SJSU basketball thoughts and musings

So we have a new men's basketball coach and now only time will tell us what we have.

Jean Prioleau is someone who is smart, likely the only D1 coach with a degree in physics.

He appears verbal and engaging, a rarely seen combination exhibited by SJSU hoops coaches.

Prioleau is entering into a good situation. Unlike the majority of new hires, the roster he is inheriting isn't depleted (that sound you just heard are fingers being crossed).

Can he get this group to perform effectively as a team on defense? There isn't anyone who is currently a plus man-to-man defender although Brandon Clarke and Oumar Barry can help in erasing mistakes. The team's record doesn't get better if the defensive outcome remains the same.

This is critical considering SJSU's struggle to score points and shoot efficiently. So conversely, who is ready and capable of stepping forward and being the creator when the offense doesn't create a good look? Which players can be counted on to consistently score inside, be effective mid-range and from long distance?

Will a plus point guard emerge? If it isn't Nai Carlisle then major trouble looms ahead. Lights some candles for his emergence. Target a point as one member of this coming season's recruiting class. It's unlikely St. Francis guard Logan Johnson is coming to Washington Square so how about Jamal Hartwell out of Fairfax High in Los Angeles?

The do-or-die element, as it is for all coaches, is can Prioleau recruit? That is, bring in a higher potential level of prospect than SJSU has previously signed? Because, without that element, all other positives will be for naught.

It's impossible to determine Prioleau's involvement in the recruitment of the higher level prospects who were lured out of southern California to Boulder. We're not talking blue-chippers or five star talents but still those with pro potential. Hopefully, he was a major factor. Can Prioleau mine southern California effectively as well as increase the Spartan presence in northern California. If so, success on the hardcourt may finally be realized. If not...

So will the recruiting budget be increased? Can the number of out-of-state scholarships be increased? The athletic administration and the school president must add to the amount here. Now is not the time for the status quo.