TITLE: Congratulating the Southern Methodist University men's basketball team on its success during the 2014-2015 season.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the Southern Methodist University men's basketball team on its success during the 2014-2015 season.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Southern Methodist University men's basketball team enjoyed an outstanding 2014-2015 season, as it claimed the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament; and WHEREAS, Under the direction of head coach Larry Brown, the Mustangs entered the year with a determined focus after narrowly missing out on a berth in the 2014 NCAA Tournament; the team combined an efficient offense and an aggressive defense to compile 24 regular season wins and capture the AAC regular season title with a 15-3 record in league play; and WHEREAS, SMU began the postseason as the No. 1-seeded squad in the AAC Tournament, held in Hartford, Connecticut; there, the team earned victories over East Carolina and Temple to set up a finals matchup with the defending national champions from the University of Connecticut; the Mustangs jumped out to an early lead and withstood a late rally from their opponent to win 62-54 and claim the school's first conference tournament championship and first NCAA Tournament bid since 1988; and WHEREAS, The sixth-seeded Mustangs then faced off against UCLA in the second round of the "Big Dance"; the team fought back from a halftime deficit to take a late lead before seeing their memorable season come to a close with a loss; the team finished the 2014-2015 campaign with an impressive overall record of 27 wins and just 7 defeats; and WHEREAS, Driving the SMU attack throughout the year was junior guard Nic Moore, who was named AAC Player of the Year after leading the team in scoring, assists, free-throw percentage, and minutes played; moreover, teammate Markus Kennedy was selected as the AAC Sixth Man of the Year, and center Yanick Moreira earned the conference's Most Improved Player honor; and WHEREAS, Demonstrating tremendous talent and dedication, the SMU Mustangs worked together on the court to elevate the university's basketball program to new levels of success, and their accomplishments are a source of great pride to their many fans in North Texas and across the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Southern Methodist University men's basketball team on its achievements during the 2014-2015 season and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Meyer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1762 was adopted by the House on May 7, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House