Cincy on the Prowl
Fansided

Previewing UC’s Inaugural AAC Opponent: The Mustangs Of SMU

By Chris Bains

facebooktwitterreddit
Nov 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Larry Brown reacts from the bench against the Sam Houston State Bearkats during the second half on an NCAA mens basketball game at the Curtis Culwell Center. SMU won 72-53. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Larry Brown reacts from the bench against the Sam Houston State Bearkats during the second half on an NCAA mens basketball game at the Curtis Culwell Center. SMU won 72-53. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati opens up AAC play tomorrow night against the 10-2 Mustangs. SMU made a splash in the offseason of 2012 by hiring hall of fame coach Larry Brown. The Mustangs are clearly serious about competing for conference titles and making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. Brown’s first season at the helm went so-so, understandably for a coach aiming to turn around a program.

SMU won 15 games in 2012-13, which was a step up from the 13-win performance the previous season. Now at 10-2, Brown and his Mustangs look to progress the program even further this year.

KEY NUMBERS

The SMU Mustangs have compiled double-digit wins in 2013-14 due in large part to stout defense. Now, they have played a whirlwind of opponents but only allowing opponents to shoot 35.7% from the field (2nd nationally) and score about 61 points per game (16th nationally) is mighty impressive. The Mustangs are especially strong at preventing opponents to get many offensive opportunities. They are 1st in the AAC at creating turnovers (13.6 per game) and 26th nationally grabbing 27.9 defensive rebounds per game. Clearly this is a team that will give offenses fits and not give up open shots easily. Cincinnati either needs to stay patient along the perimeter or drive the lane to force fouls and get to the free throw line.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nic Moore (#11): He’s not an especially large player, just 5’9″ and 170 lbs, but is Steve Logan-quick. Moore is SMU’s floor general, pacing the Mustangs with 13.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. He’s shooting almost 53% from the field and impressively 55% from beyond the three point line. Moore is as pure a scorer as Cincinnati has faced this season.

Nov 18, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Southern Methodist Mustang forward Markus Kennedy (5) drives to the basket over Arkansas Razorback guard Rashad Madden (00) during the second half of a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Southern Methodist 89-78. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Southern Methodist Mustang forward Markus Kennedy (5) drives to the basket over Arkansas Razorback guard Rashad Madden (00) during the second half of a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Southern Methodist 89-78. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports /

Markus Kennedy (#5): Like Mick Cronin with Troy Caupain, Larry Brown just refuses to start Markus Kennedy. This despite the 6’9″ forward pacing all SMU big men in points per game (10.2) and second to only Yanick Moreira with 5.3 rebounds per game. He provides a wrinkle off the bench and is utilized to swing momentum in the Mustangs’ favor at critical moments early in games.

BEST MATCHUP

Justin Jackson v. Yanick Moreira (#35): This matchup worries me. At 6’11” and 220, Yanick Moreira has the same body type as New Mexico’s Kirk and Bairstow, who both used and abused Justin Jackson a few weeks ago. But Cincinnati’s primary threat in the low post has played markedly better since then. I’m not sure who has the edge tomorrow but putting up similar numbers, Jackson v. Moreira is the most intriguing matchup to me Wednesday night.

FINAL THOUGHTS AND PREDICTION

The Bearcats and Mustangs boast impressive records (11-2 for Cincinnati, 10-2 for SMU). But Southern Methodist hasn’t been nearly as tested as UC this season. Right, Chicago State isn’t the best litmus test for any team but New Mexico, Xavier, Pitt, and Middle Tennessee State are. Despite being 2-2 against them, the Bearcats have played markedly better of late behind stellar defense. I’m picturing a low-scoring game tomorrow night with Cincinnati winning their first game in the AAC.

Cincinnati: 67

SMU: 60