SMU/Houston preview

[PonyPride]

HOUSTON Cougars (11-10, 5-3 C-USA)
at
SMU Mustangs (13-9, 2-6 C-USA)

Wed. Feb. 7 - 7:00 p.m. CT
Moody Coliseum (8,998)
Dallas, Texas
Radio: KAAM 770 AM
Internet: Mustang All-Access
TV: CSTV (Carter Blackburn, Pete Gillen)
www.SMUMustangs.com

The SMU Mustangs (13-9, 2-6 Conference USA) host the Houston Cougars (11-10, 5-3 C-USA) on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. The game is nationally-televised live from Moody Coliseum on CSTV. This is the fourth of an SMU record five nationally-televised games this season. The next is a CSTV broadcast visit from 8th-ranked Memphis on Saturday, March 3, at 8:30 p.m.

The Mustangs are looking to avenge a 15-point loss (82-67) at Houston on Jan. 13. The 2002-03 season was the last time the Mustangs lost to by 15 or more and the beat that team later that season. SMU fell by 17 (72-55) at Hawaii on Jan. 9 and won 78-69 at home on Feb. 8. The Mustangs also accomplished the feat against Houston. In 1990-91, the Ponies lost by 27 (85-58) at Houston on Feb. 27 before winning 65-62 on March 7 in a Southwest Conference Tournament quarterfinal at Reunion Arena in Dallas.

Head coach Matt Doherty has had few big turnarounds. While at Notre Dame in 1999-00, he lost by 25 (76-51) at Rutgers on Jan. 18 and then won 74-62 on March 8 in the first round of the Big East Tournament. He did it twice while at North Carolina in 2002-03; the Tar Heels lost by 20 (88-68) at Georgia Tech on Jan. 29 before winning 67-66 at home on March 1 and lost by 40 (96-56) at 13th-ranked Maryland on Feb. 22 before winning 84-72 against the 14th-ranked Terrapins on March 14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinal.

This is the 58th meeting between the Mustangs and Cougars. SMU trails 35-22 in the all-time series, including an 82-67 loss at Houston on Jan. 13. These team are meeting for the third time as members of Conference USA after only playing twice in non-league action after the breakup of the Southwest Conference. The teams spent 20 seasons in the SWC with the Mustangs trailing 14-28, but SMU does hold an all-time 6-4 edge in tournament play: 2-1 in NCAA Tournament action and 4-3 in SWC Tournament games. The Ponies won NCAA Regional matchups in 1956 and 1965, but lost in 1967. The eighth-ranked Mustangs won 89-76 and over 17th-ranked Houston in the 1956 Tournament. SMU eventually advanced to the 1956 Final Four.

SMU is 8-3 at home this season with a plus-9.3 scoring margin. The three losses are by a combined 10 points; falling 80-76 to North Carolina A&T, 57-56 to Southern Miss, and 72-67 against UTEP. This is the Mustangs’ first home game since a 55-53 win over Tulane on Jan. 24. The Ponies then embarked on three-game road trip with a 70-66 loss at Tulsa, a 60-56 win at UAB, and an 88-52 defeat at 11th-ranked Memphis.

Devon Pearson has 597 career rebounds and will become the 19th SMU player with 600 in his career. Bamba Fall has 60 blocks in 22 games this season, setting the SMU record for blocks by a sophomore. Jon Koncak held the previous mark, getting 54 in 30 games in 1982-83. Fall had 53 blocks in 18 games in 2005-06 to break the previous freshman record of 43 by Ira Terrell in 1972-73. His 60 this season are the fourth-most in a season at SMU. Reggie Franklin is fourth with 70 as a senior in 1978-79. The record is Jon Koncak’s 97 as a junior in 1983-84.

The Mustangs lead Conference USA in rebounding defense (29.6) and are second in 3-point percentage defense (.322), scoring defense (62.3), and free-throw percentage (.717). In league play, the Mustangs are shooting a conference-best 76.1-percent at the free throw line. Individually, Bamba Fall is leading the league and ranked 14th nationally in blocked shots (2.73) and is also averaging a league-best 3.25 blocks in conference contests. Jon Killen is third in the league in assists (5.18) and steals (1.91). Ike Ofoegbu is third in rebounds (6.7) and second in offensive rebounds (3.41).

