Thoughts? Predictions? Anything?!

[PonyPatrol]

Does anyone realize tipoff is tomorrow night? You'd think with how pathetic our football team is, there'd be a little more excitment the basketball season is upon us. At least there's reason to be a little optimistic that we've got the talent to be competitive this year.

I think this team will need some time to gel with all the underclassmen and transfers, which is why playing a patsy non-conference schedule is probably the best thing for them. Getting destroyed by ACC ir Big 10 teams to start the year would do nothing to help these freshman and sophomores learn to play together, when nothing can be executed.

That being said, I think we drop a close one on the road at USF. I'll go with 75-69. I think our offense will run effectively through the post, but we'll still struggle with turnovers until all our our young guards can adapt to the college game.

[Billy Joe]

Already making excuses? Here is a prediction: losing conference record and losing overall record.

[ponyboy]

That prediction has no teeth in it.

[jkflamebo]

i second bj's prediction

[indianmustang]

maybe we will surprise USF

[PonyDoh]

Already making excuses? Here is a prediction: losing conference record and losing overall record.

I'm interested in what your beef is? Do you just not like Doh personally? Did he offend you by not prizing DFW recruits over nationals? Or do you think he's had too much time and not effectively managed the roster/program?

I'm not complaining about your broken record, as I'm that way w/another of my teams, but I can substantiate why I feel that way. What's your beef?

[03Mustang]

i second bj's prediction

TWSS

[PonyPatrol]

What's the better team? I think our talent, top to bottom has improved quite a bit. We're much, much deeper. However, there's a huge discrepency in experience and I think this year's team will show similar results to '06-07, lurking around .500. The biggest difference will be the momentum and promise going into next season.

2006-2007
C: Bamba
PF: Pearson
SF: Ike
SG: Roberts
PG: Dez

Key Reserves: Brian Epps, Jon Killen, Rack, Ritter

2008 - 2009
C: Bamba
PF: Dia
SF: Malone (Faye)
SG: McCoy
PG: Walker

Key Reserves: Derek Wiliams, Ryan Harp, Frank Otis, Robert Nyakundi, Justin Haynes, TK

[NickSMU17]

winning record overall and 500 in conference...

bj is a beat off

[papawasamustang]

Does anyone realize tipoff is tomorrow night? You'd think with how pathetic our football team is, there'd be a little more excitment the basketball season is upon us. At least there's reason to be a little optimistic that we've got the talent to be competitive this year.

I think this team will need some time to gel with all the underclassmen and transfers, which is why playing a patsy non-conference schedule is probably the best thing for them. Getting destroyed by ACC ir Big 10 teams to start the year would do nothing to help these freshman and sophomores learn to play together, when nothing can be executed.

That being said, I think we drop a close one on the road at USF. I'll go with 75-69. I think our offense will run effectively through the post, but we'll still struggle with turnovers until all our our young guards can adapt to the college game.

[friarwolf]

More athletic at all positions, better interior defense, with the better interior defense comes more fast break and transition scoring opportunities, and a true 8-9 man rotation. Having said all that, I think 15 wins is the max amount possible and we still finish toward the bottom in conference play. We have gotten better but most of CUSA has improved more than we have. My hope is we improve throughout the year and get at least one win in conference tournament.

[papawasamustang]

Does anyone realize tipoff is tomorrow night? You'd think with how pathetic our football team is, there'd be a little more excitment the basketball season is upon us. At least there's reason to be a little optimistic that we've got the talent to be competitive this year.

I think this team will need some time to gel with all the underclassmen and transfers, which is why playing a patsy non-conference schedule is probably the best thing for them. Getting destroyed by ACC ir Big 10 teams to start the year would do nothing to help these freshman and sophomores learn to play together, when nothing can be executed.

That being said, I think we drop a close one on the road at USF. I'll go with 75-69. I think our offense will run effectively through the post, but we'll still struggle with turnovers until all our our young guards can adapt to the college game.

Totally disagree. In order to be the best you have to play the best competition u can. It's the ONLY way you improve.
Also, as a former college bb player I can tell you that both me & my teammates wanted to play the best players/schools we could.
These guys have come to SMU to be part of a top 25 program.
A top program plays the big boys, not the patsy's. Opening up against a Big East team is fantastic. That's what its all about.
I wish they would go on the road for several games playing nothing but large conference schools. Look @ Gonzaga. That's what they do & a school we should be modeling our program after.
What they need is great competition & if they get their butt kicked that's ok. You learn from it & move on & it helps prepare you for conference play. Also, a great schedule helps recruiting NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

[Billy Joe]

PonyDoh: I have no personal problem with Doherty or anyone else involved with the basketball program. I am extremely frusterated with the lack of a basketball program for 20 years. I cannot understand how the D/FW area and Texas for that matter have some of the top basketball talent in the entire country and SMU cannot even get a look from most of the kids. I do not expect SMU to be a front runner for every single local kid but to get stonewalled like SMU is getting is beyond belief. I have always said a successful basketball program starts with local recruiting to get local interest excitement in the program. I am tired of watching other schools with less resources than SMU do better than us. Are you telling me UTEP for god's sake can trot out a better basketball program than SMU? Something is not right with SMU basketball and I will continue to criticize the program until I see real changes with real results. I hope the team has a winning record and gets a post season tournament berth. I just don't see it anytime soon.