08-09 starting lineup

[MustangIcon]

Faye can get straight A's all summer and he still won't start opening day. Because he transferred in January, he is regardless in the fall semester, regardless of his grades.

With that said:

PG: Derek Williams
SG: Ryan Harp
SF: Alex Malone
PF: Papa Dia
C: Bamba Fall

The problem with this starting lineup - who's going to score?
Williams has been described as a scoring PG...I wouldn't be surprised if Doherty slides him over to the 2 and starts McCoy at the point.

I think that is the line-up that we will use. Bamba and Dia were both double digit scorers last season and each should improve (Dia more so). Malone average 8 or so ppg if I recall correctly and I expect him to be a double digit guy this season. Williams is a PG who can penetrate and score as well- wouldn't surprise me to see him drop 10 per game. Harp should be a big improvement on the offensive end from last season.

I am guessing that Williams and McCoy will be our two best ball handlers, and while I don't doubt you will see them on the floor together, I don't think they start together for the simple fact that you will want at least one of them on the floor at all times of the game.

[PonySnob]

[quote="MustangIcon

I think that is the line-up that we will use. Bamba and Dia were both double digit scorers last season and each should improve (Dia more so). Malone average 8 or so ppg if I recall correctly and I expect him to be a double digit guy this season. Williams is a PG who can penetrate and score as well- wouldn't surprise me to see him drop 10 per game. Harp should be a big improvement on the offensive end from last season.

I am guessing that Williams and McCoy will be our two best ball handlers, and while I don't doubt you will see them on the floor together, I don't think they start together for the simple fact that you will want at least one of them on the floor at all times of the game.[/quote]

What makes you think that Harp is going to show improvement on the offensive end of the court from last season?

[MustangIcon]

What makes you think that Harp is going to show improvement on the offensive end of the court from last season?

He was the player to me that seemed to be the most overwhelmed by the adjustment to the college game. His defense and effort on the floor were both fantastic all year. A very good passer into the post as well. As the season progressed his ball handling and passing got much better, but his shot never came around.

This is a kid that averaged 16, 23, and 22 ppg in his three years on varsity never shooting less than 40% from 3 pt land. He shot something like 25% last season from 3ball range. He also played for the Dallas Mustangs in AAU ball (playing a good deal of PG even) suggesting that his success was not wholly attributed to playing at a small school. He was also a top 15 player in the state as rated by Rivals/TexasHoops.

I'm betting on last year being an aberration and Harp shooting 35%+ from 3 and 40%+ from the floor in addition to more confidence to pull the trigger on jumpers.

[friarwolf]

We are in trouble if Harp is a starter for us next year. He needs to be our 8th or 9th player who comes in to shoot 3's for us.......

[MustangIcon]

We are in trouble if Harp is a starter for us next year. He needs to be our 8th or 9th player who comes in to shoot 3's for us.......

If he plays like he did last year and is a starter for us, I would agree. I anticipate he will make big improvements over the off-season though.

Looking at the roster for next season we have 5 backcourt players: Williams, McCoy, Dubois, Walker, and Harp. I could very well see our two best backcourt players being Williams and McCoy, I just don't see them starting together if they are our 2 best handlers. Of the remaining three, I would guess Harp has the best chance to start. I think he brings more to the table than Walker and I am assuming for now that his experience will give him the edge over Dubois. Who knows though, Doherty may still be brining in another off-guard.

[Kiper]

Coach D clearly likes some of the things he sees in Ryan Harp. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss him as a potential starter.

[LA_Mustang]

If he plays like he did last year and is a starter for us, I would agree. I anticipate he will make big improvements over the off-season though.

What have you seen that makes you believe he will have a big improvement over last season?
No doubt, Harp was put in a very tough situation last season and I think he will be a nice player for us at some point, but I just don't see him starting with the addition of McCoy. I started this thread with him as an option as the starter at the 2, but that was out of necessity. We need someone at the 2 who is capable of 15-20 pts a night. I just didn't see any signs of that from Harp in his first year.

