Grieves to the East Bay

Former SJSU backcourter Nick Grieves, a two-year walk-on, is now at Cal State East Bay, a DII school in Hayward.

The new frontcourter

Word is that Frank Rogers, out of Salinas High, Cabrillo College (as a freshman) and then USF is joining the San Jose State University team. His departure from another DI school should mean he will be redshirting the 2013-14 year. Not sure if Rogers is walking on or being scholarshipped by the Spartans.

At 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, he played in 28 games at just under nine minutes a contest, averaging 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds an outing in his sole season on The Hilltop. He shot 43% from the floor and 52% at the free throw line.

Possessing good mobility, Rogers is more of a faceup rather than a back-to-the-basket four and can help if utilized as such. Don't expect a banger.

A telltale sign

Four players out of the Mountain West Conference were selected in last night's NBA draft -- none from the Western Athletic Conference.

LINK

The 2015 class is getting mucho attention

Gamepoint Basketball tweeted: "2015 PG Justin Simon picked up an offer today from San Jose State University."

The 6-foot-4 point guard also has offers from San Diego of the West Coast Conference and UC Irvine of the Big West Conference. He is out of Corona, CA.

Below is some 2012 video:

Hazzard generates Spartan offer

From Josh Gershon: "San Jose State has offered 2015 Los Angeles Loyola (CA) G Max Hazzard"

Spartan Roundball posted about Hazzard and SJSU earlier.

A 2015 prospect of interest

A Jamie Shaw tweet: "Trevor Anderson 6' PG '15 @TripleJoint says San Jose St is now in contact"

Cal Poly has already offered and he's done an unofficial visit at North Carolina Charlotte.


Here's a March 2012 report on the young man.

Here's another early look.

Yet another: "Kennedy Charter HS (Charlotte, NC) – Anderson holds an offer from Cal-Poly and is a point guard with a very high ceiling. Extremely good in a high octane transition game, he is fast enough to play at the elite level, has a great handle in traffic and is deadly with the look-ahead pass. A true point."

The time has come to do this

May SJSU replicate this.

From Lipscomb University athletics:

New Lipscomb men’s basketball coach Casey Alexander wants to win basketball games, but he also wants to unite former players, alumni, fans and students behind his program.

Alexander made strides in bringing the former players together with a luncheon Sunday afternoon in the Hall of Fame Room at Allen Arena. Approximately 50 former players, representing teams from the late 1940s to the NCAA Division I era were in attendance. “The whole intent of this lunch was really to share the message for you guys to know that whether you played here one season, four seasons, on the NAIA National Champions, or only played on the freshman team like my Dad did, you are a Bison,” Alexander said to the former players. “It doesn’t matter what era you played in.

“We need every one of you to be a part of this program. We want every one of you to be a part of this program. We want you to know that you are expected here, invited here, wanted here, loved here and celebrated here.”

Alexander, who called Lipscomb athletic director Philip Hutcheson the first day the job was open, stressed  the main reason he wanted to coach Lipscomb was the quality of the people past and present that are a part of the program.

“I know what this group means,” Alexander said. “I also know what the ones who aren’t here, that we need to get back here, can do for us. We have to all do our part to make sure everybody knows we are all here for the same purpose, headed in the same direction and headed for big things.”

Alexander mentioned players from several decades. George McIntosh and Hardeman Herndon represented the 1949 team. Miles Ezell, Howard Johnson and Lee Marsh were present from the 1950 team. John Henderson and Bob Mason were part of the 1951 team.

There were also several members of the Charlie “Tiger” Morris era teams from 1956-66.

Some of the NCAA era players present were James Poindexter, Michael Lusk, Eddie Ard, Corey King, Ryan Roller, Cam Robinson, Ron Sarver and Russell Hankins.

Alexander also welcomed Andy McQueen, the all-time 3-point scorer for the Bisons. He couldn’t resist jokingly referring to the results of a Lipscomb-Belmont game.

“Andy is single-handedly the guy responsible for giving me a career high in points in a Belmont-Lipscomb game in 1995,” Alexander said. “I didn’t have a single game in my high school or college career where I scored 20 or more points in a game. But in that game, when Andy didn’t guard me I had 30. And I didn’t score any points in the game before that or the game after that.”

Alexander pointed to the 1951 team that beat Vanderbilt and also credited the players that helped make the transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division I.

Alexander added that any time there is a transition in coaches it is difficult. Alexander has his assistant coaches in place. The main job for them right now is to find players to fill out the roster for the 2013-2014 season.

“Our players have been incredibly receptive,” Alexander said. “We are off to a good start. But it is going to be hard. The biggest thing we all need to know is that as much as we want it to happen right now we are going to have to have some patience to do it the right way.

