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SMU’s Yanick Moreira finishes with 38 points, 15 boards against Australia

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FIBA

The most impressive collegian playing at the FIBA World Cup has been Yanick Moreira, and he put together one of the best performances of the entire event on Thursday.

The rising senior big man at SMU finished with 38 points and 15 boards, 10 of which came on the offensive end of the floor, as Angola knocked off Australia, 91-83, in the final game of group play. Moreira had 34 points in the second half.

That came of the heels of a 20-point outing against Slovenia, one of the best teams in the event.

(*One thing that is worth noting here is that a loss might have been what the Aussies were playing for. Finishing second in Group D would mean they would have to play the Americans in the quarterfinals of bracket play. A third place finish in the group means the Aussies miss out of Team USA until the semis.)

This kind of performance from Moreira is a very positive sign for the Mustangs. Larry Brown’s club already has one of the better big men in the country in Markus Kennedy, the former Villanova Wildcat, and may end up with former Texas Tech big man Jordan Tolbert eligible for this season as well. Even if Tolbert is forced to sit out the 2014-2015 season, SMU may end up having the best front court in the American.

Losing Emmanuel Mudiay hurt, there is no question about that. But with Nic Moore and Keith Frazier back and Xavier transfer Justin Martin eligible this season, there is enough talent on that roster for Brown to turn them into a top 15-caliber team.

Follow @robdauster