First thought: I really wish this weren't the way Yanick, Ryan, Cannen, Jean-Mike and Kevin ended their careers at SMU. All of them were important to the building of this program and SMU again has a big leadership void to fill next season.
Secondly, as much as I wish the call went the other way, it was a goaltend. The ball had a chance of hitting the rim and Yanick needed to let the ball come down to at least the level of the rim before he touched it. He touched the ball while it was still above the level of the rim and the refs will make the same call every time that happens. Yanick had a bad habit of touching shots well after he should all season and it finally came back to hurt SMU in a big way.
However, this game does not fall on Yanick's shoulders, as much as he clearly thinks it does. SMU should have never been in that position if Cannen does not try to get the ball to Manuel, a far worse free throw shooter than him, or if SMU does not leave eight points on the free throw line. Hit just a handful of those and Yanick's goaltend does not even matter.
Also, this team showed A TON of heart. I honestly thought the game was over the way SMU came out of the locker room. The team had no rhythm, was shooting dirty looks at each other and just seemed in over its head. But, that 19-0 run came out of nowhere and showed exactly who this team was, one that never gave up no matter what. For that alone, we should be proud of this team.
Lastly, I think SMU will be even better next year. Jordan Tolbert will fill the Cunningham role next season while Semi Ojeleye is already the best player on the roster and when he becomes eligible in December he will take SMU to a different level. Add in the current 2015 class of Barefield, Foster and Milton and bring back Nic, Ben Moore, Ben Emelogu, Sterling, Markus and Keith, and next year's team will be a force to be reckoned with.
And before we move on to football......
Pony up!
Secondly, as much as I wish the call went the other way, it was a goaltend. The ball had a chance of hitting the rim and Yanick needed to let the ball come down to at least the level of the rim before he touched it. He touched the ball while it was still above the level of the rim and the refs will make the same call every time that happens. Yanick had a bad habit of touching shots well after he should all season and it finally came back to hurt SMU in a big way.
However, this game does not fall on Yanick's shoulders, as much as he clearly thinks it does. SMU should have never been in that position if Cannen does not try to get the ball to Manuel, a far worse free throw shooter than him, or if SMU does not leave eight points on the free throw line. Hit just a handful of those and Yanick's goaltend does not even matter.
Also, this team showed A TON of heart. I honestly thought the game was over the way SMU came out of the locker room. The team had no rhythm, was shooting dirty looks at each other and just seemed in over its head. But, that 19-0 run came out of nowhere and showed exactly who this team was, one that never gave up no matter what. For that alone, we should be proud of this team.
Lastly, I think SMU will be even better next year. Jordan Tolbert will fill the Cunningham role next season while Semi Ojeleye is already the best player on the roster and when he becomes eligible in December he will take SMU to a different level. Add in the current 2015 class of Barefield, Foster and Milton and bring back Nic, Ben Moore, Ben Emelogu, Sterling, Markus and Keith, and next year's team will be a force to be reckoned with.
And before we move on to football......
Pony up!
