The second season of the Matt Doherty era at SMU represents a new beginning. His first group included four seniors that saw a lot of floor time. The 2007-08 Mustangs return three players with extensive experience, two reserves and seven freshmen that as a group were rated as high as 24th nationally.

"The thing that I am excited about is, yes the infusion of seven talented freshmen, but the great leadership out of the junior and senior classes," says Doherty. Those leaders include captains and senior guards Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts. Those two along with junior center Bamba Fall are the leading returnees.

"The fact that Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts are returning and that Bamba has grown as a leader is critical to mold the young guys," explains Doherty. "They will give them terrific direction. It's one thing when I tell the guys what to do. Then when I leave the locker room, it is very important that Derrick and Jon reinforce what I tell them."

The Mustangs had four significant players graduate: starting forwards Ike Ofoegbu and Devon Pearson, along with part-time starters in center Donatas Rackauskas and guard Dez Willingham. Ofoegbu was an all-conference performer who led the team in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (7.6) while Pearson was second in both categories (9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds). Rackauskas was third in rebounding (5.7) and tallied 7.8 points per game. Willingham averaged 5.4 points and two assists per contest.

That means the Ponies will need the newcomers to play a critical role early. With that in mind, the entire team enrolled in the first session of summer school to have time to work together.

"It is a big challenge. We will have to get these young guys up and running quickly," says Doherty. "It is a challenge, but I think it is going to be a fun challenge because they are good guys. They were all here for summer school and I think that that helped form some chemistry among them. They also got to understand the work ethic it would entail, because they spent a lot of time in the weight room and running on the track. That will make the transition this fall a lot easier for them."

Part of the new era is the opening of the Crum Basketball Center. The state-of-the-art $13-million, 43,000 square-foot basketball training center features two full-size courts, new locker rooms, a fully equipped training and rehabilitation room with in-ground hydrotherapy pools, and a customized strength and conditioning room. It also includes new coaches' offices, conference facilities, and film editing rooms. It is also directly connected to Moody Coliseum via tunnel. "I think it is exciting that we will be in the Crum Center this season. It creates an energy in our program that will benefit our team tremendously. Our coaches will benefit from it, and our fans will benefit from, because ultimately it will help us put a better team on the floor," Doherty explains. Part of the excitement for the second stanza is residual from last season. It started with a tip-in at the buzzer in the opener to defeat Illinois State and the final home game saw the Mustangs go toe-to-toe with sixth ranked Memphis in a thrilling 64-61 contest. In the process, the Ponies improved their RPI rank by more than 60 spots from the previous season while finishing with a 14-17 record. The squad allowed the opponents just 62.7 points per game, which was the third-best scoring defense in SMU history. The season also included a seven-game winning streak which was the longest since 1999-2000 and an 11-3 start that was the best since 2000-01.

"Last year, even though we didn't perform as well as we would have liked in league play, I thought our kids did a good job of staying the course," says Doherty. "We never seemed to have the same team on the floor in January and February due to injury and suspension, but the focus culminated with a good effort against Memphis at home. Even though we lost, we had a chance to win that ballgame against one of the best teams in the country."

With the cornerstone of the first season in the books, the program is set for a bright future.

"I think the foundation is laid, in terms of the culture and character of our team, for a bright future and that will lead into this season."

STYLE OF PLAY
Coach Doherty and the Mustangs will look different this season in terms of personnel and style. The Ponies expect to be deeper and better ball handlers to allow pushing the pace in 2007-08. Last season, the Mustangs played a grinding style that saw the team finish third in the league in scoring defense (62.6) and 11th in scoring (62.7). The squad also struggled at times handling the ball, averaging 16.2 turnovers and 12.5 assists. Part of the slower pace was dictated by depth as SMU had eight primary players, but rarely had all of them available due to injuries or suspensions.

"You will see us push the ball a little bit more this year. Partially because we will have guys that can handle and pass the ball and that we will have a little bit more depth," emphasizes Doherty. "I look for our assist to turnover ratio to be positive. Last year it was negative; we had more turnovers than assists. The other thing is that we will play a little faster. With the ability to handle the ball and shoot the ball a little better, I want to try and score in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock before the defense gets set."

