The cupboard is not bare in Dallas as the Mustangs have one stud who has been the main in Big D for the last three years.  Senior Jim Krebs is the leader of this team.  No ifs and or buts about it, Krebs is Mr. Mustang.  A gifted low post performer, Krebs has had a stellar career for SMU primarily as the starting center.  He found out that the players in this conference have become bigger and better.  He could not match up with the Olajuwon’s of the SWC and made a transition to power forward.  This is a more natural position for the 6’8” Krebs but he is stubborn and wanted to still play the post.  Krebs is gifted but is also smart and will do whatever it takes to get an advantage.  He will push the limits of the rules (not uncommon at this University) and has been known to mix it up now and then. His confrontation with Olajuwon is already legendary. Sometimes a man has got to do what a man has got to do.  Krebs did miss a few games after an altercation with a tree but came back meaner and ornerier than ever.  Krebs led the team in scoring with his patented hook shot but also took a step back to let his teammates learn and get some experience.  Krebs will get a shot at the next level due to his toughness and his will and of course his great approach to the game.  Krebs is a great teammate as well and not immune to breaking up his allies with a joke or two.  He is definitely the type you are glad you have on your team because nobody looks forward to going against Krebs down low. Hayes will find somebody else to fill his position after this season but no one will replace the legendary Jim Krebs, the man who built SMU basketball. 

Taking over at center for Krebs last year was sophomore Jon Koncak.  Koncak is true seven-footer and plays like one though this project is still developing. Not a great scorer, yet, Koncak can run and rebound.  He is best on the defensive end with his developing shot blocking and low post defense.  That is what keeps him on the court.  He is a solid sidekick to Krebs and his low post game as he finally brings some real size to this front line.  Koncak will never have that kind of power game that Krebs has but is valuable and can dominate games without scoring.  He does get some baskets on putbacks and dunks and should get more action down on the blocks as he develops.   

Junior Ira Terrill is a solid contributor off the bench.  Terrill was the first big guy off the bench most games. A good defender who can block a shot, Terrill has a good offensive game and will be counted on more heavily this year.  He would have seen more time last year but missed 8 games due to accepting some gifts (not an issue anymore) and some injuries. Terrell came back and became a significant contributor for Hayes with his ability to play under the basket and on the wing.  He is a two-sided player who can really ball but he needs to stay on the court.  Senior Carroll Hooser was solid off the bench up front in the mold of Krebs as well but does not have the size to play major minutes.  Fellow senior bigs Steve Strange, Jan Loudermilk, Roy Pugh and Lynn Phillips are also not big enough and have been relegated to deep bench work with Koncak and fellow sophomore Larry Davis around.  Davis did not play much on the varsity last year but was dominant on the JV and will push for minutes this year as he is much smoother and more athletic then the upperclassmen.  

The perimeter was the biggest issue for the Mustangs not for the offense but the constant flux. Junior Gene Phillips and senior Charles Beasley started the season as the two wings and are both solid scorers. They do have some size at 6’4 and 6’5 respectively but neither is a terrific athlete. Hayes will not replace them easily as they can both score especially from distance but he knows he has to get more athletic.  Seniors Rick Herrscher, Joel Krog and Bill Voight got some minutes as well with mixed degrees of success.  Herrscher is a 6’3 gamer who played well but moonlights on the diamond and feels his future is there.  Too bad as this kid might have been the best all-around wing on the team.  Kros is more a post guy then as is Voight but they played well when called upon especially Krog who was huge in some big games. 

Now for the aforementioned point guard position. Hayes went with senior Max Williams as his starter for most of last year and probably will again this year. Williams is a good player especially as a distributor but lacks size and quickness to guard other point guards.  Williams is a magician with his ball handling, he loves terrorizing other guards with a behind the back dribble and then cutting to the hoop. He definitely tried to make point guard his own and had some success but needs to get better defensively if he wants to keep his job.  He did lead the SWC in assists last year so he has that going for him and his teammates obviously love playing with him as he gets them the ball ready to score.  Hayes did not have many other options but tried everyone there trying to find someone who could guard quick guards and perhaps shoot a little better. Sophomore Butch Moore was probably the best true point but only played on JV.  Denny Holman and Cato Armstrong got some minutes on varsity and both can play but are nowhere near the QB’s that Williams is.  

The SMU Mustangs come into this season with high expectations and were one of the favorites to compete for the SWC title. Or should I say one of the favorites to get third place and a possible trip to the post season.  Coach Doc Hayes has to find the next legend of Mustang basketball to replace the departing Krebs but he has the senior stud for one more year. Is sophomore seven-footer Jon Koncak that guy?  Only time will tell but for this year the biggest need is some athletic perimeter players who can run with the Cougars and Longhorns.  Mustangs are supposed to be faster then Longhorns but Cougars might be an entirely different matter.