Daily Dose

Nor Cal Basketball

high school, JC & university basketball news

Search across all blogs:

  • Home
  • Daily Dose
  • Premium Content – $
  • Subscribe

Also view my recent “Premium” Posts

June 2, 2017

by Kevin McCarthy

Starting April 22, 2019, Nor Cal Basketball will switch to an intermittent publishing schedule during the off-season and post feature articles about players, teams and coaches in this Daily Dose area. To be notified each time this website is updated with a new article during the off-season, if you are not already a subscriber, join our new email list by clicking this link. Old subscribers will remain on the our email list unless you request to be removed.

Read Daily Dose articles below… ↓

»  Top
Posted in administration

Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 12, 2021

April 12, 2021

Jon Rothstein: “Columbia transfer Gabe Stefanini has committed to San Francisco, per his Instagram page.”

Jon Rothstein: “Duke transfer Patrick Tapé has also committed to San Francisco, per the Instagram post below. Big AM for Todd Golden and the Dons.”

Sean Paul: “And yep, Tapé appears to be joining Stefanini. Two major adds for Todd Golden, a lot of fun connections here. Tapé & Gabe played at Columbia together — and Golden was an assistant at Columbia (not at the same time those two attended the school though)”

Stefanini is 6-foot-3, 210 while Tapé is 6-foot-10, 220. The former sat out last season due to injury and the Ivy League didn’t participate in 2020-21 but he averaged 13.8 points and 4.1 assists as a sophomore. The latter also sat out two seasons ago because of an injury and played little in 2020-21 with Duke as a grad transfer.

Then, Kevin Sweeney: “A great day for San Francisco continues as the Dons add big man Yauhen Massalki, a transfer from San Diego. Averaged 9.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 10 games this year at San Diego.”

Massalki is 6-foot-10, 245 and from Belarus who played in 10 games this season with five starts and at 22.5 minutes per contest.

The Dons need greater productivity at the five spot and it appears that need has been filled. Stefanini will be a major plus.


San Joaquin Delta Men’s Basketball: “We are proud to announce that Dillon Autrey has committed to CSU East Bay. Dillon averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds in 2019-2020″

The 6-foot-8 Autrey is also out of Calaveras High will be playing for Bryan Rooney, one of the best coaches and human beings in and out of sports.


Yaru Harvey has de-committed from Eastern Washington. Will he follow Shantay Legans and head to Portland? He’s 6-foot-2, currently at the Southern California Academy and formerly of Sheldon High.


Harold R. Kuntz: “Can confirm former BV Northwest and Mizzou player Parker Braun is headed to Santa Clara. Chose the WCC school over Oklahoma and Creighton.”

Braun is a 6-foot-8, 220 sophomore.


6-foot-4 shooting guard Kane Milling is moving from Nevada to UC Davis. link

Over half of his 104 shots were beyond the arc with 37% accuracy.


Jeff Goodman on Thursday: “Arizona interviewed Damon Stoudamire today and will interview Miles Simon tomorrow, source told @stadium. No decision has been made yet on a successor to Sean Miller. Gonzaga associate head coach Tommy Lloyd is also in the mix”


Jake Lieberman: “SIUE transfer Philip Pepple tells me that he has heard from Cal Baptist, San Jose State, Eastern Michigan, UIC, Boston U, Northern Arizona, and Cal State Fullerton since entering the portal. 6’10 big who averaged 7.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG this season.”

The Spartans need major help upfront and Pepple Jr. has intriguing potential. He played in four games with three starts and 24.7 minutes an outing. His 10 shot blocks is impressive.

Jake Lieberman: “Pacific transfer Broc Finstuen tells me that the following schools have contacted him since entering the portal: Montana, Montana State, San Jose State, Idaho, UT-Martin, North Dakota, NDSU, UMKC, UMass Lowell, SIU. Averaged 11.2 PPG and 5.7 RPG.”

Finstuen is a 6-foot-4 senior.


