ESPN: AAC Shootaround

[Harry0569]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/ ... 3/american

SMU

Best case: A high-profile coach like Larry Brown probably isn't used to the radio silence that greeted his program for much of last season -- for most of its history, really. But Brown's hire of high-powered assistant coaches already has yielded recruiting results, namely No. 11-ranked shooting guard Keith Frazier, who reports for duty this fall. SMU is probably a year or three away from really making noise, but it will be fascinating to watch Brown try to tug them there.

Worst case: Other than Brown jumping at an NBA job, which is always a risk, SMU is still deep in program foundation mode at this point. Not applicable.

[Harry0569]

Five Freshman to Watch:
Keith Frazier, SMU: If Larry Brown's Mustangs are going to make a splash in the American, Frazier will have a huge say in what occurs. Getting this ESPN 100 recruit who was coveted by Big 12 schools was a coup for Brown and his staff. It also doesn't hurt that the 6-5 shooting guard hails from Dallas' Kimball High School, proving SMU could be relevant in its own city.

[Harry0569]

Most Important Player:

SMU: Nic Moore
Moore was the point guard at Illinois State under associate head coach Tim Jankovich. He started 29 games for Jankovich two years ago and led the team in assists while keeping his turnovers down. He has had a year to work under Larry Brown in practice and already knows how to play for Jankovich. If he can defend well for Brown and team up with ESPN 100 recruit Keith Frazier, the Mustangs should have a highly competitive backcourt that can hang with the rest of the conference.

[blackoutpony]

Conference Rankings

5. Southern Methodist Mustangs

Larry Brown has quickly assembled a roster that can compete with any team in the American and reach the NCAA tournament. The Mustangs return all five starters, had three transfers sitting out and signed one of the best shooting guards in the country.

The SMU backcourt will be led by Illinois State transfer Nic Moore. Although small at 5-9, Moore is the type of leader and competitor Brown needs in his system. He will eventually be joined in the backcourt by freshman McDonald's All-American Keith Frazier. Frazier, who played his high school basketball in Dallas and is expected to enroll in school by the fall semester, is a symbol of the impact Brown has had on the Mustang program. He is a big-time scorer with deep range. Crandall Head, an Illinois transfer, will bring a defensive stopper to the backcourt.

SMU also has legitimate post depth. It signed 6-10 Yanick Moreira, a skilled, long, athletic post from South Plains Junior College. Villanova transfer Marcus Kennedy has impressed the coaching staff and could be an X factor for the Mustangs. Both Cannen Cunningham (6-10) and Jalen Jones (6-7) were very productive last season for SMU.

If Brown can get everyone on the same page, the Mustangs could be one of the great stories in college basketball this season.