Next year

[LA_Mustang]

During the 2nd half I watched LB closely. As we all know, our guys get very sloppy in the second half of games and I think LB is really trying to determine who is going to be in the mix next season. That said, since basketball is a talking sport, I'm giving my guess at the rotation next season. Plus, I've never been more excited about a season ever than I am about SMU basketball 2013-2014.

Starters:
the point - Nic Moore - a true floor general. Can shoot the 3 and very good at the line.
the 2 - Ryan Manual or Keith Frazier (huge assumption, I know, but why not) - Ryan can get up and down the floor like no other SMU player I've seen in a long time. So fluid. He needs to improve his outside shot but his talent is undeniable. Keith will provide the outside scoring and swagger we need.
the 3 - JJ - I think he will benefit the most from us adding depth in the middle. Will be guarding and guarded by 3s instead of 4s.
the 4 - Kennedy - averaged 15 minutes and shot 53% from the field as a freshman in the Big East. I think people will be very surprised by how skilled Markus is. He's a Big East quality big.
the 5 - Moreira - top JUCO player in the country. I've never seen him play but from what I've read, he'll have an immediate impact.

We will go from no depth to a very deep team at guard - Nick Russell, Manuel or Frazier, Sterling Brown and Benardi. At forward, we'll have Cannen, Wlliams and Ben Moore coming off the bench and Jordan at the 5.

A new Moody, Big East competition, a much more talented and deep team coached by the legend. Can't wait!

[Grant Carter]

You are projecting Russell will not be on the team next year?

[Digetydog]

IMHO - the 2nd half problems are the result of three things.

1) To be competitive in the 1st half, our guys are going balls out and it is working. Unfortunately, that leaves them tired in the 2nd half. With little in the way of depth, that eventually allows teams to pull back.

2) Foul Trouble: Depth Issues - without much depth, the starters play more minutes in the first half than they should. Many of them pick up an extra foul or two during that time. During the 2nd half, they have to play more tentantive b/c there is nobody to spell them on the bench. The longer the game goes, the more our depth issues impact on the the starters as fouls pile up.

3) Shooter: the lack of a pure shooter makes it impossible for the Ponies to get an easy 3 (or 6) which is a problem when the other team starts chunking up bombs and hitting.

[LA_Mustang]

You are projecting Russell will not be on the team next year?

No?? I think he will be a valuable part of next year's team.

[PonySnob]

You are projecting Russell will not be on the team next year?

Surely he meant Bernardi?

[NastyStang]

Love Manuel but he's not starting next year. Perfect 6th-7th man. Russell def starts at 2 guard.

[Grant Carter]

You are projecting Russell will not be on the team next year?

No?? I think he will be a valuable part of next year's team.

Somehow I missed the Russell reference in your initial post. Sorry about that.

[Grant Carter]

Love Manuel but he's not starting next year. Perfect 6th-7th man. Russell def starts at 2 guard.

I agree with this, also do you think Manuel is really more of a 2/3 next year? He is a great slasher, but the outside shot is just not there so far.

[ALEX LIFESON]

You left out crandel head and blaise

[LA_Mustang]

You're right, Alex. I hope Blaise comes back 100%. No doubt these two will be in the rotation. As some speculated, a couple of guys in my original post will probably not be back.

[GiddyUp]

Love Manuel but he's not starting next year. Perfect 6th-7th man. Russell def starts at 2 guard.

I agree with this, also do you think Manuel is really more of a 2/3 next year? He is a great slasher, but the outside shot is just not there so far.

Like him to but he seems like a OTP (one trick pony) -- slashing up the lane in the middle. Gets to the FT line which is nice. Really not sure how he fits in?

[Charleston Pony]

During the 2nd half I watched LB closely. As we all know, our guys get very sloppy in the second half of games and I think LB is really trying to determine who is going to be in the mix next season. That said, since basketball is a talking sport, I'm giving my guess at the rotation next season. Plus, I've never been more excited about a season ever than I am about SMU basketball 2013-2014.

Starters:
the point - Nic Moore - a true floor general. Can shoot the 3 and very good at the line.
the 2 - Ryan Manual or Keith Frazier (huge assumption, I know, but why not) - Ryan can get up and down the floor like no other SMU player I've seen in a long time. So fluid. He needs to improve his outside shot but his talent is undeniable. Keith will provide the outside scoring and swagger we need.
the 3 - JJ - I think he will benefit the most from us adding depth in the middle. Will be guarding and guarded by 3s instead of 4s.
the 4 - Kennedy - averaged 15 minutes and shot 53% from the field as a freshman in the Big East. I think people will be very surprised by how skilled Markus is. He's a Big East quality big.
the 5 - Moreira - top JUCO player in the country. I've never seen him play but from what I've read, he'll have an immediate impact.

We will go from no depth to a very deep team at guard - Nick Russell, Manuel or Frazier, Sterling Brown and Benardi. At forward, we'll have Cannen, Wlliams and Ben Moore coming off the bench and Jordan at the 5.

A new Moody, Big East competition, a much more talented and deep team coached by the legend. Can't wait!

Agree we should have depth and competition at every position next season, but I don't think Jordan will be in the mix

[ponyscott]

BS Ryan as a 2

[LA_Mustang]

BS Ryan as a 2

Then what position do you see him playing?? He's always played the 2 this year from my perspective. And he recruited as a shooting guard.

[PonySnob]

BS Ryan as a 2

Then what position do you see him playing??

He'll be somewhere else.....along with Jordan and Uche.