Key Notes From Matt Doherty

[Mestengo]

To SMU Basketball Supporters,

I want to update you on our program. Here are some key notes:

Tip Off Dinner October 14th at Royal Oaks. NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is our keynote speaker. Tickets/tables are available by calling my office at 214-768-3501.
Practice starts October 15th
Season opener is November 12 vs UALR in Moody. This will be our “Operation Sellout”.
We play a record 19 home games including our SMU Classic the weekend of November 19-21. Some key games are TCU in Ft. Worth on Nov 16th and at home vs Ole Miss on January 5th.
We have two new additions to our coaching staff: Larry Mangino from the Denver Nuggets and Jerry Hobbie from the University of Houston. They bring a wealth of experience to our program.
We have seven new players that will add a lot of excitement to our team. Below are their bio’s.

Thanks for all your support. I hope to see you all at Moody for an exciting season.

Sincerely,

Coach Doherty


Troy Alexander
6-1, 180
Guard
5 JR-TR
Dallas, Texas (Santa Clara)

Coach Doherty: “Troy has to sit out due to transfer rules. He will add a great deal to our team this year as he is a good ball handler and leader. Practice will be very competitive.”

2009-10 (Sophomore - Santa Clara):) Averaged 1.2 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals per game in 7.8 minutes a game ... played in all but one game for the Broncos ... played 7 minutes vs. Menlo and was 3-4 from free throw line ... played 11 minutes vs. San Diego State ... collected 4 assists against Fresno State ... made 6 of 9 from the free throw line and had a career-high 3 steals against UC Santa Barbara ... played 11 minutes and scored 2 points at Rice ... scored 5 points with 2 rebounds vs. New Hampshire ... was 2-for-4 from the free throw line with 1 rebound and 2 assists vs. Harvard ... started and played 10 minutes with 1 assist vs. USD ... grabbed 2 rebounds in 5 minutes vs. Saint Mary's ... played 9 minutes, accumulating 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals ... 1 rebound and 2 assists vs. Gonzaga ... made first 3-pointer of the season vs. Portland ... scored 2 points with 2 steals in 6 minutes vs. Saint Mary's ... missed game at USD with sprained ankle ... made two shots from the field, one a 3 pointer, at Portland to tally five points in eight minutes.
2008-09 (Freshman - Santa Clara): Started seven games and averaged 15.2 mpg in 13 games ... scored two points vs. CSU East Bay and picked up three assists ... started and scored 3 points, dishing a career-high 8 assists and playing a career-high 35 minutes vs. Arizona ... started at Montana and scored career-high 5 points with 3 rebounds ... in win at SJSU, started and scored 4 points with 3 assists in 23 minutes ... played seven minutes vs. Stanford ... played 11 minutes off the bench in the win over UTEP, scoring 2 points with 1 rebound ... did not play vs. Notre Dame de Namur, UNLV or Belmont and at Gonzaga or at Portland due to a sprained left shoulder he suffered during the Sacramento State game ... had right wrist surgery on Jan. 23 to repair a fracture he suffered at Harvard and was out for the rest of the season.

Prep: 2008 graduate of Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas ... team was 33-5 his senior year and they won more than 100 games during his high school career ... coached by David Pieler ... averaged 6.6 ppg and 8.4 apg his senior year ... Highland Park lost to eventual state champion South Oak Cliff in the state playoffs two years in a row ... He was tabbed as No. 19 by Texas Hoops in its post-season senior class rankings ... junior year he helped lead his high school to a 30-4 record in Texas 4A and a spot in the 4A state semifinals ... triple double (12 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) vs. Terrell his junior year ... member of the National Honor Society ... attended same high school as the 2009 No. 1 NFL pick and former Georgia standout quarterback Matt Stafford.

Personal: Son of David and Sandy Alexander ... both parents graduated from Murray State (Ky.) and dad played a year of basketball at Western Kentucky ... grandfather, Rex Alexander, was the head basketball coach at Murray State from 1954-55 - 1957-58 ... has two older brothers, Rex and Bret.

Major: Accounting

London Giles
6-3, 185
Guard
JR-TR
Dallas, Texas (Nevada)

Coach Doherty: “Cotton was someone we tried to recruit out of high school. He will have to sit out because of transfer rules, too. Cotton is a terrific athlete and shooter. He will be a very good guard for our program in the coming years.”

