MUSTANGS hoops preview

[indianmustang]

http://conferenceusa.collegesports.com/ ... 805aan.htm


The 2005-06 basketball season holds high hopes for the Mustangs. The team will be young with only two seniors, but second-year head coach Jimmy Tubbs believes this team has the right attitude as it works toward the goal of returning SMU to the NCAA Tournament.

"Obviously we are young with only two seniors, but we have the players with the right mind set," stated Tubbs. "This team has a great desire to compete, and that is a good place to start."

The Mustangs finished 14-14 in Tubbs' first season as they steadily improved throughout. The Ponies finished asolid 5-2 in the final seven conference outings with the two losses coming on a buzzer-beater at Fresno State and in double-overtime at home against Rice.


BACK COURT
The Mustangs will rely on a solid group of guards to set the pace this season. The squad returns senior All- Conference USA candidate Bryan Hopkins (6-0, 195, Dallas, Texas), sophomore Derrick Roberts (6-4, 190, Houston, Texas), sophomore Jon Killen (6-4, 195, Arlington, Texas), and senior Ryan Hopkins (6-2, 170, Dallas, Texas). They are joined in the backcourt by sophomore point-guard Dez Willingham (6-0, 180, De Soto, Texas), junior Brian Epps (6-5, 225, Franklin, Wisc.) from Georgia Perimeter Junior College, and freshman Matt Williams (6-2, 180, Addison, Texas).

The recent in-state recruiting efforts are apparent as the squad features four guards that earned All-State honors from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches: Hopkins (2002), Willingham (2003), Roberts (2004), and Williams (2005).

"We will have a good perimeter game," says Tubbs. "Our guards are very talented and bring solid leadership and maturity. Bryan brings experience and a superb talent level, Dez will bring leadership, and Derrick is a good athlete to have on the perimeter."

Hopkins paced the Mustangs at 17.9 points per outing and earned second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2004-05. He also contributed 3.9 boards, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Hopkins ranked 31st nationally in steals per game, capped by his SMU and Moody Coliseum single-game record of nine picks against San Jose State.





"We have to be sure that he takes his talent to the highest possible level," Tubbs stated. "He has to continue to make good decisions and hit his shots."

Willingham is a pure point guard from nearby De Soto High School that played his freshman campaign at Kansas State in 2003-04. He averaged 17.4 minutes in 22 game while contributing 2.8 assists and 4.4 points per contest playing for the Wildcats.

"Dez can penetrate off the dribble and is a good shooter," Tubbs say. "He will help open up the floor."

The addition of Willingham will allow Hopkins to focus more on his scoring role, which is key to SMU's success. Last season, he averaged 22.5 points in wins and 12.9 points in losses.

Roberts and Epps are expected to provide solid swing players. Both can shoot from the perimeter and explode to the basket. Roberts shot 42.1 percent from three-point range during league play while averaging 9.0 points and 3.1 assists per game. Epps shot 57 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore while averaging 12.2 points and 6.0 boards per game.

Roberts missed 12 games last season due to a strained ligament in his right knee, but improved as he was able to play consistently during league play. He finished eighth in assist/turnover ratio at 1.65 in league games where he dished 3.1 assists per game compared to 1.9 turnovers per outing. Roberts also scored in double figures six times, including the final three regular season games. He scored a season-high 19 points in a last-second loss at Louisiana Tech.

"Derrick is versatile, and we can have him at the two and the three," states Tubbs. "We are looking for him to improve his shooting. If he does that, it really opens his game up because he is good at penetrating the defense. "Brian brings maturity as a junior college player. We hope he can stretch the defense as an outside threat. He is also physically strong and will need to score some on the inside."

Killen provided steady support as a back-up point guard last season. He is the only returning player that saw action in all 28 games last season. Killen had 23 assists and 18 turnovers while playing 12 minutes per contest. His best performance came in the regular season finale with eight points, four steals, and two assists in the doubleovertime loss to Rice.

"Jon will bring toughness and smarts to this team," said Tubbs. "I really like how his toughness rubs off on the rest of the team when he is on the floor."

Ryan Hopkins saw limited time in seven contests last season, but could contribute as a senior.

"Ryan is a mature and mentally tough kid," Tubbs states. "His mental make up is good for us. He is a good influence in the locker room and he always plays hard." The Mustangs add Williams as an outstanding shooter.

