Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown back for No. 10 SMU

Jan 12, 2016 - 12:57 AM DALLAS (AP) Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown was back on the court Monday, directing No. 10 SMU's practice a day after missing the second half of a game for the undefeated Mustangs.

Brown wasn't feeling well all day Sunday. He coached the first half of an 88-73 victory over UCF, but didn't return after that because he felt dizzy.

''I'm going to be all right. ... With me, if I turn the wrong way, or if I jump up too quickly ... I lose some equilibrium,'' Brown said Monday before practice. ''Maybe it's because I'm 75, and I don't realize it.''

During the two-hour practice, Brown was actively involved, shouting and pointing out things to his players. Even at the end, the coach was making passes for some players to work on different shots.

The practice came after the Mustangs (15-0) moved up five spots in the new Associated Press Top 25 poll earlier Monday, getting into the top 10 for the first time since February 1985.

The coach attributes fatigue, dehydration and a virus for aggravating symptoms he has dealt with in the past, including fluid in his ears. He saw a doctor after Sunday's game, got some medication and said he got a full eight hours sleep for the first time in a long time.

''I've had bouts like this that lasted a while, and some that passed quickly,'' Brown said. ''I've got to sit down better. ... I found myself up screaming too much yesterday, I think that was the key. It's a natural thing, but I was too engaged.''

Aside from getting ejected from an NBA game, Brown said it was the first time he can remember not finishing a game.

The Mustangs are halfway through their 30 games in the regular season, which are all they will have because of NCAA penalties that include a postseason ban. Brown missed the first nine games because of the sanctions.

SMU has played with seven scholarship players in its last three games because junior guard Keith Frazier is away from the team for personal reasons.

Brown said the situation with Frazier has contributed to his lack of sleep. The coach has said Frazier is academically eligible and on track to graduate.

''We've told you from the beginning it's just some personal issues that he's got to sort out, and when that's finalized hopefully I'll be able to be more clearer about what's going on,'' Brown said. ''My hope is that he understands we're here to help and we'll support whatever he does. That's the only thing that really concerns me right now. He's got to be clear about what he feels is best for him, because then ultimately it will be best for us.''

The coach said Frazier sent him a message after Sunday's game checking on him. The two are scheduled to meet Tuesday before the team travels for its next game at East Carolina on Wednesday.

Frazier, who missed the second half of last season because of academics, averaged 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in his 10 games this season before being away from the team. Online course work for Frazier prior to his enrollment at SMU was part of the NCAA investigation that led to the sanctions last fall.

''I'm hopeful that he knows we want him to graduate because he's done an unbelievable job to put him in a position to do that,'' Brown said. ''And there's no reason we can't support him in that regard.''