2000-01 record: 18-12; 8-8 in WAC (t5th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Hancock 16.7 ppg | Rebounds: Ross 5.1 rpg | Assists: Hancock 3.2 apg | FG %: Atkins 51.3% | 3pt %: Atkins 45.7% | FT %: Handcock 75.1% 00-01 Stats: SMU | WAC

		Wednesday, Nov. 7 Jeryl Sasser -- who led the Mustangs in points, rebounds and assists -- is gone. Now coach Mike Dement must find a way to replace all that Sasser provided. No one player is going to do that, but someone has to step up in each of those areas and share that load. Damon Hancock (16.7 ppg) and Quinton Ross (14.2 ppg) are the top returning scorers.

Outlook
There is something to be said for not having a star, a player everything is built around and run through.

The Mustangs will try and prove that in these post-Jeryl Sasser days.

SMU's best player the past several years is now gone, leaving his leadership role to Quinton Ross, a junior guard who averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.

"It's obviously going to be tough replacing (Sasser)," SMU coach Mike Dement said. "He meant a lot to our program. But I still think we have a very good chance at being competitive in the conference. I also think it's healthy to put the past behind you and concentrate on the future, on this season."

It will be just as tough in some ways replacing guard Willie Davis and his 11.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. But in Ross and returning guards Damon Hancock and Voc Atkins, the Mustangs have quality and experience. SMU must rebuild in spots, but not near as many as some believe. Thing is, odds favor the Mustangs playing more as a team now that Sasser has moved on.

Now that Ross has stepped out from the shadows, he has a chance to be on the league's better players. He is versatile, athletic and a good enough scorer to push is average close to 20.

Something SMU can't afford: Another late-season collapse. The Mustangs were 18-6 last season before losing their final six games.

What we like: The guards. Hancock, who will likely team with Ross in the backcourt, averaged 16.7 points as a junior and came into his own at the point. He's one of the team's best defenders and intelligent enough to know when to pass or create. Atkins shot 51 percent off the bench as a freshman and hit 46 percent on 3-pointers.

What we don't like: Inexperience in the post. The Mustangs could start a true freshman in Patrick Simpson (6-9, 210 pounds) at power forward and there is no secure answer at center, where a host of names are in the mix. "Some of our younger players have to step up," says Dement. "For us to be in contention, different guys have to produce."

The bottom line: Dement is 96-78 in six years as SMU's coach, but the Mustangs haven't reached the NCAA Tournament since 1993. The Sasser-Davis combination will be missed early, but there is still enough talent for SMU to gel by conference and finish in the top five. An NIT bid is not out of the question, but that would mean a few big bodies up front play beyond expectations.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Damon Hancock	Sr.	G	6-3/195	PTS: 16.7 | REB: 3.5 | AST: 3.2
Quinton Ross	Jr..	G	6-6/175	PTS: 14.2 | REB: 5.1 | AST: 1.9
DeWayne Floyd	Sr.	F	6-8/225	PTS: 6.2 | REB: 5.0 | AST: 0.6

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Jeryl Sasser	G	6-6/200	PTS: 17.0 | REB: 8.3 | AST: 4.1
Willie Davis	G	6-6/230	PTS: 11.9 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 1.2

SMU Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Eric Castro	F	6-8	Oklahoma City, Okla./Mt. St. Mary's
Justin Isham	G	6-5	Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster H.S.
Brian Miller	G	6-5	Flower Mound, Texas/Lewisville H.S.
Patrick Simpson	F	6-8	Denver, Colo./George Washington
Michael Dement	G	5-11	Plano, Texas/Plano East H.S.
Ryan Hatch	G	6-1	Austin, Texas/Westlake H.S.