He averaged a Trinity Christian Academy school-record 29.0 points during his senior season. Williams also set school records by scoring 61 points in a single-game and hitting 125 three-pointers on the year. He enters with a strong familiarity of SMU basketball as a third generation Mustang. Williams' mother, Claire Morris-Williams, played at SMU and grandfather, Max, was a two-time All-Conference player for the Ponies.

"Matt can really shoot the ball," says Tubbs. "That is what he has to do well, and I think he will. His shooting should extend the defense and that will help us all around."


FRONT COURT
The frontcourt will have more size than a year ago, including 6-11 Donatas Rackauskas and 7-1 Bamba Fall, but will be relatively inexperienced. The Mustangs have to replace four-year starters Eric Castro and Patrick Simpson.

The Mustangs return juniors Devon Pearson (6-6, 225, Miami, Fla.), Rackauskas (6-11, 240, Alytus, Lithuania) and Ike Ofoegbu (6-9, 215, San Antonio, Texas) along with sophomore Paulius Ritter (6-7, 255, Vilnius, Lithuania).

Two newcomers join the interior: freshmen Brian Morris (6-8, 260, Portland, Ore.) and Fall (7-1, 200, Senegal). Pearson became a force during the second half of last season and should be a leader on the blocks this season.

During his final 13 games, all starts, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.4 boards, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest compared with 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in the first 12 contests. Pearson ended the season ranked 11th in the conference games at 6.6 rebounds per night.

"Devon is a tough kid," stresses Tubbs. "The main thing he brings is toughness, and that was proven when he was hurt at the end of last season. We were not as effective without him.

"Last year was also his first on the perimeter, and he shot pretty well. I would like to see his shooting continue to improve and for him to become a more complete player."

After a redshirt season, Rackauskas returns to the middle. He injured his right knee during preseason workouts and missed the season following surgery. Rackauskas is a solid shooter that hit 49.1 percent during the 2003-04 campaign. That season, he averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 boards in 7.7 minutes per game.

"Donatas gives us versatility because he is 6-11 and has a good jump-shot from the high post," says Tubbs. "He will really help us stretch the defense."

Fall brings a shot-blocking presence to the middle at 7-1. He had a career-best 14 blocks during a game as a senior at Oak Hill Academy. He will also continue to develop as an offensive threat.

"Bamba has to have success in the weight room to get stronger," states Tubbs. "We have to start with him inside and get low-post production. That will open up the outside game. Defensively, his length in the middle and ability to block shots will allow us to bring more defensive pressure. We expect good things, and we need him to grow up fast."

Morris was a two-time league MVP in high school and led his Jefferson High School team to back-to-back league titles. He showed his post presence by averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds as a senior.

"Brian has good size and a good feel for the game. He will bring toughness and the ability to bang inside," Tubbs states. "We have to make sure he has success in the weight room to continue to develop his physical toughness to go along with his tough attitude."

Ritter provides a physical presence in the post where he uses his size to keep opponents off the boards. He played 20 games as a freshman. Ofoegbu is more active in the interior provided more defensive help in his 25 games a year ago.

"Paulius really helped us with his physical play," stated Tubbs. "He also brings the intangibles; playing hard, rebounding, loose balls.

"Ike has gotten stronger and we hope he can give us consistency with his rebounding and some scoring. He also can be a good defender with his length and quickness."


OVERALL
Tubbs is known as a defensive-minded coach that wants to push the transition game. In his first season, the Mustangs finished 48th in the nation at 8.6 steals per game, highlighted by an SMU single-game record 19 picks in the win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. It was the secondhighest average in SMU history to the 9.3 per outing of the 1999-2000 campaign. The improved defense combined with taking care of the ball resulted in the first positive turnover margin (+1.9 per game) in four seasons.

"We really want to extend our defense," says Tubbs. "Having a shot-blocker in the middle will help that.

Extending the defense will also make for an exciting brand of basketball for the players and the fans." The Tubbs' coaching staff has also added a more physical mindset that shows in the off-season weight training and preseason conditioning. The Mustangs improved their rebounding margin by five per game (-4.0 to +1.0) and blocked shots to 3.6 from 2.9 per contest during Tubbs' inaugural season.

