ESPN: What Mudiay means for Larry Brown

[Harry0569]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... ns-for-smu

t the time, many thought former SMU athletic director Steve Orsini “botched” SMU's coaching search. Orsini, who was dismissed shortly after he hired Larry Brown in 2012, didn’t chase Brown as much as Brown was just one of the few quality candidates who seemed interested in latching onto a program that hadn’t reached the NCAA tournament in nearly 20 years.


Brown hadn’t coached college basketball since 1988. And who knew how long he planned to stay. Brown quickly added Tim Jankovich, who left Illinois State to accept a coach-in-waiting role with the Mustangs.

SMU won 15 games in Brown’s first season. Last year, the Mustangs earned 27 victories, contended for their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1993 and lost to Minnesota in the NIT championship.

And now, Emmanuel Mudiay is coming. Emmanuel Mudiay is coming!

The five-star prospect’s arrival (No. 5 in the 2014 class per RecruitingNation) is significant.

“For his size, he has an elite athleticism,” said Marland Lowe, Mudiay’s AAU coach. “He’s got a great feel for the game. He gets anywhere he wants to go with the ball. He’s a great teammate, a great individual. … He’s smart and intelligent, understands X’s and O’s.”

Most figured Kentucky had the edge over the other blue-chip programs that recruited the Dallas prep star, but Brown convinced the 6-foot-5 hybrid guard to stay home. The Mustangs had the infrastructure (Moody Coliseum is a great venue when it’s full) and a strong returning cast -- Nic Moore, Markus Kennedy and six of the team’s top seven scorers from last season are back -- to attract him. Plus, former Xavier standout Justin Martin (11.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 37.3 percent from the 3-point line) will be eligible next season, too.

The pieces are there.

They just needed Batman. And Mudiay might be what SMU needs. The same program that won just 13 games three seasons ago will enter 2014-15 as the American Athletic Conference favorite and a national title contender. Mudiay means that much.

“One of the best things that he’s not given credit for is his defense,” Lowe said. “He is willing to guard the best player on the team. And if he’s guarding somebody else and another player is guarding him, he has no problem saying, ‘Let me get him.’”

Mudiay is technically a point guard. But that’s not the proper tag for a player with his skill set, especially with Moore returning and likely playing next to him. Mudiay is just simply a playmaker.

Brown could make him the team’s primary ballhandler, but Mudiay will also be effective in space as a matchup quagmire for every team the Mustangs will face. He’s explosive and balanced. He has a strong midrange attack, and he’s dangerous in traffic. Expect a multitude of ball screens that lead to SportsCenter moments for the young talent.

And he’ll shake up defenses. Not many teams can match up with a combo guard with that kind of size without employing a small forward or a big wing. Mudiay could see a lot of zone, traps and imbalanced schemes to account for his abilities.

“He can elevate over people,” Lowe said. “He’s an excellent passer and he’s a good finisher.”

Brown’s squad ended the 2013-14 season ranked 17th in adjusted defensive efficiency per Ken Pomeroy. The Mustangs will continue to lock down opponents due to a lineup that features the speed, length and versatility to adapt against various offensive attacks. But they averaged 71.4 PPG (166th nationally) and were 68th in adjusted offensive efficiency.

They need scorers. Martin will help. Mudiay, too.

An elite athlete like Mudiay could elevate SMU into the nation’s top tier and boost an offense that could use a spark.

“He is very good,” said Tyus Jones, a McDonald’s All-American point guard who will play for Duke next season. “[He] can really get to the rim, extremely athletic.”

In two wins over SMU last year, Louisville’s Russ Smith finished with 49 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists and six steals. Smith won many games for Louisville during his four years. When the Cardinals needed something, he could give it to them.

That’s the fabric that links America’s best programs each year. They all have one or more players who are capable of rising above the rest.

The Mustangs had a capable program last year. With Mudiay, however, they have a squad that’s equipped to compete with the best in the country.

“He can change a team just because of his skill level, talent and awareness,” Lowe said.

Botched hire? Nah. Brown was the perfect hire. Mudiay proves that.

[StallionsModelT]

With the additions of Mudiay, Martin, and Tolbert is this a preseason Top 10 team?

[Pony ^]

With the additions of Mudiay, Martin, and Tolbert is this a preseason Top 10 team?

Yes.

[OhioBrownFan]

With the additions of Mudiay, Martin, and Tolbert is this a preseason Top 10 team?

Not sure if serious...If they lose 7 games next year with the conference schedule, it's probably a disappointment. There's maybe 2 teams in the AAC that can hold their own against them next year consistently.

[PonyKai]

I'm salivating and it's only June 6th.

[Chnash318]

When does Mudiay get on campus?

[East Coast Mustang]

Anything short of a national title next year will be a disappointment in my mind.

Pretty amazing how far we've come in two years.

[Chnash318]

I'd take Final Four but I've always been a pessimist

[LA_Mustang]

Rather than setting a lofty goal, I'm just going to enjoy the ride. Every game at Moody will be a party. Can't wait. Also, if we play at Tulane, no doubt I'm making that road trip.

[Chnash318]

Rather than setting a lofty goal, I'm just going to enjoy the ride. Every game at Moody will be a party. Can't wait. Also, if we play at Tulane, no doubt I'm making that road trip.

They have already released that we are playing at Tulane. If it's on a weekend I'd imagine there will be a ton of SMU fans there

[East Coast Mustang]

Might want to get your tickets early- I think Tulane's gym only holds like 3,500

[LA_Mustang]

Cool. A Sat or Sun game would be great. I was very surprised to read that Tulane is supposed to be decent this year, much improved.

[The Falcon]

All of the articles praising LB and SMU and forecasting great things next year have overlooked
something I have been thinking about. Our returning team is almost intact from last year.
We are returning a great bunch of guys who will have learned a lot last year and who will have
matured even more physically and mentally. We still have great depth even with Shawn & Nick
gone. Nic, Brown, Ben, Markus, Yanick, Frazier, Cannen, Ryan, & Crandall will all be better
next year. The point being that even without the new players we would have been an NCAA
tournament team. Most articles briefly mention this and focus on the new players.

Certainly the addition of Mudiay, Martin, and Tolbert will definitely improve the team and
possibly send us to the Final 4. All three of these guys are winners and they are especially good
on offense. If they can play defense - watch out UConn, Louisville, and the Kentucky and Dukes
of the country.

There is no doubt we will miss the defensive abilities of Shawn & Nick, but if the new players
can play defense like Nick and rebound like Shawn - we will be a great team.

[StandUp]

Well said.

[GiddyUp]

Predictions - lets wrangle it in. on paper, pretty damn good. I'll just be glad to make the tourney and see what happens. Very exciting.