LAST GAME: MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Doneal Mack was perfect from the field, and helped No. 11 Memphis remain perfect in Conference USA play. The freshman guard scored 17 points, hitting all six of his field goals including 5-for-5 on 3-pointers, as the Tigers defeated SMU 88-52 on Saturday. Mack's shooting helped Memphis (19-3, 9-0) finish 15-for-25 on 3-pointers, and the Tigers shot 61 percent overall. Memphis won its 26th consecutive home game, and 11th straight overall. It was the most points allowed by the Mustangs (13-9, 2-6), who entered the game with the conference's best defense against 3-pointers, holding opponents to 31 percent on the season. Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 15 for Memphis, while Willie Kemp had 11 points and six assists. Ike Ofoegbu was the only Mustang in double figures, finishing with 17 points. SMU shot 36 percent for the game. Memphis built its lead midway through the first half when the Tigers began connecting from outside the arc, then found creases in the SMU zone on drives to the basket. The margin reached double digits about 6 minutes before halftime, and SMU never got close in the second half. In the first half, Douglas-Roberts scored 13 points, while Mack had 12, hitting four of his 3-pointers as Memphis took a 46-26 lead. The Tigers shot 54 percent on 7-of-13 shots from outside the arc. Ofoegbu had 11 points in the first half. The zone defense has been the choice of many Memphis opponents lately, hoping to catch the Tigers on an off shooting night. However, the Tigers say they are becoming more comfortable against the zone. Calipari noted that there's not as much bumping and banging as when teams play man-to-man defense, and with the right passing, there are plenty of open shots.

LAST MEETING AGAINST HOUSTON - L, 82-67 on Jan. 13, 2007 at UH: HOUSTON (AP) - Robert McKiver scored 25 points for Houston, which beat SMU 82-67 on Saturday. McKiver made 9-of-17 overall, including seven 3 pointers, as Houston won for the first time Dec. 21. The Mustangs (11-5, 0-2) got 14 points from Derrick Roberts, including 12 in the second half, and 12 points each from Bamba Fall and Brian Epps. Roberts, who did not attempt a 3-pointer in the first half, made four in the second half on eight attempts. Oliver Lafayette added 21 points and Jahmar Thorpe scored 16 as the Cougars (6-8, 1-1 Conference USA) raced out to a 39-19 halftime lead. McKiver scored 14 points in the first 13 minutes of the game as the Cougars built leads of 19-8 and 31-13. Houston led by as many as 27 points. SMU outrebounded the Cougars 29-17. Fall led all players with 10 rebounds.It was Fall's first career double-double.

BY AIR AND BY WEB: The Mustangs are on KAAM 770 AM in Dallas/Fort Worth. Rich Phillips, Allen Stone, and Jay Poerner bring you all the SMU basketball action and news from around Conference USA. All home games can also be seen through Mustangs All-Access at SMUMustangs.com.

OFF THE COURT NEWS:

DEC. 8 - SMU breaks ground on Crum Basketball Center
The Mustangs broke ground on the Crum Basketball Center on Dec. 8. It is a $13 million, 43,000 sq. ft. training center that will be open in the Fall of 2007. (complete information on page 10 of the game notes)

DEC. 19 - SMU Adds George Lynch To Staff

George Lynch, a 12-year NBA veteran and NCAA Champion, joined the SMU men's basketball staff as the team's administrative assistant/graduate manager. Lynch averaged 22.8 minutes, 6.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 774 games during his 12 NBA seasons. He was a first round selection (12th overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1993 NBA draft and played for four franchises: Lakers, Vancouver Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. He was All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-Final Four Tournament in 1993 when the North Carolina Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship. Lynch also played in the 2001 NBA Finals when the 76ers won the NBA Eastern Conference.

DEC. 20 - Inside College Hoops with Matt Doherty

SMU men's basketball coach Matt Doherty will have a weekly one-hour radio show beginning Jan. 8. Inside College Hoops with Matt Doherty is hosted by Rich Phillips, the voice of the Mustangs, and will be on KAAM 770 AM, the home of Mustangs' basketball. The weekly event will be held at Ten Sports Grill in downtown Dallas beginning at 7 p.m. (more information on page 4 of the notes)

DEC. 30 - Mustangs Unveil New Scoreboard and Videoboard in Moody Coliseum

The new $900,000-dollar Daktronics scoreboard is 17 feet high by 25 feet wide with eight-by-12-foot video boards on all four sides. The board was built and raised while both teams played away from Moody Coliseum during the semester break from Dec. 13 until Dec. 30. The dedication was at halftime of the Jan. 10, C-USA opener against Southern Miss. President R. Gerald Turner, Vice President Brad Cheves and Director of Athletics Steve Orsini thanked the contributors that made it a reality: Suzanne and Bill Hutchison, B.R. and Denny Holman and Sandy and Chuck Hutchison.New corner scoreboards and signage were also put in Moody during the break and are part of arena upgrades that will continue over the summer.

JAN. 9 - Matt Doherty on KFWD TV-52 Southwest Kia Sports Talk Each Thursday

Coach Matt Doherty will make a weekly appearance on Southwest Kia Sports Talk on KFWD TV-52 each Thursday until the NCAA Final Four. The show is hosted by Josh Roe and airs weekdays at 6:30 p.m. The show re-airs each night at 11:35 p.m.

