Two schools, separated by about 40 miles, that haven't been conference foes since 1996. Yet they still share some similarities.
TCU and SMU are both adjusting to changes in coaches and conferences (TCU has already moved, with SMU set to head to the Big East next year), while both have gotten off to less than stellar starts at a combined 1-7 in their conferences.
The Mustangs thought they were on their way to evening their Conference USA record on Wednesday night before Southern Miss rallied from down 19 points early to hold on 74-70 at Moody Coliseum.
SMU led 26-7 12 minutes into the game, but Southern Miss closed the gap all the way down to six points by halftime. Then 20-6 run to lead 48-38. The Mustangs go to within a point at 60-59 but could not get over that hump the rest of the way.
At 1-3 in C-USA, SMU has so far been average and in the middle of the pack regarding most statistics, just not being able to finish the job so far. All of their conference losses so far have been by single digits, with two of the three coming by four points or less.
TCU, meanwhile, continues to struggle in its new home as the Horned Frogs dropped to 0-4 in the Big 12 following Wednesday's 67-54 loss to Kansas State at Daniel Meyer Coliseum.
The Wildcats took control of the game with 10:15 to play in the first half and led by as many as 13 by halftime. The second half was no better for the Frogs, as K-State pushed the lead up to 20 by the 10 1/2 minute mark of the second half.
Scoring has been a big problem in Fort Worth, so much so that allowing under 61 points isn't doing any good. THe Frogs are scoring a league-low 48 points per game in Big 12 play.
It's definitely still an adjusting process, with Larry Brown and Trent Johnson both in their first years at these schools. BUt TCU is quickly learning that the Big 12 is no cakewalk. And barring some improved reciting, SMU may discover the same in the Big East next year.
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