Fresh faces fill Frogs’ rotation
By Adam Williams
Skiff Staff

Seven of the 14 members of the TCU men’s basketball team have yet to put on Horned Frog purple and white in a regular season contest. With the departure of four seniors and the transfer of two other letter-winners from last year’s squad, the 2003-04 Frogs feature a team laden with youth and inexperience as a group.

When asked if he sees this lack of togetherness as a potential problem, head coach Neil Dougherty grins and says, “A problem? No. This is an opportunity.”

The 2003-04 season must not be looked at as a rebuilding year, but a building year. The unique combination of both youth and inexperience in the Frogs’ system means that junior transfers will be learning the same material as the incoming freshman. Although this rare combination might pose a problem for some coaches, Dougherty views the new crop of players as providing an opportunity for growth as a team.

“With a so many new and young players we truly have an exciting opportunity here,” Dougherty said. “We are so new to each other that every day we grow as a team. Every day is a learning process.”

Of the seven returnees, only two players, guards Ronald Hobbs and Nucleus Smith, are seniors on this year’s team. Both players will be looked upon to provide the team with veteran leadership.

Smith said he has taken more of a leadership role with the team this season.

“We’ve been here the longest and we know what it takes to last in college basketball,” Smith said.

Smith is entering his fourth and final season with the Frogs this year. Despite nagging injuries last season, Smith averaged six points and two rebounds a game in his 27 appearances.

Hobbs, the Frogs’ only other senior on the roster, will be playing in his second full season with the team. Hobbs joined the Frogs in 2001 after transferring from Texas Tech, but was hampered by an injury last season.

Both seniors are expected to contribute to the team in their final year with the Frogs. Right now, Smith and Hobbs are slated to be in the starting lineup for the regular season opener.

Smith said he is excited for the opporunity to be in the starting lineup but that he is more focused on the role of being a leader for the whole team.

“I feel responsible for everyone, not just for the younger players,” Smith said. “Having more experience, I can give advice on how to handle some of the situations that they will face in their careers.”

The new core of players on this year’s men’s team should provide for an interesting mix of youth, experience and talent. With continual learning, growing and maturation, the 2003-04 Horned Frogs look to find a combination of new and old that will carry the team toward their ultimate objective: winning.