JAN. 11 - Derrick Roberts and Ike Ofoegbu named captains - Join Donatas Rackauskas and Jon Killen

Coach Matt Doherty named Derrick Roberts and Ike Ofoegbu as team captains. They joined Rackauskas and Killen, which have been team captains since before the season. The previous day, the Mustangs rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit before falling 57-56 to Southern Miss in the C-USA opener. After intermission, Roberts had five points, four rebounds, and an assist while Ofoegbu had eight points and six boards.

IS YOUR GAME HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY: The Mustangs are 10-2 when leading at the half and 3-7 when trailing at the break. The Mustangs won 64-62 at TCU after trailing 27-21 at intermission, rallied from a 30-22 halftime deficit against Tulane for a 55-53 triumph, and won 60-56 at UAB to rebound from a 27-26 halftime score. Conversely, SMU fell 59-52 at Florida State after leading 26-25 at the half, and lost to 72-67 to UTEP after holding a 32-29 edge after 20 minutes.

W = 100+: Head coach Matt Doherty has 103 career wins. He got career win 100 when SMU defeated Texas-Pan American 84-71 on Jan. 4. (Doherty wins - 22 at Notre Dame, 53 at North Carolina, 15 at Florida Atlantic, 13 at SMU)

STEALING A WIN: The Mustangs are 7-1 when having the same or more steals than the opponent. The only eception was the 80-76 loss to North Carolina A&T.

CONVERTING TURNOVERS TO POINTS: Points off turnovers has been a good indicator of success. The Mustangs are even on average in wins and -7 in losses.

WHERE THERE IS A “WILL”INGHAM, THERE IS A WAY: Dez Willingham has beat the buzzer with a running 3-pointer twice to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat:

Dec. 21, 2006 - W, 64-62 at TCU - Willingham hit a running 3-pointer from the left wing as time expired to give SMU the 64-62 win. He received a pass from Donatas Rackauskas as the Mustangs went the length of the court for the winner in the final 8.9 seconds. The lead changed hands four times in the final 17 seconds.

Jan. 21, 2006 - Rice W, 80-69 (ot) - The Mustangs forced overtime after Willingham hit a 25-foot three-pointer to tie the game at 64-64 with a half a second left in regulation. That concluded an SMU rally from seven points down with 1:37 remaining in the second half.

BUZZER BEATERS:

11/12 vs. Illinois State - W, 57-55 - Devon Pearson gave the Mustangs an opening-night victory against Illinois State as he tipped in a miss from Derrick Roberts as time expired for the 57-55 triumph. Pearson tipped it in from the right side of the basket after Roberts’ 12-foot jumper from the left baseline skipped across the rim.

12/21 at TCU - W, 64-62 - Dez Willingham hit a running 3-pointer from the left wing as time expired to give SMU the 64-62 win. The play started when Derrick Roberts received the inbounds pass and threw it to Donatas Rackauskas at mid-court. Rackauskas took two dribbles and fed Willingham on the left wing for the game-winner. The lead changed hands four times in the final 17 seconds. Brent Hackett gave TCU a 60-59 lead on a 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining. Jon Killen was fouled by Kevin Langford three seconds later and hit both free throws. Killen was then called for a blocking foul against Ryan Wall with 8.9 seconds to go. Wall hit both free throws to give TCU a 62-61 edge that set up the final play.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Devon Pearson entered the season with 11 career double-doubles, which was the most by an active player in C-USA. He was the only current Mustang with any entering 2006-07. Pearson had nine in 2005-06.

2006-07 Double-Doubles

Player Stats Opponent Season Career

Ike Ofoegbu 26 pts, 10 rebs La-Monroe 11/22 1st 1st

Devon Pearson 19 pts, 10 rebs Texas College 12/3 1st 12th

Ike Ofoegbu 14 pts, 10 rebs Prairie View A&M 12/10 2nd 2nd

Ike Ofoegbu 13 pts, 11 rebs at Centenary 12/16 3rd 3rd

Ike Ofoegbu 10 pts, 11 rebs Brown 1/6 4th 4th

Devon Pearson 13 pts, 10 rebs Brown 1/6 2nd 13th

Ike Ofoegbu 12 pts, 11 rebs Southern Miss 1/10 5th 5th

Bamba Fall 12 pts, 10 rebs at Houston 1/13 1st 1st

Devon Pearson 16 pts, 11 rebs UTEP 1/20 3rd 14th

OUR FTM IS MORE THAN YOUR FTA: Head coach Matt Doherty sets a goal for the Mustangs to make more free throws than the opponent attempts. Here is a look at the season to date.

