A blast from the past

From Court Side:

Darnell Williams (202 cm, San Jose State´01) will continue to wear the jersey of San Quentin in the French ProB after extending his contract with the club. The American has become one of the mainstays of the San Quentin roster since joining the club in 2011 and is now in his third season with the outfit. This campaign the power forward has featured in 41 games and has collected averages of 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Before linking with San Quentin, Darnell Williams has played exclusively in France during his pro career. He has hit the court with the likes of Rouen Basket and Beauvais.

More recruiting for the future news

From Brandon Tatera/California Preps:

"...El Cerrito's Tyrell Alcorn and Salesian's Bernard Ward are two of the least heralded players on the Soldiers' roster but they saved them against Cal Supreme, as each made huge plays. Alcorn's on-ball defense and passing ability, Ward's exceptional outside shooting should make each targets at the Mountain West and West Coast Conference level with, among others, San Jose State assistant coach Chris Brazelton and San Francisco/Portland head coaches Rex Walters and Eric Reveno courtside..."

Lepore on the road recruiting

On April 25,new SJSU Assistant Coach Mike Lepore tweeted: "Day 1 of the gauntlet is in the books, see ya tomorrow Dallas"

This past weekend, Adidas held the Dallas Gauntlet in which a large number of Adidas sponsored teams from around the country were involved in a tournament. Per NCAA regulations, it was an open period so college coaches were allowed to be present. So Lepore jumped right into the new role of assistant coach.

Gustys has eliminated SJSU

Adam Zagoria reports that Rokas Gustys is down to four schools -- SJSU isn't one of them --  and will be making his decision next week.

Hence the signing of Ryan Singer by the Spartans.

Katz on the MWC

Andy Katz/ESPN takes a look at the Mountain West Conference this past season and next year. Two takewaways:

"...But to maintain its status as an alternative to the traditional five, much like the Atlantic 10, the MWC has to get its bottom in gear..."

and

"...The problem was that the MWC was only those two [San Diego State and New Mexico] teams..." 

Ojanen joins the coaching staff

Now it's Tyler Ojanen who will be joining Coach Wojcik's staff at San Jose State University and that is a good move. It brings in someone with excellent California contacts since he was last assisting Gus Argenal at Cal State East Bay and worked under Randy Bennett prior to that.

Ed Boyce must have gotten sticker shock from the booming Bay Area housing market.

Here's an article I did on Ojanen back in September of last year.

A big to Washington Square

Ryan Singer tweeted: "After deciding to reopen my recruitment, I have committed to San José State to play basketball next year!"

Singer earlier committed to Penn but decided not to pursue that direction.

Here's a Q-and-A he participated in prior to changing his mind.

Singer's self assessment of his game:

I’m a 6-foot-11, 220- pound forward. I play inside and outside. I’m more of a versatile four-five. I don’t post up the entire time. I like to go outside. I like to shoot outside shots because a lot of bigs won’t guard other bigs outside and I have taken advantage of that. I have a good jump shot as well as skills inside.

My strongest attributes are my ability to run the floor faster than most big guys and my defense. I think [defense] is the strongest part of my game and I can shut down some big players.

He did a prep season this year at Massanutten Military Academy:

...Among the extensive group of newcomers is 6-11 center Ryan Singer from Littleton, Colo. Singer, who drew plenty of interest as a high school player at Littleton's Heritage High School, decided he wanted the extra year a postgraduate program provides to improve his game and possibly his options.

"I had offers. Whether or not they were right for me or not, it's my decision and my parents' decision," Singer said. "We saw Massanutten as an opportunity to get an extra year to get bigger and stronger, and get more play and hopefully bring in more looks from college."

"... I found out about Massanutten because of the reputation. Obviously, it's a great basketball program and they did very well last year and drew a bunch of attraction...

How New Mexico's top talents are projecting in the NBA draft

New Mexico had three of the top players in the Mountain West Conference this season and Geoff Grammer has rounded up projections for each in the NBA draft. Remember that Cameron Bairstow was named the Most Valuable Player.

Yes, it's a mighty step up.

More on Mahoney

Nathan Mollat writes about Serra High's Danny Mahoney coming to San Jose State University.