"We would like to be a good rebounding team. We have good length and we need that to turn in to toughness and rebounding."

The aggressive defensive and transition attack requires depth, which should be improved for the Mustangs this season.

"I do think our depth will be better," Tubbs stated. "We will play eight to nine guys. It will be good for our practices. It's also important that we balance our aggressive style of play with protecting the ball. We can't just run out of control. We need to develop as a team and play the right way by hitting the open man, making good decisions, and taking care of the ball.

"We will play hard and play with a purpose. We have smart players that have the ability to do that and those are positive ingredients for success."


SCHEDULE
Coach Tubbs is excited about the move to Conference USA and what the future holds for his program. "I like the move to Conference USA," emphasizes Tubbs. "We have a good television package with CSTV and an exciting brand of basketball. It is really a transition type league that runs the court and shows the players' skills.

"The league has a great basketball tradition with teams like Memphis and UAB. It will also be great for travel and rivalries. Our fans can easily make trips to New Orleans, Houston, Tulsa, Memphis, and others."

The Mustangs also sport a competitive non-conference schedule. The Moody Coliseum slate features cross-town rival TCU, Big 12 power Oklahoma, Toledo, and Harvard. The Mustangs road schedule is highlighted by visits to national power Oklahoma State, in-state rival Texas State, and Wyoming.

"Our schedule is very tough and competitive," says Tubbs. "We face traditional powers Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Wyoming, and Toledo before we even get in to conference play. This schedule will help us mature and develop as we advance as a program."

[that's great raplh]

so what are our chances?

[RGV Pony]

since when are Toledo and TCU traditional powers?

[Charleston Pony]

I love the preseason. Everyone is unbeaten and has post season potential. I really am interested in seeing how all the new guys perform...and to see if the returning guys have improved their games. I think the experts are right when they say we should have a "middle of the pack" team that will hopefully be competitive and entertaining for the 1500 this year.

[Hoop Fan]

that rebounding stat is pretty encouraging. SMU improved its rebounding from -1 to +4 last year. We had the same players year over year, so Tubbs must have made a difference there compared to Dement. Castro and Simpson were not gifted rebounders. Castro didnt have the quickness or jumping ability and Simpson didnt have the muscle. Our frontline will struggle this year, but with their size, rebounding is one area we could be as good or better. I think we will have enough scoring with help from Dez and Roberts being a year older, to go with Hopkins and Pearson. The Rack is the key to the season. If he is healthy and plays with confidence, we could be a surprise team. If he's not ready for primetime, middle of the pack is probably about right.

[Corso]

that rebounding stat is pretty encouraging. SMU improved its rebounding from -1 to +4 last year. We had the same players year over year, so Tubbs must have made a difference there compared to Dement. Castro and Simpson were not gifted rebounders. Castro didnt have the quickness or jumping ability and Simpson didnt have the muscle. Our frontline will struggle this year, but with their size, rebounding is one area we could be as good or better. I think we will have enough scoring with help from Dez and Roberts being a year older, to go with Hopkins and Pearson. The Rack is the key to the season. If he is healthy and plays with confidence, we could be a surprise team. If he's not ready for primetime, middle of the pack is probably about right.

You think the Rack is the key? Interesting. I'd say the keys are Dez running the point (at least until BHop arrives, at which point they can go to some kind of two-headed point monster) and how effective Bamba Fall is. If nothing else, he has to block some shots and alter a lot more, although if he shows nothing on the offensive end, that might mean a bunch of 55-51 games ....

[Hoop Fan]

Dez will almost certainly be more noticed if we are going to have a good season, but I say Rack is the key almost like you would say that the offensive line is the key in football. Its the less glamorous things that this team needs like defensive and rebounding toughness. Rack has a little attitude which is good, even though he is not a banger. He does have good height and some weight to throw around. I'm not writing off Bamba at all, I think he will have to give some good minutes, but it would be better if Rack stepped up, he's been here for 3 years and should be ready if he is ever gonna be.

[abezontar]

We are talking about Donatus right? Weight to throw around? He must have spent a lot of time in the weight room then, cause I remember him being a stick figure who fouled out quickly.

[Hoop Fan]

he is certainly no heavyweight, but he's not a lightweight either. I think most of the fouls that you mention came from being out of position and tenative.