candid thoughts

[Hoop Fan]

sad ending to a mediocre season. This group just didn't have what it takes. Although, I don't see how seniors can go out and lay an egg like that in the last basketball game they will likely ever play. I'm just guessing, but it tells me they were ready for it to be over and are ready to get on to other things in life. These are GREAT kids and probably very well rounded, they represented SMU well. For everybody worried about next year, sometimes its time for some new blood in a program. I thank the seniors for their efforts, but if they were here for 10 more years we'd see the same thing for 10 more. The chemistry was fine, but the mix of talent and strengths did not add up. Pearson was missed alot this past week. He'll be back strong and I think Tubbs will get at least one immediate contributor in here for next year in the spring signing period. I don't know if it will be a juco or a high schooler, but I'm sure he knows what we need. If nothing else, I think the lineup of Willingham, Hopkins, Roberts, Pearson and Rack/Fall can be more dynamic and dangerous than this years team. Nothing against anyone individually, but I've been looking forward to a new mix since the ups and downs (Appalacian State) of last year.

[SoCal_Pony]

You want candid thoughts? How about these…

Here are our 14 wins this year with our opponents RPI rankings in parenthesis:

Hawaii (140), LA Tech (155), Fresno State (166), Montana State (257), 2 wins against Boise State (259), 2 wins against Tulsa (261), Texas State (269), Baylor (273), 2 wins against SJS (293), Ark Pine Bluff (314) and UT Tyler non-division 1 (no ranking).

Next year we lose our top two rebounders and a third player, who, while rather unremarkable, did start 24 games this season while averaging almost 30 minutes per game.

So we can argue all we want about whether or not we will be better next season. Personally I don’t see how we can get THAT much better.

[Stallion]

Wow! I think that pretty much says it all. Very Insightful about where this program really is at the present time.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

My Candid thoughts are this is life under the Copeland regime.

[Pony_Fan]

You want candid thoughts? How about these…

Here are our 14 wins this year with our opponents RPI rankings in parenthesis:

Hawaii (140), LA Tech (155), Fresno State (166), Montana State (257), 2 wins against Boise State (259), 2 wins against Tulsa (261), Texas State (269), Baylor (273), 2 wins against SJS (293), Ark Pine Bluff (314) and UT Tyler non-division 1 (no ranking).

Next year we lose our top two rebounders and a third player, who, while rather unremarkable, did start 24 games this season while averaging almost 30 minutes per game.

So we can argue all we want about whether or not we will be better next season. Personally I don’t see how we can get THAT much better.

Thanks SoCal Pony,

This sums it up. This program stinks in reality. There is some major work to do to get it back to NCAA status. Enjoy the Pac-10 tourney. (a real conference)...

[Dooby]

Look, I concede I don't follow the basketball team that closely, but there just is no excuse for losing to Rice more than once every 5 years or so, much less 3 times in one year. We should be able to out recruit them 365 days a year. Whatever has caused this must be rectified.

[Pony_Fan]

Look, I concede I don't follow the basketball team that closely, but there just is no excuse for losing to Rice more than once every 5 years or so, much less 3 times in one year. We should be able to out recruit them 365 days a year. Whatever has caused this must be rectified.

You are correct, but Rice is a good team. Michael Harris is a player. We have been outrecruited by Rice pretty much and we have a lot of weaknesses.

[2112]

Life as an SMU fan is full of frustration, and heartbreak. Once again, both of our teams are ONE and DONE, with each being blown out!!! That so called performance yesterday, was a disgrace to the program! Tubbs should have made those gutless players walk back. They showed NO fight or backbone whatsoever. We made Rice look like Duke, physically whipping us up and down the court. PATHETIC! TIMED! and WEAK!!!

[Hoop Fan]

funny, you think you are setting me straight by proving this wasnt a good team? No crap. Go ahead and use RPI, but I've been citing the specific things wrong with this squad for months, make that years. At least two. Those things werent going to change until we turn over the roster and get some new/young players in the mix. Even if next year is another 14-14 season, it needs to be the start of a building process for the following year. Sorry if you guys are so frustrated you dont want to hear that, but the past has very little to do with the future other than how it shapes recruiting. The fact is this years veteran team did not have what it takes and because it was dominated by seniors was not building towards anything either. Not a good combo. Give this team a Michael Harris and things would have been different, as it was this squad completely lacked physical and competitive toughness, not to mention team shooting.

Next year looks suspect, but with one good signing in the spring it could easily be an equal or better team than this year, but more importantly one that is at least building toward something again.

[Pony_Fan]

Well, the time is now for the foundation. We are losing time, fans, etc.
Tubbs has a lot of work to do before this team gets to sit and watch Selection Sunday. I hope it happens someday in my lifetime. I can speak for everyone here. I am SICK of losing.

[Hoop Fan]

Well, the time is now for the foundation. We are losing time, fans, etc.
Tubbs has a lot of work to do before this team gets to sit and watch Selection Sunday. I hope it happens someday in my lifetime.

yep, lots of work to do. But the reality is no different now than it was when Tubbs took over last April. This years veteran team was what it was and most people knew it going in, which is why the coaches and media picked this team 6th in the WAC. People on this board think Castro is our MVP, but even though he had a relatively good season offensively, it tells you something that he didnt get any All-WAC notice. We couldnt match up with horses of this league like Fazekas, Omar Thomas, Al Sayad, Milsap and Michael Harris. Call it the little old WAC, but even as a mid major league it was too big and physical for us.

I dont know if Bamba Fall is the answer, but at least when people catch the ball in front of him in the post he will alter their shot. We let Harris catch the ball in the post wherever he wanted and then turn and jump over us for easy buckets. That has to change one way or another. Dez Willingham is a better pickup than most people seem to realize, much better. And Matt Williams is an unknown because he played private school ball, but at least we know hes a shooter, something needed very badly around here. I call Tubbs first class a step in the right direction of a foundation. The second class is very important, as is getting a guy in the spring who can play.

[Pony_Fan]

I guess we'll see. Realistically, the way SMU works...we don't have recruiting strengths like a Gillespie who can turn things around in 1 year. I think it will take 3-4 years unfortunately. Obviously takes more than 1 player. We need some stud DISD players who everybody said Tubbs could easily get.

[Hoop Fan]

yeah, if we want to win in basketball something has to happen facilities wise pronto. In my view Tubbs gives us the best chance to recruit with what we have, but he needs some help. I heard today that the new Forbes list is out and Gerald Ford checks in with a net worth of $1.5 BILLION. His $25 million for Ford Stadium was a drop in the bucket. I dont think Ford is a basketball guy, but Lamar Hunt seems to be interested. Cant he and Turner go beg a little and get something done? Whats all this [deleted] footing around with plans and half baked things in the press about a practice facility. Just do it already. Turners fund raising and building campaign has been impressive, but they've done nothing for basketball and its probably one of our best chances to get the SMU name out to the public via March Madness and give alums something to be proud of which isnt a bad thing to do now and then for continued fund raising.

[BUS]

Wouild not a 10 to 20 million dollar donation get Bball facilities up to snuff.

Maybe the amount can be less but right now I would think that that is a HIGH priority!!!

Yes, both the Mr. Hunts could do that. Hunt Oil Court at Moody.

[Pony_Fan]

I still don't see why we don't solicit funding for a name from a local corporation. There are HUGE companies here in Dallas.