MWC bigs in small numbers

With UNLV's Khem Birch announcing he will enter the NBA drafr, Geoff Grammer tweeted: "Not a proven true center in entire Mountain West right now. Maybe you can call Skylar Spencer and/or AJ West true centers I suppose."

Plus: "Mountain West has just 7 players returning for 2014-15 who are 6-8 or taller & played 20-plus minutes per game this season"

Thanks and have a wonderful future (but it doesn't include us)

Dave Southern writes about an aspect of the business side of college athletics. Don't ever forget that this is first and foremost a big business.

SJSU women land a JC backcourter

Ellie Stevens, a 6-foot sophomore guard out of Lamar Community College in Colorado and a native of Australia, has signed with SJSU. In 2011-12, she was at Idaho State but apparently either redshirted or departed without losing any eligiblity because she played two years at Lamar.

From SJSU athletics.

Nessman moving on to Justin-Sienna

Marty James reports that former SJSU Coach George Nessman has been hired as the athletic director at Justin-Sienna High in Napa.

Former Spartan assistant in at Houston

Via Mark Berman: "College basketball sources: UH coach Kelvin Sampson hires Texas State assistant coach Talvin Hester as a new Cougars assistant coach."

Duruisseau back playing AAU ball

Denevir Duruisseau is going back on the circuit for further exposure which is unusual for a senior of his caliber: "I will be playing AAU this weekend in Anaheim this weekend with Double Pump"

Evidence that Nevada is really going to miss Cole Huff

Here's what you need to know about how big a hole Cole Huff's transfer from Nevada will effect the Wolf Pack in 2014-15:

"Cole Huff has 3 visits locked in as of today Creighton April 27 Iowa May 2 Dayton May 9"

Boise State has signed a big

Dave Southern writes that Coach Leon Rice and BSU have inked a junior college big.

Mahoney to SJSU

Serra (San Mateo) High point Danny Mahoney is headed to San Jose State University next season.

Here is his tweet.

A John Murphy article.

Dylan Alexander came to the team in the same situation this past year, as a freshman recruited walk-on.

Did an article on Mahoney last week.

More on Gaynor's signing

David Schoen writes about Darryl Gaynor's commit to San Jose State University.

New informnation from it:

"...Gaynor hosted San Jose State coach Dave Wojcik for an in-home visit on Friday and was extended the scholarship offer. Gaynor, who is expected to play both guard positions with the Spartans, said he will make an official visit to the school in the next week or two..."

It's not often that a commit is given prior to a visit but playing in the Mountain West Conference was the highest of his options and being able to come back once a year to Sin City and play at the Thomas and Mack being icing on the cake.

Gaynor hosted San Jose State coach Dave Wojcik for an in-home visit on Friday and was extended the scholarship offer. Gaynor, who is expected to play both guard positions with the Spartans, said he will make an official visit to the school in the next week or two. - See more at: http://nevadapreps.com/boys-basketball/recruiting-patient-gaynor-expected-sign-san-jose-state#sthash.pe9iQe8f.dpuf

Gaynor hosted San Jose State coach Dave Wojcik for an in-home visit on Friday and was extended the scholarship offer. Gaynor, who is expected to play both guard positions with the Spartans, said he will make an official visit to the school in the next week or two. - See more at: http://nevadapreps.com/boys-basketball/recruiting-patient-gaynor-expected-sign-san-jose-state#sthash.pe9iQe8f.dpuf

Gaynor goes with the Spartans

Ray Brewer reports that 6-foot-2 Las Vegas prep backcourter Darryl Gaynor Jr. will sign a letter-of-intent with San Jose State University on Monday.

PoP then tweeted: "Darryl Gaynor is a versatile guard with alpha male characteristics. Aggressive defender who loves to penetrate with an improved jump shot."

This is from one of Gaynor's games in mid-February in which he displayed extreme toughness.

From The Las Vegas Review Journal comes the Nevada 2014 all-state honorees.

+++++++

But why is a three star guard only generating offers from Bakersfield (WAC), Northern Arizona (Big Sky) and Florida A&M (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)? We'll make some calls to try and find out.

