24-15 5-11 9th NIT Runner-up
2009–2010 Baylor 21-6 8-5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Drew

This is certainly an optomistic perspective. I am not as bullish about our prospects as you are but I do want to point out that 9 of our 14 losses have come against teams with RPIs in the top 75 in college basketball. We also managed to beat both UH and Memhpis who we were a combined 0-15 against in our CUSA history prior to entering this season. Aditionally, 1 more win and we will DOUBLE our highest CUSA win total ever.

[mustangxc]

Keep in mind it took Scott Drew 5 seasons to break through and he definitely had a major breakthrough season. We were really close in many of our losses including TCU, UAB, Charleston, at Southern Miss, at Texas State, South Florida, at UTEP, at Houston. The way we are playing now, I would think we easily beat TCU, Charleston, Texas State, UAB, and squeeze out 1 or 2 others. That would have us on track for a 20+ win season and post-season play. Not making excuses as all those games were losses, just saying that we are making progress and it is reasonable to expect 20+ wins next season.

2003–2004 Baylor 8-21 3-13 11th —
2004–2005 Baylor 9-19 1-15 12th —
2005–2006 Baylor 4-13 4-12 12th —
2006–2007 Baylor 15-16 4-12 11th —
2007–2008 Baylor 21-11 9-7 T–4th NCAA First Round
2008–2009 Baylor 24-15 5-11 9th NIT Runner-up
2009–2010 Baylor 21-6 8-5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Drew

This is certainly an optomistic perspective. I am not as bullish about our prospects as you are but I do want to point out that 9 of our 14 losses have come against teams with RPIs in the top 75 in college basketball. We also managed to beat both UH and Memhpis who we were a combined 0-15 against in our CUSA history prior to entering this season. Aditionally, 1 more win and we will DOUBLE our highest CUSA win total ever.

I don't necessarily see us making the NCAA tournament, as I think that we are in a tougher league than Baylor in terms of making the NCAA tournament (ie 1 bid league vs 6-8 bids in the Big XII so they really get the benefit of the doubt as opposed to UAB which has an awesome rpi and is currently last 4 in). I do think we can win 20+ and at least make a post-season tournament which would be success at SMU given that our last NIT bid was 1999/00. Most fans on this board are fairly unrealistic about this program as we have never been a hoops powerhouse. One isolated final four appearance and scattered success in the mid 80's does not make a program. My hope is to see us make the NCAA tournament in 2011/12 and keep going. If Doherty or whoever is at the helm accomplishes that we would need to place a statue of him in front of Moody.

[moodymadmen]

"He's recruiting just fine." PonyDoh, I appreciate your optimism, but I just don't get how you can claim this about your namesake. You admitted that he didn't recruit well enough to foster his initial system, it set the program back, so he had to change course. You admitted his 7 man recruiting class his first year was a mistake. And he obviously hasn't recruited well enough to produce a winning record the past three years...in fact his best year until now was with someone elses recruits. All it takes is a quick glimpse down the roster to realize he has a grand total of 0, I repeat 0, kids from Dallas. I realize this has been a problem in the past as well...but that just highlights the fact that our big-time, big-name, expensive coach hasn't made any progress during his tenure. To sit in one of the nation's basketball hotbeds and have 0 players from Dallas is inexcusable. In fact, he has only one 1 PLAYER FROM TEXAS IN HIS ROTATION, in Robert. Perhaps that is even more depressing then 0 kids from Dallas, I haven't wrapped my head around it yet. We have more players from Senegal in our rotation then players from Texas...which is fine I guess, but I worry even that pipeline is about to run dry now that the Mavs scout that was spoon-feeding Doherty players from his academy to SMU has left the Mavs and Dallas. I would think that if the "system is fine" and "recruiting is fine" we would have produced a winning record by now and have more kids from Texas, and especially Dallas.

[SMUFan]

To sit in one of the nation's basketball hotbeds and have 0 players from Dallas is inexcusable. In fact, he has only one 1 PLAYER FROM TEXAS IN HIS ROTATION, in Robert. Perhaps that is even more depressing then 0 kids from Dallas, I haven't wrapped my head around it yet. We have more players from Senegal in our rotation then players from Texas...which is fine I guess, but I worry even that pipeline is about to run dry now that the Mavs scout that was spoon-feeding Doherty players from his academy to SMU has left the Mavs and Dallas. I would think that if the "system is fine" and "recruiting is fine" we would have produced a winning record by now and have more kids from Texas, and especially Dallas.

