Bottoming out

[Charleston Pony]

well, I guess this bball season compares pretty closely with the fball season. Didn't go winless, but did work our way into the "play-in" games for the WAC Torney, and have to face a team we swept in the regular season. It's tough to beat a team you are reasonably competitive with 3 times in one season...we could go "one and done" in Fresno.

What really hurts is an announced 2400 "crowd" on senior night...and the game was scheduled at 5:00 so as not to conflict with the students night life, or anyone elses for that matter. Hard to imagine there could be any less interest in SMU's athletic programs at this point.

WE GOT SWEPT BY RICE THIS YEAR IN FBALL/BBALL. When was the last time that happened???

Here's hoping the 2004-5 school year produces more excitement in fball and bball. And long live the 1500!

[Pony_Fan]

A) It was scheduled at 5pm to not conflict with the High School playoffs
B) I think the kids are on spring break.
C) Why would they turn out on Senior night when they don't turn out all year? Lowe wasn't that great in his career but his rebounding will be missed.

I hope the Board realizes how important this new hire is. It would be hard to lose more fans b/c there are hardly any now.

The football season was worse than the basketball - but not by much. SMU is the worst team in Div 1 fball and was like watching paint dry with the style that Bennett chose to play

In basketball the year was very disappointing given the fact hardly any of the kids got better, developed, or played to their potential this year. Castro/Simpson are about the same as last year. Simpson is still not aggressive enough. I must hand it to the other teams like Boise who surprised me but I certainly didn't think SMU would be in 8th place, I would have guess 4th/5th. All the road games were tough too. I haven't counted but I think there were 5-6 games lost by 3pts or less...with better coaching, those games are won. The 40 point losses were quite shocking with Boise and Rice...that is just unacceptable. Ok. State is a damn good team with Lucas. Does SMU get Ok. State at home next year or was that just a 1 time deal? There will be a few fill-in games for the new coach (Wake, Tech?, San Diego)

This team desperately needs a Juco or 2 no doubt to fill in....I hope Roberts can contribute off the bat. Without Voc (who isn't very good), the ball handling duties are going to be vulnerable w/out Hop in the game. I am not sure what Roberts could do at the PG as I have never seen him play. If for some reason (let's hope not) that Hopkins was out for a lengthy amount of time, what happens then?

Hopkins hopefully with a new coach will learn he doesn't have to do it all and force things. In my opinion he still plays a bit of a high school type game.

I'd like to thank Charleston, Old Pony, LA, Hoop Fan, Diehard...thanks for continuing to post. 'Till next year....

[PonySnob]

If SMU can ever put a quality product on the football field or on the basketball court, attendance will improve. Hopefully, at some point, SMU will be playing meaningful games at the end of a basketball or football season.

[PG]

We won those close games last year with the same coach. But I agree, no one with the exception of Hop, got any better this year. I actually think Simpson and Castro got WORSE. Both are incredibly weak and completely unaggressive. The first thing I'd like to see the new coach do is lock them in the weight room all summer. I'm tired of seeing the ball get ripped out of Castro's hands time after time. Tired of seeing Simpson firing bricks off the back of the iron. How about getting a rebound? How about fouling Harris or Diene instead of watching them Shaq-dunk at least 4 times to get Rice back in the game. Instead, they look incredibly silly watching them throw it down while our big men are turning it over or shooting bricks.

At this point, I want Hopkins and Hopkins only to shoot. He's the only one capable of doing anything. He's playing his best ball since his days at Lincoln. I have no confidence in anyone else. I don't care about his assists because no one can finish anyway. He's not turning it over much anymore (Castro has more TO's per game than Hop lately). I wish Hop could play all 40 minutes because when he comes out, we no chance to score.

On a better note, Devon Pearson continues to be a bright spot. I could easily see him starting in front of Simpson next year. I don't care if Simpson will be a senior or not, Pearson plays with a fire and an aggressiveness that Simpson doesn't have.

[Pony_Fan]

Agreed, Pearson is a bright spot. He plays hard and is pretty aggressive, rebounds and his shot looks ok. (at least in delivery)

[HorsePower]

Pony_Fan is right: the students are on spring break, which is another reason to applaud the Band. Maybe it's so they can make the trip to Fresno, but the Band seemed to have good numbers. Well done. Too bad the cheerleaders/dance team didn't match the Band's loyalty. Wonder if they'll be in Fresno?

[RGV Pony]

Be careful what you wish for. When I hear Dance team/cheerleaders, WAC tournament, Fresno, and SMU together, well..y'know

[abezontar]

That was definitely a very interesting trip.....Yosemite was nice though, a little cold but beautiful.