And forget about landing Noah Robotham. He definitely doesn't know the way to San Jose as Gaynor and Jalen James are the points on the Spartan team. As Brandon Hickey tweeted: "This is good news for Akron re: Robotham RT @Phase1Hoops: 2014 guard Darryl Gaynor of Durango (NV) has committed to San Jose State."

Oliver with 27

Adrian Oliver scored 27 points in his latest game for the Taranaki Mountain Airs.

Rokas Gustys tripping again next weekend

From Adam Zagoria: "6-8 Oak Hill F @gr8tness33 is at Tulane this wknd and Hofstra next, per @OHACoachSmith."

It's certainly looking like the high majors and some who consider themselves such have backed away. Biggest questions: does he consider himself an East Coast guy as only SJSU is out in the west?

New recruit offered

From PoP: "San Jose St. Head Coach Dave Wojcik has offered 2014 6'2 G Darryl Gaynor; Durango HS. (NV"

247Sports also lists Cal State Bakersfield and Northern Arizona as having offered.

This makes it sound like Noah Robotham either isn't coming or isn't leaning towards SJSU.

From an article two days ago: "...Gaynor, meanwhile, narrowed his choices to Cal State-Bakersfield, Florida A&M and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Durango coach DeShawn Henry said last week. Gaynor was a second-team all-state selection after he averaged 24.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a senior..."

Here's an older article from the summer of 2012.

Keep a watch out for Terrell Carter

From Dinos Trigonis, a bigtime basketball figure in the Southland:

Terrell Carter 6’8” Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Very physical and strong PF (265 lbs) that takes up much space in the paint.  Improved shooting touch and agility (lost 30 lbs over past year) makes him a valuable spring recruit.  Averaged 13.7 points, 9.7 boards and 3.2 blocks this past season. Tulane (visited), Utah State (will visit), Fresno State (will visit), San Jose State and Dayton showing interest for this national Top 150-caliber prospect.

Carter isn't 6-foot-8 and it's not clear how much more upside he has.

Brazelton position upgraded, Boyce hired

Chris Brazelton is being rewarded with a new title -- Associate Head Coach.

At the SJSU athletics staff directory page, Ed Boyce is now also listed as an assistant coach. Here's a little something about him. Here's an article when he left the prep ranks to coach at Boise State. He also seems to have some involvement in commercial real estate.

Here's a photo:

Wonder if the departed Omar Lowery might return to Cal Poly since the rumor is that Paul Fortier will be joining Ernie Kent at Washington State.

Now more schools for Huff to look at

Chris Murray has the negotiated list of schools Nevada's Cole Huff can transfer to -- it's not as severely restricted as the initial group.

Predicting next year's finish in the MWC

Keegan Pope goes crystal-balling for the 2014-15 Mountain West Conference season.

Braeden Anderson isn't mentioned for Fresno State so that's a big omission plus some teams aren't finished with recruiting.

Duruisseau decommits

Denevir Duruisseau has tweeted: "I will be de-committing from San Jose state and opening back up my recruitment."

So much for landing that 6-foot-9 high school frontcourter from the Southland. Yikes.

Robotham still deciding

David Schoen in an article about what the various prep prospects in Las Vegas are up to:

...[Noah] Robotham, the Review-Journal and Gatorade state player of the year, has a top three of Akron, Boston College and San Jose State, according to Gorman coach Grant Rice. Robotham isn’t expected to sign until next week at the earliest.

“Those are the schools he’s focused on,” Rice said. “He has a few other offers he’s kind of thinking about, but he’s not signing just because it’s signing day.”

Robotham made an official visit March 17 to San Jose State, where he would be reunited with Gorman graduate Rashad Muhammad. Robotham had an in-home visit with Akron coach Keith Dambrot last month and visited the school the weekend of March 30. Also, new Boston College coach Jim Christian recruited Robotham while he was still at Ohio.

The 6-foot Robotham averaged a team-high 16.0 points, 7.1 assists and 3.1 steals as the Gaels won their third straight large-school state title. A two-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com, he is the program’s all-time winningest player with 112 victories...

Meteorological recruiting

Rokas Gustys tweeted this on Tuesday: "Freezing and snowing outside...#notcool"

The SJSU coaching staff better be sending him the daily weather report for San Jose, CA.

