Bamba Fall set a record for blocked shots last seasono.

The SMU men’s basketball team held an open practice this Saturday and the turn out was impressive. Head coach, Matt Doherty, was pleased with the attendance, especially on a football Saturday.

It was only the fourth practice for the Mustangs so far this season. The NCAA allows two hours of practice time a week, which Doherty breaks into two one-hour sessions.

The Mustangs have two big men who patrol the middle. One is 6-foot-11 Lithuanian senior Donatas Rackauskas. Doherty notes the advantage of “having someone who can open up the floor with outside shooting.” While 7-foot-1 Senegal native sophomore Bamba Fall, according to Doherty, his strengths come from “blocking shots and low post scoring.”

Leadership is often focused on the guard. For the past four years that leader was Bryan Hopkins. But now with Hopkins graduating, “Jon [Killen] has emerged as the leader at the guard position with Dez [Willingham] coming in second.”

Last week Doherty made Mike Garland his assistant head coach. Garland previously coached at Cleveland State and assistant coached at Michigan State. Doherty said he wanted someone with head coaching experience and Garland has that. Garland was the head coach at Cleveland State for three years where he helped turn the program around. Garland inherited a Vikings team with a record of 8-22, after a hard first year dropping to 4-25, Garland lead the team to a 10-18 record in his final year.

Garland also has experience in a major conference and championship experience. Garland assisted Tom Izzo at Michigan State for seven years. Doherty likes Garland’s “Final Four experience under Izzo at Michigan State.” Doherty also said Garland brings something new to the coaching staff at SMU.

The basketball team will have its Tip-off Dinner on Oct. 11, with former All-American Jon Koncak speaking.

Then the Mustangs will open up the season with an exhibition game against Houston Baptist on Nov. 4.

Donatas Rackauskas will be looked at as a senior leader for the Mustangs this season.