“The most important thing right now is that we don’t cut corners. We know absolutely the route we have to take. We have done it before. We know how to make this work. We have to really be steadfast in that approach.”

Alexander wants everyone to be proud of the product as well as the results.
“There won’t be any compromise with that,” Alexander said. “The product is what leads to the results.

“When we intentionally go out and find players that understand what Lipscomb is all about, that want to be a part of what Lipscomb is all about and that celebrate what Lipscomb is all about we are going to have a much better chance to win games. I want to let you know without any reservation that you can be assured we are going to represent you guys the best we can every step of the way.”

Former Lipscomb basketball player Richard Taylor, a member of the 1986 NAIA National Championship Team, introduced Alexander. Allen Banks, also a former player, closed out the presentation following Alexander’s talk. Roger Idstrom, associate head coach, provided the opening prayer.

The luncheon ended with a prayer circle surrounding Alexander and his assistant coaches led by former players John Pierce, the all-time scoring champion in the history of college basketball, and Steve Davidson, a former player and Lipscomb’s director of spiritual outreach.

“I really appreciate Andy Lane and Richard Taylor working together to initiate this event on such short notice,” Alexander said. “We had a great response from our former Bisons.

“This group made our program what it is today and we want to acknowledge their significant contribution.  Their contribution is valued here.  We need them to stay active in this program and help us make a difference for our current players and those yet to come.”

The UNLV Rebels

Here's a look at the UNLV Rebels in 2013-14.

Coach Dave Rice has a load of newcomers coming in and some definite talents returning so the primary question is can he meld together a smooth-working blend? One of many keys to this goal will be who on the UNLV squad will accept and perform in the blue collar dirty work roles.

Three of the top four Rebel scorers are not returning so those spots are open for the filling. Bryce Dejean-Jones was a double figure scorer last season but needs to shoot more accurately and efficiently. Pay attention to see if a working pecking order develops as the season goes on.

Do also watch for 6-foot-9 sophomore Khem Birch, especially as an shotblocker and intimidator in the middle. He should be the next Rebel heading to the Big Show once he displays a more formidable and varied offensive array.

Let's see what Connecticut transfer Roscoe Smith can do. He's 6-foot-7 as is JC transfer Jelan Kendrick. Both could be very solid scorers.

Some say that guard Katin Reinhardt's transfer to USC is a big loss but that is potentially and not based on what was on display last season.

If enough of the players accept the roles they are assigned, then the Rebels will be tough. If selfishness erupts, then...

The Utah State Aggies

Here's a look at the Utah State Aggies in 2013-14.

One of the usual rulers of the Western Athletic Conference roost, it will be fascinating to see how Coach Stew Morrill's guys adjust to the move to the Mountain West Conference.

One of the most important keys will be the consistency of center Jarred Shaw and how often he can win his positional battle each game.

Guard Preston Medlin is aces and will remain the top scorer and best talent for the Aggies.

Wing Spencer Butterfield is simply irrepressible -- a double-double of some sort waiting to happen, powered by sheer will and smarts.

Freshman forward Jalen Moore and guard JoJo McGlaston are the top prospects in the 2013 recruiting class but will still need adjustment time. McGlaston has physical talents never before seen in a USU guard but he'll need to learn to play in a very methodical system offensive system, one predicated on carrying out individual responsibility in running a called out play.

Another interesting key will be can Ben Clifford continue his quality contributions at the same level of his WAC tenure?

To each of USU's conference opponents who haven't been an opponent in The Spectrum, have fun.

No team can have the collective number of injuries that waylaid various Aggies last season, right? So here's predicting an upper division finish for Stew Morrill's squad.

The San Jose State Spartans

Here's a look at the San Jose State University Spartans in 2013-14.

It's difficult for most to even offer a sense of what to expect from Coach Dave Wojcik's squad in the coming season since very little remains and so many new players have been added. The link above is a solid listing of signees plus the new coaching staff so credit is due there.

The Spartans are going to be led on the floor by freshmen Jalen James and Rashad Muhammad. The other signees are, at least at this point, complementary types and role players and in Seinfeldian mode, there's nothing wrong with that.

Forward Chris Cunningham will certainly help upfront -- he's probably maxed out his potential as he enters his senior season (as he has already redshirted a year) but maybe Wojcik and Company can draw even more efficiency from him.

Lumps will be taken, especially early on so it will be important to see how the 'kids' respond. James and Muhammad will develop into winning their positions nightly but it will be critical for at least two of the frontcourters to perform similarly sooner rather than later. Freshman center Matt Pollard can achieve that in time so patience with him will be necessary.