[MustangIcon]

If he plays like he did last year and is a starter for us, I would agree. I anticipate he will make big improvements over the off-season though.

What have you seen that makes you believe he will have a big improvement over last season?
No doubt, Harp was put in a very tough situation last season and I think he will be a nice player for us at some point, but I just don't see him starting with the addition of McCoy. I started this thread with him as an option as the starter at the 2, but that was out of necessity. We need someone at the 2 who is capable of 15-20 pts a night. I just didn't see any signs of that from Harp in his first year.

I answered that same question posed by Pony Snob a couple posts above my last post. Here is my response:

"He was the player to me that seemed to be the most overwhelmed by the adjustment to the college game. His defense and effort on the floor were both fantastic all year. A very good passer into the post as well. As the season progressed his ball handling and passing got much better, but his shot never came around.

This is a kid that averaged 16, 23, and 22 ppg in his three years on varsity never shooting less than 40% from 3 pt land. He shot something like 25% last season from 3ball range. He also played for the Dallas Mustangs in AAU ball (playing a good deal of PG even) suggesting that his success was not wholly attributed to playing at a small school. He was also a top 15 player in the state as rated by Rivals/TexasHoops.

I'm betting on last year being an aberration and Harp shooting 35%+ from 3 and 40%+ from the floor in addition to more confidence to pull the trigger on jumpers."

[MustangIcon]

If he plays like he did last year and is a starter for us, I would agree. I anticipate he will make big improvements over the off-season though.

What have you seen that makes you believe he will have a big improvement over last season?
No doubt, Harp was put in a very tough situation last season and I think he will be a nice player for us at some point, but I just don't see him starting with the addition of McCoy. I started this thread with him as an option as the starter at the 2, but that was out of necessity. We need someone at the 2 who is capable of 15-20 pts a night. I just didn't see any signs of that from Harp in his first year.

Bamba and Dia should both be in the ballpark of 15ppg. Malone should also be a double digit scorer. We will also always have a PG on the floor (Williams or McCoy) that can break a defense down off the dribble to score or kick out. Harp really seems like a great fit in that line-up as a good defensive player, who will knock down outside shots (so we hope), and will work well at feeding the post. I think one of Williams or McCoy will be the first player of the bench and be instant offense for the squad. Not every player in a starting lineup is a 15ppg scorer...

[friarwolf]

I would love to see Malone put on about 15 pounds of muscle and work on his ball handling skills when he attacks the paint. He has the potential to be a double - double guy for us.............

[Hoofprint]

I would love to see Malone put on about 15 pounds of muscle and work on his ball handling skills when he attacks the paint. He has the potential to be a double - double guy for us.............

Absolutely right. He got tentative at some point, but at the beginning of the season, he slashed to the net with moves not seen around here in eons. Seems very instinctive when attacking the rim, either on the drive or when anticipating a rebound. Showed flashes throughout the season, but looked almost like he was afraid to make a mistake.

[MustangIcon]

I would love to see Malone put on about 15 pounds of muscle and work on his ball handling skills when he attacks the paint. He has the potential to be a double - double guy for us.............

I agree. My biggest thing with Alex is I do not want him to fall in love with his outside jumper. He had a tendency to let his outside shot become his game rather than compliment his game. I like him all over the place. Slashing, driving, posting up some, feeding the post from the wing. Could be a very good player. Needs a lot of work on defense though. With his body he could develope into quite a nice defender if he is willing to put forth the effort.

[WE ARE BACK]

What is the Deal with Bennie Rhodes? I noticed nobody mentioned him in this thread. Is he going to be on the roster next year or is he leaving SMU.... Sorry if this has already been answered somewhere else.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Bennie and Cameron, are gone.

[mathman]

Bennie and Cameron, are gone.

Bennie for sure?