We continue our recruit and return series with the SMU Mustangs, whose season ended Friday with a loss to USC in the East Region. A look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five
G: Shake Milton
G: Jimmy Whitt (Arkansas transfer)
G: Ben Emelogu
F: Semi Ojeleye
Who is lost: SMU played with seven scholarship players for much of the season, once Australian products Harry Froling and Tom Wilson transferred. Two of those seven are gone: veteran starters Sterling Brown and Ben Moore. Brown has steadily improved in each of his four seasons, taking on a bigger offensive role every year in addition to being a versatile defender who could make shots from the perimeter. Moore was essentially the team’s only big man this past season, and he responded by averaging double-figures and leading the team in rebounding, while also staying out of foul trouble. The two Illinois natives were two of the key members of the revitalization of SMU basketball and will be missed.
Who is added: Tim Jankovich has two transfers and four freshmen entering the program. Jimmy Whitt, an Arkansas transfer, is expected to make the biggest impact. He averaged 6.1 points with the Razorbacks. He was known as a scorer at the high school level, better as a slasher who can get to the rim or make shots in the mid-range. Former South Florida guard Jahmal McMurray -- now at a junior college in Texas -- will add some pop once he’s eligible in the second semester. McMurray was averaging 20.3 points when he and USF parted ways. Among the freshmen, four-star point guard Elijah Landrum is the most highly touted prospect. He will provide more of a true point guard look instead of Shake Milton. Because the Mustangs lack size, look for three-star center Ethan Chargois and Texas native Everett Ray to get minutes. William Douglas, a Memphis product, rounds out the class.
What it means for next season: Jankovich is expected to bring back two of the best players in the league, versatile guard Shake Milton and former Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye. Milton has jumped onto NBA radars because of his role as a playmaking point guard this season. He’s 6-foot-6 and shoots better than 40 percent from 3-point range, too. Ojeleye became the team’s go-to-guy this season, demonstrating his ability as the matchup nightmare he was back in high school. He can score inside or off the dribble and also shot better than 40 percent from 3. He also had to play center for stretches. Wing Jarrey Foster is also back. He’s another player who can shoot it from the perimeter, but he’s a very good offensive rebounder who can guard multiple spots. Former Virginia Tech transfer Ben Emelogu should be in for a bigger role after backing up everyone last season, and point guard Dashawn McDowell is also back.
Trending: Up. Jankovich did a tremendous job in his first season at the helm, taking over from Larry Brown in July and guiding the Mustangs to 25-plus wins and the NCAA tournament. Sterling Brown and Moore will be missed, but Milton and Ojeleye are high-level players, and SMU will actually have depth next season.