Confirmation

Here's a capture of the photo atop Mike Lepore's Twitter account -- he is an assistant coach:

The Aztec and Aggie signings so far

Matthew Bain covers the reinforcements coming to the San Diego State program (reloading, not rebuilding) and then Utah State athletics writes about Coach Stew Morrill's lone signee thus far in the new signing period, an Arizona high school frontcourter. USU inked five guards earlier, four high schoolers and a JC transfer (as you'll read).

Lepore coming to SJSU hoops

Per Ben Weiximann: "Hearing #SLU DOBO Mike Lepore is heading to San Jose State to join Dave Wojcik's staff."

Plus. Brian Hank Haenchen then tweeted: "Can confirm. Just waiting for SJSU to make official."

His bio at SLU athletics:

Mike Lepore, who spent seven years as a player and staff member at Wake Forest, is in his second year as director of basketball operations the men's basketball staff.

Prior to Saint Louis, Lepore served as director of scouting/recruiting for head coach Jeff Bzdelik at Wake Forest. In that capacity, Lepore was charged with assisting with the planning an execution of unofficial and official recruiting visits, coordinating AAU event schedules, maintaining recruiting depth charts for future seasons, creating and sending mailouts to the team's recruiting database and keeping and updating team efficiency stats throughout the season.

Other titles held by Lepore at Wake include assistant coordinator of operations (2009-10) and team videographer (2011-12).

Lepore was a four-year walk-on guard at Wake Forest, playing for the late Skip Prosser and Dino Gaudio for two seasons each. In all, he appeared in 19 games during his career, including 10 his senior season in 2008-09.

A New Jersey native, Lepore was a four-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll. He gradated from Wake Forest in May of 2009 with a degree in Finance.

Here is Lepore's Twitter account.

The connection is the late Wake Forest Coach Skip Prosser. Coach Wojcik was an assistant and, as you've read, Lepore played there.

Label it a guess but it's Lepore coming to take one of the open assistant coaching positions and not as Director of Basketball Operations. The latter would make zero financial sense. With real estate prices in the Bay Area, even assistant coach would be a step down in rental accommodations vis-a-vis the St. Louis area.

Gustys to Tulane this weekend

From Drew Messmer: "2014 PF Rokas Gustys Oak Hill Academy (VA) will visit Tulane this weekend."

The young man is doing it right -- making his trips and checking out his options. Seems not to be rushed even though the official signing period begins on Wednesday.

New Mexico lands a big big

From Geoff Grammer: "The UNM Lobos have just received a commitment from junior college power forward JJ Nganga (6-10, 260) from Northern Oklahoma College"

Here's more.

Out of France, Nganga shot 47%, 30% and 64% respectively with 23 blocks in 32 games.

DJ Brown headed to San Marcos, Texas

A Compton Magic tweet: "One of Magics Finest DJ Brown has just committed to Texas State. Previously at San Jose State. Congrats to the Brown Family"

He'll be playing for second year Head Coach Danny Kaspar and guess who is an assistant coach there? None other than former SJSU assistant Talvin Hester. Texas State is a member of the Sun Belt Conference and coming off an 8-23, 4-14 season.

New Mexico in 2014-15

Geoff Grammer takes a good look at what New Mexico's roster will look like next season. It will be more than amazing if there is no fall off for the Lobos.

AO balling in Kiwiland

Murray Hills writes about Adrian Oliver and his playing in New Zealand.

Kirk heading into the NBA draft

From UNM Hoops: "Announcing today that @kingkirk53 will forgo his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft"

Coach Craig Neal will now have a large rebuilding task since Cameron Bairstow and Kendall Williams have completed their eligibility. The Lobos better recruit large in both size and quality this time around.

