-The busiest weekend of basketball this semester is upon us, with three games in three days beginning tomorrow. So, why are we running this editorial today?
Some might think Ed Board is trying to get back in the good graces of the athletic department after our remarks about football coach Phil Bennett’s pay raise. While Ed Board respects the coach and the team, and we are happy to see the football team turn things around, we stand by our opinion.
The fact of the matter is, Ed Board is getting kind of lonely in the student section – so we would love for our fellow students to show up, even if you do think Coach B deserves his raise. So, clear your calendars now.
It’s not as if the athletic department isn’t trying. There’s even a Welcome Back Students promotion for the Rice game on Sunday.
It will feature a competition between various student groups on campus, with the winning organization getting a party from Plucker’s.
As for the action on the court, conference play has brought welcome relief for the women’s team.
After an unexpectedly strong year in 2004-05 with a large number of freshmen starters, the team was expected to compete immediately. However, non-conference play created more questions than anyone thought it would. With basically the same team the results were poor: a five and seven record headed into conference play.
Fortunately, the team seems to have pushed through the difficulties and shown the tenacity necessary if it wants to compete for a Conference USA title.
The final 10 minutes of Sunday’s UAB game turned physical, with the ladies fighting and scrapping for possession of the ball. They pulled out the win and currently sit tied for third place in C-USA. Two wins this weekend can put the ladies in good shape. They face interstate rivals Houston at 7 p.m. on Friday and Rice at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Rice game is on ESPN2, so show up and you, too, can be on TV with Ed Board.
The men’s season isn’t divided into conference and non-conference plays – it’s Hopkins and non-Hopkins. The team was downright scary and painful to watch early in the season, but Hopkins’ return during the winter break infused the team with new life.
It knocked off cross-town rival TCU and narrowly lost to then No. 12 Oklahoma by three points.
Another boost to the team is Bamba Fall. For the first time that Ed Board can remember, the Mustangs seem to have an effective inside presence that opposing teams have to respect. If you weren’t at the game the Mustangs played against Harvard, you missed quite a show from this promising freshman.
Not to mention, his shot blocks pump up the Moody crowd. All we need now is for the Mustang Band to play the song “La Bamba” when Fall takes the court.
The Mustangs won their first conference game last night against East Carolina in overtime and can pull even in C-USA play with a win over Rice on Saturday at 7 p.m.
If you want to be a super-fan, its not too late to join Mustang Maniacs. Just go to the athletic department Web site, www.smumustangs.com to sign up.
Just think – if you come to the games and see the Ponies win – that’s an even better reason to go out and party.
