My 1 wish for a new coach

by **Pony_Fan** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:20 pm

Recruit someone who can shoot. It is amazing watching the tourney how many teams have clutch shooters which we have none who is automatic from 3. AND how many teams hustle and have movement on offense.

That kid Tim Smith from East Tenn St was amazing to watch. 21 yrs old!

Selected as the Southern Conference's Freshman of the Year and was also named the SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Player ... Played two years of prep ball at prep powerhouse Hargrave Military Academy ... A two-year starter at Hargrave, averaging 14 points and seven assists a game over that time, leading the team to a 60-4 record ... Four other starters on his senior season Hargrave squad signed with D-1 schools including Florida, Wake Forest, North Carolina State and Tennessee ... Also starting point guard for Boo Williams' AAU national championship team.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:51 pm

Derrick Roberts just might become that shooter we've been waiting for and that would have a huge impact on this team next year.

And as for your comments about Tim Smith from East Tennessee, he is absolutely the fastest player I've ever seen on a basketball court. Not many thought he could play Division I bball because he's only 5 ft 7 inches, but his incredible spped makes him dificult to stop and allows him to get plenty of open looks at the basket. This kid has two more years of eligibility. Watch out for that team in the next year or two.

by **KnuckleStang** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:39 pm

Also, I think Demetric Bennett can potentially be a scorer for us. A little more seasoning, maturity, and playing time, and we could be looking at a great offensive player.

With him, Roberts, Isham (if he gets his head together) and Hopkins, the backcourt's not looking too bad. Guards who can score is not our problem. I worry more about our prospects for getting more big fellas down low to complement the Rack two years from now, when Simpson and Castro are gone. I guess skilled big men are a much rarer commodity, but we really need to drop the hammer on the recruiting front, and pick up some 6-10 monster freak who can throw it down with regularity. Then we'll start winning some games.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:54 pm

I expect both Bennett and Pearson to contribute significantly next year, but I agree the real question is whether Rack and Reay can give us more quality minutes next year. Next year's class is begging for a big man who can take the lead in the low post, whether he be an exceptional frosh or a more developed JC. The new coach will have some selling to do, no question about it.

I really think we will have a very competitive team next year, but 2005 could go either way depending on who we sign next year to replace the outgoing seniors. There is also the question of whether Bhop will stay all 4 yrs. I wonder whether Ryan's 'ship is dependant on that?

by **Pony_Fan** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 7:37 pm

Big man is a given and has been for year and years since Koncak but give me an automatic 3 pointer like Stephen Woods, Kuebler, Okeson, etc...

Time to write off Isham...we can't expect him to score except maybe off the dribble periodically. Hopkins can score obviously but I would rather him be able to kick out to another player like a PG should. I certainly hope Roberts can score at the college level.

by **Charleston Pony** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 9:43 pm

I wouldn't say it's time to write off Isham. He had a pretty significant drop off from his soph year in terms of his shooting percentage and assist to turnover ratio but my guess is that he will be determined to come back and finish strong. Don't ever underestimate the value of seniors on the roster. I would expect Isham, Castro and Simpson to give maximum effort next year, because it's unlikely any of those guys will play professionally. There are plenty of great stories every year of seniors who are good players (but not pro caliber) who lead their teams into the post season and make some noise before they're done.

I'm expecting SMU to play in the post season next year and for our seniors to play a big part in our success. Whoever the new coach is...he will have an opportunity for immediate succes with this group.

by **Pony_Fan** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:29 am

Please CP - he's done nothing except for a few games his entire career at SMU. He is the disappearing magician. Potential there, yes - hardly ever have I seen him perform to that level. The only thing I see is he is athletic and fairly quick 1st step - he is really going to have to show me something.

by **CoxSMU** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:15 am

Isham might be the most athletic on the court, but the worst shooter....

by **OldPony** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 2:28 pm

It's funny that many are saying that we need Tubbs for recruiting yet our hopes for a scorer to cpmpliment BHop are linked to Bennet, Pearson and Roberts who were recruited by Dement. I hope Roberts is still committed. Dement has taken a lot of grief on the board for being too [deleted] players and killing their confidence ie Isham's disappointing performance this year. I look at the 2005 Ponies as having the best material we have had for at least 10 years. If the new coach doesn't win next year, we will have proven that we made a poor hire or that we shouldn't have fired Dement (ie it's the program-not the coach). There is no grace period for the new coach.

by **Pony_Fan** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 3:11 pm

At least we won't have 2 40 point blowout losses. I don't see Bennett being a legit scorer. Pearson is goign to be the workhorse rebounder.

by **KnuckleStang** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 5:40 pm

Isham's problem seems to be confidence-related, and I don't know what we can do about that. When he asserts himself, as he did in the only game I saw in person this year, he looks, quite frankly, like a future star. The optimist in me says whoever our new coach is will instill some confidence in this kid, so I'm not giving up on him just yet.

by **ponyboy** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 5:44 pm

What difference does it make? We don't have a level playing field from which to recruit. Coaching doesn't matter.

by **EastStang** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:15 pm

Bennett has a very awkward (sloppy positioning) shot from what I saw during the Navy game. It is not a good fundamental style for a two or three position shooter. To be a consistently dangerous shooter you need to have a good fundamental jumpshot with a straight veritcal jumps, not a leaning jumper.

by **CoxSMU** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:21 pm

EastStang wrote:Bennett has a very awkward (sloppy positioning) shot from what I saw during the Navy game. It is not a good fundamental style for a two or three position shooter. To be a consistently dangerous shooter you need to have a good fundamental jumpshot with a straight veritcal jumps, not a leaning jumper.

I would agree to a point. Sasser had unconventional mechanics, but did just fine scoring for us...

by **Mike Damone** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:21 pm

OldPony wrote:It's funny that many are saying that we need Tubbs for recruiting yet our hopes for a scorer to cpmpliment BHop are linked to Bennet, Pearson and Roberts who were recruited by Dement.

I'm not even sold on Tubbs, but this quote is a little unfair. Dement was our coach for the last 9 years, of course all our hopes are linked to players that he recruited. Is Tubbs supposed to be recruiting for us from OU.

My 1 wish for a new coach

My 1 wish for a new coach

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