Five instant takeaways from SMU making the big dance: Early exit for Ponies?

AP SMUâs Semi Ojeleye, left, SMUâs Sterling Brown, center, SMUâs Ben Moore and during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals, Friday, March 10, 2017, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)SMU is back in the NCAA tournament.

Here are five takeaways from the Mustangs' making the big dance.

1. SMU is in -- There really wasn't any doubt surrounding SMU's tournament chances. The Mustangs played some of the best basketball in the nation and quickly proved they belonged back in the big dance after missing last year's tournament due to sanctions. SMU set a single season high in win totals and clinched the automatic bid with…