Senegal players — in the form of Bamba Fall — started coming to SMU before Coach Doherty was hired.

And the "recruit Dallas" theme is as tiresome as it is overrated. The years of Jeryl Sasser, Willie Davis, Chad Elsey, Quinton Ross and Bryan Hopkins were supposed to bring Dallas fans out — didn't happen. Local kids might bring a stray friend or family member out to Moody, but what's going to fill the place is wins, not local kids. Sign a roster full of kids from Alaska and New Zealand, if you have to, and if they win consistently, the fans will magically appear.

[CalallenStang]

MoodyMadmen,

You do realize that Doh landed a JuCo from Collin County Community College, don't you? Perhaps you don't think that Plano should count as Dallas.

[CalallenStang]

Oh, and one more thing, MoodyMadmen, we're in on several Texas recruits (on their short lists) for 2011. Did you know that?

[papawasamustang]

"He's recruiting just fine." PonyDoh, I appreciate your optimism, but I just don't get how you can claim this about your namesake. You admitted that he didn't recruit well enough to foster his initial system, it set the program back, so he had to change course. You admitted his 7 man recruiting class his first year was a mistake. And he obviously hasn't recruited well enough to produce a winning record the past three years...in fact his best year until now was with someone elses recruits. All it takes is a quick glimpse down the roster to realize he has a grand total of 0, I repeat 0, kids from Dallas. I realize this has been a problem in the past as well...but that just highlights the fact that our big-time, big-name, expensive coach hasn't made any progress during his tenure. To sit in one of the nation's basketball hotbeds and have 0 players from Dallas is inexcusable. In fact, he has only one 1 PLAYER FROM TEXAS IN HIS ROTATION, in Robert. Perhaps that is even more depressing then 0 kids from Dallas, I haven't wrapped my head around it yet. We have more players from Senegal in our rotation then players from Texas...which is fine I guess, but I worry even that pipeline is about to run dry now that the Mavs scout that was spoon-feeding Doherty players from his academy to SMU has left the Mavs and Dallas. I would think that if the "system is fine" and "recruiting is fine" we would have produced a winning record by now and have more kids from Texas, and especially Dallas.

I understand your frustration. I've been very critical of Doh over the last 2 years. However, the team is 8-4 in their last 12 games & seem to be putting some things together. Yes, I'm disappointed that there aren't any local's on the team. At the end of the game & the W is posted, who really cares where they are from.
I follow recruiting very close. The staff is doing a better job of recruiting DFW & the state of Texas. There seems to be a legit shot to land some quality locals. Knocking off Tulsa & Marshall would obviously have a huge positive impact on recruiting.
Re: the 2010 class, I really like Leslee Smith. If they can land a quality PG than I'll feel much better.
Losing 30 pts per game from a combined DWill & Faye is my main area of concern re: next season.

[moodymadmen]

We are on several Texas recruits short lists for 2011? Wow, I'm jumping for joy that we MIGHT get them. Because year 6 is the perfect time to have more then 1 guy from Texas in your rotation. And we got a JUCO from Plano?!? Awesome. Because if these past 4 years have taught me anything, its to have blind faith in a Doherty recruiting class...our 10, 9, and now 14 win seasons have been built on the foundation of his stellar recruiting. And "the years of Jeryl Sasser, Willie Davis, Chad Elsey, Quinton Ross and Bryan Hopkins" were actually the last years we actually WON...and played in the NIT. Connect the dots my friends. Look, I hoped Doh was the man to take us to the next level, but it hasn't happened. When he was hired I was truly excited about our committment to hoops and I dreamed of the days when Moody would be packed and we had a top 25 program to be proud of. But the Dement years with Sasser, Davis, etc. and the NIT bid is STILL our high point of the past decade, which is an embarassment. Doh has had 4 years with 0 winning seasons and even fewer Dallas recruits...his track record here is that he can't win and can't recruit. Perhaps we can win these last 2 games, finish above .500 and go into the CUSA tourney on a roll...but Doh's 4 year tenure hasnt given me much reason for optimism.

[papawasamustang]

If you look back 1 year ago I was posting the same things you are. Its taking much longer for Doh to W than I thought it would.
Lets see how the rest of the season plays out. If SMU wins the last 2 & goes 9-7 in conference, than this is a non-issue. Same if they go 8-8 However, if they go 0-2 & lose their tournament game we need to revisit this topic. At this point, it looks like the "Doh Show" will be back regardless to how many want a fresh approach.