SMU Opp Goal Result

11/12 18-25 7-9 vs. Illinois State Yes W, 57-55

11/13 10-17 3-4 vs. McNeese State Yes W, 70-54

11/14 7-9 13-18 at Florida State No L, 59-52

11/18 27-40 12-24 Dayton Yes W, 53-48

11/22 15-22 15-19 Louisiana-Monroe No W, 99-66

11/27 20-24 12-19 Paul Quinn Yes W, 76-54

12/3 13-22 9-10 Texas College Yes W, 79-63

12/13 10-19 2-4 Prairie View A&M Yes W, 68-51

12/16 12-15 7-12 at Centenary No W, 68-40

12/21 16-23 12-19 at TCU No W, 64-62

12/28 7-11 11-17 at Oklahoma No L, 69-42

12/30 24-32 22-30 North Carolina A&T No L, 80-76

1/4 19-25 10-18 Texas-Pan American Yes W, 84-71

1/6 3-6 11-16 Brown No W (ot), 60-56

1/10 11-17 7-11 Southern Miss No L, 56-57

1/13 15-20 11-12 at Houston Yes L, 82-67

1/17 14-19 13-19 at UCF No L, 64-56

1/20 23-29 14-22 UTEP Yes L, 72-67

1/24 19-24 7-13 Tulane Yes W, 55-53

1/27 15-19 17-21 at Tulsa No L, 70-66

1/31 12-15 5-11 at UAB Yes W, 60-56

2/3 9-12 5-12 at [11] Memphis No L, 52-88

Season 319-445 225-340 NO Yes 9-2 / No 4-7

MASTERS OF THE CLUTCH: Fifth-year senior Donatas Rackauskas will have his masters in accounting in May 2007 and has a become a master of hitting bigtime shots. He finished his bachelor’s in accounting in December 2005 (3.5 years). He is in his fifth season because he missed the 2004-05 season due a preseason knee injury.

- Nov. 14 at Florida State - hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to pull SMU within 54-52 before falling 59-52.

- Jan. 6 against Brown - hit a 3-pointer with six seconds remaining in overtime to seal the 60-56 victory

- Jan. 27 at Tulsa - his a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left to pull SMU within 68-66 before fall 70-66

RALLY, RALLY: The Mustangs have rallied from double-digit deficits in the second-half to be within a possession multiple times, including overcoming a 13-point deficit against Tulane for a 55-53 win.

GAME FINAL DEFICIT CLOSEST

Southern Miss 1/10 L, 57-56 21 (42-21) at 17:48 2nd 56-55 (Led by 1 at 2:42, So. Miss winner at 1:32)

at Tulsa 1/27 L, 70-66 14 (49-35) at 13:56 2nd 68-66 (on Donatas Rackauskas 3FG at 0:06)

Tulane 1/24 W, 55-53 13 (40-27) at 14:30 2nd 55-53 (53-51 lead on 2FT by Bamba Fall at 3:01)

EYE ON THE POWER RANKINGS - RPI & SAGARIN: Jan. 22 - RPI No. 131, Sagarin No. 140

The RPI is one of the principal components the NCAA selection committee uses to determine the field for the NCAA Men's Tournament. It has three primary components. It does not include non-Division I opponents in SMU’s record (Paul Quinn and Texas College). The Mustangs finished the 2005-06 season at No. 269 in the RPI and No. 198 in the Sagarin ratings.

Part I (25% of the formula): Team winning percentage.

Part II (50%): Average opponents' winning percentage.

Part III (25%): Average opponents' opponents' winning percentage.

The Mustangs reached No. 7 in the RPI on Dec. 8

1-50 51-100 101-200 201+ Non Conference L10 R/N

Rnk Conf W-L SOS W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L RPI SOS W-L W-L

131 SMU CUSA 11-9 140 0-2 1-2 4-4 6-1 9-3 100 256 4-6 5-6

9 Memphis CUSA 19-3 L, 88-52 at [11] Memphis on 2/3/07

27 Florida St. ACC 16-6 L, 59-52 at FSU on 11/14/06

61 Dayton A-10 14-7 W, 53-48 at SMU on 11/18/06

77 Houston CUSA 11-10 L, 82-67 at Houston on 1/13/07

80 Oklahoma B12 12-8 L, 69-42 at Oklahoma on 12/28/06



JON “SHOOTER” KILLEN: Coach Matt Doherty called Jon Killen “shooter” during the summer to help him think more aggressively on offense. The mindset is showing.

2004-05 Fr. 46 points in 28 games (1.6 avg)

2005-06 So. 57 points in 29 games (2.0 avg)

2006-07 Jr. 170 points in 22 games (7.7 avg)



ASSIST BY KILLEN: That call has been the most common assist call at SMU in more than a decade. Jon Killen is averaging 5.18 after 22 games. No player has averaged five or more assists for SMU since Gerald Lewis had 6.7 per outing in 1992-93. Killen had 10 against Louisiana-Monroe and 11 at Tulsa. The 11 at Tulsa was the most since 12 by Jeryl Sasser against Rice on Jan. 31, 1998.



SMU CAREER Assists: Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts are closing in on 200 career assists. Only 20 players at SMU have done so to this point.

