Thursday, October 31, 2013
Getting more from Moore
Kyle Goon explains that a freshman could be an important factor in Utah State's season -- his father played for the Aggies.
Looking at the BSU frontcourt
Michael Steen writes about the element he says will make or break Boise basketball in 2013-14 -- the frontcourt.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Comparing the MWC & the WAC
From the For-What-It's-Worth-Department (not a knock on KP) Mr. Analytics Ken Pomeroy has issued his 2014 pre-season team rankings and the best of the Mountain West Conference come out this way:
#17 New Mexico
#42 Boise State
#64 San Diego State
#69 UNLV
#78 Utah State
SJSU is positioned at #272
For comparison's sake, the first WAC team is New Mexico State at #90.
At the risk of repeating ourselves, we're not in Kansas anymore. It's a whole new basketball universe.
#17 New Mexico
#42 Boise State
#64 San Diego State
#69 UNLV
#78 Utah State
SJSU is positioned at #272
For comparison's sake, the first WAC team is New Mexico State at #90.
At the risk of repeating ourselves, we're not in Kansas anymore. It's a whole new basketball universe.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Zylan Cheatham picks San Diego State
Coach Steve Fisher and San Diego State is just loading up on excellent prospects and Percy Allen details another Aztec-to-be.
Get SDSU to the Pac-12 and quick what with Cheatham plus fellow prepsters Trey Kell, Kevin Zabo and Malik Pope. This will infuriate some but there's just no way the second tier Mountain West Conference programs will be able to compete. Plus, even the highest rated of these guys will play at least two seasons before serious pro consideration.
Get SDSU to the Pac-12 and quick what with Cheatham plus fellow prepsters Trey Kell, Kevin Zabo and Malik Pope. This will infuriate some but there's just no way the second tier Mountain West Conference programs will be able to compete. Plus, even the highest rated of these guys will play at least two seasons before serious pro consideration.
It's way past time for honoring former Spartan basketballers
Take a read -- a lot of valid points are made here:
Marek Warszawski
The Fresno Bee
They call it a tunnel, but it's really a bridge.
When the Bulldogs take the field Saturday night against UNLV for homecoming, they'll run through a tunnel formed by former players. Last year, 200 Bulldogs alumni made up that tunnel. This year, 300 are expected.
Down in that tunnel, Paris Gaines will look to his left and see Alan Harper. He'll look to his right and see Devon Banks. They'll look back at him, hear the roaring crowd and be transported to 2001, the last time they played together.
"I'll feel so proud and so blessed standing next to my teammates and next to guys who graduated in the '80s, the '70s, and the decades before that," said Gaines, a former 1,000-yard rusher.
"Whether we graduated in 2001 or '81, the one thing that connects us is we all put that helmet on."
That's what makes the tunnel more like a bridge, one that spans generations of players and joins them to the program and to Fresno State.
For an instant, time just vanishes.
"It's one of those moments words can't describe," said Lance Dueker, a linebacker from 1989-1991. "You're filled with chills and excitement. Brought me back 25 years."
But our bridge doesn't stop there, in the past. It also extends to current players, the guys wearing helmets and pads.
So when the 2013 Bulldogs see hundreds of jacked-up alums on the field during pregame, it's a jolt of realization that they're part of something bigger. Bigger than themselves, and bigger than the team.
Defensive end Nikko Motta, who grew up in Sanger as a Fresno State fan, understands this better than most.
Thinking about last year's tunnel, Motta recalled an encounter with his high school athletic director, ex-Bulldog Jesse Hardwick.
"Afterward he came up and loved me, smacked me on the head and was all fired up," Motta said. "That was pretty special for me. …
"Those are the guys who started this tradition. It didn't just happen. We didn't magically become good. We're just continuing what they built."
Pride and tradition are a huge part of college football, elements that can't be measured on a stat sheet. Especially to former players. The feeling of being part of something means more to them than any yards, tackles or touchdowns.
For many years at Fresno State, this bridge was out. Or at least in dire need of repair. But things have been mended, thanks in large part to a determined ex-Bulldog.
In some ways, Kevin Jordan was the ideal repairman because his career straddled Fresno State's two most recent eras. The lineman was recruited by Jim Sweeney and played for Pat Hill.