Note this tweet from Geoff Grammer: "without Cam Bairstow, Kendall Williams & Alex Kirk UNM will have to replace 66.1% scoring, 60.2% FGA, 50% rebounding, 80.2% blocks"

From Coach Craighead

Dear Spartan Supporters,

This is an invitation to our upcoming Women's Basketball Extravaganza on be held May 10th at 10:30 a.m. at the Villages Golf and Country Club's Fairway Room. The event will feature an elegant brunch, complimentary champagne, a wine tasting, raffle, silent auction and a “Night on the Town” drawing. Cost is $50.00 per person. While we would like you to attend, if you can't, you still can purchase raffle tickets and you don't have to be present to win. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each, 12 for $10.00 or 30 for $20.00. The raffle prizes are:

Gourmet Wine Basket

Garden Lantern

SJSU Cooler

Glow in the Dark Step Stone

Teacup Planter

Bird on a Wire Candelabra

Artisan Pizza Square

Flamingo Sculpture

Spa Basket

Globe Candle Holder

Just tell us what prizes you would like to win and we will put your tickets in that raffle prize bag.

Also available is our “Night on the Town” drawing. Prizes are gift certificates from wonderful restaurants all over the Bay Area. These certificates are from $50.00 to $150.00 in value. Cost for this drawing is $10.00 a ticket or three for $20.00.

To RSVP to the brunch, email Gayle Kludt, women's basketball ambassador, at kludtgayle70@gmail.com. Be sure and include your phone number so Gayle can call you. You can also purchase raffle and drawing tickets the same way.

All proceeds fund scholarships for the women's basketball program.

So come and join us, have a fabulous brunch, drink champagne and wine taste, win wonderful gifts and dinners, all for a most special cause, scholarships for our own women's basketball players!

Looking forward to having you join us on May 10th,

Jamie Craighead,
Women's Head Basketball Coach

The fans need not be excluded

So D.J. Brown is graduating and departing from the San Jose State University men's basketball roster.

Also, first year assistant coaches Omar Lowery and Jack Kennedy have left their respective positions.

But not at the official Spartan men's basketball headquarters.

Now granted, personnel issues can be very touchy situations and fraught with legal concerns. Procedure must be followed, or else.

But how can SJSU men's basketball fans truly feel they are part of Washington Square hoops when either no or very belated acknowledgement of what has already taken place is offered to them?

It's exclusionary, a 'thanks for your support, appreciate your donations and catch you later' point of view rather than 'you are an important part of the program and, because we appreciate it and want to acknowledge that, we will keep you up to date on happenings as much as possible and on a timely basis.'

No, this is not requesting any inside machinations or so-called dirt but rather a simple request because followers can't follow and thus will lose interest and involvement when sidelined due to an embargo of basic information.

So how those predictions turn out regarding the MWC finish and top talents?

Ah, the wretched media, those pixel-stained ne'er-do-wells. The names of the particular voters are not disclosed but here's how the beat reporters and the like predicted the 2013-14 Mounrain West Conference season finish and best players. The league's coaches didn't participate in making these predictions.

What's fascinating is that nobody envisioned New Mexico's Cameron Bairstow coming on like he did. The same for Xavier Thames of San Diego State, and the Aztecs as a whole were undervalued.

Here's what and who was envisioned:

2013-14 MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

1. New Mexico
2. UNLV
    Boise State    
4. San Diego State    
5. Utah State    
6. Colorado State    
7. Wyoming    
8. Fresno State    
9. Nevada
10. Air Force    
11. San José State    

2013-14 MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (there was a tie, hence the six names)

Anthony Drmic Jr. G/F Boise State
Derrick Marks Jr. G Boise State
Deonte Burton Sr. G Nevada
Alex Kirk Jr. C New Mexico
Kendall Williams Sr. G     New Mexico
Khem Birch Jr. F UNLV

Preseason Player of the Year: Kendall Williams, Sr., G, New Mexico

Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Josh Davis, Sr., F, San Diego State

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Kendall Smith, G, UNLV

+++++++

Here are the actual honorees as selected by a combination of the media and head coaches (why the coaches didn't participate in pre-season selections in unknown as is why there are more categories here):

Coach of the Year: Steve Fisher, San Diego State

Player of the Year: Xavier Thames, Sr., G, San Diego State

Defensive Player of the Year: Khem Birch, Jr., F, UNLV

Newcomer of the Year: Josh Davis, Sr., F, San Diego State

Freshman of the Year: Paul Watson, Fr., G/F, Fresno State

Sixth Man of the Year: Dwayne Polee II, Jr., F, San Diego State

2013-14 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

First-Team All-Mountain West

\

Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico    
Deonte Burton, Nevada
Kendall Williams, New Mexico
Xavier Thames, San Diego State   
Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming    

