October 18, 2017

By Dylan Edwards, SMUMustangs.com

SMU only returns three rotation players from last season's squad that captured the conference championship, but it's an extremely talented and experienced core for the 2017-18 team to build around. Senior Ben Emelogu II along with juniors Shake Milton and Jarrey Foster have all been through the battles and played a huge role in SMU making the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Even though we only have three guys (returning), they are guys you wouldn't trade for the world," head coach Tim Jankovich said. "They're tremendous competitors. They're all very bright. They help us set a tone of what this program is all about and how we've gotten to where we've gotten and what is really valued here."
 
The three made a decision quickly after last season that they were going to shoulder the burden of leadership for this year together and be an example for everyone else what SMU basketball is all about.
 
"Before the new guys came in, the returners wanted to make sure we were on the same page about what we wanted to do this year and how we wanted things to go," Foster said. "That includes our work ethic, communication between each of the players and the coaches. That's weight room, practice style and how hard we practice. We had to make sure the new guys knew how we do things here."
 
SMU has won two of the last three conference championships while winning at least 25 games in each of the last three seasons. The standard for SMU basketball is high, and new faces don't change that. They just join the culture that has been established.
 
"It's the same culture," Emelogu II said. "We have the same energy that we've always had. We're just trying to get our freshmen accustomed to that. We have a hard conference and a gauntlet of non-conference play. We have to get (the freshmen) ready to deal with the mental aspect of the game along with the physical aspect of it."
 
With so few players returning, new faces will be counted on to contribute productive minutes. That will undoubtedly mean freshmen as well. While Akoy Agau is an experienced big man, both other forwards on the team are freshmen.  
 
"We're about as young and inexperienced as any team in America," Jankovich said. "Having said that, I really like the potential of this team. I like their character, toughness and passion. There are a lot of real positives."
 
After sitting out last season, transfer Jimmy Whitt will also provide versatility to the Mustangs' backcourt. While Milton was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List for the nation's top point guard, he can play just as effectively off the ball. The Mustangs have players all over the roster that can handle the ball as well as shoot. That combination can put stress on opposing defenses.
 
"Everything is a lot easier when there's not really any stuck positions," Milton said. "Everybody can do a little bit of everything, and everybody is unselfish. That's going to help us moving forward."
 
Offense is the flashier side of the court, but SMU is still a team that's built around defense. The Mustangs were one of the most efficient scoring defenses in the country last season and look to continue that this year. The coaches as well as the returning players made a point to instill that in the new faces.
 
"Statistics show defense and rebounding are critical," Jankovich said. "We emphasize those areas the most to make sure that we end up with balance so we can be good in all areas. It's natural for guys to want to play good offense. It's not necessarily natural for guys to want to be great defenders or rebounders."
 
In just over three weeks, it will be basketball season again. SMU opens the season against UMBC on November 10 in Moody Coliseum.