Jan. 25, 2011
SMU Mustangs (11-8, 2-3 C-USA) at TULSA Golden Hurricane (10-9, 3-2 C-USA)
Wed. Jan. 26 - 7 p.m.
Donald W. Reynolds Center (8,355) - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Radio: KAAM 770 AM (Rich Phillips, Herman Hudson)
Internet: SMUMustangs.com
Complete Game Notes 
The SMU Mustangs start a two-game road trip at Tulsa on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Mustangs enter the game off a 79-65 win against Southern Miss. Papa Dia, the two-time reigning C-USA Player of the Week, had 23 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks in the win. Dia also tied the C-USA record by hitting 10-of-10 on field goals. SMU shot 69.8 percent from the floor against Southern Miss, a performance that ranks second in SMU history and second by any C-USA team in a conference game. SMU is at Rice on Saturday at 2 p.m.
On the season, SMU is first in C-USA and 14th in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.485), first in C-USA and 11th in the NCAA in 3-point percentage (.406), and tops in C-USA and 16th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.766). The Mustangs are 11-2 when shooting better than opponent from the field and 5-2 when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor. SMU is also second in scoring defense in Conference USA at 62.5 points allowed per game.
ALL-CONFERENCE USA CANDIDATES: Papa Dia and Robert Nyakundi are leading SMU this season. Dia is fifth in C-USA in scoring (17.8), fourth in rebounds (8.8), and third in blocks (1.9). He also has eight double-doubles and leads C-USA in field goal percentage with 59.6 percent. In C-USA games, Dia has upped his averages to 20.8 points (2nd), 10.0 rebounds (2nd) and 3.4 blocks (T-1st). Robert Nyakundi is adding 16.1 points (9th C-USA). He is also leading C-USA and is 21st in the NCAA with 2.9 3-pointers per game, and is first in C-USA and 10th in the NCAA at 46.7 percent from 3-point range.
PATSEVICH DEBUT ON JAN. 26: SMU junior guard Aliaksei Patsevich will make his debut for on at Tulsa. Patsevich was cleared to practice by the NCAA beginning Dec. 22 after resolving issues relating to his amateur status. Patsevich played 28 games last season at Collin County CC, averaging 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range.
Papa Dia - C-USA CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK (JAN. 17-23): Dia averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in games against UAB and Southern Miss to repeat as C-USA Player of the Week. Dia tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, five blocks and was 10-of-10 on field goals in the 79-65 win over Southern Miss Saturday. He became just the second player in C-USA history to record 10 made field goals without a miss. In the second half, Dia shot 7-of-7 to total 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks as SMU pulled away. SMU shot 69.8 percent from the floor against the Golden Eagles, a performance that ranks second in SMU history and second by any C-USA team in a conference game. At UAB, Dia had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks as he tallied his fourth straight double-double. This is his third C-USA Player of the Week honor this season and for his career. Dia is the first Mustang to earn consecutive conference Player of the Week awards since 2004-05 (Bryan Hopkins Dec. 20, Dec. 27 in the WAC).
SERIES HISTORY VS. TULSA (11-27): SMU and Tulsa are meeting for the 39th time with SMU trailing 27-11. The Mustangs are trying to snap a 10-game losing streak against Tulsa. SMU had won five straight before the current skid. The teams have been members of the same league since becoming Western Athletic Conference foes in 1996-97. Both teams transitioned to Conference USA in 2005-06.
UP NEXT: SMU is at Rice on Saturday at 2 p.m. before hosting East Carolina on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
LAST GAME (Jan. 22 - W, 79-65 vs. So. Miss): DALLAS (AP) - Papa Dia went 10-for-10, scoring 23 points to pace SMU to a 79-65 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday. The Mustangs (11-8, 2-3) shot 69.8 percent (30-43) in the second-best shooting performance in school history. Robert Nyakundi scored 16 points, Collin Mangrum 15 and Rodney Clinkscales 12 for SMU, which broke a 2-game losing streak and won for the ninth time in its last 11 home games. Angelo Johnson's 16 points led the Golden Eagles (14-5, 3-3), and Gary Flowers had 12. The Mustangs also made 12 of 18 3-pointers (66.7%), with Clinkscales hitting four and Mangrum and Nyakundi three each. Dia blocked four shots and Jeremiah Samarrippas had a career-high nine assists. SMU led 59-52 with 6:09 left, then had 9-0 run keyed by five points by Dia to seal the win.