Second-Team All-Mountain West

Anthony Drmic, Boise State
Ryan Watkins, Boise State    
Daniel Bejarano, Colorado State    
Tyler Johnson, Fresno State    
Khem Birch, UNLV    

Third-Team All-Mountain West

Tre' Coggins, Air Force    
J.J. Avila, Colorado State    
Alex Kirk, New Mexico
Josh Davis, San Diego State    
Bryce Dejean-Jones, UNLV    

All-Defensive Team

Alex Kirk, New Mexico     .
Kendall Williams, New Mexico    
Skylar Spencer, San Diego State    
Xavier Thames, San Diego State    
Khem Birch, UNLV    
Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming    

Honorable Mention All-Mountain West

Derrick Marks, Jr., G, Boise State
Marvelle Harris, So., G, Fresno State
Cole Huff, So., F, Nevada
Hugh Greenwood, Jr., G, New Mexico
JJ O'Brien, Jr., F, San Diego State
Winston Shepard, So., F, San Diego State
Roscoe Smith, Jr., F, UNLV
Spencer Butterfield, Sr., G/F, Utah State
Jarred Shaw, Sr., C, Utah State

A bit more on the recruitment of Rokas Gustys

Via Paul Biancardi in a Twitter Q-and-A: "Physical inside. URI or Butler “@AllMetroDrew: PaulBiancardi thoughts on Rokas Gustys and where he lands? #AskCoachB”

Another tweet: "They are in there too. Agree “@pensign: @PaulBiancardi @AllMetroDrew Better not count out UAB. ;-)”

No mention of SJSU.

Anderson returning to the Bulldogs

According to The Fresno Bee, 6-foot-9 Fresno State power forward Braeden Anderson has been cleared to return to basketball activities after his recovery from a broken neck. He has the potential to be the best Bulldog frontcourter in 2014-15.

Gayle & Donna's brunch blowout

From GayleK (a big thank you goes out to Gayle and Donna for their unwavering support):

Come One, Come All! May 10, 2014 at 10:30 am Villages Fairway Room
The date is finally here for our Spring Extravaganza Women's Basketball/Spartan Foundation brunch! This brunch will feature a fabulous meal, wonderful raffle, a silent auction of exclusive gifts and treats, plus a "Night of the Town" drawing. This drawing will feature gift certificates from restaurants all around the Bay Area. Also joining us will be Gary King from Los Gatos Cellars sharing his selection of complimentary vintages at the event. Hosted by Donna Rooney and Gayle Kludt, all funds raised will be used for scholarships at the university and are tax deductible as allowed by law. The menu includes: 

BRUNCH BUFFET

Fresh Fruit

Assorted Fruit Loaves, Bundt Cakes, and Danishes

Bagels and Cream Cheese

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese

Bacon and Sausage

Cottage Fried Potatoes

French Toast

Eggs Benedict

Orange, Apple, and Cranberry Juices

Coffee and Hot Tea

Complimentary Champagne

Members of the SJSU Women's Basketball team and coaching staff will join us and attendees will see them awarded their annual participation awards.

Additionally, some of our very talented ladies will provide us with special entertainment to end the event. So mark that calendar, save the date for a wonderful meal, great prizes, and a morning of fun and friendship.

If you cannot attend, you can still purchase raffle tickets, make bids on auction items or sponsor a player. You do not need to be present to win.

Contact Gayle Kludt at kludtgayle70@gmail.com for questions or to make reservations. We are looking forward to seeing you all on May 10th at 10:30 am in the Fairway Room. Cost is $50.00 per person.

Leon Rice on his BSU squad

Leon Rice: 'Great nucleus coming back' to Boise State

Don't see a replacement for the departing Ryan Watkins -- a solid big who didn't require a certain number of touches a game to stay focused. There are possibilities but no 'proven' probabilities.

Birmingham this weekend for Gustys

Drew Champlin writes that Rokas Gustys is hitting Alabama-Birminigham (UAB) this week on an official visit. Former Cal guard Jerod Haase is the head coach there.

Tulane is next for Gustys.

