Lanier Finally Getting That Extra Level Out of Phelps

Mustangs will need star guard to continue vocal leadership to land Fort Meyers Tip-Off championship over Big Ten's Wisconsin Badgers

DALLAS – Before the season began, SMU head coach Rob Lanier couldn't stop himself from letting people know to expect big things from guard Zurich Phelps. The Second-Team Preseason All-AAC pick averaged 17.5 points per game last season and tested the NBA waters, but it was easy to hear in Lanier's voice there was another level he thought he could extract from his star.

"He may not be back with us next year if he plays to his capabilities," Lanier said during AAC Media Day. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

A big step toward crossing that bridge took place Monday in a huge 70-58 second half comeback win over West Virginia in the opening round of the Fort Myers Tip-Off. For starters, Phelps responded to Lanier stressing the need for SMU's guards to get more rebounds by posting a career high 12 boards to round out a double-double with his team high 17 points.

However, while Lanier was pleased with Phelps' ability to listen, it was his ability to speak that the Mustangs' coach highlighted as the strongest sign the progress needed for the next level is taking place. 

"Zurich, some real growth tonight," Lanier said. "Some real growth. Made some decisions late I was disappointed in. But his voice, and he had been becoming a leading voice for us." 

It was a voice Lanier felt faded a bit at times to start the season. However, during halftime when things looked most bleak after a mild meltdown caused by the Mountaineers' physicality led to a 36-25 deficit, Lanier saw the steadying presence his team needed.

"There was a stretch last week where we lost some of that from [Phelps] and tonight, even while he was struggling, his voice was still very strong," Lanier said."His body language at halftime was strong. His body language and his voice in the timeouts were consistent."

That communication lead to an atmosphere at the break that let Lanier know there was still a way to salvage the game in the second half. What resulted was a team that flowed together while running the legs off the much larger West Virginia players.

"I was dreaming about [the second half comeback]," Lanier said. "I was praying for it. The body language in the first half was disappointing, but at halftime, they still seemed pretty locked in. Now, we didn't start the second half great either. I'm listening to them talking to one another. I don't see anything toxic. I don't see any finger pointing. There was maybe some confidence stuff."

He will need more of that leadership tonight if the Mustangs are to take down Wisconsin in the Beach Division championship game. The Badgers like to slow down the pace and ugly a team to death, which can be frustrating for a team that likes to get out and run like SMU.

However, Wisconsin has already shown if a team can come out hot and push things offensively, there aren't enough weapons on the other end for the Badgers to keep pace. Guard AJ Storr has shown he can put up big numbers, but Wisconsin has struggled to find consistency with the rest of its offense. 

Last week against Providence, the Friars were able to jump out to a 37-21 lead in the first half and cruise the rest of the way. Avoiding a slow start similar to the one the Ponies put up against West Virginia will be key if the Mustangs are to come home with another piece of hardware this evening.

The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. and will air on FS1. Those who are unable to watch can listed to the radio broadcast at KAAM 770 AM.

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DEFENSE STEPPED UP AGAINST MEMPHIS WHEN MUSTANGS NEEDED IT MOST

MAY NOT MATTER HOW MANY WINS PONIES RACK UP IN MAGICAL SEASON IF COURTS RULE AGAINST THEM

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