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I didnt follow last nights game too close, but it seemed like it was competitive, and we could of won.

Now we are 8-3.

Should we be worried about the future, or was this a rut?

Just wondering what y'all were thinking.

8-1 caused way too much optimism about some sort of magical season, although it really was a great start.

Let's not let 8-3 cause way too much pessimism.

Be happy the team is ahead of expectations, and recall LB's comment that teams "better catch us this year."

We are okay. Just seem to be a bit out of sync. Lack of bench is hurting as Coach brown has said before. This year will be rough with a lack of a true point guard which we will get next year in Nic Moore.

SMUfrat wrote:I didnt follow last nights game too close, but it seemed like it was competitive, and we could of won.

Now we are 8-3.

Should we be worried about the future, or was this a rut?

Just wondering what y'all were thinking.

I was at the URI game. The Mustangs look a million times better than last year's team, but:
1) They need to find someone who can hit an outside shot. Until they prove that they can and will make 3's, teams will try to clog up the paint to stop our offense.
2) We need more depth. A 6 man rotation won't cut it against better teams. Thankfully, we more talent on the way.

I'm ecstatic to be 8-3 at this point. Exceeding all my expectations. I just wanted to see improved play, and players playing hard. The thing I have been most impressed with is our defense, but that is a given with a LB team.

Defense is good but we just don't have many scorers. That will get here next year though.

SMU 86 wrote:We are okay. Just seem to be a bit out of sync. Lack of bench is hurting as Coach brown has said before. This year will be rough with a lack of a true point guard which we will get next year in Nic Moore.

You use the term "true point guard," which coaches and TV guys say a lot.

Not challenging you at all, because I just don't know, but how are Nick Russell and Ryan Manuel not true point guards? Maybe Russell more than Manuel, in my opinion, because he's a terrific passer and seems to run the offense well. In one of the press conference videos (I forget which game), LB was asked about Russell's bad shooting night and said he was still the best player on the floor.

I don't understand a lot about the details of the game, but I'd like to know the difference. Thanks.

Hoofprint wrote:

SMU 86 wrote:We are okay. Just seem to be a bit out of sync. Lack of bench is hurting as Coach brown has said before. This year will be rough with a lack of a true point guard which we will get next year in Nic Moore.

You use the term "true point guard," which coaches and TV guys say a lot.

Not challenging you at all, because I just don't know, but how are Nick Russell and Ryan Manuel not true point guards? Maybe Russell more than Manuel, in my opinion, because he's a terrific passer and seems to run the offense well. In one of the press conference videos (I forget which game), LB was asked about Russell's bad shooting night and said he was still the best player on the floor.

I don't understand a lot about the details of the game, but I'd like to know the difference. Thanks.

The true PG thing couldn't be anymore overblown. We are getting into the O and executing, we just don't have any shooters, bigs or depth. If anything, we should be really happy w/Manual & Nick. Both those kids, along w/Jalen, are carrying this team. Soon, we'll have some dump down options in the paint, and a few more shooters scorers. When that happens, team assist numbers will go up and turnovers down. Right now, our guards turn it over by forcing the drive. Its also how we get our buckets.

This is as good of a start to the season as could be realistically expected given a new staff and our lack of depth.

I think we still have a very good chance of finishing in the top four of CUSA.

The obvious temptation was to get overly excited at 8-1. Kind of like "Jo-Jo the Indian Circus Boy, with a pretty new pet!" (who can name that quote). But I think we just need to take whatever this season gives us and be happy. Definitely ahead of where I thought we'd be. And with the new guys coming in next season, we'll have a chance to be very solid. If we finish over .500 this year with 9 scholarship players, I'll chalk that up as a big success.

StallionsModelT wrote:This is as good of a start to the season as could be realistically expected given a new staff and our lack of depth.

I think we still have a very good chance of finishing in the top four of CUSA.

we should be happy to stay healthy and finish among the top 6 teams in CUSA play

hoopmanx wrote:The true PG thing couldn't be anymore overblown. We are getting into the O and executing, we just don't have any shooters, bigs or depth. If anything, we should be really happy w/Manual & Nick. Both those kids, along w/Jalen, are carrying this team. Soon, we'll have some dump down options in the paint, and a few more shooters scorers. When that happens, team assist numbers will go up and turnovers down. Right now, our guards turn it over by forcing the drive. Its also how we get our buckets.

I will take being 8-3 with no shooters, bigs, or depth.

I just worry that we will run out of gas during the conference play.

1983 Cotton Bowl wrote:The obvious temptation was to get overly excited at 8-1. Kind of like "Jo-Jo the Indian Circus Boy, with a pretty new pet!" (who can name that quote). But I think we just need to take whatever this season gives us and be happy. Definitely ahead of where I thought we'd be. And with the new guys coming in next season, we'll have a chance to be very solid. If we finish over .500 this year with 9 scholarship players, I'll chalk that up as a big success.

Fat guy in a little coat....

Utah was close, if the coaches were right and Utah got the tip-in only after the clock expired, the it would have been a one point game with less the 30 seconds as I recall. But SMU got 2 technicals from the bench and the rest is history.


Going forward I expect a split before CUSA starts, that would be 10-5. 11-4 is probably the best we can expect at this point.

SMU had two off games, one that we should have won... UALR and one that should have been close but wasn't... URI.

Hoofprint wrote:

SMU 86 wrote:We are okay. Just seem to be a bit out of sync. Lack of bench is hurting as Coach brown has said before. This year will be rough with a lack of a true point guard which we will get next year in Nic Moore.

You use the term "true point guard," which coaches and TV guys say a lot.

Not challenging you at all, because I just don't know, but how are Nick Russell and Ryan Manuel not true point guards? Maybe Russell more than Manuel, in my opinion, because he's a terrific passer and seems to run the offense well. In one of the press conference videos (I forget which game), LB was asked about Russell's bad shooting night and said he was still the best player on the floor.

I don't understand a lot about the details of the game, but I'd like to know the difference. Thanks.

First, I don't see the PG handles on either of them. They are okay but not true PG quality imo. A true PG can break through a press a lot easier than our guards do currently. Now it is like we have an SG trying to be a PG. Also, as you will see next year a true PG can quarterback the team and run it smoother than what we are seeing now imo. What we are seeing now is not bad but a true PG can really take charge whether they are shooting or not. Dishing, driving and draining outside shoots while moving the offensive pace quicker while minimizing turnovers imo. I think we are doing the best we can with what we have. LB said neither Russell or Manuel have probably ever played PG so this is kind of new to both of them. I think they are doing very well for not have played PG before. I see Russell as more of the shooting guard on the team. You can be the best player on the floor and not be a PG. I guess since I coached and played the game before I use the term true point guard. As for the other parts of the team, having Kennedy and Moreira will help a lot next year as well. SMU is doing very well for only having six players in the rotation.