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When should we expect the new coaching staff to make strides in replacing the huge gaps on the roster with the twins, Davis and Bandi leaving? How does the new coaching staff keep the continuity of recruiting efforts made by Jank’s staff that remains…for the time being?

Is it confirmed that Davis and Bandoumel are leaving?

At this time no one is leaving. I am sure that will change because right now we graduate Jasey and 2 Weathers. We having 2 incoming freshmen so that leaves us with 1 scholarship. I am sure we will have more than 1 new player. Questions we will find out the answer to - did Lunblade on scholarship mean he is promised that for new year as well. Same with Young. Will we keep McBride? It will be a lively April/May I think.

https://smumustangs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

2022-23 roster shows ten players, excluding Jasey and Weathers bros. Add the two HS signees and you're at twelve which just leaves the one 'ship as you said.

It would be pretty bad form to cut Lundblade's scholarship after one semester (awarded late Jan) but maybe it wasn't promised beyond this year. McBride only played 1.4 minutes per game in ten games in year three. All-Academic guy.

ponyswim wrote:Questions we will find out the answer to - did Lunblade on scholarship mean he is promised that for new year as well. Same with Young. Will we keep McBride? It will be a lively April/May I think.

Good questions. Scholarships are 1-year renewable agreements, although most schools honor them unless something huge gets in the way (academics, discipline, etc.) because AAU and HS coaches have long memories. Indiscriminately running off players is bad for business ... although new coaches tend to get a pass for such decisions as they bring in "their guys."

Agree pulling ships might be bad form but it’s part of the game. We definitely need to free up some space for the transfer portal. We would have been in deep trouble without it this past season. The question is do we want to win despite hurting some feelings? Also, why would Bandi or Davis want to return since we will not be competing for an AAC title?

Lindblade was put on scholarship on Jan.19th. Right when second semester started. The timing indicates the SMU could not find a transfer, or another player that they wanted to come second semester. Given that, their may have been an understanding that this was not necessarily "permanent" but a good way to use money they had available and would go unused.

ponyswim wrote:Lindblade was put on scholarship on Jan.19th. Right when second semester started. The timing indicates the SMU could not find a transfer, or another player that they wanted to come second semester. Given that, their may have been an understanding that this was not necessarily "permanent" but a good way to use money they had available and would go unused.

I thought Semi Ojeleye "funded" that 'ship so did it even count against the 13 we are allowed?

tristatecoog wrote:https://smumustangs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

2022-23 roster shows ten players, excluding Jasey and Weathers bros. Add the two HS signees and you're at twelve which just leaves the one 'ship as you said.

It would be pretty bad form to cut Lundblade's scholarship after one semester (awarded late Jan) but maybe it wasn't promised beyond this year. McBride only played 1.4 minutes per game in ten games in year three. All-Academic guy.

If in fact those 10 are back and all count against the scholarship limits, it's going to be critical for Lanier to find a rim protector/rebounding machine to be the 13th guy. Not sure that's ultimagtely going to be the case.

Semi was involved in the announcement to Lundblade, but he was put on scholarship, not an NIL deal (which is a way to get more scholarships.)

We picked up our first player of the Bob Lanier era! So far so good.

https://twitter.com/Samuell/status/1514295146141077512

Back to back days with 5 star players transferring to SMU...not used to this!!

Holy CRAP! What a day!

Highly recruited out of H.S. although he lost a little of his star luster at Louisville. Hopefully coming home will help him become the player most expected him to be although his Louisville bio sounds pretty impressive. It's always good to have local players on the roster who might help boost attendance in Moody

Compare his H.S. rating

https://247sports.com/Player/Samuell-Wi ... ol-195722/

To transfer portal rating

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Baske ... nkey=24033

Career stats show a drop off between his '20-'21 and '21-'22 seasons that explains his being "down graded". Minutes and shooting percentage really fell off. Hope he comes to SMU with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove

Career Stats

GP MIN FG% 3P% FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS YR
30 16.9 45.6 15.4 56.9 3.7 0.8 0.1 0.5 1.1 1.0 5.6 '21-'22
18 28.6 47.9 25.0 70.6 8.1 1.2 0.1 0.3 2.3 1.7 9.6 '20-'21
31 15.3 47.0 33.3 69.0 2.5 0.6 0.2 0.3 1.6 1.1 4.4 '19-'20