The Mustangs will also change up the defense.

"Last season, we started out playing a pressure half-court man-to-man defense, but once league play started and we were playing against smaller, quicker teams; they drove us too much," says Doherty. "We will have two versions of the man-to-man defense. We have the pressure man-to-man in the half court and more of a containment man-to-man where you are guarding the three-point line and in to protect against dribble penetration. We will also play 10-20 percent zone. We played a little more zone last year than I would typically like."

COACHING STAFF
Doherty's coaching staff this season closely resembles that of last season. Assistant coaches Steve Lutz and Lance Irvin return with Malcolm Farmer as the Director of Operations.

"First of all, it is nice to be in a place for a second year. I was at FAU for one year and at Notre Dame for one year," says Doherty. Milton Barnes is the newest member of the staff, joining the Mustangs as the Associate Head Coach in July. He replaced Mike Garland, who returned to Michigan State.

"I am glad to be here with generally the same staff. Mike Garland left to go back to Michigan State, where he spent seven years. He was a college roommate of Tom Izzo, and it made sense for him to do that and I supported that. That created an opportunity to hire someone, and we hired a great coach in Milton Barnes. He was an assistant at Minnesota for many years and helped put together the Final Four team they had. Then he became the head coach at Eastern Michigan and went to the NCAA Tournament."

Barnes came to the Hilltop with championship coaching and administrative experience at every level of basketball over 28 years; he spent the last two years as a college scout for the Washington Wizards, coached an NBDL title with Greenville (S.C.) in 2002, a Goodwill Games Gold Medal with Team USA in 1998, and a Mid-American Conference Tournament crown as the head coach at Eastern Michigan in 1998. He has also helped 19 players reach the NBA, including Bobby Jackson and Earl Boykins.

"I like having an experienced associate head coach, someone that has been a head coach. He was the head coach of an NBDL team that won the championship, so Milton knows how to coach. He knows how to lead and manage people and that's not easy to do in the NBDL. He lost two of his best players to the NBA and still managed to win the championship. He is a proven recruiter and a proven evaluator. His experience will not only help our players, it'll help our assistants. It will help Steve, Lance, and Malcolm as they grow in their careers."

The basketball staff combines 68 years of collegiate coaching with 12 conference crowns and nine conference tournament championships. They have earned 24 postseason appearances, including 16 bids to the NCAA Tournament with 10 trips to the Sweet 16, eight Elite Eights, three Final Fours and one National Championship. The coaching success also includes more than 40 players that have gone on to the NBA.

BACK COURT
The Mustangs return captains Jon Killen (G, 6-4, 195, Sr.) and Derrick Roberts (G, 6-4, 198, Sr.) in the back court. They are joined by Ryan Harp (G, 6-4, 180, Fr.), Bennie Rhodes (G, 6-6, 185, Fr.), and Mike Walker (G, 6-0, 190, Fr.).

"The thing that excites me about Jon and Derrick is their athleticism and their ability to defend," stats Doherty. "They are going to be very good defenders for us."

Killen led the Mustangs with 4.87 assists per outing, which was fourth in Conference USA. It was also the most by a Mustang since 1992-93. Killen also was a scoring threat, finishing fifth on the team at 8.0 points per game. On the defensive end, he gathered 1.74 steals per night to finish third in the league. "Jon Killen will play some point-guard and two-guard. I think his natural position is that of a two. He seems more comfortable in that position, but he played a lot of point for us last year and did a terrific job."

Roberts can shoot from the perimeter or penetrate to the basket and find the open man. He was second on the Mustangs with 2.15 assists per game and had a 1.30 assist to turnover ratio. He also scored 8.5 points per night and shot 36.7 percent from three-point range.

"Derrick Roberts will probably be more of a swingman for us this season. He will play some shooting guard and some at small forward."

The newcomers will have to step in immediately with only two returning players on the perimeter.

Walker is a point guard from South Kent School in Connecticut. He averaged 12 points and five assists as a team captain last season. His basketball roots are deep as his father Mike coached at Iowa after playing careers at Bowling Green State and for the Indiana Pacers.

