SMU guard Derek Williams drives through the lane against Illinois State’s Lloyd Phillips two weeks ago. The Mustangs lost to the Redbirds 84-73. CASEY LEE/The Daily Campus

The SMU men’s basketball team tips off the 2009-10 season Friday night against the University of South Florida.

Coming off a last place finish in Conference USA last season, head coach Matt Doherty is ready to turn around the men’s basketball program, but it will take more than just physical talent to improve the team’s record.

“We have to play at a higher level of concentration and energy than we did last season,” Doherty said. “If we focus and bring that energy, we’re talented enough, but talent to me is mental. It’s not just running and jumping.

Last year, SMU went 9-21 overall, winning just three of their 13 conference games. All nine wins came at Moody Coliseum last year, as SMU finished the 2008-09 season winless on the road. SMU, seeded No.12 in the C-USA tournament, lost in the first round for the third year, falling to Houston 85-76.

SMU starts their season off just as they did last year, but are hoping for different results as they look to upset the USF Bulls in both team’s first game of the season. USF finished last season at 9-22 overall and 4-14 in the Big East conference.

In the third meeting between the Mustangs and Bulls, SMU looks to gain a 2-1 advantage on the series, having lost to USF 60-40 in last year’s meeting. SMU defeated the Bulls 87-66 in 1987.

“We’re playing two very difficult opponents to start. I’m anxious to see what we do,” Doherty said. “I’m optimistic and I hope we perform well, but we’re playing good opponents and I hope we’re in a position to win these games in the end.”

Despite losing Bamba Fall to graduation, SMU will return senior guard Derek Williams, sophomore guard Paul McCoy and senior forward Mouhammad Faye to the hardwood. Williams, heading into his second season on the Hilltop, averaged 13.3 points per game last season coupled with a .804 free throw percentage. Leading the defense, Faye finished last season with 9.6 points averaged per game and a team-high 69 defensive rebounds amongst the team’s veterans.

“I feel like we have a lot of expectations,” McCoy said. “It’s a big year this year and a lot of people are ready for us to win and so are we. I think it’s going to be a test, both of these two games to go either 2-0.”

McCoy, one of three team captains along with Williams and Faye, was named to the Preseason C-USA team, and was also a two-time C-USA Rookie of the Week last season. SMU’s first freshman to lead the team in scoring with an average of 13.4 points per game, tied the SMU freshman scoring record by leading the team in scoring in a game 12 times.

In Friday’s game, the Mustangs will be up against a team that faired similarly in conference play last year, finishing just 4-14 in their conference.

Returning for the Bulls is the team’s leading scorer, Dominique Jones, who averaged 18.1 points per game last season and 5.6 boards. Jones, a 6-foot-4 junior guard, also had a team-high 41 steals last season. However, following a 110-79 exhibition win over Florida Southern University, USF head coach Stan Heath is relying on newcomers junior Jarrid Famous at the forward position and freshman forward Toarlyn Fitzpatrick to help defeat SMU.

“I think it’s going to set a tone to see where we’re at for this first game,” McCoy said. “We’re expected to be really good, and we feel really good, but we have to play like we’re really good. This first game will definitely set the tone.”

However, the Mustangs have several new weapons of their own with junior transfer Myles Luttman and sophomore transfer Rodney Clinkscales. While neither are expected to start, Doherty said they will have a big impact on the team in terms of leadership and ability.

“Our veteran performers are still relatively inexperienced, most of them are two year players,” Doherty said. “I see a toughness in these two recruited athletes. We’re fortunate in the sense that we won’t need them to play a lot, but if they do play a lot, it’s hopefully because they’re doing well.”

The Mustangs also host Texas A&M on Monday. Tip off for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. The Aggies come to SMU having defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 89-65 and also play Angelo State on Friday evening.

The Mustangs dropped a 66-56 loss to Texas A&M last season, giving the Aggies their fifth consecutive win over SMU.

“We have to play at a higher level of concentration and energy than we did last season,” Doherty said. “If we can do that, we can have a successful season.”