"With the commitment that we have here, why can't we do special things here? Why can't we be in the top 25? Why can't we be one of the elite programs in the country? I asked the players that: Why not us?" - new SMU basketball coach Matt Doherty, speaking to media yesterday after he was officially announced as the Mustangs new basketball coach.

I am cautiously optimistic this is a good move for SMU. It's time schools around CUSA step up & improve their basketball programs. With UAB hiring former Indiana coach Mike Davis, maybe CUSA basketball will follow the lead of football. After all, CUSA football is known for George O'Leary at UCF, Mike Price at UTEP & even Tommy West at Memphis.

See the similarities? O'Leary had his problems emerge when he accepted the Notre Dame job, Price made a mistake or two right after taking the Alabama job. Both have received second chances & have been pretty successful.

Maybe that is the natural step for CUSA basketball. Former party hopper Larry Eustachy has just dismantled Southern Miss in hopes of rebuilding; Davis never had the support of the Hoosiers faithful, but the Blazer fans will be there if he provides an up-tempo game, similar to that of former coach Mike Anderson. And Doherty, a former national coach of the year, now has the chance to improve SMU in a league fighting for respect.

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Could former Rebels basketball coach Rod Barnes soon call Knoxville home? UT coach Bruce Pearl is considering Barnes & Bob Sundvold to replace Scott Edgar, now head coach at Southeast Missouri.

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Grizzlies in postseason...

Grizzlies' Jackson a king-sized problem

Gasol knows he has to play better than Game 1

Will drama behind scene have effect on Grizzlies?

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The NFL Players Association will hear the case of Titans QB Steve McNair.

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Determining a national champion in college football shouldn't be difficult. The BCS is doing a little PR this week selling the idea of the fifth game which is supposed to open opportunities for football teams residing in non-BCS conferences. The fifth game will also be hosted at the same site which will host the national title game.

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