LAST YEAR VS. TULSA: (Jan. 13 - L 63-56 at SMU) DALLAS (AP) -Justin Hurtt scored 17 points to lead Tulsa in a 63-56 victory over SMU. Ben Uzoh had 16 points and 4 assists for Tulsa (13-3, 3-0). SMU (6-9, 0-2) got 15 points and a game-best 10 rebounds from Papa Dia. Mouhammad Faye scored 17 points, and Derek Williams had 10. Tulsa led 26-17 at halftime. SMU cut it to 34-30 on Faye's layup with 13:06 left. (Mar. 3 - L 58-55 at TU) TULSA (AP) - Ben Uzoh scored 20 points, including two free throws with 9.1 seconds left, and Tulsa edged SMU 58-55. Jerome Jordan had 12 points and 13 rebounds for TU (21-9, 10-5). Derek Williams led SMU (14-15, 7-8) with 15 points while Mouhammad Faye and Robert Nyakundi each scored 13. Uzoh hit a 3-pointer that put Tulsa ahead 56-47 with 2:18 to go, but two 3s by Faye helped SMU get within 56-55 with 44 seconds left. SMU had a chance to take the lead, but Williams missed his shot on a drive. Uzoh rebounded the ball and was fouled. After Uzoh hit both free throws, Williams missed a long 3-pointer.
LAST SEASON IN C-USA: The Mustangs went 7-9 in C-USA last season to finish with its most wins (7), best finish (tied for 7th) and best seed (No. 8) since joining C-USA for the 2005-06 season. SMU also recorded its first C-USA wins over Memphis and Houston. Papa Dia and Derek Williams were selected to the 2010 All-Conference USA Third Team. It was the first time SMU has had multiple All-Conference selections since the 2001-02 season (Damon Hancock 1st team, Quinton Ross 2nd team in WAC).
TEAM NOTES
20/20: The Mustangs have had two players with at least 20 points six times this year and are 4-2 in those games; Papa Dia & Robert Nyakundi (4-1), Papa Dia & Justin Haynes (0-1).
70+: SMU is 7-1 when scoring at least 70 points this year and 31-14 in such games under Doherty.
ASSISTANCE: SMU is averaging 14.3 assists, up from 10.7 last year...the squad also has a 1.1 assist/turnover ratio after a 0.8 ratio a year ago.
COMEBACK: SMU overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat Memphis 64-58 on Jan. 12. It marked the seventh double-digit comeback for the Mustangs under Doherty.
DEFENSE-DEFENSE: SMU is 2nd in C-USA in scoring defense, allowing 62.5 points per game. The Mustangs finished 3rd last season allowing just 64.5 points per contest.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE = W: The Mustangs are 7-3 this season when an SMU player has a double-double; Papa Dia (5-3), Robert Nyakundi (2-0)
FG PERCENTAGE: The Mustangs are 11-2 when shooting a higher percentage and 0-6 when shooting a lower percentage than their opponent.
FREE THROWS: SMU leads C-USA and is 16th in the NCAA in FT percentage (.766)...that is up from .700 last year and neare the school record of .769 in 1961-62. Robert Nyakundi is 2nd in C-USA (.920) and Papa Dia is 9th in C-USA (.810).
LONG RANGE: SMU leads C-USA and is 15th in the NCAA in 3-point field goals per game (8.8).
NCAA IMPROVEMENT: The Mustangs average rank is 126.8 in the 18 NCAA team categories. That is up from 181.1 last season. There are 336 teams listed this season.
