Next Year

[50's PONY]

Pony Doh,
Since you want to talk about next year quite a bit I have a question for you. Can you guarantee that all of the guys who are currently not eligible, plus the guys who have signed for next year, will all be eligible to play?

[ponyboy]

Does he have to guarantee that all will be eligible in order for us to have a upper-tier CUSA team?

[ibezu2]

It's always next year, and next year will be wait until next year, and just wait until the following year and the year after that. Ah, but this recruited class coming in "next year" is ....... Need to get someone in here that can get this basketball program to the next level, Division I.

[PonyDoh]

I can't guarantee that everyone will be eligible next year. If anything, history shows we'll have more attrition and turnover. That said, staff seems encouraged that Pats will still play this season. Kids like Vilde & Smith would have to transfer after already using a redshirt, which makes no sense.

Jalen Jones is a borderline recruit academically and will go down to the wire, I'd imagine. Cunningham/Norman seem in good shape to qualify, and I have no idea about Manuel. London Giles should also be available off his transfer year. Same w/walk-on, Troy Alexander.

[PonyDoh]

It's always next year, and next year will be wait until next year, and just wait until the following year and the year after that. Ah, but this recruited class coming in "next year" is ....... Need to get someone in here that can get this basketball program to the next level, Division I.

yea, except that's never been the case. We stunk his first 3 years and it was expected. Last year, people thought we'd be ok, and we were slightly worse than that. Ever since the ineligibles & McCoy/Mook leaving, this team may be the least talented team in SMU history. Guess what, we stink.

The bright news is that next years roster, as of now, is BY FAR the best we've had in many years.

[50's PONY]

Thank you for bringing us up to date.

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

Does he have to guarantee that all will be eligible in order for us to have a upper-tier CUSA team?

Upper tier??????????? What are you smoking?

[PonyDoh]

Does he have to guarantee that all will be eligible in order for us to have a upper-tier CUSA team?

Upper tier??????????? What are you smoking?

You don't think SMU has a top 3- 5 roster in CUSA based on talent next year? I've checked the leagues rosters up and down, and seen many, if not most, of the leagues incoming kids. No problem w/you disagreeing, but don't just drive-by. Who is better 1-13 by more than a little bit?

[Balatro Diabolus Ex]

Does he have to guarantee that all will be eligible in order for us to have a upper-tier CUSA team?

Upper tier??????????? What are you smoking?

You don't think SMU has a top 3- 5 roster in CUSA based on talent next year? I've checked the leagues rosters up and down, and seen many, if not most, of the leagues incoming kids. No problem w/you disagreeing, but don't just drive-by. Who is better 1-13 by more than a little bit?

Fair enough, and the simple answer to your question is No, I dont think SMU has anything close to a top 5 roster next year. There are several reasons why, and your question deserves more of an answer than I have time to write at this moment. but I will tell you who, off the top of my head, I see as the best returning rosters for next season.

1) Memphis- Dont think I need to explain that one.
2.) UCF- Fastest rising team in C-USA, currently 10-0 with notable wins over Miami and U. of Florida, I've seen them ranked in the top-25 in one poll. All 5 starters are underclassmen, and should be back next year.
3.) UAB- Consistent 20 game winner and top half of the conference, currently 9-2 with a notable win over Arkansas. 3 starters are underclassmen, including leading scorer/rebounder Cameron Moore. Freshman class is playing alot of minutes. Only one signee in the early period, but KC Whitaker is a 3-star on Rivals, and ESPN rates him slightly higher than SMU signee Ryan Manuel.
4.) Rice- 5 starters are underclassmen, including Arslan Kazemi, Tamir Jackson, and Lucas Kuipers. 3 incoming recruits are all tall guards who had a lot off mid-major offers, and Jared Reischelle had offers from several schools in the Big East.
5.) Marshall- 8-2 so far this season, no notable wins, but they start 4 underclassmen, and Tyrell Baines is the only senior on the roster. Signed 3 in the early period, and JC transfer Dennis Tinnon should step into Baines spot immediately.
6.) Tulsa- Program is consistently in the top 4 of the conference, and consistently in the NIT. This year a young rebuilding team is struggling with injuries, but they start 4 underclassmen, and 2 other young players have started to cover guys out with injuries. Only 1 signee in the early signing period, but Rashad Smith was a player SMU tried to sign, and was also offered by Texas Tech, he's a solid player who should improve with time in the weight room. He'll contribute as a freshman, although it will be competitive to get playing time on a very experienced roster.

