Last week we counted down some of our top moments from the 2014-15 basketball seasons. We have worked our way down from 10 to six and this week we will finish our list. Each day we will be bringing you one moment from either the men or women that stood out to us this season.
#2: SMU Redemption
Last season, SMU went 18-1 at home and 15-3 in conference play, making a strong case for an NCAA tournament berth. In the quarterfinals of The American Championship in Memphis, the Mustangs fell to Houston, and were left out of the field of 68 on Selection Sunday. SMU continued post-season play in the NIT and made it to the championship game where the Mustangs fell to Minnesota at Madison Square Garden.
Fast forward to this year, as the Mustangs took their destiny into their own hands. SMU went 15-3 in conference play and won the final game of the regular season at home over Tulsa to claim the regular season conference championship and secure the #1 seed heading into the Conference Championship. It was the first regular season conference championship for SMU since 1993.
The Mustangs trekked to Hartford with a goal in mind – control their own destiny and punch a ticket to the big dance with The American’s automatic qualifier. SMU took down East Carolina and Temple before facing UConn in the championship game. In front of a packed house at XL Center, SMU took down the defending national champions 62-54 to win their first conference championship since 1988 and guarantee the Mustangs their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1993.