Jordan, who graduated in 2000, spent a couple of seasons on NFL rosters until multiple knee surgeries cut short his career. He returned to Fresno in 2007 to found Keeping Youth Journeying Onward, a nonprofit that operates six group homes for at-risk youths.
Back in town, Jordan kept running into ex-teammates and other former Bulldogs, and many of them shared the same complaint. They felt disconnected.
"A lot of guys just didn't feel welcome," Jordan said. "In their eyes, Fresno State was looking for money instead of just welcoming them back."
While Fresno State has honored star players and standout teams, there had never been an effective effort to include all former Bulldogs, whether they were All-Americans or walk-ons that barely saw the field.
That isn't to say no former players stayed involved. Dueker and business partner Jeff Thiesen of Thiesen Dueker Financial Consulting Group are as plugged in as any ex-'Dogs. In the '90s, they started a football alumni network that has since morphed into Club Red, now part of the Bulldog Foundation. But Dueker understands the underlying sentiment.
"When Pat Hill came in, he changed so much of what Coach Sweeney did," Dueker said. "Not in a malicious way. He was just trying to move the program forward, but a lot of guys maybe felt alienated by that. They felt a little bit less welcome."
Enter Tim DeRuyter, who replaced Hill following the 2011 season and instantly embraced all Bulldogs traditions, no matter the era.
Jordan sensed the opportunity for a fresh start, so after he and DeRuyter got to know each other (KYJO hired 11 current players in 2012 to work as summer youth counselors), he approached the coach about a plan to engage the alumni. For DeRuyter, it was a "No, duh" moment.
"I've been here 20 months — I didn't build this program," he said. "It's those players who played here over the decades that built it, and for them to feel some ownership in it and be able to be recognized and have a connection with the current guys is just a great situation. I commend Kevin and the guys he's working with for getting this going."
This is about more than back-slapping and reminiscing. Fresno State benefits, too.
Take the case of Juan Bautista, a former walk-on who went on to medical school.
Now Dr. Bautista is back practicing in his hometown. But he wasn't involved in his alma mater until last year's homecoming. In the months since, he started donating money to the BDF and gave a presentation to Fresno State's sophomore male athletes about sexual health.
"I'd go to games, but I didn't know anyone there," he said. "Now my Bulldog pride is back in a big way."
That's why Bautista and dozens of ex-Bulldogs will gather tonight at the Duncan Building and lead current players to a 7 p.m. pep rally at Bulldog Boulevard.
That's why so many are participating in Saturday's BBQ Cookoff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O'Neill Park. And that's why you'll see so many of them on the field during pregame, forming that alumni tunnel.
It's all part of Bring It Home Weekend, a second-year tradition that already feels as comfortable as old slippers.
"It doesn't matter who the coach is, because coaches come and go," Jordan said. "But the one thing you can't change is that we were all Bulldogs.
"So it's up to us to keep tradition going. Nobody else."
+++++
Here's what's taking place here:
Reconnect, Reminisce & Cheer For The Spartans
Oct. 24, 2013
Join San Jose State University Athletics and the Order of Sparta for the 2013 All-Sports Reunion at the Saturday, November 9 home football game when the Spartans host San Diego State in Spartan Stadium.
Athletes, former coaches and staff from all years and all sports are invited to reconnect and reminisce. Enjoy the chance to meet up again with former athletes and coaches in your sport over the years and your friends from other teams as well.
The All-Sports Reunion kicks off at 3:30 p.m. with a fun, family-friendly pregame tailgate located in the Fan Fiesta lot located at the corner of 10th Street and Stadium Way. The tailgate ends at 7:00 p.m. when the Spartans will march into Spartan Stadium and rally the football team to victory.
Tickets for the All-Sports Reunion are free for former San Jose State University student-athletes. There is a $25.00 per person charge for each guest. Food, drinks and a game ticket are included with your registration, but parking is not.
For more information and to make reservations, contact Amy Friedhoff of San Jose State Athletics at (408) 924-1445 or amy.friedhoff@sjsu.edu
+++++
A noble and certainly laudable SJSU event -- let's hope it will be extremely successful.
A suggestion: a basketball-only get-together for former players. The time is way past due. Let's end the could-care-less shunning.
