The 2015-16 SJSU roster

A roster makeup is needed in order to offer any sort of forecast for the 2015-16 Spartans so here goes:

RETURNEES

* Leon Bahner, 6-foot-11, center
* Ivo Basor, 6-foot-8, center
* Jalen James, 6-foot-3, point
* Danny Mahoney, 6-foot, point
* Brandon Mitchell, 6-foot-7, wing
* Princeton Onwas, 6-foot-6, wing
* Ryan Singer, 6-foot-10, center/forward
* Isaac Thornton, 6-foot-3, shooting guard

NEWCOMERS

* Ashtin Chastain, 6-foot-11, center
* Brandon Clarke, 6-foot-7, wing
* Jaycee Hillsman, 6-foot-6, wing
* Cody Schwartz, 6-foot-8, forward
* Ryan Welage, 6-foot-9, forward
* Gary Williams Jr., 6-foot-5, point

Plus, the chatter is that an additional roster move is a possibility but such will probably require waiting until early September for confirmation yes or no.

The top five scorers have departed. So who creates shots for himself and draw defenders that open up good looks for teammates? Count on Gary Williams Jr. for one but he will need help or face doubleteams that force the ball out of his hands. So here's hoping that Jalen James enjoys a breakout season, for both his sake and that of the team. Can James shoot well enough from outside to force defenders up on him? That remains to be seen.

Successful teams have at least a couple of guys who can create a decent shot late in the clock count or at the ends of games. Right now, Williams Jr. and James are the most logical candidates, probably the only ones.

But who can make the open shot? This question is wide open for debate. Neither Brandon Mitchell nor Isaac Thornton qualify unless one or both have immensely improved. That wasn't Princeton Onwas' role at Utah. Williams Jr., again, can do so but how much can one player be asked to do? Hopefully, Jaycee Hillsman adapts quickly and brings a don't-leave-him-open element. Fellow freshmen Ryan Welage and Cody Schwartz have displayed range but ultimately it's closer in where they will primarily be stationed.

Also, can this team score inside? That remains a large question mark as neither Bahner nor Singer showed much of this aptitude in the initial seasons. Ashtin Chastain won't be performing this role as a freshman plus Welage and Schwartz lack the strength and heft to consistently do so right now.

The prediction is this team will again struggle to score points.

So what will the Spartans show as a defensive unit since much more effectiveness at this end of the floor is also needed. Bahner has possibilities as a shotblocker but needs to better his athletic ability and fluidity to really be effective. Onwas has all the physical talent needed to be a solid defender and will be SJSU's best. Isaac Thornton showed flashes of such last season. But defending really begins outside so whichever guards earn the majority of playing time will need to step it up and reduce dribble penetration.

Overall, the best thing to take place would be someone unexpectedly displaying a skill/playing a role not necessarily expected of him. It has been a long time since such an element has appeared so does that make it overdue? Let's hope so.