Mustangs taking Dallas by Storm

Steve Carp

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997 | 12:07 p.m.

Who would have thought that the hot sports in Dallas would be hockey and college basketball?

Usually, this time of the year is reserved for football and the Cowboys' playoff run. But with the Pokes out of the chase for the Super Bowl, the attention of Metroplex sports fans has turned to the ice, where the NHL's Stars have the best record in the Western Conference, and yes, to the hardwood where both Texas Christian and Southern Methodist are off to great starts.

TCU has already cracked the top-25 with its high-octane offense and everyone knew Billy Tubbs would have a good team, even without Damion Walker, who transferred to New Mexico.

And those who follow the game knew that SMU was on the rise. But undefeated heading into WAC play? That is a surprise.

The Mustangs were 9-0 going into Tuesday's game against Harvard. A win over the Crimson would mark the best start in school history. The 9-0 record is the best since 1984-85 when Dave Bliss was the coach and Jon Koncak was an All-America center.

Mike Dement, the third-year coach, has turned things around quicker than expected. He inherited a team which had won just six games four years ago and posted only eight victories in his first season.

But last year, the Mustangs went 16-12 and nearly upset Utah in the WAC tournament. It took a last-second miracle shot from Keith Van Horn for the Utes to prevail.

Now, SMU is in a position to make a strong run at a postseason berth. And while the Mustangs have not played a tough schedule and have played only one road game so far, the fact they are undefeated can't be taken away from them.

"So far, we've taken advantage of our home games," Dement said. "That's why you try to schedule a lot of home games."

SMU has five players averaging double figures with senior center Jay Poerner leading the way with a 15.9 average. Sophomore guard Stephen Woods is right behind at 15.2. But the Mustangs have received a pleasant boost from freshmen guards Jeryl Sasser, who is averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds and Chad Elsey, who is averaging 11.1 points.

As a team, SMU is averaging over 80 points a game, 12 more than a year ago. But the key will be the start of WAC play this weekend. SMU travels to UTEP, which will be trying to get Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins his 700th career win. There's also a mid-January trip to Hawaii and San Diego State which will be a first for Dement's team.

Many consider that two-game swing to be the toughest in the WAC and it will be interesting to see how SMU handles it.

Hawaii gets big chance

Riley Wallace knows how important it is to play at home. He annually makes sure his Hawaii ballclub stays on the islands for its preseason schedule. So far, it has produced a 9-1 record and a shot at the No. 2 team in the nation, Kansas, Tuesday in the Rainbow Classic.

A win over the Jayhawks would catapult the Rainbows into the top 25 and it would be great exposure for Hawaii's program, especially its outstanding backcourt tandem of A.C. Carter and Alika Smith.

Both have overcome early-season injuries to lead Hawaii and many believe they make up the nation's best backcourt. They have the Rainbows off to their best start since 1989 when Hawaii began the season 11-1 en route to a 25-10 campaign.

"It's a great opportunity for our kids to play the No. 2 team in the country," Wallace said. "Indiana was a big game for us earlier this yea but this is obviously the biggest game we've had so far. I have to worry about our guys being too up. I may have to pull them down a little."

Wallace said his team deserves more consideration in the polls than it has received so far. Perhaps the loss to Arkansas State hurt but Hawaii was without Smith that night as he was nursing a bruised toe from which he is still recovering from.

"Anybody on the mainland who was doing as well as we are would be ranked," Wallace said. "Hopefully we'll play well against Kansas so everyone can see what we've done here."

WAC and RPI

Utah may be the nation's No. 4 team according to the polls. But when it comes to the Ratings Percentage Index, Rick Majerus' team is way down on the list.

The current RPI rankings have Utah at No. 50 even though the Utes are undefeated at 11-0. The problem, of course, is the strength of schedule, the main criterion for the RPI. Utah has two "quality wins" over Wake Forest and Providence and both of those programs are down. In fact, the best win for the Utes may be the 69-61 win over Oregon State Dec. 20. The Beavers are 8-2.

But when you're beating the likes of Cal State Fullerton, Southern Utah, Azusa Pacific and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, it doesn't help you a lot with your RPI.

The best RPI in the WAC currently belongs to New Mexico, which is No. 10. Hawaii is next at No. 24 followed by Texas-El Paso at 43 and Colorado State at 51.

And while Utah's RPI is out of whack to its record and standing in the polls, consider TCU and SMU. The Mustangs may be 9-0, but because they haven't played anyone of consequence, they're at 103. TCU, which is 11-2, was listed at 108.

UNLV is at No. 88, Wyoming is 92 and Tulsa is 98. Bringing up the rear of the WAC is Fresno State at 147, San Diego State at 148, San Jose State at 185, Brigham Young at 193, Rice at 239 and Air Force at 292.