Marek Warszawski
The Fresno Bee
They call it a tunnel, but it's really a bridge.
When the Bulldogs take the field Saturday night against UNLV for homecoming, they'll run through a tunnel formed by former players. Last year, 200 Bulldogs alumni made up that tunnel. This year, 300 are expected.
Down in that tunnel, Paris Gaines will look to his left and see Alan Harper. He'll look to his right and see Devon Banks. They'll look back at him, hear the roaring crowd and be transported to 2001, the last time they played together.
"I'll feel so proud and so blessed standing next to my teammates and next to guys who graduated in the '80s, the '70s, and the decades before that," said Gaines, a former 1,000-yard rusher.
"Whether we graduated in 2001 or '81, the one thing that connects us is we all put that helmet on."
That's what makes the tunnel more like a bridge, one that spans generations of players and joins them to the program and to Fresno State.
For an instant, time just vanishes.
"It's one of those moments words can't describe," said Lance Dueker, a linebacker from 1989-1991. "You're filled with chills and excitement. Brought me back 25 years."
But our bridge doesn't stop there, in the past. It also extends to current players, the guys wearing helmets and pads.
So when the 2013 Bulldogs see hundreds of jacked-up alums on the field during pregame, it's a jolt of realization that they're part of something bigger. Bigger than themselves, and bigger than the team.
Defensive end Nikko Motta, who grew up in Sanger as a Fresno State fan, understands this better than most.
Thinking about last year's tunnel, Motta recalled an encounter with his high school athletic director, ex-Bulldog Jesse Hardwick.
"Afterward he came up and loved me, smacked me on the head and was all fired up," Motta said. "That was pretty special for me. …
"Those are the guys who started this tradition. It didn't just happen. We didn't magically become good. We're just continuing what they built."
Pride and tradition are a huge part of college football, elements that can't be measured on a stat sheet. Especially to former players. The feeling of being part of something means more to them than any yards, tackles or touchdowns.
For many years at Fresno State, this bridge was out. Or at least in dire need of repair. But things have been mended, thanks in large part to a determined ex-Bulldog.
In some ways, Kevin Jordan was the ideal repairman because his career straddled Fresno State's two most recent eras. The lineman was recruited by Jim Sweeney and played for Pat Hill.
Jordan, who graduated in 2000, spent a couple of seasons on NFL rosters until multiple knee surgeries cut short his career. He returned to Fresno in 2007 to found Keeping Youth Journeying Onward, a nonprofit that operates six group homes for at-risk youths.
Back in town, Jordan kept running into ex-teammates and other former Bulldogs, and many of them shared the same complaint. They felt disconnected.
"A lot of guys just didn't feel welcome," Jordan said. "In their eyes, Fresno State was looking for money instead of just welcoming them back."
While Fresno State has honored star players and standout teams, there had never been an effective effort to include all former Bulldogs, whether they were All-Americans or walk-ons that barely saw the field.
That isn't to say no former players stayed involved. Dueker and business partner Jeff Thiesen of Thiesen Dueker Financial Consulting Group are as plugged in as any ex-'Dogs. In the '90s, they started a football alumni network that has since morphed into Club Red, now part of the Bulldog Foundation. But Dueker understands the underlying sentiment.
"When Pat Hill came in, he changed so much of what Coach Sweeney did," Dueker said. "Not in a malicious way. He was just trying to move the program forward, but a lot of guys maybe felt alienated by that. They felt a little bit less welcome."
Enter Tim DeRuyter, who replaced Hill following the 2011 season and instantly embraced all Bulldogs traditions, no matter the era.
Jordan sensed the opportunity for a fresh start, so after he and DeRuyter got to know each other (KYJO hired 11 current players in 2012 to work as summer youth counselors), he approached the coach about a plan to engage the alumni. For DeRuyter, it was a "No, duh" moment.
"I've been here 20 months — I didn't build this program," he said. "It's those players who played here over the decades that built it, and for them to feel some ownership in it and be able to be recognized and have a connection with the current guys is just a great situation. I commend Kevin and the guys he's working with for getting this going."
This is about more than back-slapping and reminiscing. Fresno State benefits, too.
Take the case of Juan Bautista, a former walk-on who went on to medical school.
