Spring Break
The year of the Mustangs? Maybe, maybe not
Jordan Hofeditz, Editor in Chief, jhofedit@smu.edu
Issue date: 6/3/08 Section: Sports
A defense that could look like it had everything together at one point, and then just fall apart the next.
Now, not every last second, end of the game or overtime loss can be blamed on the defense. Certainly not Willis' fumble against Tulane, or a two-point conversion attempt at Memphis. But Tulsa, UTEP and Rice certainly come to mind.
The defensive will be young, but that might not be a bad thing. The main thing will be staying away from injuries.
The Mustangs lost a component in the secondary last year before the season ever started. Rock Dennis will take the field for the first time in a Mustangs uniform this season along with Bryan McCann and Tyler Jones, who both stepped up last season.
The defensive line and linebackers lost two solid veterans in Cory Muse and Tony Hawkins from last season. But the younger players showed potential last season. Now it is going to depend on their maturing to see if they can get the job done.
So get excited about the season, just be sure to be realistic about it.
The men's basketball team also suffered a long season last year. Head coach Matt Doherty returns for his third season leading the Mustangs, which means it's time to see some improvement.
The loss of Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts to graduation certainly hurts, but at times the young players showed they have what it takes to play at this level. And now Doherty's recruits are getting older, and are expected to make a difference.
Bamba Fall will be the only senior on the team next season, and don't expect him to lead the same way Killen and Roberts did. He is soft-spoken when you talk to him, but I don't think anyone would describe the 7-foot-1-inch Fall's dunks as quiet.
Fall will lead by example, which certainly isn't a bad thing, but it does mean that one of the underclassmen is going to have to get vocal. Look for Mike Walker to possibly fill that role. Spending time at point guard last season, it would be a fair guess that he will see time there. The addition of a top-10 recruit at that position could create a position battle.
Now, not every last second, end of the game or overtime loss can be blamed on the defense. Certainly not Willis' fumble against Tulane, or a two-point conversion attempt at Memphis. But Tulsa, UTEP and Rice certainly come to mind.
The defensive will be young, but that might not be a bad thing. The main thing will be staying away from injuries.
The Mustangs lost a component in the secondary last year before the season ever started. Rock Dennis will take the field for the first time in a Mustangs uniform this season along with Bryan McCann and Tyler Jones, who both stepped up last season.
The defensive line and linebackers lost two solid veterans in Cory Muse and Tony Hawkins from last season. But the younger players showed potential last season. Now it is going to depend on their maturing to see if they can get the job done.
So get excited about the season, just be sure to be realistic about it.
The men's basketball team also suffered a long season last year. Head coach Matt Doherty returns for his third season leading the Mustangs, which means it's time to see some improvement.
The loss of Jon Killen and Derrick Roberts to graduation certainly hurts, but at times the young players showed they have what it takes to play at this level. And now Doherty's recruits are getting older, and are expected to make a difference.
Bamba Fall will be the only senior on the team next season, and don't expect him to lead the same way Killen and Roberts did. He is soft-spoken when you talk to him, but I don't think anyone would describe the 7-foot-1-inch Fall's dunks as quiet.
Fall will lead by example, which certainly isn't a bad thing, but it does mean that one of the underclassmen is going to have to get vocal. Look for Mike Walker to possibly fill that role. Spending time at point guard last season, it would be a fair guess that he will see time there. The addition of a top-10 recruit at that position could create a position battle.
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