New recruiting target for SJSU

A Jamie Shaw tweet: "Ikenna Smart 6'10 F @ikennasmart says Buffalo and San Jose are now in contact"

Smart is  a member of the Team Loaded squad out of Richmond, Virginia during spring and summer. He currently attends New Garden Friends School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He will be a senior this coming school year.

From a June 20, 2013 post:

Ikenna Smart 6’10/210
New Garden Friends (Greensboro) – Team Loaded NC
Looks the part. Long with wide shoulders and runs, no glides up and down the court. Has a good motor and defends and boards at a very high level.

Like other Spartan recruit Ore Agundade, Smart is Nigerian.

Below is video of Smart (not sure of the date of this filming):

Figuring out the scholarship status of each Spartan

So besides D.J. Brown, Jaleel Williams, Chris Cunningham and Mike VanKirk as returnees to the San Jose State University men's basketball program, official school announcements have been posted on:

* Devante Wilson

* Matt Pollard

* Brandon Mitchell

* Isaac Thornton

* Jalen James, Rashad Muhammad

All of these press releases came before the conclusion of the NCAA signing period on May 21.

After that date, no official announcements can be issued until the student-athlete is actually enrolled in school.

As for the rest: 

Andrew Young is in limbo, awaiting an NCAA ruling on his status to play DI in 2013-14.

Missing are Miles Martin, Dylan Alexander and now Rae Jackson.

So this means Martin and Alexander are walk-ons (this was already known about Alexander but Martin's commitment came when the NCAA signing period was in effect and no press release was forthcoming from SJSU).

Jackson's status (on scholarship or walk-on?) is still to be determined and hopefully that can be determined prior to the start of classes.

An NCAA signing clarification

Saw this on a JC transfer coming into Cal Poly and thought the clarification was significant:

"...Bolden said he committed to Cal Poly on a campus visit the last week of May, which fell outside the NCAA national letter of intent signing period and prohibits the university from introducing him until he enrolls..."

So it's apparently wait until the fall for formal notice unless a signee in this type of timeframe begins his college matriculation in summer school.

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/06/19/2552172/bolden-rises-commits-to-cal-poly.html#storylink=cpy

Another guard on the way

Learned this week that El Cerrito High and Oakland Soldier backcourter Rae Jackson will be coming to SJSU after all. He's 6-foot-2 and earlier attended Rodriguez High in Fairfield before coming down to the East Bay.

Here are two cut-n-pastes from an earlier article around the time of his transfer:

"...El Cerrito Head Coach Michael Booker says of his future point guard, "Rae has many strengths but I think his greatest strength is his triple threat ability. Rae has the ball handling skills needed to drive to the basket and finish strong with either hand, he has the ability to shoot his jump-shot off the dribble, spotting up or coming off screens and he has the court vision to find and pass to teammates for easy scoring opportunities...."

"...I think Rae has the ability to play collegially at the division one level," says Booker. "I think that Rae at the next level would immediately help any program in need of a point guard/basketball player. Rae is a good student who meets all the requirements to attend a four year college, he is a good teammate, his skill level and basketball IQ is very good. He can defend his position and he understands a team defensive system. More importantly, he understands how to use his strengths to help his team succeed..."

Below is a 2012 Jackson highlight tape:



Back in January, Jackson gave a verbal commit to SJSU but that was with the previous coaching staff:

Whether Jackson is scholarshipped or is following in the footsteps of Dylan Alexander is still to be determined.

Also hearing that another forward -- no not the inimitable James K -- might be in the mix but haven't nailed that down so don't take it to the bank.

More on Andrew Young, Part II

It's interesting reading the message board posters at Inside Sparta hash out the pros and cons of acquiring the services (if such a thing happens) of 6-foot-8 Andrew Young.

Having seen Young play when he was a sophomore at Monterey Peninsula College, my forecast is Young will be on the court for 25+ minutes a game for SJSU. He can score inside, rebound adequately and also possesses superb passing vision, a talent put to good use when he was double and triple-teamed as a Lobo. Young is strong and physically ready to face the Mountain West Conference challenge.

Currently, it's looking like Chris Cunningham is the only big on the roster remotely ready for MWC action as Mike VanKirk, Miles Martin and Matt Pollard will all need more time. A second big (even a third for a few minutes) will be necessary. Young's availability also means another set of five fouls would be available and that's a critical component.

Plus, some fans are a bit over-the-top regarding Cunningham's rebounding numbers as what needs to be remembered is he had virtually no teammate competition inside for caroms coming off the glass. This is not any sort of a knock, just an observation.

Although he has yet to detail his plans, a solid guess is Wojcik will go with a starting lineup of one big and four smalls a la Boise State. But the Spartans cannot succeed with just a single frontcourter.

Here's hoping the NCAA in its often bizarre wisdom gets this one right.