When the Mustangs hosted 7th ranked Cincinnati three seasons ago, nobody knew how good SMU was.
Under second year head coach Larry Brown, the Mustangs found themselves in the middle of only their second winning season in a decade. With transfers Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy now eligible to play, SMU had already recorded wins over 17th ranked Connecticut and 22nd ranked Memphis at home. Still, the Mustangs had not garnered much national attention or respect.
The lack of recognition was understandable.