1 828 Butch Moore, 1982-86

2 491 Gerald Lewis, 1989-93

3 469 Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01

4 468 Billy Allen, 1978-80

5 460 Carl Wright, 1982-85

6 419 Roderick Hampton, 1987-91

7 403 Kato Armstrong, 1985-89

8 396 Bryan Hopkins, 2002-06

9 387 Troy Matthews, 1993-97

10 363 Zachary Thiel, 1971-74

11 334 Scott Johnson, 1983-87

12 323 Stephen Woods, 1996-00

13 279 Jemeil Rich, 1994-97

14 278 David Piehler, 1979-83

15 276 Damon Hancock, 1998-02

16 260 Phil Hale, 1976-80

17 239 Michael Jaccar, 1974-76

18 236 Carlton McKinney, 1986-88

19 222 Quinton Ross, 1999-03

20 212 Justin Isham, 2001-05

180 Jon Killen, 2004-07

175 Derrick Roberts, 2004-07



FAMILIAR FOE: The Mustangs have met seven opponents more than 100 times.

Rice 182 111-71 Feb. 10@SMU, Feb. 24@RU

TCU 182 100-82 W, 64-62 - Dec. 21@TCU

Baylor 175 100-75

Texas A&M 175 90-85

Texas 174 71-103

Arkansas 153 59-94

Texas Tech 104 47-57



I LIKE IKE: Ike Ofoegbu has become a force for the Mustangs this season.

Points Avg. Rebs Avg. FG 3FG FT

2004-05 21 0.8 28 1.1 5-31 0-3 11-18

2005-06 102 3.8 82 3.0 35-62 0-1 32-50

2006-07 286 13.0 148 6.7 88-173 13-33 97-134



HONORS:

Colonial Classic All-Tournament (SMU went 2-1)

Jon Killen (10.7 points, 5.4 assists, 3.3 steals)

Ike Ofoegbu (14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds)



OPENING ACT IS A WINNER: Matt Doherty is off to an impressive start at SMU. Here is how he compares with othercoaches in their first year of running the men’s basketball team on the Hilltop. The Most wins by SMU under a first-season coach is 16 by Sonny Allen in 1975-76.

COACH W-L PCT SEASON LEAGUE W-L PCT FINISH

Dale Morrison 12-2 .857 1916-17 N/A

John Shumate 13-16 .813 1988-89 SWC 7-9 .438 7th of 9

F.C. Baccus 14-8 .636 1938-39 SWC 8-4 .667 3rd of 7

Matt Doherty 13-9 .591 2005-06 C-USA 2-6 .250 ___ of 12

Sonny Allen 16-12 .571 1975-76 SWC 10-6 .625 3rd of 9

E.O. “Doc” Hayes 13-10 .565 1947-48 SWC 5-7 .417 5th of 7

James Stewart 10-8 .556 1942-43 SWC 4-8 .333 T-5th of 7

Burton Rix 5-4 .555 1917-18 N/A

Roy D. Baccus 11-10 .524 1944-45 SWC 7-5 .583 T-3rd of 7

Jimmy Tubbs 14-14 .500 2004-05 WAC 9-9 .500 T-4th of 10

H.A. Faulkner 10-11 .476 1922-23 SWC 4-10 .286 6th of 6

R.N. Blackwell 8-14 .363 1921-22 SWC 4-11 .267 4th of 6

J.W. St. Clair 5-11 .313 1924-25 SWC 4-10 .286 6th of 8

Mike Dement 8-20 .286 1995-96 SWC 3-11 .214 T-7th of 8

Dave Bliss 7-20 .259 1980-81 SWC 3-13 .188 9th of 9

Bob Prewitt 6-18 .250 1967-68 SWC 5-9 .357 T-7th of 8



CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS: Devon Pearson became the 29th player at SMU with 500 career rebounds when he passed the mark against Louisiana-Monroe 11/22.

REBOUNDING (CAREER)

1. 1169 - Jon Koncak - 1981-85

2. 1077 - Ira Terrell - 1972-76

3. 976 - Jeryl Sasser - 1997-01

4. 889 - Larry Davis - 1981-85

5. 840 - Jim Krebs - 1954-57

6. 790 - Willie Davis - 1997-01

7. 785 - Jeff Swanson - 1974-78

8. 759 - Patrick Simpson - 2001-05

9. 745 - Joel Krog - 1953-56

10. 690 - Tim Mason - 1989-93

11. 687 - Carroll Hooser - 1963-66

12. 669 - Lynn Phillips - 1966-69

13. 650 - Quinton Ross - 1999-03

14. 634 - Eric Castro - 2001-05

15. 621 - Terry Williams - 1983-87

16. 619 - Steve Strange - 1958-61

17. 615 - Jan Loudermilk - 1959-62

18. 609 - Greg Kinzer - 1989-93

19. 597 - Devon Pearson - 2003-06



IT IS BETTER TO RECEIVE: Devon Pearson has surpassed 100 career steals, Jon Killen is closing in on the milestone.

