Why did we hire Rob Lanier?

[Charleston Pony]

He obviously wasn't hired with the expectation he could improve on Jank's 2021-22 season but I assume the powers that be will be looking for significant improvement in the next 2 years or Lanier will find himself on the hot seat. Despite the disappointing results so far, this team's chemistry appears to be healthy. That will be a challenge for every program going forward with NIL and hopefully impact transfers.

[PonyTime]

Just curious, who are the players on THIS team you think could be make major contributors for SMU if we made a conference championship run???

I noticed that no-one decided to attempt to answer this question.

Serious question for those that seem to know a lot more about Lanier than I do:

Who did Lanier recruit to Sienna? Who did Lanier recruit to Georgia State? Would any of those players be starters on a top tier AAC squad?

Who did Lanier recruit to Texas? Tennessee? Can he get those type of players to come to SMU with NIL?

[ponyboy]

Phelps for sure.

[mustangxc]

Just curious, who are the players on THIS team you think could be make major contributors for SMU if we made a conference championship run???

I noticed that no-one decided to attempt to answer this question.

Serious question for those that seem to know a lot more about Lanier than I do:

Who did Lanier recruit to Sienna? Who did Lanier recruit to Georgia State? Would any of those players be starters on a top tier AAC squad?

Who did Lanier recruit to Texas? Tennessee? Can he get those type of players to come to SMU with NIL?

He took credit for a long list of very solid players at Texas. The question is whether he can attract them to play for him or was it all Barnes and UT?

[Charleston Pony]

Phelps for sure.

Yes; Zhuric is a keeper and I like Jalen Smith as a player of the bench. Don't quit on Williamson, either as he's a guy that despite his shooting woes (hopefully related to the wrist injury he is still recovering from) that can fill up a stat sheet. We have a lot of bench strength if we could recruit over guys as starter. Odigie and Amrose-Hylton could provide depth at the 4/5 if we had a strong 5. I like Todorovic off the bench as a 3/4 depending on whether you play big or small. We need a strong PG and sniper at the 2 guard. Just 3 top quality additions could make this a completely different team.

[SMU93]

No way Pitino was even considered. They arenΓÇÖt going back to the "legend who cheats" model.

[Charleston Pony]

No way Pitino was even considered. They arenΓÇÖt going back to the "legend who cheats" model.

And that's too bad. Just look at what has happened down in Houston with one of "those guys"

[Pony ^]

pay Chris Beard $5M and win a championship.

Cannot imagine the recruiting job he'd do

[mustangxc]

Lure Pitino but no to Beard. We are cheaters, not wife beaters.

[Topper]

Lure Pitino but no to Beard. We are cheaters, not wife beaters.

Fiance for the past 5 years, not his wife. And when she found out that he was losing his contract she recanted the allegations. I'm sure UT will pay him off when he sues for breach of contract. He hired the same lawyer I would hire if I found myself charged with a crime so he has good representation.

[Donnell88]

Whatever you think of Jank, we have not moved to the next level with Lanier. I see a couple of guys on this squad who have talent and several more who could develop, but I don't see the fundamentals being stressed at all and I wonder how efficiently practices are being managed.

Actually, I think the team looks to be well coached. They move the ball well on offence, do a pretty good job of rebounding and play tough defence.
BUT they can't shoot the three!!! And I'm not sure that something that can be coached.

[Arkpony]

Nor can we shoot a free throw. They are awful!!!

[mtrout]

No way Pitino was even considered. They arenΓÇÖt going back to the "legend who cheats" model.

Cheating is no longer in my vocabulary in this NIL age.

[TwoTimeGrad]

We are not a good team, but he deserves time to prove himself. Meanwhile, more good seats for season tickets will open up. Reseating by popular lack of demand.

[DC-Pony]

I agree he deserves time.

I have liked that the team seemed to gel as a team quickly (seem to like each other) despite the roster getting pulled together overnight.

I think it is a credit to Coach Lanier and his staff that the team seems to play pretty hard this year. And at 8-16 playing hard is even more impressive when many teams might pack it in.

Agree the current roster talent isn't positioned for big things and we need a couple of high-level players. I'd love it if we could finally line up a couple high-end players from the DFW area that make a big impact. Recruiting services do not reflect us being on the cusp of that at this juncture, but hoping the staff is making inroads.