Mustangs report: Notes, quotes

March 25, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Getting inside

FINAL RECORD
10-20, 4-12 in C-USA, 11th place.

WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Mustangs remained competitive -- for the most part -- through adversity, and four freshmen saw extensive playing time. Second-year coach Matt Doherty, once criticized for being too tough on his players at North Carolina, showed his own growth as a coach by working hard to find the positives and keep his team moving forward.

WHAT WENT WRONG
The Mustangs knew their roster would be young, thin and not as talented as other C-USA teams, but at times they lost focus and let games get out of hand. Their lowest moment came in an 82-54 loss at 10th-place East Carolina on Feb. 27.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's never easy to end the season. But I'm proud of the effort of these three guys. You take over a program and you need guys to buy in, work and lead. These three guys did that. And when we are having success in the future, they will be a part of it. They will be there either physically or in spirit because most programs, when there is a transition, you are going to have a season like this." -- SMU coach Matt Doherty, on the impact of outgoing seniors Jon Killen, Derrick Roberts and Paulius Ritter.