2009-10 (Sophomore at Nevada): Backup point guard who saw action in 28 games...averaged 0.8 points. 0.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 5.4 minutes per game...dished out a career-best six assists Dec. 19 vs. Wagner...scored a season-high six points on 2-of-3 shooting Dec. 23 vs. Tulsa...also had three assists March 10 vs. Idaho.

2008-09 (Freshman at Nevada): Played in 18 games as a true freshman...averaged 1.1 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 5.8 minutes per game...turned in a career-best eight points Dec. 17 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, going 3-of-4 from the field and knocking down a pair of three-point attempts...also had two steals in that game...dished out three assists and pulled down a career-high four rebounds Dec. 9 vs. Sonoma State.

Prep: A 2008 graduate of Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas...was named the District 14 4A Offensive MVP as a senior...helped his team to a 23-9 overall record...earned second-team all-area honors from the Dallas Morning News as a senior...turned in 16 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game as a senior...was listed as the 14th-best player in the state of Texas by TexasHoops.com...served as a team captain...was named the 14-4A Newcomer of the Year as a junior after helping his team to a 23-10 mark...averaged 10.5 points and 6.3 assists per game that season...was a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Born in August of 1990...his nickname is Cotton...the son of Don and Moni Giles of Arlington, Texas...has a sister, Monet (16)...his uncle, Ronald, played basketball...lists reading and learning as his hobbies...full name is London Prentiss Giles.

Major: undecided


Collin Mangrum
6-5, 190
Forward
SR-TR
Howe, Texas (North Texas)

Coach Doherty: “Collin is a terrific athlete and shooter who had several unfortunate injuries while at UNT. He is eligible to play right away and I expect him to make an immediate impact.”

2009-10 (North Texas - Junior): Had five points and two rebounds in 19 minutes against Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament...The first player in UNT history to play in multiple NCAA Tournaments (2007, 2010)... Leader of the "Reinforcements Line"...Averaged 8.0 points on 61.1% shooting - including 63.6% from 3-point - over 4 games entering NCAA Tournament...Started 3 games on the season.

2008-09 (North Texas - Sophomore): Exploded for career highs in points (19), field goals (7) and 3-pointers (5) in breakout game vs Middle Tennessee ... Earned first career start vs. UALR ... Knocked down a free throw versus Houston Baptist in his first action since the NCAA Tournament game vs. Memphis on March 16, 2007 ... Missed all of 2007-08 and the final nine games of the 08-09 season after exacerbating chronic injuries that required multiple surgeries following the 2006-07 season ... Saw action in 11 games as a sophomore.

2007-08 (North Texas): Took a redshirt to heal from offseason surgery.

2006-07 (North Texas - Freshman): A spark plug off the bench, Mangrum was a key contributor to the program's first-ever Sun Belt Championship ... Led the team with an 83.3 free throw percentage (10-12) ... Earned time in 21 games, including four with double-digit minutes ... Logged five key minutes in SBC Tourney semifinal win over MTSU, posting a steal and a rebound ... Posted first pair of three pointers along with three rebounds against Big XII opponent Nebraska ... Break out game vs. Jarvis featured nine points and four rebounds in 23 minutes ... Earned invaluable playing time in the NCAA Tournament game against Memphis ... Scored his first career points in his first collegiate action against Cameron ... Averaged only 1.6 points per game, but scored in nine games for the Mean Green ... Racked up 21 rebounds, including five games at least two rebounds ... A tireless defender, Mangrum tallied seven steals and a pair of blocks as a freshman.

Prep: Part of NT's early signing class that was ranked 29th in the nation by HoopScoop ... Was ranked No. 38 out of the state's top 100 seniors by TexasHoops.com and No. 123 by PrepRoundBall.com in the class of 2006 when he signed with NT ... Compiled quite a collection of accomplishments at Howe High School ... Was named his district's MVP, was a Class 2A All-Region 2 selection and was named first-team All-State as a senior ... Posted averages of 28.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.4 steals per game in his final year ... Was selected the area's 2005-06 MVP, and was named to the TABC and THSCA All-Star squads ... A McDonald's All-America nominee, Mangrum was a 2005-06 preseason second team all-state selection among all classifications by Texas Basketball Magazine ... Was a big part of Howe HS preseason No. 9 state ranking ... Helped lead Howe High School to the Texas Class 2A State Semifinals as a junior ... Howe finished the 2004-05 season ranked No. 3 in the final state rankings and Mangrum was named an all-state selection after averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game ... He was also named to the Texas State All-Tournament Team, tabbed All-District 13-2A and a first team all-region selection ... A standout in the classroom as well, Mangrum was a member of the National Honors Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Who's Who Among American High School Students and was a USAA National Honor Student ... Winner of the National English Merit Award, National Leadership Service Award and the Congressional Student Leadership Award.