“Norcal Players Who Have Entered the College Transfer Portal” Carson Cook, Simply Basketball


“Barret Peery Moves To Associate Head Coach Position At Texas Tech” Portland State athletics

The Vikings job is open once again — will anyone from northern California be in the running?


“Matthew Dellavedova‘s return has given Cleveland the backup point guard it has been lacking all season, Fedor writes in a separate story. Dellavedova, who missed 47 games due to a concussion, whiplash, and an emergency appendectomy, is averaging a modest 2.3 points and 5.5 assists through four games, but his plus-minus rating is at plus-29 in 70 minutes. “Delly really does a great job of playing with his brain,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He understands how to set the table for other people. His game isn’t based on himself. When your game is based on the team and making your teammates’ job easier, it makes … your comeback a little bit easier.” – Arthur Hill


“Our Coach Should Still Be Our Coach” Jordan Coffin

For far too many, the Confederacy never ended.


“NCAA Tournament fall didn’t kill referee Bert Smith. It saved his life.” Greg Doyel

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

The Known Knowns and the Unknowns of Tim Miles

April 9, 2021

Quick hitters on Tim Miles, the new San Jose State University head coach:

The Proven

  • Miles will change his team’s on and off court culture for the better
  • Miles’ squad will play hard-nosed and physical – cue Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down”
  • Miles will become a Bay Area media darling, that is, IF any entity in the Bay Area is compelled to cover Spartan basketball
  • Miles will perform as the ringleader in outreach and interaction with fans and students
  • Miles’ enthusiasm will be a critical positive factor in prospects wanting to come play at SJSU
  • Miles has the personal wherewithal to begin an overall change in the perception of San Jose State University hoops
  • Whichever administrators are currently the actual major domos in the SJSU athletics department FINALLY ponied up solid money for this hire to happen.

The Unknown Elements Requiring Further Time and Then Evaluation

  • Regarding the individuals Miles hires as assistants — what, if any, plus skill(s) will each hire bring?
  • Regarding early-on media recruiting reports about the prospects Miles is pursuing – will they indicate he has raised the talent bar for SJSU?
  • Regarding Miles’ initial recruiting class – will the signees be prospects also pursued by quality programs elsewhere, including fellow Mountain West Conference members, or the usual leftovers?
  • Has the program budget been increased as well as the salaries for the aforementioned assistant coaches?
  • A legitimate concern is the hiring of someone fired from his previous job (Nebraska), a school possessing far greater basketball program resources than SJSU (but albeit in a much, much tougher league)
  • Another important concern is why the hiring of someone minus Bay Area/northern California ties and recruiting connections? Miles went 0-16, 4-12, 7-9, 9-7 and 8-6 in league while at Colorado State and then the 5-13, 11-7, 5-13, 6-12, 6-12, 13-5, 6-14 with Nebraska. As his records indicate, Miles’ recruiting success was sporadic and he must develop consistency in order to first achieve and then maintain success at SJSU

The mantra from here on out bears memorizing and repeating:  Want to be viewed as a first class entity? Act first class. Pay first class. Fund first class.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

Jon Rothstein: “Sources: UC Santa Barbara’s Joe Pasternack has signed a five-year contract extension. Has led the Gauchos to four straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history.”

Life in Goleta is very good for the former Cal assistant. Curiously didn’t see his name appearing for the current Arizona opening.


Jake Lieberman: “Seattle U transfer Darrion Trammell tells me that he has heard from the following: USC, Georgetown, Colorado, Iowa State, Oregon State, Washington State, St. John’s, +. Averaged 20.5 PPG this season.”


6-foot-5 Ryan (Hanford High) Johnson of College of the Sequoias has started the season strong with 18.6 points and 8.2 rebounds a game while shooting 46%, 35% and 78% respectively. In nine games and eight starts, he is playing 27.2 minutes a contest.

Fascinating athletic history as he started out as a quarterback at San Jose State University.


“Warriors Sign Gary Payton II To 10-Day Deal” Luke Adams

If the Warriors take a tumble, how about then signing Gary Payton for a brief one game appearance? Understand that respecting the game is foremost but what a memory that would provide to the family and fans.


