Folks we have a pretty good team

[ponyboy]

According to Sagarin, there are 8 teams in CUSA better than the best team we have played so far and 8 teams better than us.

On the other hand, five of them are not very much better at all than Loyola Marymount or us. The best of those being 2-3 points better, so #4 is not unimaginable. I just advise patience.

I don't want to downplay your point too much, but Sagarin is heavily weighted by last year's results. It's not yet an even close indicator of this year's quality, for better or worse.

Other than that, point taken. Tap the brakes.

[hoopmanx]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

[The PonyGrad]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Absolutely, get excited and have fun. Just don't expect the world this season.

I'm excited.

[NY Pony]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Come on hoopmanx, you don't think we sneak into the NIT? We sure look like an NIT team to me and the selection committee would love to have brown in the tourney. That's enough to get me excited considering how things have been.

[Treadway21]

I will predict we win more than 4 conference games. I think we get our first CUSA tourney win.

Is that too optimistic?

[SMU Football Blog]

Seasons are long and take a toll, but this team is playing well and above expectations. Lets enjoy it.

[hoopmanx]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Come on hoopmanx, you don't think we sneak into the NIT? We sure look like an NIT team to me and the selection committee would love to have brown in the tourney. That's enough to get me excited considering how things have been.

I'll be happy w/a top half finish in CUSA. Maybe even a 500 conference record.

Please, no offense to many, but there are those of us around here, who were here everyday during the late Dement, Shumate & Doh years, and if there is one thing we learned, its that the season has a ton of games.

This has been a really nice start, and the style of play is great. A few of the players have really impressed, see Jones/Manuel/Russell. A few need to step their game up. No depth, no height, no post O, limited 3 pt shooters etc.

NIT is a serious reach, unless we get 23 wins or so, which would be the single greatest coaching accomplishment in SMU hoops history lol.

[Blvd_Stang]

I can't believe the improvement in JJ. He attacks the rim and rebounds with a purpose. LB is going to get him NBA ready before it's over.

I almost lost it when he went for the Jordan-esque dunk on the fast break in the 2nd half.

JJ had a big smile on his face. Kids are enjoying playing again, and we're having fun watching them.

[Blvd_Stang]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Come on hoopmanx, you don't think we sneak into the NIT? We sure look like an NIT team to me and the selection committee would love to have brown in the tourney. That's enough to get me excited considering how things have been.

The problem is depth - We have 6 players playing extremely hard. Those 6 have enough talent to play lockdown D, play unselfishly and make open shots. You throw in literally 1 or 2 injuries, and this team is automatically a basement dweller. Throw in the fact you have guys averaging 35 mins a game, and that leaves open the possibility for inury later in the season. After those 6 players - the drop off is MONUMENTAL.

Take a look:

1. Ryan Manuel
2. Nick Russell
3. Jalen Jones
4. Shawn Williams
5. Cannen Cunningham

Bench:
1. Cotton Giles (playing on one leg)
2. Brian Bernardi
3. Jordan Dickerson
4. Uche Ofoegbu

That's it. Our bench is 4 deep. 3 of them are freshman.

Uche + Dickerson, Blaise or Bernardi will have to be gone next year to sign our class. If we sign Frazier then three of the four. Only way to avoid dropping players is medical redshirts or academically unqualified players, which is completely possible.

For this year, enjoy the ride and pray for our health. But don't be disappointed if the wheels fall off. Assuming we keep everyone happy with all the mouths to feed, next year should be fun.

[Treadway21]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Come on hoopmanx, you don't think we sneak into the NIT? We sure look like an NIT team to me and the selection committee would love to have brown in the tourney. That's enough to get me excited considering how things have been.

I'll be happy w/a top half finish in CUSA. Maybe even a 500 conference record.

Please, no offense to many, but there are those of us around here, who were here everyday during the late Dement, Shumate & Doh years, and if there is one thing we learned, its that the season has a ton of games.

This has been a really nice start, and the style of play is great. A few of the players have really impressed, see Jones/Manuel/Russell. A few need to step their game up. No depth, no height, no post O, limited 3 pt shooters etc.

NIT is a serious reach, unless we get 23 wins or so, which would be the single greatest coaching accomplishment in SMU hoops history lol.

Ha you tweeted we could go 11-0. You are as crazy as the rest of us. ; )

[TWALV33]

I'm not expecting anything this season, as Larry Brown requested of the fan base....

....but by no means am I going to limit saying NIT, Conference Title, etc isn't possible. I'm just enjoying thinking about it with some form of hope for once.

After all why do people buy powerball tickets (excluding the idiots who think its a worthwhile investment)?

Its fun to think about....what if?

[mustangxc]

Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

Come on hoopmanx, you don't think we sneak into the NIT? We sure look like an NIT team to me and the selection committee would love to have brown in the tourney. That's enough to get me excited considering how things have been.

I'll be happy w/a top half finish in CUSA. Maybe even a 500 conference record.

Please, no offense to many, but there are those of us around here, who were here everyday during the late Dement, Shumate & Doh years, and if there is one thing we learned, its that the season has a ton of games.

This has been a really nice start, and the style of play is great. A few of the players have really impressed, see Jones/Manuel/Russell. A few need to step their game up. No depth, no height, no post O, limited 3 pt shooters etc.

NIT is a serious reach, unless we get 23 wins or so, which would be the single greatest coaching accomplishment in SMU hoops history lol.

If we get to that point we might as well try to win the CUSA tournament and lock up an NCAA tournament berth.

[Hoop Fan]

I think we will lose a few games due to foul trouble on Cannen and Jalen, it almost cost us last night. Not sure i buy the fatigue argument as much. Also, i have no idea how good or bad CUSA is this year. Honestly, I assume its weak. We are much improved i think over the last few years, but if CUSA is stronger too, then maybe we are only a .500 ballclub in the league. I'd like to think though that barring injuries we could hit 10-6 or 11-5 in conference. We still have 4 games against Tulane and Rice don't we? Win those and go 6-6 against the rest of the league and you got 10-6. I haven't looked at the schedule but you get my point. Regardless, the team was fun to watch last night and the crowd was appreciative.

[The PonyGrad]

...Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

...
Ha you tweeted we could go 11-0. You are as crazy as the rest of us. ; )

I think that was based on the competition, CUSA is different. Could have 12-15 wins by start of conference play because who we play is not beyond our level.

[SMU 86]

...Lol, this thread is full of crazy people. Get excited, sell Moody out, talk yourself into a frenzy, but we're not very good this year, record be damned. Brown is a monster & the staff has the cupboard almost too full, considering we're 2 over and are still waiting on recruits. This particular team plays really hard, and we're starting to see who stays and plays a role. Next year, We have the personnel to get after most anyone and be competitive, if not win. W/next years depth and athletes, we could go 40 minutes of hell on teams, just based on this years D intensity

...
Ha you tweeted we could go 11-0. You are as crazy as the rest of us. ; )

I think that was based on the competition, CUSA is different. Could have 12-15 wins by start of conference play because who we play is not beyond our level.

PonyGrad, 12-15 wins by the start of conference play? I think you need to take your own medicine and slow down to a one game at a time thought process. We still have to go to Utah and play a couple of teams that are not that tall but are athletic. Anything in double digit wins would be good but I have zero expectations. I am looking forward to the next home game.