Personal: Son of Robbie and David Mangrum ... Born December of 1987 in Sherman, Texas.

Major: Masters of Dispute Resolution

Aliaksei Patsevich
6-4, 180
Guard
SO-JC
Minsk, Belarus (Collin County CC [Texas])

Coach Doherty: “Losh is a GREAT shooter who really understands how to play. I expect him to make an immediate impact as well.”

Collin County Community College (2009-10 Freshman): Played in 28 games...Averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 39 percent on field goals and 35 percent from 3-point range...He hit 80 percent at the free throw line.

Prep: He played in the North European Youth Basketball League (NEYBL) where he made the 2004 and 2005 all-star teams...His teams also won the Belarus youth championship in 2002, 2004 and 2005...Played for Vadim Aleksin

Personal: Born in February of 1988...Lists favorite athlete as Rajon Rondo.

Major: Pre-engineering

Jeremiah Samarrippas
5-10, 160
Guard
FR
Bartow, Florida (Bartow Senior HS)

Coach Doherty: “Jeremiah is a winner and a leader at the point guard position. With the departure of Derek Williams I expect Jeremiah to get major minutes this season. I can see him becoming a crowd favorite because of his exciting style of play.”

Prep: He was 5A-Florida High School Athletic Association Player of the Year and finished third in Florida's Mr. Basketball voting under head coach Terrence McGriff...As a senior, he led his team to a 25-5 record and the 5A State Championship while averaging 12.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds...That followed a junior season that saw his team go 23-7 and make the 4A state semifinal as he earned third-team All-State honors...He started all four years at the varsity level and helped Bartow High School to an 84-31 record during his career.

Major: undecided


Leslee Smith
6-7, 245
Forward
FR
Humble, Texas (Christian Life Center Academy)

Coach Doherty: “Leslee is a big time talent. He can pass, handle, shoot and rebound. I feel Leslee will be one of the top freshmen to enter Conference USA.”

Prep: Played forward for coach Carlos Wilson at Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas...Originally from the British Virgin Islands and helped the BVI National Team to a silver medal at the 2009 FIBA Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships held on Tortola, BVI.
Major: undecided


Ricmonds Vilde
6-9, 230
Forward
FR
Riga, Latvia (Lee Academy [Maine])

Coach Doherty: “Ricmonds has a chance to be a great player. He is a great athlete that can run, rebound and shoot. I expect big things from Ricmonds in years to come!”

Prep: Was a forward for coach James Graffam at Lee Academy in Maine...The native of Latvia helped his high school to two Riga city championships and two national runner-up finishes...Was second in scoring and first in rebounds for his high school squad...Had personal game-highs in high school of 34 points and 18 rebounds...Also played in the U16 and U18 European Championships and was a member of the Latvian Youth Basketball all-star team.

Personal: He is the son of Raimonds and Irina Vilde...His sister Evija is an outside hitter for the UCF volleyball team...His father Raimonds was a member of the Soviet Union's silver-medal volleyball team at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

Major: undecided

[mavsrage311]

Jeremiah Samarrippas
5-10, 160
Guard
FR
Bartow, Florida (Bartow Senior HS)

Coach Doherty: “Jeremiah is a winner and a leader at the point guard position. With the departure of Derek Williams I expect Jeremiah to get major minutes this season. I can see him becoming a crowd favorite because of his exciting style of play.”

Hope you're right coach...

[Charleston Pony]

great things expected from Vilde..."in years to come". What about this year???

[skyscraper]

Does this mean the issues with Smith and Vilde have been resolved???

[MustangIcon]

Sounds like he expects Smith to play doesn't it...?