Law Murray: “Malik Fitts earned praise for his willingness to combine strong shooting with an ability to step up defensively in the G League bubble. Now he’s expected to join the Clippers after being with them in training camp.”

The 6-foot-8 former St. Mary’ Gael is stepping up.


Chris Murray on the San Jose State University hire of Tim Miles: “The grade: A- —My first thought when hearing Miles was SJSU’s new head coach was, “Tim Miles must really like pain.” Miles has taken on a number of reclamation projects during his coaching career, none as big as SJSU. This marks Miles’ six head-coaching job, including stints at Mayville State (an NAIA school), Southwest Minnesota State (a Division II school), North Dakota State (which he transitioned from Division II to Division I), Colorado State (which went 0-16 in MW play in his first season) and Nebraska (one of the Big Ten’s toughest jobs; had 13 straight non-winning conference seasons prior to Miles being hired). There appears to be no rebuild Miles won’t take on. And boy, oh, boy is SJSU a reclamation project. The Spartans have had only one winning season in the last 27 years (and that was a 17-16 campaign in 2010-11). It has one NCAA Tournament berth in the last 40 years. And since moving to the MW in 2013, the Spartans are 52-183 overall and 20-122 in conference play. Good luck, Coach Miles! Miles is a proven program builder, although it’s worth nothing he had only had four above-.500 conference records in his combined 12 seasons at Colorado State and Nebraska where he went a combined 80-126 in league play. I attribute that mostly to situations he inherited. Bottom line is Miles is a good coach who is a perfect fit for SJSU as somebody who is used to digging his program out of the basement, creating enthusiasm in the fan base (something the Spartans sorely need) and has experience in the MW, where Miles coached for five seasons, lifting Colorado State from 0-16 in conference play in season one to the NCAA Tournament in season five before leaving for Nebraska. This doesn’t mean SJSU is going to win big under Miles. That’s a gargantuan task. But Miles has as good a chance as anybody SJSU could have hired to turn this thing around.”

A thought: Somewhere (hopefully in the Bay Area), an AD will come to realize that CCSF’s Justin Labagh’s success with the Rams will transfer to the D1 ranks. It doesn’t take bravery, just conviction.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 7, 2021

April 7, 2021

Don’t know what’s wrong with me but my vote for the most exhilarating component of Baylor’s victory over Gonzaga goes to the Bear  perimeter defense. Those guys played physical, applying consistent pressure. Any coach wishing to illustrate what he requires defensively from his guards simply needs to play the championship game tape.


“Arizona confirms men’s basketball coach Sean Miller is out after 12 years” Bruce Pascoe

Very thorough explanation here — the epitome of assistants falling on their swords for the person in charge, the decision maker.


5-foot-11 Freshman guard Darrion (St. Ignatius/CCSF) Trammell is departing Seattle. His 20.5 points, 123 assists and 45 steals led the Redhawks.

Gonna have to rent a hall to have room for all his suitors.


Michael Steadman: “I’m excited to announce I will be playing my last year and completing my graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts”

Out of James Logan High followed by CCSF, he has played S1 ball at San Jose State University and Montana.


6-foot grad transfer Keith (San Ramon Valley High/VMI) Smith is departing Cal Poly where he was playing for John Smith, his uncle. He averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds with 90 assists versus 45 turnovers. In 23 games and 22 starts, he played 25.9 minutes a contest. while shooting 36%, 29% and 77% respectively.


Chico State Men’s Basketball: “Signed! Miles Daniels 6’2 Guard De La Salle High School … Miles is coming off a 24-8 season where he averaged 14ppg, 4apg, and 4rpg on his way to a 1st Team All-EBAL and 2nd Team All-Bay Area selection.”


Chris Holley: “Signed and ready to roll!”

Holley is a 6-foot-2 point heading to play for Coach Brian Katz at Sacramento State. He was offered in mid-March.


Verbal Commits D2: “2021 Los Angeles Valley College (CA) G Justin Hill has received an offer from Cal State East Bay.”