I could go on, but let me wrap it up by saying that SMU will be far and away the most inexperienced team in C-USA next year. I expect us to return 3 lettermen from this years team, maybe less. On experience alone, I dont see any way we can touch the top half of the conference next year. UTEP and Southern Miss will also be hit very hard by graduation, but they will return more experienced players than SMU will.

There are a couple more reasons I dont have time to outline fully, but I'll try to get back this evening, perhaps after the game.

[Pony Fan]

Plus, I guess Doherty will still be the coach.......

[papawasamustang]

Plus, I guess Doherty will still be the coach.......

Pony Fan hit the nail on the head.

Would love to see a BCG type have a chance to work with the collection of talent being assembled here.

[redpony]

Plain and simple- Doh MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redpony]

Next year?? SSDD. Changes must be made at the end of this year. Bring this program back to life.

GO PONIES!!!

[argyle hoss]

If Doh is here next year...I will not be buying season tickets and will not support the team...He has proven that he is not a winner! He meets with them in timeout and then hollers and has to tell them every move...why can't he get his point across? Go Mustangs! Others I know feel the same way I do! There are a couple of high profile alums who feel doh is our man but I disagree with them! Go Mustangs!

[PonyDoh]

Fair enough, and the simple answer to your question is No, I dont think SMU has anything close to a top 5 roster next year. There are several reasons why, and your question deserves more of an answer than I have time to write at this moment. but I will tell you who, off the top of my head, I see as the best returning rosters for next season.

1) Memphis- Dont think I need to explain that one.
2.) UCF- Fastest rising team in C-USA, currently 10-0 with notable wins over Miami and U. of Florida, I've seen them ranked in the top-25 in one poll. All 5 starters are underclassmen, and should be back next year.
3.) UAB- Consistent 20 game winner and top half of the conference, currently 9-2 with a notable win over Arkansas. 3 starters are underclassmen, including leading scorer/rebounder Cameron Moore. Freshman class is playing alot of minutes. Only one signee in the early period, but KC Whitaker is a 3-star on Rivals, and ESPN rates him slightly higher than SMU signee Ryan Manuel.
4.) Rice- 5 starters are underclassmen, including Arslan Kazemi, Tamir Jackson, and Lucas Kuipers. 3 incoming recruits are all tall guards who had a lot off mid-major offers, and Jared Reischelle had offers from several schools in the Big East.
5.) Marshall- 8-2 so far this season, no notable wins, but they start 4 underclassmen, and Tyrell Baines is the only senior on the roster. Signed 3 in the early period, and JC transfer Dennis Tinnon should step into Baines spot immediately.
6.) Tulsa- Program is consistently in the top 4 of the conference, and consistently in the NIT. This year a young rebuilding team is struggling with injuries, but they start 4 underclassmen, and 2 other young players have started to cover guys out with injuries. Only 1 signee in the early signing period, but Rashad Smith was a player SMU tried to sign, and was also offered by Texas Tech, he's a solid player who should improve with time in the weight room. He'll contribute as a freshman, although it will be competitive to get playing time on a very experienced roster.

I could go on, but let me wrap it up by saying that SMU will be far and away the most inexperienced team in C-USA next year. I expect us to return 3 lettermen from this years team, maybe less. On experience alone, I dont see any way we can touch the top half of the conference next year. UTEP and Southern Miss will also be hit very hard by graduation, but they will return more experienced players than SMU will.

There are a couple more reasons I dont have time to outline fully, but I'll try to get back this evening, perhaps after the game.

I appreciate the thoughtful response, and there is no doubt that experience is a problem. That said, we're more talented than 3 or 4 of the teams mentioned, IMO. Completely agree about Memphis/UCF, but not so much w/Marshall/Rice/UAB/Tulsa. I expect UTEP will reload pretty quickly under Floyd as well.

Also, Pats/Vilde/Leslee/Cotton and even Alexander, are already in the program & on campus. Its not like they are showing up for summer 2 and playing 2 months later. Most will have been in the program 16 months or so. Hopefully that takes the edge off the poor execution generally associated w/so many new faces. Either way, we're right there w/most all of those teams in terms of talent. Level playing field, and that's my source of optimism, not Doh coaching them up. If the team gels, we have enough talent to do some damage in CUSA. Will it happen, I have my doubts. I'm just sick of having definitively worse talent than the next guy, and that does end next year, if the roster holds.

In terms of just the recruits mentioned, I've seen Whitaker, Reischelle and Smith. Whitaker is a steal, and can really shoot it. Great pick-up for UAB. Reischelle is a good recruit, pretty athletic, and has good length on the wing. Smith isn't someone anyone I'd really sweat.