5 Bold Predictions For the Rest of SMU Mustangs’ 2014-15 Season

By Kelly Anderson

5 Bold Predictions For the Rest of SMU Mustangs’ 2014-15 Season

Larry Brown SMU
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After a slow start to the season, the SMU Mustangs have won 16 out of 17 games, including eight straight, to propel themselves to the top of the American Athletic Conference and to once again find themselves in the top 25. They are about to enter the toughest part of their schedule, but are rolling at the right time, so they should be able to survive it. And based upon these facts, here are five bold predictions for the rest the Mustangs’ year.

5. Yanick Moreira Will Improve His Draft Stock

Yanick Moreira SMU
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5. Yanick Moreira Will Improve His Draft Stock

Yanick Moreira SMU
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Playing in the Basketball World Cup this summer helped Moreira improve his game dramatically and the Mustangs are seeing the results on the court this year. He now plays with more confidence by slashing to the hole and attacking the basket from the post with power and determination. NBA scouts are drooling over Moreira's upside and you shouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a first-round pick by year’s end.

4. Nic Moore Will Be AAC Player of the Year

Nic Moore SMU
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4. Nic Moore Will Be AAC Player of the Year

Nic Moore SMU
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He had to carry the team early on when Marcus Kennedy was academically ineligible, but in the process he became a more efficient player. He had to learn how to get everyone involved and, as a result, his assists have gone up, but more importantly his turnovers have gone down. He is clearly the class of league as he is as clutch as they come in the AAC.

3. SMU Will Win AAC Regular Season and Conference Tourney

Marcus Kennedy SMU
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3. SMU Will Win AAC Regular Season and Conference Tourney

Marcus Kennedy SMU
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Right now Tulsa is in first place, but the Mustangs have two head-to-head matchups coming up with them and they enter those games supremely confident. This is a team that has won big games in the past against UCONN, Memphis and Cincinnati, so they are a battle tested team who will not shy away from a big game.

2. Larry Brown Wins National Coach of the Year

Larry Brown SMU
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2. Larry Brown Wins National Coach of the Year

Larry Brown SMU
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Unless the Kentucky Wildcats go undefeated, Larry Brown will be the clear choice for coach of the year if the Mustangs continue their hot streak. He has overcome multiple key players being ruled ineligible, had a coach and a player leave the team midseason, and his team is under NCAA investigation, but he continues to lead his team to success all while playing a tougher schedule this year.

1. SMU Will Make Sweet Sixteen

Larry Brown SMU
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1. SMU Will Make Sweet Sixteen

Larry Brown SMU
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Based upon the fact that they have played a tougher non-conference schedule, played deep into a postseason tournament last year in the NIT and have players playing at a high level under a Hall of Fame coach who has seen it all, look for this team to make a run in the NCAA tourney. This is a deep team that has skill at every position and will be a tough out in March.

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