[CalallenStang]

We are on several Texas recruits short lists for 2011? Wow, I'm jumping for joy that we MIGHT get them. Because year 6 is the perfect time to have more then 1 guy from Texas in your rotation. And we got a JUCO from Plano?!? Awesome. Because if these past 4 years have taught me anything, its to have blind faith in a Doherty recruiting class...our 10, 9, and now 14 win seasons have been built on the foundation of his stellar recruiting. And "the years of Jeryl Sasser, Willie Davis, Chad Elsey, Quinton Ross and Bryan Hopkins" were actually the last years we actually WON...and played in the NIT. Connect the dots my friends. Look, I hoped Doh was the man to take us to the next level, but it hasn't happened. When he was hired I was truly excited about our committment to hoops and I dreamed of the days when Moody would be packed and we had a top 25 program to be proud of. But the Dement years with Sasser, Davis, etc. and the NIT bid is STILL our high point of the past decade, which is an embarassment. Doh has had 4 years with 0 winning seasons and even fewer Dallas recruits...his track record here is that he can't win and can't recruit. Perhaps we can win these last 2 games, finish above .500 and go into the CUSA tourney on a roll...but Doh's 4 year tenure hasnt given me much reason for optimism.

To sum it up - MoodyMadmen's argument is "Doh has sucked in the past, screw the present and future."

Those who want to keep Doh say "Yes, Doh has sucked in the past, but the new staff and new system are paying off dividends...let's see what the future holds."

[Hoop Fan]

keep Doh if you want, I can't say that I care much either way right now. But it is sort of funny how excited people are about beating a weak Houston team at home. Yes, its mighty Houston Coogs, but they are 6-8 in this weak sauce league! Hardly a quality win just because they WERE good in past years. The fact that our team has played hard and not given up is admirable, but this revised goal of a .500 record is nothing to be satisfied with in any way shape or form. Hell, Dement went 17-13, 11-7 in his next to last season. Yes, he lost the team in the second half of his final season but his entire body of work was superior to Dohs, its not even funny. Well maybe it is funny. Heck, in his first of only two seasons, Tubbs posted a .500 record of 14-14, 9-9 and he got absolutely scorched on this board. There are always "circumstances" and ups and downs in a season to point to. The current run to end the season is ok, but what does next year hold? whats the goal for next year (year 5 for Doh)? .500 at best it looks to me. Then Papa graduates and you have some newcomer playing post in what some of you are hypothesizing should be the year we make an NCAA run? Yeah, right. The truth is all you have right now with Doh is a hope and prayer and a complete do-over on the horizon. No young core on the floor or even on the roster yet that you can really envision being good as a team anytime soon. And since when does being "in on" future local players count for much around here?

[papawasamustang]

HF, I agree with u. Being in on a recruit doesn't mean squat.
It's time to start getting some 2011 verbals from Groselle, Gotcher,
Holmes types. In addition, getting the right fit @ PG for next season
is critical. It's all gonna play out one way or another very soon for
Doh.

[Hoop Fan]

heres my version of the sum up: Next year is mostly a rebuilding year with 3 freshmen who are going to need and command alot of minutes. Papa has what amounts to a meaningless stat stuffer senior season and graduates. But, *if* we can sign a good point guard and a good center sometime soon (the two most important positions on the floor in our new found half court system), we will finally have a young core of guys who fit the system in 2011. But we'll surely still be too young to be truly expected to be any good in 2011-2012, so count on 2012-13 or 2013-14 as our years. Thats the Doh plan, 8 years. Makes his ridiculous 6 year target (no one gets 6 years to turn around anything) look like a dream.

[PonyDoh]

heres my version of the sum up: Next year is mostly a rebuilding year with 3 freshmen who are going to need and command alot of minutes. Papa has what amounts to a meaningless stat stuffer senior season and graduates. But, *if* we can sign a good point guard and a good center sometime soon (the two most important positions on the floor in our new found half court system), we will finally have a young core of guys who fit the system in 2011. But we'll surely still be too young to be truly expected to be any good in 2011-2012, so count on 2012-13 or 2013-14 as our years. Thats the Doh plan, 8 years. Makes his ridiculous 6 year target (no one gets 6 years to turn around anything) look like a dream.

That outlook has no vision. Next year is far from rebuilding, it's a pretty talented team that should expect to win. We add a tremendous amount of skill and size, and we will have a quality PG sometime this Spring. We're in on a bunch of them. We return 7 of our top 9 players, if not 8 of 10, and add quality depth on the frontline, and a sniper combo/SG.