"Mike Walker will play a lot at the point," says Doherty. "He is really a strong, athletic guard that can guard the ball and get into the paint. He makes great decisions with the basketball, and I am looking forward to his development. We are going to lean on him a lot at the point."

Harp is a left-handed shooting guard from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. He scored 2,010 points in his career and was first-team All-State as a senior after averaging 21.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and three assists. Also the son of a coach, his father Dennis coached at Hardin-Simmons.

"Ryan Harp will play primarily a two-guard position for us. He is the son of a coach and he really knows how to play. He plays very hard, and he can pass, handle, and shoot the ball. Ryan will see significant time at the two-guard position."

Rhodes averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists last season at Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina. Before Mt. Zion, he was a four-time all-league selection and a three-time all-metro honoree in Oakland, Calif.

"Bennie can probably play three perimeter positions. I think he can be a really good defender; he has quick feet and long arms. He just needs to settle in and get comfortable. He needs some structure and discipline, once he embraces that, he has the chance to be a very talented player."

FRONT COURT
The Mustangs' lost three significant pieces along the frontline in all-conference performer Ike Ofoegbu (F, 6-8, 225), fellow starter Devon Pearson (F, 6-6, 235), and part-time starter Donatas Rackauskas (F/C, 6-11, 245). The Ponies return Conference USA All-defensive selection Bamba Fall (C, 7-1, 210, Jr.) along with reserves Paulius Ritter (F, 6-7, 255, Sr.) and Cameron Spencer (F, 6-8, 220, So.). The incoming class features Papa Dia (F, 6-9, 250, Fr.), Tomasz Kwiatkoski (C, 7-1, 245, Fr.), Alex Malone (G/F, 6-8, 185), and Robert Nyakundi (F, 6-8, 200).

Bamba Fall returns after he had the honor of playing for the Senegalese national team in the African Games, an Olympic qualifying event. Last season, he led Conference USA with 2.48 blocks per game. He owns the SMU blocks record in a season for a freshman (53) and a sophomore (62). Last year he also had 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest while shooting a team-best 54.4 percent from the field. Fall also improved his free throw shooting to 83.3 percent (20-24) in conference play from 55.6 percent (20-36) in non-league action.

"Bamba has made terrific strides over the last year in his strength. He has also improved his shooting ability and his jump hook, so much so that the Senegalese national team invited him to play and represent his country in the African Games. His progress has been very impressive. I think his confidence will come through this year, and you will hopefully see a different player in Bamba Fall."

Spencer played in 19 games as a freshman reserve, totaling 15 points and 27 rebounds. In his lone start, the game against North Carolina A&T, Spencer grabbed 10 boards.

"Cameron struggled at times with the adjustment to college basketball and all the demands," explains Doherty. "If he embraces the discipline, the hard work, and the level of intensity if takes to play at the college level, he can be a significant contributor for us at the power forward spot." The lone frontline senior is Paulius Ritter. He saw time in 18 games as a junior, but played more extensively when the Mustangs had injury problems down the stretch in conference play.

"Paulius made great strides as a person and a student. He was a terrific practice player for us last season, and will add value in practice. I don't know how much time he will get on the floor, but he is an integral part of our team."

Papa Dia comes to the Hilltop as the most highly touted of the newcomers. He was top-75 nationally according to several outlets and begins his career at 6-9 and 250 pounds. He makes his was to SMU via South Kent School along with his teammate Mike Walker. Dia is also a native of St. Louis, Senegal, the same hometown as Bamba Fall.

"Papa Dia can play either post position. He is truly a talented player with great hands that can really rebound and can score inside. I would see Papa Dia getting significant time at the four spot and the five because he can score, block shots, and rebound. The biggest thing with Papa is conditioning. He has some back issues that we discovered this summer, but they will be addressed and he should be close to 100 percent, if not 100 percent by the time practice starts. If he is in good shape, he will have a heck of a year."

Tomasz Kwiatkowski brings a large frame and high-level international experience. He averaged six points and seven rebounds last year at Lee Academy in Maine. Before coming to the U.S., he played for the U-18 and U-16 Polish National Teams. He also helped his high school in Wloclawek, Poland, win the 2006 State championship.