Now Dr. Bautista is back practicing in his hometown. But he wasn't involved in his alma mater until last year's homecoming. In the months since, he started donating money to the BDF and gave a presentation to Fresno State's sophomore male athletes about sexual health.
"I'd go to games, but I didn't know anyone there," he said. "Now my Bulldog pride is back in a big way."
That's why Bautista and dozens of ex-Bulldogs will gather tonight at the Duncan Building and lead current players to a 7 p.m. pep rally at Bulldog Boulevard.
That's why so many are participating in Saturday's BBQ Cookoff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O'Neill Park. And that's why you'll see so many of them on the field during pregame, forming that alumni tunnel.
It's all part of Bring It Home Weekend, a second-year tradition that already feels as comfortable as old slippers.
"It doesn't matter who the coach is, because coaches come and go," Jordan said. "But the one thing you can't change is that we were all Bulldogs.
"So it's up to us to keep tradition going. Nobody else."
+++++
Here's what's taking place here:
Reconnect, Reminisce & Cheer For The Spartans
Oct. 24, 2013
Join San Jose State University Athletics and the Order of Sparta for the 2013 All-Sports Reunion at the Saturday, November 9 home football game when the Spartans host San Diego State in Spartan Stadium.
Athletes, former coaches and staff from all years and all sports are invited to reconnect and reminisce. Enjoy the chance to meet up again with former athletes and coaches in your sport over the years and your friends from other teams as well.
The All-Sports Reunion kicks off at 3:30 p.m. with a fun, family-friendly pregame tailgate located in the Fan Fiesta lot located at the corner of 10th Street and Stadium Way. The tailgate ends at 7:00 p.m. when the Spartans will march into Spartan Stadium and rally the football team to victory.
Tickets for the All-Sports Reunion are free for former San Jose State University student-athletes. There is a $25.00 per person charge for each guest. Food, drinks and a game ticket are included with your registration, but parking is not.
For more information and to make reservations, contact Amy Friedhoff of San Jose State Athletics at (408) 924-1445 or amy.friedhoff@sjsu.edu
+++++
A noble and certainly laudable SJSU event -- let's hope it will be extremely successful.
A suggestion: a basketball-only get-together for former players. The time is way past due. Let's end the could-care-less shunning.
Friday, October 25, 2013
The Wolf Pack are big on the frotnline this season
Chris Murray assesses the five talents making up Nevada's frontcourt this season. Each has different strengths and weaknesses but all are true bigs. Let's see if a scorer emerges.
New Mexico basketball is bigtime
College Sports Madness has New Mexico as the 16th best team this season. The Lobos come to Walt McPherson Court on January 11.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Underclassmen Ford hitting SJSU
That's 5-foot-11 2016 sophomore Jordan Ford out of Folsom High. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.3 assists as a frosh.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Geoff Grammer previews the Spartans
Geoff Grammer previewed the 2013-14 San Jose State Spartans and a number of Coach Wojcik quotes are sprinkled throughout. One example:
“Year three for me in my mind is what I’m targeting.”
Monday, October 21, 2013
Utah State with another backcourter
Utah State sure is stocking up on guard types for next season -- per Verbal Commits: "2014 Miami Dade College (FL) G Darius Perkins has committed to Utah State"
He tripped to Logan the weekend of October 12-13 and is known as a very solid scorer with excellent shooting range.
The 6-foot-2, 205 pound Perkins had academic troubles last season and was unable to play as of January. This article has him back for the 2013-14 season.
So that makes four USU commits thus far for the November signing period -- all backcourters:
* Henry Bolton, 6-foot-1, combo guard, Rhode Island HS
* Julion Pearre, 6-foot-2, SG, Texas HS
* Chris Smith, 6-foot-4, SG/SF, Yuba College
* Darius Perkins, 6-foot-2, CG, Florida JC
As for next season (2014-15), the Aggies are projected to have junior Marcel Davis as the starter at the point, with 6-foot-4 JoJo McGlaston either as a sophomore or a redshirt freshman. Plus, there are other fringe sort of prospects.
He tripped to Logan the weekend of October 12-13 and is known as a very solid scorer with excellent shooting range.
