Gotta start by laying a foundation

Let's not kid ourselves -- the program is back to needing a foundation first. Here's the details:

Below is the currently listed SJSU 2013-14 roster: 

* David Andoh, F, 6-foot-7, 200, sophomore
* D.J. Brown, G, 6-foot-2, 185, junior
* Chris Cunningham, F, 6-foot-9, 240, senior
* Louis Garrett, F, 6-foot-6, 215, senior
* Nick Grieves, G, 6-foot-3, 160, junior (walk-on)      
* Stephon Smith, F, 6-foot-8, 260, junior      
* Mike VanKirk, C, 7-foot-1, 240, sophomore
* Jaleel Williams, F, 6-foot-6, 215, junior

The numbers make it appear that up to six scholarships will be available to Coach Dave Wojcik but nothing is official in that category.

Each position is in dire need of a talent upgrade as possibly just one player -- Chris Cunningham -- has the level of ability needed to have the chance of winning that position in a Mountain West Conference matchup and that may not be on a nightly basis.

The backcourt is virtually barren.

A starting center is absent.

Rhetorically, how is SJSU going to win at any of the five positions during a game and thus have a chance to nab a victory?

But first, let's continue and make some comparisons.

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Now, here is former SJSU Coach George Nessman's very first SJSU roster, by position:

* Menelik Barbary, 6-foot-9, 230, junior
* Matt Misko, 6-foot-11, 225, senior

* Demetrius Brown, 6-foot-6, 230, senior   
* Kevin Fleming, 6-foot-6, 215, junior
* Lance Holloway, 6-foot-7, 195, sophomore
* DeVonte Thomas, 6-foot-4, 195, freshman
* Kenny Smith, 6-foot-4, 215, senior
   
* Jared Cozad, 6-foot-3, 195, junior (walk-on)    
* Alex Elam 6-foot-4, 215, senior
* Nelson Garbutt, 6-foot-2, 175, junior (walk-on)
* Tyree Gardner, 6-foot-0, 175, senior
* Nick Novacevich, 6-foot-5, 195, freshman (walk-on)
* Julian Richardson, 6-foot-1, 160, guard   
* Justonn Smith, 6-foot-2, 189, freshman    
* Carlton Spencer. 6-foot-2, 180, junior

But the above is his full roster at season's beginning, not what he initially inherited. Take away the signees of his initial recruiting season and what he found upon accepting the job in 2005-06 was:

* Menelik Barbary, 6-foot-9, 230, junior
* Matt Misko, 6-foot-11, 225, senior

* Demetrius Brown, 6-foot-6, 230, senior   
* Lance Holloway, 6-foot-7, 195, sophomore
* Kenny Smith, 6-foot-4, 215, senior
     
* Alex Elam 6-foot-4, 215, senior
* Nelson Garbutt, 6-foot-2, 175, junior (walk-on)
* Tyree Gardner, 6-foot-0, 175, senior
* Julian Richardson, 6-foot-1, 160, junior   

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So which group would you want to command as a coach, what Wojcik or what essman was bequeathed?

Strictly on this basis of talent, Wojcik's inheritance is lesser.

What Coach Nessman found -- a pair of serviceable centers, an inconsistent forward (Brown) but one who could win his position on a given night and a solid, if unspectacular backcourter (Elam) -- could be considered an initial 'get-by' talent pool.

Coach Wojcik is facing the task of constructing a foundation first.