Nov. 6, 2007

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team made its first trip to the American Southwest Conference Tournament finals last year and they fell just short against nationally-ranked Mississippi College. That loss has fueled an offseason that led to the Cowboys getting better individually and as a team.

"There is little doubt that our guys that were here last year were hungry in the offseason, because they came back in the best shape of their careers and all of them have come back with expectations of playing big roles for this team," said seventh year head coach Dylan Howard.

The Cowboys did graduate a class of three talented senior starters and sometimes brilliant freshman Michael Dinkins did not return, but the Cowboys return something that no one else in the league has - two battle-tested senior big men that measure 6-8 or better.

HSU will revolve its team around the Jean brothers, Mardochee and Dan. Both are seniors (although not twins) now and they have both come into the preseason in great shape and have also added to their offensive games.

"Dan and Mardochee are two athletic big guys," said Howard."They have lived in the past on being better athletes than about everyone they played. This summer they put in the work on their games and both are pushing each other in practice every day."

"Dan has really developed more of an offensive game. Before, we asked him to play defense and rebound, but he is going to give us some points in the post."

"Mardochee has improved in all areas of his game. He has always been a great passer and good around the basket. He has developed his post moves and we expect him to be an All-American every night, not just some nights like in the past."

Mardochee, who is one of two team captains along with Charles Pannell, averaged 13.3 points and 11.6 rebounds as a junior and he also was second on the team with 59 assists and had 80 blocked shots. Dan averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in just 9.7 minutes per game.

HSU depended a lot on ASC Player of the Year Zach Pickelman for points last season. He averaged 18.1 points per game in his senior campaign. This year the Cowboys will have a more balanced attack.

"Everyone keyed in on Zach and that opened it up for some other players, but Zach still got his points. This year we are going to be more balanced. I think we have five or six guys that can average around double figures."

Junior sharpshooter Charles Pannell will get some of the shots that Pickelman took. Being 6-5 he can play the three or the four, which gives the Cowboys the ability to go big. Pannell had double digit scoring games against three NCAA Tournament teams a year ago - Mississippi College, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Virginia Wesleyan.

"Charlie is our best shooter," said Howard. "He can really score not only on the perimeter, but he can take advantage on the post as well. I expect him to step up and be one of our top scorers. He has had a good preseason."

Junior center Ryan Ocheskey also has stepped up his game in the offseason. He has dropped about 20 pounds and is fighting for time in the post.

"I have been impressed by Ryan in practice," said Howard. "I told him last year after the season if he wanted to play significant minutes he would have to lose some weight and work on his post moves around the basket. He has done both. He is in great shape. Last year he had a hard time scoring against Dan and Mo in practice, but he has learned to use his body to get in good position and is really taking it to them. He will give us some much needed depth in the post.

Those four players give the Cowboys maybe the best frontcourt in the league.

The backcourt received an overhaul. Steven Luckey is the only returning guard for the Cowboys but he has done the work in the offseason and will be the starter at point guard. He was solid as the backup at point guard as a freshman.

"Luckey is really a good floor leader," said Howard. "He is quick with the ball and he is pretty strong. He has consistently knocked down the pull-up jumper and he knows how to get the ball to those big guys on the block. He lets us get out and run, maybe a little more than in the past."

The Cowboys top perimeter scorer will likely be junior college transfer Marcus Smith. The New Mexico Junior College product is a pure scorer that can also play the point. He gives the Cowboys an element they did not have a year ago.

"Marcus has a scorer's mentality. I will never have to beg him to take more shots. He can really shoot the ball from all over the court and he has a great pull up game. He also is strong and will be a good defender for us."

Rob Yeatts is back on the team after taking last year off from school. He has worked hard to get in shape and gives the Cowboys another shooting threat. He also gives the Cowboys some experience as he played a big role as a freshman and sophomore.

"I didn't know what to expect with Rob," said Howard. "He was always a steady player that worked hard and was a streak shooter. But he came back to us and he has had to earn his way again. He really has been knocking down shots more consistently and he will give us a good perimeter defender. He is in a lot better shape and he has dedicated himself to the game again. Although he is a junior it is like having a senior on the floor, because that is what he should be. He will help our young guys learn what I expect from them."

Freshman Casey Riddle from Lipan and junior college transfer Rian Stubbs will give the Cowboys two more scorers in the rotation. Riddle will play the point and can also play some two and he learned how to play against good competition in a redshirt season at Midland Junior College. Stubbs is a 6-5 player that will play the three and is a good shooter. He is one of the top 3-point shooters on the team.

"Casey and Rian are two guys that played in junior college. They have that experience playing against good players every day. I think both will play big roles for us."

Newcomers Matt Bates, Richard Hooper and Mike Donlon will give the Cowboys depth at the guard positions. Cameron Ayala is a freshman that gives good effort and will have a role as a defender and rebounder. Freshman Tony Mataya is a strong player that has a good long-range shot and could have a role with continued development.

"These five guys have a role to get better every day in practice and also to help our front line players get better. If they work hard and continue to develop, I think they have a chance to play bigger roles in the future. They all bring different things to the table."

All in all this may be the deepest team of the Howard era, a team that could challenge for that ASC title that slipped out of their hands in the final last year.

"I like this group, we can play a lot of different ways. We have size, speed and some good shooters. I don't think we will have some of the scoring lulls we had at times last year when Zach was not shooting well. We won't be as reliant on one player and those are the toughest teams to defend. They have done the work, now we will see how they do against a quality schedule."

HSU will play three Division I teams, one in exhibition play. The Cowboys play Sam Houston State and UT-Arlington in regular season tilts and UT-San Antonio in an exhibition game. HSU also will play south region foes Southwestern and Trinity and then play the rugged ASC schedule.

HSU opens its regular-season slate Nov. 20 at home against Southwestern.