USAT: College basketball countdown: No. 19 SMU

[Harry0569]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /17170887/

[Harry0569]

THE FIRST WORD: It'll be hard to avoid labeling 2014-15 as a what could have been season for Southern Methodist.

And the season hasn't even begun.

That's the aftermath of the blow SMU suffered during the summer when perhaps the most talented incoming freshman in the country, Emmanuel Mudiay, decided to play professionally overseas instead of suit up in Dallas, where Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown is building a consistent winner.


Fresh off an NCAA tournament snub and subsequent NIT runner-up finish, the Mustangs were poised to be a dark horse Final Four team — returning eight key rotation players and bringing in Mudiay, who originally chose SMU over Kentucky.

"It's certainly a setback, losing a guy like Emmanuel," Brown said. "We didn't have time to replace him, and we have no other freshman. It leaves a pretty big hole."


Still, Brown's third season should be a good one with the nucleus coming back, led by sparkplug point guard Nic Moore and a veteran inside presence in Markus Kennedy. SMU might not have the look of a top-10 team anymore, but it still can be top 25. And despite the NCAA tournament selection committee's lack of respect for the American Athletic Conference, SMU shouldn't have a problem making the tournament and earning a reasonable seed. And, most important, the culture of the program has changed drastically.

"When I first got here, kids didn't even know where SMU was," Brown said. "I think the biggest thing that's changed is we've gotten guys like Emmanuel to decide to come here. That's saying something. Now, our goal is to keep trying to improve."

2013-14 IN REVIEW: 27-10 overall, 12-6 (tied for third in AAC), lost in NIT final to Minnesota

PATH TO THE DANCE: AAC at-large bid.

PROJECTED TOURNEY SEED: No. 5 seed.


SMU was criticized for a weak non-conference slate last season. That shouldn't be much of an issue this year. The Mustangs play pivotal road tests at Gonzaga, at Indiana and at Michigan. It's an easier schedule at home, but home clashes with Arkansas, Wyoming and UC-Santa Barbara will make for a solid résumé.


STAR WATCH: Moore (13.6 ppg, 4.9 apg) makes up for his size (5-9) with quickness and a fearless demeanor. He's crafty around the basket but keeps defenses honest with 44% three-point shooting. He led SMU in scoring and figures to again be a key catalyst, especially in pressure situations.

Kennedy (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg) was second-team All-AAC and enters 2014-15 as one of the nation's most underrated interior players. The 6-9 junior is relentless on the glass and smart with his moves in the paint. The good news? He has room to improve.

X-FACTOR: Keith Frazier (5.4 ppg in 14.8 mpg). The 6-5 guard was a big get for SMU as a highly touted recruit but was mostly a role player as a freshman. After a season to mature, he could have a coming-out party as a sophomore. If Frazier can score in double figures and develop as a star, the Mustangs will excel.

KEY NEWCOMERS: With all the news of surrounding Mudiay, SMU landing Xavier transfer Justin Martin — a steal, really — was nearly forgotten. The 6-6 senior, expected to be eligible after getting his degree, averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds a game as a starter for the Musketeers.

TEAM STRENGTH/WEAKNESS: Depth will be a strength. In the backcourt that includes returning starter Sterling Brown (4.4 ppg), a 6-6 sophomore, and 6-4 senior Ryan Manuel, who took a cut in his minutes and numbers last season after averaging 12.1 points a game in 2012-13.

In the frontcourt, 6-11 senior Yanick Moreira (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg) is back after being saddled with a knee injury last year. Ben Moore (6.2 ppg), a 6-8 sophomore, returns as the No. 3 offensive option. And another player to take a cut in minutes last season was 6-10 center Cannen Cunningham, who averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds a game in 2012-13. SMU ranked 36th nationally in rebounding margin (plus 4., and that's a stat that should improve with an imposing front line.

Because of the depth and athleticism on the roster, there's potential for SMU to be one of the nation's top defensive teams; the Mustangs were seventh nationally in field goal percentage defense (38.5%) last season and 24th in scoring defense (62.2 ppg). SMU lost only one game at home but winning games on the road, especially against basement AAC teams, will be crucial for seeding come March.

TWEET THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES: Brown has an incredibly decorated coaching career, having won a national championship with Kansas and an NBA title with the Detroit Pistons. Perhaps his most memorable coaching stint came with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he coached Allen Iverson. When speaking to SMU, Iverson was asked who he thought was the best player ever. Brown said Iverson said "himself." Confidence was never the issue for "The Answer."


FUN FACT: 73-year old coach Larry Brown was still in high school when SMU made it to the Final Four (1956).

BASICS: Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, and the Mustangs play their home games at Moody Coliseum which opened in 1956 and seats 8,998.

[CalallenStang]

Moody capacity is out of date

[SMUstangs22]

Number 19? WTF!!!! Try #1 you sob's!!!

[CoxMustangFan]

Moody capacity is out of date

Wondered about that, too. Isn't it in the 7's?

[CalallenStang]

Moody capacity is out of date

Wondered about that, too. Isn't it in the 7's?

My understanding is that it is something like 6,850 fixed seats + standing room which means that final capacity is between 7,000-7,500. We list capacity at 7k

[NavyCrimson]

CalallenStang wrote: Moody capacity is out of date.

Too late now!