DMN story on LB and SMU BB 3-13-13

[PK]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... he-top.ece

Story was in today's Sports section. Need subscription to read all of the story on the web, but there are photos from games during the year you can see.

[ponyscott]

BILL NICHOLS

Staff Writer

[email protected]

Published: 12 March 2013 10:53 PM






Moments after watching SMU close the regular season with its worst performance Saturday, coach Larry Brown was plotting ways to overcome a familiar opponent — the Mustangs.

Brown’s team made significant improvements in his debut season. Its used defense and free throw shooting to stay in games against its strongest competition.

But he has yet to hit on a strategy for the next step: convincing his players they are worthy of winning those close games.

The most difficult aspect of Brown’s rebuilding job has been the demolition stage.

“I’m not pleased,” Brown said. “We were in every game except the two UTEP games and Rhode Island, and I really believe that. We went over them all. But we didn’t get over the hump, and that’s the coaching staff’sresponsibility — to teach the kids how to win.

“You hope you put them in situations to win, and they don’t fear failure and they are confident they’re going to get it done. From that standpoint, I’m a little disappointed.”

The Mustangs enter Wednesday’s first-round game of the Conference USA Championship with a 15-16 record. As the 10th seed, they will play No. 7 UAB (15-16) at 3:30 p.m. at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The winner will play No. 2 Southern Miss (23-8) on Thursday at noon.

For SMU, progress can be measured in posting the second-most wins over the last 10 years. The Mustangs were 13-19 last season.

Brown also landed a strong first recruiting class, securing three players who are expected to step in immediately as the Mustangs embark on their first season in the league formerly known as the Big East. They also have three transfers who will be eligible next season.

The interest from talented national recruits is an indication that Brown can make SMU relevant again.

“I know we’ve got a ways to go to get better,” Brown said. “Hopefully, it will start Wednesday. I’m not worried about who we’ve got coming in and who’s sitting on the bench. This is the hand we were dealt. I’m proud that we’ve been in every game. That’s something you cherish as a coach, but we didn’t get over the hump.”

Without a true point guard and with their lack of depth, the Mustangs struggled to close. Some of that can be attributed to fatigue. The rest is mental, Brown said.

They have won only four of their last 16 games. Six of the losses were by five or fewer points. SMU lost to Wyoming, 59-56; Tulsa, 48-47; Southern Miss, 74-70; Houston, 84-80, in overtime; East Carolina, 72-69; and UAB, 74-69.

“They don’t think they should win,” Brown said. “We’ve got to change that.”

Inconsistent performances thwarted any hope of going on a run once conference play began.

The Mustangs’ only game against UAB typified their season. In the five-point loss on March 2, SMU’s Cannen Cunningham missed a tying 3-point attempt with 12 seconds left. UAB’s Rod Rucker then made a pair of free throws to secure the victory.

A 71-65 victory over Tulsa created no momentum. They followed with a 76-63 loss to UTEP on Saturday.

That matched SMU’s second-most lopsided loss. The Mustangs lost to Rhode Island by 22 points; their other 13-point defeat came against Arkansas Little Rock.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t have much depth and didn’t play more guys,” Brown said.

“It’s frustrating for me that the guys we mention so many nights are not consistent in terms of the effort we need to have. Hopefully, we’ll look at the film and figure out a way to get better. We’ve got to pump them up.”

Follow Bill Nichols on Twitter at @BillNicholsDMN

[LA_Mustang]

Crazy to think this is our 2nd highest win total in 10 years. When you look at it in that regard, not a bad job by LB and staff.