"Tomasz will be a pleasant surprise. He is a big body who knows how to play and is a physical player. When we go against some bigger schools, he will have the ability to bang and rebound in the post."

Alex Malone is another Texas native, hailing from Timberview High School in Mansfield. He was all-district as a junior and senior and was rated as high as 22nd for Texas prospects by Texas Hoops. During the summer, he played for the Global Games All-Americans in the Global Games at Moody Coliseum where he average six points and 5.3 boards.

"Alex Malone is very talented and skilled," adds Doherty. "We have talked about toughness because he has to improve in that area and I think he has. If Alex embraces the toughness, he can be an outstanding player because he has a skill package at 6-8 that is really special." Robert Nyakundi also played for the Global Games All-Americans this summer. In his only game, he had six points, four rebounds, a block, and a steal in 18 minutes before a foot injury caused him to miss the rest of the tournament. He was an all-district and all-region performer last season at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, and was rated number 76 in the state by Texas Hoops.

"Robert is a combo forward between the three and the four spot, and was a little under the radar. The thing I loved about Robert is his ability to shoot the basketball and that he knows how to play the game. He is not an explosive athlete, but he can really pass the basketball, shoot the ball, and he knows how to move without the ball," elaborates Doherty. "He is a strong young man and will be one of our guys that when he is open, I think it is going down. We have good shooters, but I think he can be a great shooter."

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Three of this season's Mustangs saw international action this summer. Bamba Fall was selected to the Senegalese National Team for the African Games in Angola. Incoming freshmen, Alex Malone and Robert Nyakundi played for the Global Games All-Americans in the Global Games at Moody Coliseum. Fellow freshman Tomasz Kwiatkowski played for his native Poland in international U-16 and U-18 events before coming to the U.S.

"I think it is great for them to play internationally because they get to play against talented players and physical players," emphasizes Doherty. "I watched some of the Global Games and Alex was getting knocked around a little bit and that was good because he got back up. I think anytime a player can get that kind of exposure and that kind of experience not only playing against good competition, but practicing against high-level players, it is a good experience."

SCHEDULE
The Mustangs 29-game schedule features 13 non-league matchups and 16 Conference USA contests. The Ponies will have 18 home games at Moody Coliseum and play a total of 22 events in the state of Texas. The Conference USA Championship returns to the FedEx Forum in Memphis from March 12-15.

The 13-game non-conference schedule features two home invitational events and a total of 10 home dates. The three road dates are visits to Dayton of the Atlantic 10 on Nov. 24, UT-San Antonio of the Southland on Dec. 1, and concludes with Colorado of the Big 12 on Jan. 4. The season begins Nov. 10 and 11 with the Mustangs hosting the inaugural Tip-Off Classic with matchups against Southern and Alabama State. The inaugural Holiday Classic provides the other bookend of the home non-league slate, as the Ponies host in-state opponents Stephen F. Austin and Texas State on Dec. 29 and 30. The matchup with DFW Metroplex rival TCU is Dec. 5 at Moody Coliseum.The rest of the non-conference calendar includes home contests with Centenary on Nov. 17, Paul Quinn on Nov. 27, Houston Baptist on Dec. 9, SC-Upstate on Dec. 18, and Prairie View A&M on Dec. 20.

"The non-conference schedule doesn't have a lot of marquee names, but that doesn't mean they are not good teams," says Doherty. "With seven freshmen, we felt that it was important to have a lot of home games and plan a less rugged non-conference schedule before a tough run through Conference USA."

The Conference USA slate will feature home and home meetings with defending champion Memphis as well as Houston, Rice, Tulsa, and UTEP. The Mustangs will also host Marshall, UAB, and UCF with visits to East Carolina, Southern Miss, and Tulane.

"Memphis will be Memphis again and probably even better; they lost Jeremy Hunt, but they brought in Derrick Rose who is one of the best guards in the country," state Doherty. "UAB will be significantly better because they had three very good players sitting out. Southern Miss is a team not a lot of people are talking about, but they had a lot of talented freshmen last year, and I look for them to be in the top-four teams in the league. Houston will be better because they were talented last year and they had Lanny Smith sitting out. I think those are the four teams we will see at the top of the league right now."