[PonyDoh]

Sounds like Smith this year & Vilde next.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

So we are going to have 2 new coaches and a slew of new players, including several JUCO and transfers. I really don't have any clue what to expect out of this team. This is going to be an interesting year.

[PonyDoh]

So we are going to have 2 new coaches and a slew of new players, including several JUCO and transfers. I really don't have any clue what to expect out of this team. This is going to be an interesting year.

i think this year all depends on how well the fellas can execute the new offense. We lack much of anything at PG, unless Jfrog proves to be legit, and no depth up front. We either control tempo, limit possessions, and shoot well, or we lose. 19 home games vs. a pretty awful schedule, so who knows. I agree though, should be interesting, maybe even fun.

[FriscoPMG]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

[PonyDoh]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

smu is excuse central. I realize November is the Mavs playoffs every year, cause we know they'll be done early April, but come on. That said, Operation Sellout is dumb at SMU in any sport, for any game.

[Mestengo]

I just renewed one seat in the blue. I will go, what are you going to do after football?
18 home games this year I believe.

[Charleston Pony]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

tickets need to be REALLY cheap for any hope of anything near a sellout for UALR; I seriously doubt we could give away enough tickets to have people show up and fill those seats. Sad, but I believe that to be the case. Hope I'm wrong

[Harry0569]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

tickets need to be REALLY cheap for any hope of anything near a sellout for UALR; I seriously doubt we could give away enough tickets to have people show up and fill those seats. Sad, but I believe that to be the case. Hope I'm wrong

There will be no more than 2500 people for that game.. It pisses me off that the Ole miss game is 1/5. No students will be there.

[FriscoPMG]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

smu is excuse central. I realize November is the Mavs playoffs every year, cause we know they'll be done early April, but come on. That said, Operation Sellout is dumb at SMU in any sport, for any game.

Sure, it's an excuse, but if SMU is truly trying to attract casual basketball fans in Dallas as part of this Operation Sellout, then it's going to be a little tougher when 15-18K will already have plans of going to the Mavs game. And no, the Mavs haven't been championship contenders year in and year out, but at least that's fun & quality basketball to watch unlike what we've been exposed to at SMU for the last several years.
I can't wait for the day to return where I look more forward to going to an SMU game over a Mavs game, but right now the only reason I go to any SMU games is to continue to support my school and the program I used to be a part of. Can't say there is much excitement tied to those trips to Moody these days unfortunately...

[PonyDoh]

I had trouble focusing on anything he said after Nov. 12 vs. UALR being his "Operation Sellout"...a Friday night in Dallas when the Mavs have a home game...good luck with all that!

smu is excuse central. I realize November is the Mavs playoffs every year, cause we know they'll be done early April, but come on. That said, Operation Sellout is dumb at SMU in any sport, for any game.

Sure, it's an excuse, but if SMU is truly trying to attract casual basketball fans in Dallas as part of this Operation Sellout, then it's going to be a little tougher when 15-18K will already have plans of going to the Mavs game. And no, the Mavs haven't been championship contenders year in and year out, but at least that's fun & quality basketball to watch unlike what we've been exposed to at SMU for the last several years.
I can't wait for the day to return where I look more forward to going to an SMU game over a Mavs game, but right now the only reason I go to any SMU games is to continue to support my school and the program I used to be a part of. Can't say there is much excitement tied to those trips to Moody these days unfortunately...

Dude, we were 14-17, not 2-29. No offense, but i'm so sick of people acting like this program isn't competitive. We had a few games which we were run last year, but for the most part, we played everyone close. Our wins were far more decisive than most of our loses. This program has a ton of problems, and nobody will argue that, but its always such extremes around here. Football loses to Tech by double digits and we're all happy w/the progress, but hoops loses to A&M by a similar number, and we suck. Perspective. Football has a long way to go to be legitmately good, and hoops isn't nearly as bad as many suggest.

Beyond that diatribe, we're screwed if we're looking for the casual basketball fan. George Mason isn't counting on the casual fan vs the Wizards/Caps/Terps/Gtown/GW etc. SMU needs it alums & students first. The reality is that those two groups don't give an eff. The fact that many/most people party on the Blvd and don't go into games is sickening. It's also been the case for 20 plus years. It was happening when students/alums would bail for the State Fair when we played at the Cotton Bowl. I don't know the solution, but a university can't blame attendance woes on other events vying for the consumers entertainment dollar.