OFFICIAL: SMU vs. MinneSNOWta FOR THE NIT 'SHIP

[blackoutpony]

First I was just sad, now I'm getting mad about it. [deleted] a [deleted] duck

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........ damnit Manuel

[CenTXpony]

The problem was their press didn't actually cause the mistakes...

No we beat ourselves.

This....I'm not gonna spend time pointing fingers at any of our guys though... nothing they can do about it now and they wanted to win as badly as we wanted them to.... its bittersweet but love the effort and excitement they gave us this season.

[Rebel10]

The problem was their press didn't actually cause the mistakes...

No we beat ourselves.

No, we did not handle the press well during a stretch when we had a 7 point lead and then turned the ball over and they came back and that changed the flow of the game.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The problem was their press didn't actually cause the mistakes...

No we beat ourselves.

No, we did not handle the press well during a stretch when we had a 7 point lead and then turned the ball over and they came back and that changed the flow of the game.

We beat the press but turned it over in our offensive end trying to score quickly instead of holding the ball.

I'll give you "the press caused us to rush things" if you want but we beat the actual press with no problem.

[mrydel]

Up 7 and 4 straight turnovers they turned into 9 points for Minn. Bad play on our part and good play on theirs. They did what they should and we did not. This game will stay with the kids that return next year and hopefully it will be a great learning experience. They learned how to overcome adversity against UC Irvine, LSU and Clemson. They did not finish well tonight. Next year will be different.

Great season. Did not like the ending but the chapters leading up to it were fantastic.

[Tbuck12]

The highs are so high and the lows are so low... My dog hides during SMU games...he feels the tension. My wife consoles me, bringing me beer, talking about "the really good player coming next year"... I smile, but I am crying inside

[Charleston Pony]

I thought Shawn played one of his best games all season; was great to see that from one of the seniors. Big Nick shot well but was careless with the ball. I feel bad for Ryan because he made 3 critical mistakes down the stretch...after he provided a huge spark against Clemson that helped get us into that final game.

All in all, a season that exceeded my expectations and has me really excited about next year...if we can just survive the 2014 football season

[JasonB]

Was at the game, too depressed to go out now. We had them in our hands the entire second half, finally stretched the lead only to turn the ball over.

Two factors:
- Throughout the NIT run we have done a great job NOT pushing the ball and turning it over in transition. Tonight, we turned it over in transition in the first half a couple of times, and then the two big turnovers after we beat the press and had three on 2.
- Those broke our back because the team was wiped at the end of the game. Shawn fouled out because he was exhausted. We stopped moving our feet on perimeter defense because we were tired, and they were able to dribble penetrate and dish for the three.

[Rebel10]

We beat the press but turned it over in our offensive end trying to score quickly instead of holding the ball.

I'll give you "the press caused us to rush things" if you want but we beat the actual press with no problem.

The press causes you to speed things up and make mistakes regardless of wherever you are so yes the press affected us. Had they not gone to a hard press we would have probably maintained our 7 point lead.

[B1GPonyFan]

Disappointed with the loss, but if you told me in November our alma mater was going to be playing in April, I would have said Fat Chance.

The problem for this team all season has been committing the unforced turnovers. And it caught us in this championship game.

It happens. The arrow is pointed up. We have a lot to be excited for in 2014-15. Mudiay and likely Tolbert and perhaps another kid.

Something to build on.

[Stallion]

The reason we pushed it is because we broke their press so easily time and again and had great numbers-just didn't finish.

[Rebel10]

The reason we pushed it is because we broke their press so easily time and again and had great numbers-just didn't finish.

And should have pulled back but were baited in. The press you more than just getting past half court. Again had they not gone to a hard press I believe we maintain the 7 point lead.

[GiddyUp]

Beat ourselves is why is sux so much. So winnable. I will miss Nick and I wont miss him. So many lazy passes all the time.

[Hoop Fan]

well, there was a 3 minute stretch where Minnesota made the aggressive plays and got every close call. turned the game. Oh well, the only thing i regret is not getting the NIT for Larry, it would have been special to him and give him the trifecta. Now i hope he never gets it cuz i only want to be in the NCAA where we belonged this year.

[ojaipony]

The reason we pushed it is because we broke their press so easily time and again and had great numbers-just didn't finish.

This.

Tough loss because how often do you get a chance to compete for a national championship. Our first time in our 100 year existence. These opportunities are extremely rare and we didn't seize it - we actually gave it away.