SHARP-SHOOTERS: The Mustangs are 1st in C-USA and 16th in the NCAA in FT percentage (.766), 1st in C-USA and 14th in the NCAA in FG percentage (.485), and 1st in C-USA and 11th in the NCAA in 3FG percentage (.406). Those are all improvements over last season when SMU was .700 at the FT line, .457 on FGs, and .358 on 3FGs. SMU is also leading C-USA in FG percentage in league play (.507).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
Rodney Clinkscales: Has made a career-high 34 3-pointers (27 in 2009-10)...averaging a career-best 8.3 points...is 15th in C-USA in 3FGs made (1.8 per game)...is T-4th in C-USA in 3FG percentage (.436, 34-78).
Papa Dia: Team tri-captain...Preseason All-C-USA, C-USA Player of the Week 3 times (Nov. 15-21, Jan. 10-16, Jan. 17-23), SMU Invitational MVP (Nov. 19-21)...has 8 double-doubles this season and 21 for his career...ranks 5th in C-USA with a career-high 17.8 points (12.3 in 2009-10), 4th in C-USA in rebounds (8.8), 1st in C-USA and 10th in the NCAA in FG percentage (.596), 9th in C-USA in FT percentage (.810), and 3rd in C-USA for blocked shots (2.0)...he has scored at least 20 points 10 times and has at least 8 rebounds 15 times...CONSECUTIVE C-USA POTW: Dia earned C-USA Player of the Week on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, and is the first Mustang to earn consecutive awards since 2004-05 (Bryan Hopkins Dec. 20, Dec. 27 in the WAC).
Ryan Harp: Team tri-captain...started 8 games...averaging 2.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes.
JUSTIN HAYES: Started 13 games...hitting .608 (48-79) on FGs this year after .609 (67-110) last season...he is averaging 6.6 points, up from 5.6 last season...scored a career-high 21 points at Tulane 1/8.
Collin Mangrum: Has played in 17 games with 3 starts (last 3 games)...averaging 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds...in C-USA games, he is averaging 10.4 points (T-29th) and 2.4 rebounds while shooting .583 (21-36) (2nd) on FGs...had a season-high 15 points in the wins over Memphis 1/12 and Southern Miss 1/22.
Robert Nyakundi: Has a career-best 56 3-pointers this year (46 in 2009-10)...has at least 15 points 13 times and at least 20 points 7 times...he is 9th in C-USA in scoring (16.1), 1st in C-USA and 21st in the NCAA for 3FGs per game (2.9) and 1st in C-USA and 10th in the NCAA in 3FG percentage (.467, 56-120)...he is 2nd C-USA in FT percentage (.920, 46-50)...he is 1st all-time career FT percentage for SMU (.885, 92-104).
Jeremiah Samarrippas: Started 14 games as a freshman...averaging 6.5 points...ranks 7th in C-USA with a 1.9 assist/turnover ratio (66 ast / 34 to)...he is 9th in C-USA in assists (3.5)...had a season-high 9 assists with 1 turnover in the win against Southern Miss 1/22.
Mike Walker: Team tri-captain...has started 14 games this year...averaging a career-best 5.9 points (5.4 in 2007-08)
MILESTONES:
SMU Career Games Played: Mike Walker 37th 104 (36th Bryan Hopkins 105; T-34th 2 tied 106, T-30th 4 tied 107) Papa Dia is T-27th 108 (T-27th 2 tied 108, T-25th 2 tied 109, T-21st 4 tied 110)
SMU Career Games Started: Papa Dia is T-16th 83 (T-16th Carl Wright 83, T-14th Gerald Lewis & Tim Mason 84, 13th Mike Wilson 85)
SMU Career Points: Papa Dia is 27th 1137 (26th Butch Moore 1179, 25th Lynn Phillips 1198)
SMU Career Rebounds: Papa Dia is 10th 744 (9th Joel Krog 745, 8th Patrick Simpson 759, 7th Jeff Swanson 785)
SMU Career Blocks: Papa Dia is 6th 103 (5th Reggie Franklin 129)
SMU Career 3FGM: Mike Walker is 10th 109 (9th Jon Killen 119, 8th Jemeil Rich 121, 7th Jeryl Sasser 133) Robert Nyakundi is 6th 142 (5th Chad Allen 161)
SMU Career FT%: Robert Nyakundi is 1st 88.5 (92-104) (2nd Eric Longino 88.4 (99-112), 3rd Charles Beasley 83.9 (270-322))
STREAKS:
10+points: Papa Dia 7 (18, 14, 20, 22, 23, 16, 23), Rodney Clinkscales 2 (16, 12), Robert Nyakundi (16), Collin Mangrum (15)
