What are our chances against Nevada, FS?

[Nacho]

The only reason the Hawaii game was called even close to fairly was because it was on tv. Without the camera on the waccy officials we will get homered to death.

[EastStang]

Also isn't the thin air in Nevada an issue? I remember someone mentioned that Nevada is pretty high up. Our young team has not played much at high altitude (the Hilltop in Big D doesn't count). I suspect that is one reasons that Nevada is so tough at home is the thin air up there.

[ponyte]

From what I saw on TV Sat., SMU seems to have more disciple and control on the court than in the past. I admit, I have only seen SMU on TV over the past few years and not very often.

I was impressed by the hustle and team speed as well. It just seemed that this years team in more complete than some previous teams.

I rely on the knowledge and expertise of others more familiar with the BBall team to address these opinions.

What do we need to do to beat Nevada?

[JasonB]

I have no idea of how we will play this weekend, and whether or not we will win.

But if any of the last 10 games is an indicator, we will show up, play hard, and the game will be close.

If anything, this weekend will dictate what our postseason chances are:

- win both, and we would have to be a favorite going into the WAC tourney.

- win one, and I think we are on the bubble for an NIT bid, and will stay in the race for second in the conference.

- lose both, and we are back in the middle of the pack in the conference race, and will have to do really well in the conference tourney to clinch an NIT bid.

I think the WAC will only get one team in the NCAA tourney this year (tourney winner), and two teams will end up in the NIT. But if Tulsa and Hawaii are anywhere close to the top of the league, they will soak up the NIT bids really quick.

[LA_Mustang]

One of two things apply to Nacho:
1. he is an absolute idiot or
2. he just says these ridiculous comments to get a reaction

My proof, the following are two posts he made on 1/27 regarding the hoops team:

"I expect SMU to finish WAC play in 2nd place behind Fresno and therefore be the 2nd seed in the WAC tournament. SMU should then win the WAC tournament and be an automatic qualifier for the NCAA field. Anything less is unacceptable. SMU could finish first in the WAC. This seems realistic for a team with the most talent in the WAC."

"The uneducated masses believe that Fresno has the most talent in the WAC. This simply is untrue. They do hve some good front-line players but their guard play is weak. Fresno has no bench. SMU's starters can match up with Fresno. BHop and IHop are infinitely better than anything Fresno can trot out to play guard. Simpson and Q can match the forwards of Fresno. Fresno gets the nod at center but Castro as he showed at Tulsa, especially in the first half, can play. Neither team has a great bench but Kelley is a good 6th man. Nod to SMU. SMU should win the WAC."

Suddenly, two weeks later Nacho proclaims we have no shot to win either game against Nevada or Fresno??? Nacho, how is true when according to you "we have the most talent in the WAC" and when "SMU should win the WAC tournament and be an automatic qualifier for the NCAA field." Please explain.

[Nacho]

I still think SMU will win the WAC tournament, if the games are on tv. I just think we will lose at Nevada and Fresno.

[Eddie P]

One piece of good news (In a relative sense...a player injury is never "good news")is that Kevinn Pinkney is doubtful for the game. This is a 6'9 guy who averages several rebounds a game, second only to their go-to guy Snyder. Perhaps this will help us some on the inside with Castro and Simpson. Although, we will have to be the ones that initiate this style of play since Nevada is very quick and can go the 4 guard route with great effect. Still, I believe this guy is their most effective big man so maybe this is the small thing that tips the scales somewhat in our direction if we decide to attack inside. (Am I actually saying that about an SMU team?) Of course, they haven't lost a game since this guy went down with an injury...

That Okeson guy frightens me. I think he may be leading the country in 3-pt field goal percentage. He nailed a lot of them against us last time at Moody. We've got to find someway to hound this guy all night.