I have no idea what to expect in 2008-09

[George S. Patton]

We start the season Nov. 14 at South Florida. I can't get a read on this thing.

1. Who are the go-to players?
2. Is Nyukundai (too lazy to look up the spelling) as good as Doherty is building him up?
3. Will Harp and Malone and more importantly Dia, take the next step toward being credible contributors?
4. How much will Faye contribute once he's eligible in December?
5. What can we expect from Otis and Haynes and McCoy?
6. How good is Derek Williams?
7. Can we finish games?

I feel like there are so many variables on this squad. Doherty basically has crafted the roster in his image. But I will say that if we aren't .500 or a little better or pushing .500 in CUSA play, then I will be disappointed.

I wish them the best. It's time to start feeling good about this thing after years of frustration.

[ponyboy]

Man, you're right. There are just too many variables to tell. Looking forward to the season.

[PonyDoh]

IF McCoy and/or Williams aren't good enough to wrangle the starting PG from Mike Walker, we've got problems. That's my first concern

Technically, we should have strength on the blocks, w/Dia & Fall, eventually Faye. None of that matters if we can't get them looks in positions where they are comfortable.

I have no idea what to expect from Nyakundi, TK, Haynes etc.

We need to play South Florida strong, maybe sneak out a win. They don't have there main players till aftre Christmas in Gus Gilchrist and the transfer guard.

[jtstang]

We start the season Nov. 14 at South Florida. I can't get a read on this thing.

1. Who are the go-to players?
2. Is Nyukundai (too lazy to look up the spelling) as good as Doherty is building him up?
3. Will Harp and Malone and more importantly Dia, take the next step toward being credible contributors?
4. How much will Faye contribute once he's eligible in December?
5. What can we expect from Otis and Haynes and McCoy?
6. How good is Derek Williams?
7. Can we finish games?

I feel like there are so many variables on this squad. Doherty basically has crafted the roster in his image. But I will say that if we aren't .500 or a little better or pushing .500 in CUSA play, then I will be disappointed.

I wish them the best. It's time to start feeling good about this thing after years of frustration.

Are you giving up on Mike Walker or will he have a breakout year?

[MustangIcon]

IF McCoy and/or Williams aren't good enough to wrangle the starting PG from Mike Walker, we've got problems. That's my first concern.

I too would be very concerned if Mike Walker is our starting PG if he plays anywhere close to how he did last season. I'm really hoping that Williams will be a big upgrade for us in ballhandling and penetration.

[Alaric]

My only expectation is that we're probably expecting too much from a bunch of freshman & sophomores. still headed in the right direction but expectations seem to be running pretty high right now for such a young team

[George S. Patton]

We start the season Nov. 14 at South Florida. I can't get a read on this thing.

1. Who are the go-to players?
2. Is Nyukundai (too lazy to look up the spelling) as good as Doherty is building him up?
3. Will Harp and Malone and more importantly Dia, take the next step toward being credible contributors?
4. How much will Faye contribute once he's eligible in December?
5. What can we expect from Otis and Haynes and McCoy?
6. How good is Derek Williams?
7. Can we finish games?

I feel like there are so many variables on this squad. Doherty basically has crafted the roster in his image. But I will say that if we aren't .500 or a little better or pushing .500 in CUSA play, then I will be disappointed.

I wish them the best. It's time to start feeling good about this thing after years of frustration.

Are you giving up on Mike Walker or will he have a breakout year?

He just needs to play better. I guess I missed on him and that's fine. It happens. But based on what I saw last year and what is projected with McCoy and Williams, I agree with PonyDoh, Walker better be coming off the bench.

IMO, the key to this season is how well we take care of the basketball and have a PG who can run the offense.

P.S.
I left off Fall. If he just gives us a slight upgrade from what we have been getting, then I can live with that.

[RE Tycoon]

IF McCoy and/or Williams aren't good enough to wrangle the starting PG from Mike Walker, we've got problems. That's my first concern.

I too would be very concerned if Mike Walker is our starting PG if he plays anywhere close to how he did last season. I'm really hoping that Williams will be a big upgrade for us in ballhandling and penetration.

You in for homecoming this week Icon?

[papawasamustang]

I just read the Sporting News College BB issue & they pick us 11th out of 12 team with Rice bringing up the rear.
Sz Coach Doh is on the "hot seat"
Good pub for McCoy.

I am waiting to see them play before I make any comments.

[MustangIcon]

IF McCoy and/or Williams aren't good enough to wrangle the starting PG from Mike Walker, we've got problems. That's my first concern.

I too would be very concerned if Mike Walker is our starting PG if he plays anywhere close to how he did last season. I'm really hoping that Williams will be a big upgrade for us in ballhandling and penetration.

You in for homecoming this week Icon?

I'll be there. I think we win this weekend and 1 more this season. Bold, I know.

[EastStang]

Doh just needs to show improvement year to year. We all understand that he had to build from ground zero and he has added some good players. He just now needs to have those players grow and mature and start winning.

[Tipoff96]

Sadly, I think it's going to be a long year, though this team will show improvements from last year - I truly believe that. I'm just not real sure how many wins that equates to. The reality of the situation, IMO, is that this team must be greatly improved and pick up at least 18 wins this season to be considered "moving in the right direction". It's critical from a recruiting standpoint to improve. I think new coaches have about 2-3 years to make their big bang impact and my thought is Coach Doh is running out of time. I guess my concern is that Coach Doh has brought in some good recruits but when you're picked towards the bottom of the conference after a couple of years of "rebuilding", and then you see Rice picked at the bottom, knowing they've got a helluva recruiting class coming in next year - that's a concern. This team needs at least 18 wins!

[Stallion]

Steady improvement is what is necessary. 16+ wins should be expected. This will be a better team once we get Faye into the lineup. Inside game should be solid-much better than we've seen in awhile. PG will be a key.

[Billy Joe]

Expect the ususal out of SMU basketball: 1) a losing conference record, 2) no post season tournaments (NIT or NCAA), and 3) excuses that the team is young, etc. I am tired of this program. SMU is right in the middle of some of the best basketball players in the entire country and SMU cannot even get a look from most of them. It is a big problem you 'sun shiners' on this board will not accept. I am impressed, though, SMU built the new basketball facility and you would think it would help keep the local talent at home and start building enthusisasm from the locals. Doh gets 2 more years and Orsini will have no choice but to show him the door and make excuses on why SMU basketball cannot even break the 'top 100' much less the so-called 'top 25' standard he set when he was hired. If anyone has any comments or insight on what Doh and Orsini have said about this program I am all ears. But I have seen no improvement or progress since Dement left.

[jtstang]

Burned bridges are hell, aren't they BJ?