8+ rebounds: Papa Dia 10 (15, 8, 8, 10, 9, 10, 10, 11, 10, 9)
Dbl-Dbl:
5+ assists: Jeremiah Samarrippas (9)
3+ steals:
2+ blocks: Papa Dia 3 (7, 2, 5)
SMU RECORDS: Additions to the SMU record book this season
TEAM
FG PCT - 72.3 (34-47) Lamar 11/21 - 1st
- 69.8 (30-43) Southern Miss 1/22 - 2nd (1st in a C-USA game)
3FGM - 16 (16-37) UC Riverside 11/20 - 1st - 13 (13-26) Wayland Baptist 11/24 - T-5th
3FGA - 37 (16-37) UC Riverside 11/20 - 1st
3FG PCT - 66.7 (12-18) Southern Miss 1/22 - 3rd - 60.0 (9-15) Lamar 11/21 - 5th
INDIVIDUAL
3FGA - Rodney Clinkscales 13 (6-13) UC Riverside 11/20 - T-7th
- Robert Nyakundi 13 (3-13) at Louisiana Tech 12/1 - T-7th
FT% - Robert Nyakundi 100 (10-10) SE Missouri St 12/29 - T-1st
BLOCKED SHOTS - Papa Dia 7 Houston 1/15 - T-3rd
HONORS: 2010-11
C-USA Player of the Week: Papa Dia (Jan. 17-23)
C-USA Player of the Week: Papa Dia (Jan. 10-16)
C-USA Player of the Week: Papa Dia (Nov. 15-21)
SMU Invitational All-Tournament Team: Papa Dia (MVP), Robert Nyakundi
Preseason All-Conference USA - USA Today: Papa Dia
Preseason All-Conference USA - Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook: Papa Dia
Preseason All-Conference USA - Athlon Sports: Papa Dia
Preseason All-Conference USA - C-USA Coaches: Papa Dia (Second Team)
Preseason All-Conference USA - Lindy's College Basketball: Papa Dia (Second Team)
2009-10 (Returnees Only)
All-Conference USA - Papa Dia (Third Team)
2008-09 (Returnees Only)
C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll - Tomasz Kwiatkowski
2007-08 (Returnees Only)
Conference USA All-Freshman - Papa Dia
Papa Dia - C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK (JAN. 10-16): SMU senior forward Papa Dia was named the C-USA Player of the Week. Dia averaged 22.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals in games against Memphis and Houston. Dia had double-doubles in both games as he hit 60 percent from the floor (15-25) and 83.3 percent on free throws (15-18). Against Houston, he scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked a career-high seven shots. The seven blocks was also an SMU record in a C-USA game. In the 64-58 win against Memphis, he had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Dia also hit 5-of-6 free throws and grabbed two rebounds in the final 32 seconds to help seal the victory.
Papa Dia - C-USA PLAYER OF THE WEEK (NOV. 15-21): SMU senior forward Papa Dia was named the C-USA Player of the Week. Dia averaged 18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 71.8 percent (28-39) from the field in four games. He was named MVP of the SMU Invitational as he helped the Mustangs win the event. For the tournament, he averaged 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and a steal. He finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 102-70 win against Lamar. He also had 20 points and nine rebounds in a 69-53 victory over Portland State. This is his first career Player of the Week honor.
WILLIAMS JOINS MUSTANGS: Shawn Williams joined the SMU men's basketball team when he enrolled at SMU on Jan. 11. Williams, a 6-7, 225-lb. forward, arrives at SMU from Texas, where he played in seven of the Longhorns' first eight games in 2009-10 before missing the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he will have to sit out one academic year and can become eligible when grades are posted at the end of the Fall 2011 semester. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. Williams was ranked the No. 46 prospect nationally and the No. 2 prospect in the state coming out of high school in 2009. He was also named the 2009 Dallas Morning News Area Player of the Year. In his sophomore season (2006-07), Williams led Duncanville to a 39-0 record, the Class 5A state title and the mythical high school national championship.