Looking at 2014-15 for the MWC

New Mexico basketball beat reporter Geoff Grammer has collected some 2014-15 prognostication for Mountain West hoops and the consensus is it will be a down season collectively.

David Carter, please change your mind -- you are better than this

Geoff Grammer eviscerates the decision to limit Cole Huff's options.

A Rokas Gustys update

Rokas Gustys and his Oak Hill squad played Saturday against Montverde Academy at Madison Square Garden but fell 71-62 in a mythical national championship pairing. His quickness and athleticism were questioned as he matched up with a 6-foot-8, 225 pound opponent possessing better physical traits. Who knows but this may make teams like Rhode Island and Butler back off.

Gustys finished with six points and nine boards in 28 minutes.

He certainly plays physical.

One tweet: "Intentional foul called on Rokas Gustys for clotheslining Kelly Oubre. Looked clean, but extremely hard foul."

ntentional foul called on Rokas Gustys for clotheslining Kelly Oubre. Looked clean, but extremely hard foul. - See more at: http://verbalcommits.com/players/rokas-gustys#sthash.cZ62GoFN.dpuf

Duruisseau hasn't peaked

Not trying to be glib here but the best thing about new Spartan commit Devenir Duruisseau is that he has a higher ceiling, aka the possibility of getting get better.

90% or even more of all the recruits brought to Washington Square in men's basketball over the last decade or even longer have been what you see from them in their initial season is what you'll see in their final year types. The maximum expression of their hoops potential was attained either in high school or as college freshman. Skills weren't added or honed to any dramatic degree.

Come to think of it, this also applies to the physical domain. Whose body changed over his SJSU tenure? Who came in needing greater strength and then added 20-30 pounds of muscle?

Let's see what Rashad Muhammad and Jalen Jones display next season. If you see the same, worry.

Another offer for Robotham

From Pop: "Tennesse Martin offers 2014 6'0 PG Noah Robotham. Bishop Gorman HS. (NV)" 

Not sure why this young man isn't banging on the door at Washington Square and shouting 'let me in.'

Nevada playing hardball

From Clint Parks: "Cole Huff has been given his release from nevada to all schools outside the MWC WCC PAC 12 and teams on nevada schedule in 2014-2015"

With this decision, it sounds like Coach David Carter has given up on recruiting So Cal.

That college player's union can't come quick enough.

Chris Murray digs into this and other topics here.

Change in MWC tourney format

Matt L. Stephens reports that the Mountain West Conference is going to a 10 team league tournament next season due to SJSU's ineligibility.

Durkin with more on the APR situation

Jimmy Durkin fleshes out the SJSU APR debacle. Do have a read.

Greg Graham heading back to the Pac-12

From Hoop Dirt: "I have heard from multiple sources that Bradley assistant Greg Graham will join Ernie Kent's staff at Washington State. Graham, who is the former head coach at Boise State (2002-10) has also worked as an assistant to Kent at both St. Mary's (CA) and Oregon. The hiring will be made official any day."

Marcel Davis leaving Logan

Utah State point Marcel Davis is departing the school and basketball program.

Rokas Gustys hitting UAB

From UAB Athletics Fan: "Saw where @gr8tness33 is visiting UAB April 10-12. We could use his big body in the rotation next year!"

An brief interview with DD

Brandon Bigos/Spartan Blitz offers a short interview with Devenir Duruisseau, the latest addition to SJSU basketball.

Robotham with another offer

Via PoP: "Akron offers 2014 6'0 PG Noah Robotham. Bishop Gorman HS. (CA)"

Like the nickname the Zips. They finished 21-13, 12-6 this recently concluded season as members of the Mid American Conference.

Huff departing from the Wolf Pack

Per Clint Parks: "Cole Huff has requested his release from the University of Nevada" As a 6-foot-6 junior-to-be, he would have been the leading returning scorer.

Spartans hit with post season ban

San Jose State University has been hit with a post-season ban and reduced practice time due to a substandard academic progress rate. It's unclear if the dip is based upon the two-year or four-year numbers.

Jimmy Durkin also reports.

Not to impugn the young men who performed well academically during this time period but there was an unreal cast of characters on 2012-13 squad.