SMU Career Steals - 100+

1 225 Bryan Hopkins, 2002-06

2 209 Gerald Lewis, 1989-93

3 205 Carl Wright, 1982-85

4 197 Jeryl Sasser, 1997-01

5 179 Stephen Woods, 1996-00

6 160 Willie Davis, 1997-01

7 153 Quinton Ross, 1999-03

8 136 Jemeil Rich, 1994-97

9 130 Butch Moore, 1982-86

10 128 David Piehler, 1979-83

11 127 Roderick Hampton, 1987-91

12 126 Justin Isham, 2001-05

126 Kato Armstrong, 1985-89

14 125 Phil Hale, 1976-80

15 123 Troy Matthews, 1993-97

16 111 Carlton McKinney, 1986-88

17 109 Eric Castro, 2001-05

18 106 Devon Pearson, 2003-07

19 102 Tim Mason, 1989-93

... 88 Jon Killen, 2004-07



NO POINTS FOR YOU: SMU’s scoring defense is among the best in team history.

61.4 1985-86

62.2 1957-58

62.3 2006-07

63.2 1958-59

64.1 2005-06

64.2 1956-57



GLASS PATROL: The Mustangs’ rebound margin has a chance to be the best in school history.

+6.3 2006-07

+5.7 1959-60

+5.1 1988-89

+5.0 1958-59

+4.6 1984-85

+4.3 1999-00



BLOCK PARTY: Bamba Fall’s 2.73 blocks per game and 3.25 per league game are leading Conference USA. This season, he has already set the SMU sophomore blocked shots record, passing Jon Koncak’s mark of 54 blocks in 1982-83. In 2005-06, Bamba Fall set the SMU freshman record with 53 blocks in just 18 games. (Passed the previous record of 43 by Ira Terrell in 1972-73). He also led C-USA with 3.36 per league contest.



Bamba Fall - Blocks GP 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ 6+

2005-06 Fr. 18 15 10 8 3 1

2006-07 So. 22 16 11 6 4 2

Total 40 31 21 14 7 3



Conference USA Blocks in a Season (All Games)

1. 111 Anwar Ferguson, Houston (27) 2003-04

2. 108 Gerrick Morris, South Florida (27) 2003-04

3. 107 Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati (31) 1999-00

4. 90 Moussa Badiane, East Carolina (27) 2003-04

5. 90 Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati (33) 2004-05

... 60 Bamba Fall, SMU 2006-07



Conference USA Blocks Average in a Season (All Games)

1. 4.11 Anwar Ferguson, Houston (111 in 27) 2003-04

2. 4.00 Gerrick Morris, South Florida (108 in 27) 2003-04

3. 3.62 Moussa Badiane, East Carolina (87 in 24) 2001-02

4. 3.45 Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati (107 in 31) 1999-00

5. 3.33 Moussa Badiane, East Carolina (90 in 27) 2003-04

... 2.73 Bamba Fall, SMU 2006-07



Conference USA Blocks in a Season (Conference Games)

1. 70 Gerrick Morris, South Florida (16) 2003-04

2. 62 Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati (16) 1999-00

3. 59 Anwar Ferguson, Houston (16) 2003-04

4. 55 Moussa Badiane, East Carolina (16) 2003-04

5. 52 Kelly Wise, Memphis (16) 1999-00

6. 51 Steve Hunter, DePaul (16) 2000-01

... 26 Bamba Fall, SMU 2006-07



Conference USA Blocks Average in a Season (Conference Games)

1. 4.38 Gerrick Morris, South Florida (70 in 16) 2003-04

2. 3.88 Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati (62 in 16) 1999-00

3. 3.69 Anwar Ferguson, Houston (59 in 16) 2003-04

4. 3.44 Moussa Badiane, East Carolina (55 in 16) 2003-04

5. 3.36 Bamba Fall, SMU (47 in 14) 2005-06

6. 3.25 Kelly Wise, Memphis (52 in 16) 1999-00

... 3.25 Bamba Fall, SMU 2006-07



SMU Single-Season Team Blocks Average

5.0 149 in 30 games in 2002-03

4.8 106 in 22 games in 2006-07

4.8 138 in 29 games in 2005-06



SMU Career Blocked Shots

1. 278 - Jon Koncak - 1981-85

2. 169 - Ira Terrell - 1972-76

3. 151 - Patrick Simpson - 2001-05

4. 129 - Reggie Franklin - 1977-79

5. 113 - Bamba Fall - 2005-07 (Moved into 5th against Southern Miss 1/10 - 6 blocks)