ALBON HEAD TO BE HONORED WITH SAM AWARD: SMU alumnus Albon Head will be honored with the Silver Anniversary Mustang Award at the Jan. 22 game against Southern Miss. Head played football at SMU from 1966-68 including the 1966 SWC Championship and 1968 Bluebonnet Bowl victory when he served as co-captain. From 1968-70, Head served as a graduate assistant coach of freshman and scout team defensive backs. He earned a Bachelor's in History in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from the Dedman School of Law in 1971. He is a past chairman of the SMU Alumni Association and ex officio member of the SMU Board of Trustees. Head is an executive board member of the SMU Dedman School of Law and SMU-in-Taos, and is the chairman of the SMU Athletic Forum & Doak Walker Award. Head is a partner in the Jackson Walker L.L.P. Fort Worth office. In the community, he is the vice chairman of The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. He is also a board member for the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. The annual award, which was initiated in 1991, is the most prestigious award given by the Lettermen's Association. To be selected as the SAM Award winner, an individual must have graduated from SMU at least 25 years ago and have made significant, positive and lasting impact on his/her community.
SUCCESS ON THE HILLTOP:
- The SMU football team finished 7-7 after a heartbreaking 16-14 loss to Army in the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. It is the second straight bowl for SMU after a 45-10 win over Nevada in the 2009 Hawaii Bowl. This season also saw SMU win the Conference USA West Division for the second straight season and make its first trip to the C-USA Championship game, falling 17-7 at UCF on Dec. 4.
- The women's tennis team is ranked No. 27 in the ITA entering the spring season. Junior Marta Lesniak is ranked No. 2, the highest mark in school history. Lesniak and Heather Steinbauer are No. 29 in doubles. The squad has made the second round of the NCAA each of the past two seasons and won the 2009 C-USA title.
- The No. 5 seed SMU men's soccer team (16-2-2) tied No. 4 seed North Carolina in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championship on Dec. 3. The Tar Heels advanced to the College Cup with a 4-2 edge in the penalty kick shootout. SMU also won the C-USA regular-season title.
- The SMU volleyball team (25-6, 17-3 C-USA) finished second in Conference USA and set a school record for wins. The Mustangs had an RPI of 47 and were the highest rated team to miss NCAA selection.
TV TIME: SMU, CBS College Sports Network and Time Warner Cable reached an agreement to televise 17 SMU basketball games on The Texas Channel. Time Warner Sports will carry 10 men's games and seven women's games. The television schedule begins with a doubleheader on Dec. 4 when the women host Kansas at 2 p.m. and the men face Grambling State at 5 p.m. The SMU men's basketball matchups on The Texas Channel include all eight home Conference USA contests - Memphis, Houston, Southern Miss, East Carolina, Tulane, Tulsa, Rice, and UTEP. The Texas Channel will also carry the men's game at UTEP on Feb. 12.
SMU INVITATIONAL CHAMPS: The Mustangs won the SMU Invitational played Nov. 19-21. SMU finished 2-1 in the tournament; defeating Portland State 69-53 and Lamar 102-70. Portland State also finished 2-1, giving SMU the tiebreaker. SMU's loss came in overtime, 73-69 against UC Riverside. Papa Dia was named tournament MVP and Robert Nyakundi made the all-tournament team. The Mustangs established three school records, including a school-best 72.3 FG percentage (34-47) against Lamar and records for 3-pointers made (16) and attempted (37) against UC Riverside.
THE BIG PICTURE (NOTES ENTERING THE 2010-11 SEASON)
ALL-CONFERENCE USA: Papa Dia and Derek Williams were selected to the 2010 All-Conference USA Third Team. It was the first time SMU has had multiple All-Conference selections since the 2001-02 season (Damon Hancock 1st team, Quinton Ross 2nd team in WAC).
CAPTAINS: Coach Matt Doherty named seniors Papa Dia, Ryan Harp and Mike Walker as team captains on Nov. 11.
