SMU/LSU: SMU arena is rocking

[UConnJim]

Watching SMU/LSU NIT game. The fans are really into the game and it's a good game. Turn it on. SMU can develop into a good program.

 

[3uconn]

SMU is going to continue to get better with Brown. Mudiay coming in next year with the possibility of Myles Turner is really nice.

For SMU it's all about who comes in after Brown. He can only coach so much longer.

 

[UConnJim]

SMU is going to continue to get better with Brown. Mudiay coming in next year with the possibility of Myles Turner is really nice.

For SMU it's all about who comes in after Brown. He can only coach so much longer.

Brown is showing what is possible at SMU and the next coach should be a good one. Announcers are raving about the atmosphere at the game.

 

[UofMemphis]

SMU has a "coach in waiting" who makes something like 700,000

Tim Jankovich
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Jankovich

 

[kobe]

If they don't improve the OOC scheduling they will be playing a lot of home games in mid-March. Outside of Moody they are very, very average.

 

[EffanWoks]

It may be better to them that they didn't make the NCAA tourney this year if they can make it to the finals or win the NIT. I doubt they would have gotten a win in the NCAAT, but they aren't a program that is expected to at this moment.

 

[BlueMAB]

They are playing Wichita St at a neutral court next year I think.


EDIT: never mind, that's Memphis.

 

[pj]

They might have won a game as a 12 seed, the 5 seeds weren't that strong. But, I agree, winning the NIT is a great feather in their cap, and having more home games helps build the fan base. It is a good stepping stone. They could be our major rival.

 

[UCweCONN]

They might have won a game as a 12 seed, the 5 seeds weren't that strong. But, I agree, winning the NIT is a great feather in their cap, and having more home games helps build the fan base. It is a good stepping stone. They could be our major rival.

Let's hope we're not in the AAC long enough for that to happen.

 

[PacificStorm]

They might have won a game as a 12 seed, the 5 seeds weren't that strong. But, I agree, winning the NIT is a great feather in their cap, and having more home games helps build the fan base. It is a good stepping stone. They could be our major rival.

The are already our major rival. They beat us twice this year.

 

[UofMemphis]

If they don't improve the OOC scheduling they will be playing a lot of home games in mid-March. Outside of Moody they are very, very average.

They HAD to play that because their arena was under renovation...they played at several small local arenas limiting their scheduling ability...wont be a problem going forward.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

Great game. Great crowd. Felt like a NCAA game. Best of luck to the SMU program. Good win. Hopefully SMU can turn into a contender every year while we are part of the league

 

[UConn4ever]

It may be better to them that they didn't make the NCAA tourney this year if they can make it to the finals or win the NIT. I doubt they would have gotten a win in the NCAAT, but they aren't a program that is expected to at this moment.

I'd rather go to the dance and never win then not get in and win the NIT

 

[sportsart]

I'd rather go to the dance and never win then not get in and win the NIT

Winning the NIT wouldn't really help a program move up. Yeah, I know you mean now. But for any other "non major" program it can make a huge difference.

 

[LIUCHusky]

I'd rather go to the dance and never win then not get in and win the NIT

I doubt you would have said that in 1988.

 

[UConn4ever]

I doubt you would have said that in 1988.

I dont know what I would say I was only 2

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I'd rather go to the dance and never win then not get in and win the NIT

You say that in the wake of 3 NC and yearly expectations for the Tourny.
We were in a bunch of NCAA as an auto qualifier. Even won some.
That's nice but the 1988 NIT champioship ,actually beating teams with significant name recognition at MSG ,was the biggest thing in UConn basketball up to that point.
It stamped us as a legit national player. If your not old enough to remember you have no clue. For a team like SMU winning the NIT at the garden would be similar to UConn 1988.

 

[metsfan2323]

Larry Brown has turned SMU basketball at gorgeous Moody's into an event complete with celebrity sightings. The sky is the limit for them next year, they could be the best team in the country in 2015.

....and none of it would have happened without their upgrade to the AAC. (Brown would have never taken the job) Hopefully Houston can follow in their footsteps, it appears they are going to give it a shot.

 

[UCweCONN]

You say that in the wake of 3 NC and yearly expectations for the Tourny.
We were in a bunch of NCAA as an auto qualifier. Even won some.
That's nice but the 1988 NIT champioship ,actually beating teams with significant name recognition at MSG ,was the biggest thing in UConn basketball up to that point.
It stamped us as a legit national player. If your not old enough to remember you have no clue. For a team like SMU winning the NIT at the garden would be similar to UConn 1988.

I remember wearing the NIT Championship to high school and kids saying basically, "Who's UCONN? " We've come a long way. It's true what the ESPN announcers were saying. Some teams in the NIT don't want to be there and some want to prove something. In '88, we were happy to be there.

 

[BoatShow]

Congrats on being stoked on the NIT.

 

[BugsyCT]

Winning the '88 NIT was everything to us at the time. (I was at the semis vs BCU and the place was rockin'!) It was the first time since the formation of the BE (at least) that UConn hoops could be synonymous with anything resembling good basketball. That of course lead to the '90 Dream Season and so on which put them on a national level, and the world had forever changed for UConn sports.

A deep NIT run could help SMU too. It's a stepping stone for them just like it was for us. Good for the AAC.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I remember wearing the NIT Championship to high school and kids saying basically, "Who's UCONN? " We've come a long way. It's true what the ESPN announcers were saying. Some teams in the NIT don't want to be there and some want to prove something. In '88, we were happy to be there.

For an example. I spent a lot of time in Kentucky in my career.
Wearing UConn gear anonymously.
After the NIT championship over an Ohio State team that had beaten Kentucky the year before. Kentucky fans gave me an acceptance that without that win never would have happened. They knew who we were that's a good feeling.

 

[mauconnfan]

Congrats on being stoked on the NIT.

It was a beautiful thing the whole run…….you would have had to have been a Yankee Conference fan to understand!

 

[Kitaman]

The NIT may be second fiddle but for a team in rebuilding mode, it can be a springboard to higher heights. No shame in winning the Tourney, maybe not for pride or trophy but for confidence and extra team building time.

Just tell the winner not to raise the "we're number one" finger.

 

[mcs333]

Great that they sold out for a NIT game. If they get Turner to commit, watch out next year..