6. 88 - James Gatewood - 1990-94

7. 81 - Quinton Ross - 1999-03

8. 78 - Brad Branson - 1978-80

9. 69 - Bobby Dimson - 1994-98

10. 67 - Thines Robinson II - 1974-78

67 - Jeryl Sasser - 1997-01

12. 65 - Glenn Puddy - 1984-86,87-89

65 - Donatas Rackauskas - 2002-07



SMU Single-Season Blocked Shots (Since 1972-73) (GP)

1. 97 Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84 (33)

2. 91 Jon Koncak (Sr.), 1984-85 (33)

3. 79 Ira Terrell (Sr.), 1975-76 (28)

4. 70 Reggie Franklin (Sr.), 1978-79 (27)

5. 60 Bamba Fall (So.), 2006-07



SMU Single-Season Blocked Shots by a Sophomore (GP)

1. 60 Bamba Fall, 2006-07

2. 54 Jon Koncak, 1982-83 (30)

3. 47 Ira Terrell, 1973-74 (27)

4. 45 Patrick Simpson, 2002-03 (30)



SMU Single-Season Blocked Shots Average (Since 1972-73)

Must Play in 75% of Games (Blocks/Games Played)

Bamba Fall averaged 2.9 as a freshman, but only played in 18 of 29 team games.

1. 2.9 Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84 (97/33)

2. 2.8 Ira Terrell (Sr.), 1975-76 (79/28)

2.8 Jon Koncak (Sr.), 1984-85 (91/33)

4. 2.7 Bamba Fall (So.), 2006-07 (59/21)

5. 2.6 Reggie Franklin (Sr.), 1978-79 (70/27)

6. 2.1 Reggie Franklin (Jr.), 1977-78 (59/28)



FINALLY “FALL”ING: Bamba Fall’s free throw percentage can be misleading due to struggles at the beginning of the season. Against Tulane, he went 4-4, all in the second half, with a pair at 4:13 and 3:01 as the Mustangs rallied from 13 points down for the 55-53 win on Jan. 24.

SEASON 38-58 .655

First 4 Games 5-13 .385

Rest of Non-Conf 15-23 .652

C-USA games 18-22 .818



HIGH-PERCENTAGE SHOT: Bamba Fall has a chance for one of the best shooting percentages for sa season inSMU history and a shot at the sophomore record.

Best FG Percentage (Since 1953-54)

Minimum 75 Field Goals Made

1 63.7 Terry Williams (Sr.), 1986-87 (142-233)

2 62.1 Jon Koncak (Jr.), 1983-84 (211-340)

3 62.0 Terry Williams (Jr.), 1985-86 (150-242)

4 60.7 Larry Davis (Jr.), 1983-84 (219-361)

5 59.2 Jon Koncak (Sr.), 1984-85 (219-370)

6 58.1 Terry Thomas (Sr.), 1987-88 (111-191)

7 57.2 John Colborne (Jr.), 1988-89 (99-173)

57.2 Ira Terrell (Fr.), 1972-73 (219-383)

9 56.5 Larry Davis (Sr.), 1984-85 (177-313)

56.5 Eric Castro (So.), 2002-03 (105-186)

... 55.7 Bamba Fall (So.), 2006-07 (64-115)



SMU FG-Percentage by a Sophomore

56.5 Eric Castro, 2002-03 (105-186)

56.4 Larry Davis, 1982-83 (190-337)

55.7 Bamba Fall (So.), 2006-07 (64-115)

54.7 Tim Mason, 1990-91 (179-327)

54.5 Ira Terrell, 1973-74 (264-484)



DIALING FROM DISTANCE: Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts are shooting well this season from three-point range.

SMU Season 3FG Percentage (Since 1986-87)

Minimum 20 Made

1 53.2 Eric Longino (Sr.), 1988-89 (50-94)

2 47.6 Troy Dorner (Sr.), 1993-94 (39-82)

3 47.5 Scott Johnson (Sr.), 1986-87 (44-99)

4 45.7 Lavardicus Atkins (Fr.), 2000-01 (21-46)

5 45.3 Todd Alexander (Jr.), 1987-88 (82-181)

6 43.0 Derrick Roberts (Jr.), 2006-07 (34-79)

7 41.8 Stephen Woods (So.), 1997-98 (74-177)

8 41.7 Carlton McKinney (Sr.), 1987-88 (35-84)

9 40.7 Chad Allen (Jr.), 1992-93 (44-108)

10 40.4 Bryan Hopkins (Jr.), 2003-04 (84-208)

11 40.0 Chad Allen (Fr.), 1990-91 (36-90)

... 39.7 Jon Killen (Jr.), 2006-07 (25-63)



Junior: 45.3 Todd Alexander, 1987-88 (82-181)

43.0 Derrick Roberts (Jr.), 2006-07 (34-79)

40.7 Chad Allen, 1992-93 (44-108)

40.4 Bryan Hopkins, 2003-04 (84-208)

... 39.7 Jon Killen (Jr.), 2006-07 (25-63)



TOUGHNESS: The starting lineup against North Carolina A&T of Brian Epps, Jon Killen, Donatas Rackasukas, Paulius Ritter and Cameron Spencer was decided based on toughness drills conducted by the coaching staff in practice the day before the game. The winners got to start.



