Inside College Hoops At 7 p.m. Live From Ten Sports Grill

[indianmustang]

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-ba ... 07aaa.html
starts today

[Pony Soup]

Coach Doh makes em keep the hair neat so they can be as aerodynamic as possible!!

[indianmustang]

robert nayakudi is out of the team
Doh Needs to more commitment

[abezontar]

robert nayakudi is out of the team
Doh Needs to more commitment

What happened? What do you mean by needs to more commitment? two more commitments?

[indianmustang]

thats what coach was saying on the show, that the kids needs to show more commitment on court and off court

[The XtC]

Not a surprise.

[MustangIcon]

Not a surprise.

Can you elaborate X? I am assuming you are speaking about Nayakundi specifically, who Doherty said needs to work on his conditioning and showing commitment to other things off the court.

[The XtC]

Yes and no. Specifically about Nyakundi because I saw him in the stands with the regular students during the Paul Quinn game, instead of on the bench, and because he was the only player who was redshirted without being given a choice. Doherty gave Rhodes and Kwiatkowski the option to play or redshirt, and they chose to play. Looking at how little court time they've seen, it doesnt appear the coach has plans to utilize either of them much this year, and I wont be surprised if Kwiatkowski's back injury somehow turns into one of those magical medical redshirts. Nyakundi, though, wasnt given a choice, he was out from the beginning. Nyakundi was also the only player who hadnt made his mile time when the season started, something that appears to really get under Doherty's skin. Dez had a similar problem last year, his time was faster because he was the smallest guy on the team. Eventually he made it, but it was a thorny issue, and Dez didnt play in the first exhibition game, because of it.

Not specific to Nyakundi, I made a post around a month ago about the implications of SMU still pursuing several recruits, despite already having as many commitments as available scholarship. I said then that either one of the commitments was soft, or there was a problem with someone already on the roster, and I predicted that the most probable outcome would be someone on the current team getting kicked off. All of our commitments signed, so I am not surprised that someone else is getting the boot.

Lastly, there is Doherty's history. Brian Epps, Matt Williams, Dez. There has been some personnel turnover. Practices have been tough lately, Nyakundi has to do the same work without the potential reward of getting playing time. He may have balked, and gotten on the wrong side of Doh's temper. I dont know that, it's merely speculation, but it's part of why I'm not surprised at the departure.

[mustangklick]

In all honesty, while he shouldn't be thrown off the team right away, I can understand Doh getting pissed when his players don't make their assigned goals. Even my high school coach was that serious about it, because even if the team is horrible, if you have the desire you can squeeze just that much more out of a season. I hope Nyakundi isn't gone forever, but I will overlook a coach's temper if his moods can be reasonably justified.

[Hoop Fan]

thats too bad, from the limited action I saw, he was intriguing. He has a really nice looking jump shot for a big kid. Isnt it a little early to have players dismissed from the team, its barely December. I think this was a 100% Doherty recruit too, which makes it more odd.

[jkflamebo]

believe there's some similar issues with schellas in soccer. guys not showing up in shape when preseason comes around, they get on schellas' [deleted] list and dont play

[mustangbill67]

Personally, I have no problem with this at all. These kids are getting a free ride, or in soccer case at least a partial ride, at a great school. An opportunity that most kids (and their parents) can only dream about. They are not in high school any more. Nothing will be given to you. You have to earn it and this requires commitment both academically and on the practice and playing field. You really do have to Pony Up!

[SoCal_Pony]

I think this was a 100% Doherty recruit too, which makes it more odd.

I thought he and Malone were JT's.

[Hoop Fan]

I think this was a 100% Doherty recruit too, which makes it more odd.

I thought he and Malone were JT's.

I thought just Malone, but you could be right. I understand that Tubbs started Dia's recruitment which makes sense give the Bamba Fall/Senegal connection.

[Stallion]

Well then I saw a List of some of the Top unsigned players in 2008 in the last few days and two guys listed offers from SMU-I was too busy at the time and didn't post it since SMU didn't have any scholarships -but its out there