SMU Basketball: 5 Early Predictions For The 2014-15 Season

SMU Basketball: 5 Early Predictions For The 2014-15 Season

By Jacob Dennis

July 3, 2014

SMU Basketball: 5 Early Predictions for 2014-15 Season

SMU Moody Coliseum — Following a 27-10 season that ended just short of the NCAA tournament, the SMU Mustangs will be better than ever in 2014-15. With the team's key nucleus of players returning and the addition of Xavier transfer Justin Martin, SMU is poised for a run at the AAC crown. Eight seniors make the Mustangs a veteran squad that has the potential to garner national attention next season. Here are five predictions for SMU in 2014-15.

Following a 27-10 season that ended just short of the NCAA tournament, the SMU Mustangs will be better than ever in 2014-15. With the team's key nucleus of players returning and the addition of Xavier transfer Justin Martin, SMU is poised for a run at the AAC crown. Eight seniors make the Mustangs a veteran squad that has the potential to garner national attention next season. Here are five predictions for SMU in 2014-15.

5. The Mustangs Will Win 30 Games

Larry Brown SMU

5. The Mustangs Will Win 30 Games

Larry Brown SMU — Last season, Larry Brown's SMU team managed to win 27 games and fell just short of the Big Dance. This year, in an AAC without perennial powerhouse Louisville, the Mustangs have a legitimate chance to compete for a conference title. The Mustangs have a relatively easy non-conference schedule, but games against Indiana and Michigan give them a chance to gain national recognition quickly.

Last season, Larry Brown's SMU team managed to win 27 games and fell just short of the Big Dance. This year, in an AAC without perennial powerhouse Louisville, the Mustangs have a legitimate chance to compete for a conference title. The Mustangs have a relatively easy non-conference schedule, but games against Indiana and Michigan give them a chance to gain national recognition quickly.

4. Nic Moore WIll Be On AAC All-Conference Team

Nic Moore SMU

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4. Nic Moore WIll Be On AAC All-Conference Team

Nic Moore SMU — SMU guard Nic Moore was impressive in 2013, averaging just under 14 points while shooting 83 percent from the line and 44 percent from distant. The redshirt junior has a great coach to continue to grow under and plenty of potential, so it isn't too far-fetched to believe that he'll find himself on the AAC All-Conference team at the end of next season.

SMU guard Nic Moore was impressive in 2013, averaging just under 14 points while shooting 83 percent from the line and 44 percent from distant. The redshirt junior has a great coach to continue to grow under and plenty of potential, so it isn't too far-fetched to believe that he'll find himself on the AAC All-Conference team at the end of next season.

3. Justin Martin Will Record At Least 10 Double-Doubles

Justin Martin SMU

3. Justin Martin Will Record At Least 10 Double-Doubles

Justin Martin SMU — Justin Martin, a Xavier-transfer with significant experience, was a huge offseason acquisition for SMU. Last season, Martin averaged almost 30 MPG on a Xavier team that made it to the NCAA tournament, and he's improved his shooting every year he's played. At 6-foot-6, the forward is a significant presence in the paint and will have plenty of chances to snatch down boards and help SMU win games.

Justin Martin, a Xavier-transfer with significant experience, was a huge offseason acquisition for SMU. Last season, Martin averaged almost 30 MPG on a Xavier team that made it to the NCAA tournament, and he's improved his shooting every year he's played. At 6-foot-6, the forward is a significant presence in the paint and will have plenty of chances to snatch down boards and help SMU win games.

2. The Mustangs Will Finish Top-3 In The AAC

SMU Larry Brown

2. The Mustangs Will Finish Top-3 In The AAC

SMU Larry Brown — This prediction is a no-brainer, as SMU, Memphis, Cincinnati and defending National Champion UCONN are far and away the best teams in the conference. SMU's experience will provide victories in closely-contested games, and the Mustangs will finish third in the AAC.

This prediction is a no-brainer, as SMU, Memphis, Cincinnati and defending National Champion UCONN are far and away the best teams in the conference. SMU's experience will provide victories in closely-contested games, and the Mustangs will finish third in the AAC.

1. SMU Will Make the NCAA Tournament Round of 32

SMU Mustangs Basketball

1. SMU Will Make the NCAA Tournament Round of 32

SMU Mustangs Basketball — Despite getting left out of the NCAA tournament field last season, SMU was still able to gain postseason experience by making a deep run in the NIT. The Mustangs are even better this season, and it's reasonable to think that the senior-laden squad will be able to win at least one game in the NCAA tournament.

Despite getting left out of the NCAA tournament field last season, SMU was still able to gain postseason experience by making a deep run in the NIT. The Mustangs are even better this season, and it's reasonable to think that the senior-laden squad will be able to win at least one game in the NCAA tournament.

Jacob Dennis is an ACC Basketball writer at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.

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