SMU RECORD FOR NATIONAL TV EXPOSURE: The SMU Men's Basketball team has a school record five nationally televised games during the 2006-07 regular season. The Mustangs play four games on CSTV and one game, at Memphis, on ESPN. The Mustangs' games on CSTV include TCU, both match-ups with Houston and the home game against Memphis. The Mustangs play the first three televised games on the road before playing the final two at home in Moody Coliseum.

Thu, Dec. 21, at TCU (CSTV) - W, 64-62 on Dez Willingham 3-pointer at buzzer

Saturday, Jan. 13, at Houston - L, 82-67 as Bamba Fall has first career double-double (12 pts, 10 rebs)

Saturday, Feb. 3, at Memphis (ESPN) - L, 88-52; Ofoegbu has team-high 17 pts, Memphis 15-25 3FG

Wednesday, Feb. 7, vs. Houston - 7 p.m. (CSTV)

Saturday, March 3, vs. Memphis - 8:30 p.m. (CSTV)



SMU MILESTONES:

- The Mustangs won seven consecutive games (Nov. 18 to Dec. 21) for the first time since winning 10 in a row to start the 1997-98 season

- The Mustangs swept a homestand of five or more games for the first time since a six-game stretch in the 1997-98 season

- The Mustangs won a school-record five games in November, finishing the month 5-1. The Mustangs had previously gone 4-0 in November to start the 1997-98 and 2000-01 seasons.

- The 11-3 start was the best since a 12-3 start in 2000-01.



SMU RECORD UPDATES: Additions or changes to the SMU record book during the 2006-07 season.

SMU Single-Game - Team

3FGM T-4th - 13 Texas-Pan American 1/4

T-6th - 12 vs. McNeese State 11/13

T-6th - 12 La-Monroe 11/22

3FG PCT 3rd - 61.9% (13-21) Texas-Pan American 1/4

SMU Single-Game - Individual

FTA T-7th - 17 by Ike Ofoegbu vs. Illinois State 11/12

Opponent Single-Game - Individual

3FGM T-6th - 7 by Robert McKiver, Houston 1/13

Moody Coliseum Single-Game - Team

3FGM T-4th - 13 by SMU vs. Texas-Pan American 1/4

3FG PCT T-5th - 61.9% (13-21) by SMU vs. Texas-Pan American 1/4



LONG TIME, NO SEE: SMU has had a few numbers in the boxscore that have not seen in a while

- SMU scored 99 points against La.-Monroe 11/22 - last time was 101 at Puerto Rico - Mayaguez 12/20/2000 (W 101-72)

- Jon Killen had 10 assists against La-Monroe 11/22 - last time was Bryan Hopkins with 10 against TCU on 11/24/2002 (W ot, 87-84)

- Jon Killen had 11 assists at Tulsa, most since 12 by Jeryl Sasser against Rice on Jan. 31, 1998



MUSTANG HOOPS BLOG: SMU Mustangs’ head coach Matt Doherty has his own blog at www.MustangHoopsBlog.com.



COACHING EXPERIENCE: Head Coach Matt Doherty has assembled a coaching staff of Associate Head Coach Mike Garland, Assistant Coach Lance Irvin, Assistant Coach Steve Lutz, and Director of Operations Malcolm Farmer. The coaching staff entered the season with totals of 49 years of collegiate coaching with 16 conference crowns and 12 conference tournament championships. They have earned 26 postseason appearances, including 18 bids to the NCAA Tournament with 14 trips to the Sweet 16, nine Elite Eights, six Final Fours and two National Championships. The coaching staff has also guided 32 players to the NBA.



R-T-C: Head Coach Matt Doherty uses the initials RTC to represent his vision for the Mustangs. They are Respect, Trust and Commitment. The red wristbands the players wear have RTC. There are also several signs around the Mustangs’ locker room and offices.




QUOTABLE: Quotes by and about SMU from the 2006-07 season.



Feb. 3 - Postgame - at [11] Memphis (L, 88-52)

Matt Doherty (on Memphis, a 32.7% 3-point shooting team, hitting 15-25 3FG in the game)

"Our game plan was to attack with the zone and not let them have dribble penetration. Memphis is not considered a great 3-point shooting team, but they shot 60 percent for the game at the 3-point line. Once they started shooting that well from the 3-point line, our game plan fell apart."



Ike Ofoegbu (on Memphis’ hot shooting - 60.7% for the game)

"They were making everything. I looked up one time and they were 67 percent from the field."



Memphis Coach John Calipari (on his team’s 15-25 from 3-point range considering a 32.7% season avg.)

"If we're making 3s the way we did today, we can beat you by a bunch."