The 6-foot-2, 205 pound Perkins had academic troubles last season and was unable to play as of January. This article has him back for the 2013-14 season.
So that makes four USU commits thus far for the November signing period -- all backcourters:
* Henry Bolton, 6-foot-1, combo guard, Rhode Island HS
* Julion Pearre, 6-foot-2, SG, Texas HS
* Chris Smith, 6-foot-4, SG/SF, Yuba College
* Darius Perkins, 6-foot-2, CG, Florida JC
As for next season (2014-15), the Aggies are projected to have junior Marcel Davis as the starter at the point, with 6-foot-4 JoJo McGlaston either as a sophomore or a redshirt freshman. Plus, there are other fringe sort of prospects.
Carter in Cyprus
.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
How does an opposing coach compete with this?
From Mark Ziegler:
How doesSJSU and others compete with this for the hearts and minds of recruits?SDSU and New Mexico don’t play until February, but they are already going head-to-head. Both schools are finalists for four-star forward Zylan Cheatham, who has already visited SDSU and was in Albuquerque this weekend.Cheatham’s visit coincided with New Mexico’s Midnight Madness festivities, called the Lobo Howl and attended by 10,000-plus. People waved “Z” signs and chanted, “We want Z.” Fans also showed up at his hotel upon his arrival.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
SJSU in on a 2015-er
Per Lester Diaz: "Jordan Roberson is 6'4 "has high interest from San Jose State, Portland, Irvine, UOP, Utah State, medium Fullerton, Cornell"
Northern Arizona has already offered.
Roberson is a 2015 guard out of Cordova High in the Sacramento area.
Northern Arizona has already offered.
Roberson is a 2015 guard out of Cordova High in the Sacramento area.
Friday, October 18, 2013
If Boise basketball can do it...
Jeff Eisenberg covers the rise of Boise State basketball.
A snippet from the opening:
SJSU fans have literally gone to their graves waiting for a successful Spartan basketball program (notice the use of the word program and not season although when was the last one there?)
Those still remaining are wary of getting hopes up because such has been dashed and crushed so many times. Once, twice, thrice burned...
It's understandable.
It's reasonable.
Plus, Boise didn't have the spectre of Cal and Stanford plus a plethora of professional teams casting any 'competitiors' into the shadows.
But yet, I still believe SJSU hoops can become a successful program, meaning one that commands attention for more than a floor design plus national respect. No, making it to the Final Four is not part of the dream -- let's be real.
A larger recruiting budget has opened up territory, and thus talents, previously unavailable.
An assistant coaching staff, one that has an aptitude and respect previously off limits due to salary offerings, is in place.
We have a head coach who sees defeat as unacceptable.
The most honest way to put matters now is that San Jose State University men's basketball has a chance, unlike ever before.
A snippet from the opening:
...Rice walked onto the court for Boise State's season-opening exhibition game against UC-Colorado Springs three years ago and discovered that cavernous 12,500-seat Taco Bell Arena was nearly empty. The announced crowd that night was 1,599, but Rice doubts there were even half that many fans in attendance.There's just so many things to comment on.
"You could hear crickets," Rice said. "You could have fired a cannon in there and you wouldn't have hit anybody. I have three sons, and one of my sons said to me, 'Oh dad, there's nobody here.' I told him, 'Just hang in there. We're going to get it going. We'll have an amazing fan base.'"
SJSU fans have literally gone to their graves waiting for a successful Spartan basketball program (notice the use of the word program and not season although when was the last one there?)
Those still remaining are wary of getting hopes up because such has been dashed and crushed so many times. Once, twice, thrice burned...
It's understandable.
It's reasonable.
Plus, Boise didn't have the spectre of Cal and Stanford plus a plethora of professional teams casting any 'competitiors' into the shadows.
But yet, I still believe SJSU hoops can become a successful program, meaning one that commands attention for more than a floor design plus national respect. No, making it to the Final Four is not part of the dream -- let's be real.
A larger recruiting budget has opened up territory, and thus talents, previously unavailable.
An assistant coaching staff, one that has an aptitude and respect previously off limits due to salary offerings, is in place.
We have a head coach who sees defeat as unacceptable.
The most honest way to put matters now is that San Jose State University men's basketball has a chance, unlike ever before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)