Scoring...

[Pony_Fan]

Is anyone else concerned we have trouble barely scoring 50 pts? I know some of you will say we are playing better defense but 50 pts just doesn't cut it....especially next year when Hop isn't there to drop 15-20...

[MFFL02]

the tempo of the game was very slow. but yes i think our scoring is an issue and will be next year once bhop is gone. Pearson and Roberts will have to be our go to guys and Fall will have to consistently score more than 10 a game.

[WildHorse]

You're right, the pace of the game was slow. However, I don't think Fall is the concern just yet. He played limited minutes at Oak Hill, and with the Team Texas club team after 11th grade. This is his first season with extended minutes, and he seems to be learning more in every game. He'll crack 20 before the season is out, and he'll be better next year.

But you're also right that we'll seriously miss BHop's offense. Roberts is a confident player who can take a lot of defenders off the dribble. He needs to start (at least next season) attacking the basket like his last meal is sitting on the rim, and if he doesn't score, make his free throws. Pearson needs to iron out any kinks in his perimeter shot -- he presumably will be the best three-point shooter on the team (unless Matt Williams turns out to be more than we know). Dez Willingham also can shoot, but he's at his best out to 15-17 feet, the are-you-kidding-me? prayer at the end of the Rice game (sending it to OT) notwithstanding.

To me, the key is Brian Morris. He needs to drop another 15-20 pounds (or at least change it to muscle) so he can go 32-35 minutes a game. Bamba Fall can handle the shot blocking, but we need Morris for inside scoring.

[LA_Mustang]

You have reason to be concerned. We are in desperate need of a scorer on this team. But for the first time in my lifetime, it appears we have a true game changing center in Fall. My guess is that Fall will play at SMU for three years (and I’m being hopeful in that estimation). He is Diop reincarnated. Bamba is a potential lottery pick......seriously. He has all the tools.....the rest is up to him. 7 footers with his ability don’t roll around too often. If we can get any player(s) around Fall in the next few seasons we could make some noise......the potential is there. We are a Shady or Randolph away from something special. Thank you, Bamba.

[Pony_Fan]

I wasn't really referring to just the South. Miss game, it's been a consistent problem.

[Pony_Fan]

I wasn't really referring to just the South. Miss game, it's been a consistent problem. Do you have to change the offense to create more backdoor and layups? These guys can't shoot

[Hoop Fan]

LA Mustang knows his hoops, you really think lottery potential? I was on the Bamba bandwagon last spring when I first saw him mainly because I had seen relatively few 7 footers at his age that could move like he could laterally. He's very fluid, and more aggressive than I thought he would be. Definitely first round potential someday if he works hard. With his size there was no way he wasnt going to be an immediate defensive upgrade from Castro and Simpson. Thats not a knock on those guys, they were good players but had to play out of position for us. Speaking of, we have had some good players at SMU over the last 8 years, just need better clustering. Need to put together back to back classes for a few years in row for a change. Once Fall gets a little more experience in the middle, can you imagine if you surrounded him with two or three guys guys from the group of Sasser, Hopkins, Q Ross, Willie D and Damon H. who had experience at the same time. Plus fill in with good role players like Simpson and Castro. Morris, Dez and Roberts may become those type of players and make us one scorer from being pretty good. Trouble is I dont see a big scorer on the radar screen at the moment. Shady could be it but he's a dream.

[ALEX LIFESON]

We will be lucky, to have this guy on the Hilltop for three years!

[Hoop Fan]

We will be lucky, to have this guy on the Hilltop for three years!

Seems that Bamba-mania is sweeping the Hilltop. I want to see some more strong offensive moves in the halfcourt sets before I get carried away, but i think the guy is a huge asset.

[The Falcon]

I am a Bamba fan.

He is good now and will get better.

He needs much more weight and muscle to play in the NBA. If you noticed during the USM game - their center was shoving him out of
the lane and actually moved him about 15-20 ft on one possession. The refs didn't even come close to calling fouls as this was happening.

His 10-15 ft shot is beginning to develop as he gains confidence, and his free throw shooting looked good in this game - let's hope he can build on that.