C-USA BEST: The Mustangs went 7-9 in C-USA last season to finish with its most wins (7), best finish (tied for 7th) and best seed (No. 8) since joining C-USA for the 2005-06 season. SMU also recorded its first C-USA wins over Memphis and Houston.
DEFENSE: In 2009-10, SMU finished second in C-USA for scoring defense in league play at 61.0. That is the best for SMU since holding opponents to 60.9 points per outing in 1958-59. SMU has held its C-USA opponents to an average of 11.9 points below their scoring average (entering that game). Only three C-USA opponents reached their scoring average.
FUTURE - NLIs: Head Coach Matt Doherty announced that four student-athletes signed National Letters-of-Intent to play for the Mustangs beginning with the 2011-12 season. The class includes Cannen Cunningham, a four-star 6-8 center from Lamar High School in Arlington; Jalen Jones, a 6-6 three-star guard from Kimball High School in Dallas; Eric Norman, a two-star 6-6 forward from Francis W. Parker School in San Diego; and Ryan Manuel, a 6-4 three-star guard from Fort Bend Austin High School in Houston. - "Overall, this is one of the best recruiting classes SMU has had in recent history," says Doherty. "I am thrilled with this group of young men. By adding this class with last year's class, we have a foundation that will translate into success on the court for years to come."
NEW ASSISTANTS: The Mustangs have two new assistant coaches in Larry Mangino and Jerry Hobbie. Mangino enters SMU with 24 years of collegiate coaching experience. He spent the last two years in player development for the Denver Nuggets after a seven-year stretch at the Air Force Academy. Hobbie comes to the Hilltop with 12 years in collegiate coaching. He spent the previous three years at Houston, making the postseason each year including the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
NBA: For the third season, the NBA's Dallas Mavericks held training camp at SMU's Crum Basketball Center.
NCAA SELECTION: SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini is a member of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee, receiving a five-year appointment that began Sept. 1, 2010. The 10-member committee consists of athletics directors and commissioners of Division I member institutions and conferences, and oversees administration of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, including the selection, seeding and bracketing of teams for the tournament. The committee is the primary NCAA contact with CBS Sports, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and other key basketball organizations. Committee members oversee selected preliminary round sites, as well as the Final Four, and assign officiating crews for each game of the championship. The committee also serves as stewards for the good of the game, monitoring and taking action as appropriate regarding issues affecting college basketball.
NEXT LEVEL: The last three seniors from SMU are playing professionally. Two are in the NBA D-League: Bamba Fall (Reno Bighorns) and Mouhammad Faye (Rio Grande Valley Vipers). Derek Williams is playing in Latvia.
PRESEASON HONORS: Papa Dia was selected preseason All-Conference USA by Blue Ribbon College Yearbook and All-C-USA second-team by the league's coaches. Last year, he led the team and was fifth in C-USA in rebounds (8.6) while also ranking second on the team and 17th in C-USA in scoring (12.3). Additionally, Dia finished fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.544), sixth in free throw percentage (.800) and sixth in blocked shots (1.2). In C-USA games, he averaged 13.9 points (13th C-USA), 9.1 rebounds (4th C-USA), and 1.4 blocks (4th C-USA). He had 10 double-doubles for the season.
SENIORS: SMU has six seniors this season with Papa Dia, Ryan Harp, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Myles Luttman, Collin Mangrum and Mike Walker. Dia, Harp, Kwiatkowski, and Walker are the first four-year student-athletes for Coach Matt Doherty. SMU had just two seniors in 2009-10 (Mouhammad Faye, Derek Williams) and one in 2008-09 (Bamba Fall).
SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT: SMU improved statistically in league play in 15 of 20 categories kept by C-USA.
STAYING AT HOME: The Mustangs play an SMU-record 19 home games at Moody Coliseum in 2010-11.
HEAD COACH Matt Doherty...is in his 10th season as a head coach and his fifth season at SMU. This is his 20th season in collegiate coaching with eight NCAA Tournaments, seven conference titles, a Final Four appearance and the 2001 AP National Coach of the Year award. He also has 22 players that have gone to the NBA. He has a 148-154 record including a 58-83 mark on the Hilltop.