Hill is 6-foot-3 and played at Antelope Valley College as a freshman averaging 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 44%, 36% and 60% respectively.


“Boys BB Primer: Top All-State Players” Ronnie Flores

10 northern California talents make the list.


“JUCO Spotlight | Gavilan Rams” Simply Basketball


“Have Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets Unlocked Each Other’s Potential?” Dan Devine


Formerly on the coaching staff of San Jose State University, Donald Williams is assisting College of Southern Nevada Head Coach Russ Beck. CSN is a community college based in Las Vegas.

»  Top
Posted in players, recruiting, teams

Tim Miles to Spartanville

April 5, 2021

About Tim Miles

Really? Did anybody call this one? Show of hands? Liars.

So who is he? Why was he hired? Let’s dig into the known.

The financial elements of his San Jose State University contract are presently unknown (and critical to understanding the hire) but Miles’ loquacious, sometimes snarky personality is a definite departure from the norm, and a plus. To his credit, he is well-lauded for connecting with fans and the community in previous positions.

Also, since his departure from Nebraska, Miles has worked as a color commentator on college games while also offering offering various takes on twitter and podcasts (Inside the Mind of Miles).”

Here’s a 2014 article that provides insight on his personality. An excerpt: After a poor effort by his Cornhusker team in February 2015, Miles locked his guys out of the locker room (an action he later apologized for but you have to appreciate).

After landing the job at Colorado State, Miles offered, “We have rebuilt three college programs from the ground up and made them nationally competitive in a matter of just a few years. How? We work to create an environment around our team which develops a sense of purpose. We nurture a culture of accountability, hard work, and togetherness.”

Miles’ coaching résumé

(conference records being the most telling)

Mayville State Comets (NDCAC) (1995–1997)

  • 1995–96 Mayville State 17–11 9–3 1st NAIA–II First Round
  • 1996–97 Mayville State 18–11 10–2 1st NAIA–II First Round
  • Mayville State: 35–22 (.614) 19–5 (.792)

Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Northern Sun) (1997–2001)

  • 1997–98 SW Minnesota State 16–11 7–5 3rd
  • 1998–99 SW Minnesota State 16–11 7–5 3rd
  • 1999–00 SW Minnesota State 18–10 12–6 4th
  • 2000–01 SW Minnesota State 28–7 17–1 1st NCAA D-II Elite Eight
  • Southwest Minnesota State: 78–39 (.667) 43–17 (.717)

North Dakota State Bison (North Central) (2001–2004)

  • 2001–02 North Dakota State 11–15 5–13 8th
  • 2002–03 North Dakota State 20–11 9–7 4th
  • 2003–04 North Dakota State 16–13 8–6 3rd

North Dakota State Bison (Independent) (2004–2007)

  • 2004–05 North Dakota State 16–12
  • 2005–06 North Dakota State 16–12
  • 2006–07 North Dakota State 20–8
  • North Dakota State: 99–71 (.582) 22–26 (.458)

Colorado State Rams (Mountain West) (2007–2012)

  • 2007–08 Colorado State 7–25 0–16 9th
  • 2008–09 Colorado State 9–22 4–12 8th
  • 2009–10 Colorado State 16–16 7–9 5th CBI First Round
  • 2010–11 Colorado State 19–13 9–7 4th NIT First Round
  • 2011–12 Colorado State 20–12 8–6 4th NCAA Division I Round of 64
  • Colorado State: 71–88 (.447) 28–50 (.359)

Nebraska Cornhuskers (Big Ten) (2012–2019)

  • 2012–13 Nebraska 15–18 5–13 10th
  • 2013–14 Nebraska 19–13 11–7 4th NCAA Division I Round of 64
  • 2014–15 Nebraska 13–18 5–13 12th
  • 2015–16 Nebraska 16–18 6–12 11th
  • 2016–17 Nebraska 12–19 6–12 T–12th
  • 2017–18 Nebraska 22–11 13–5 T–4th NIT First Round
  • 2018–19 Nebraska 19–17 6–14 13th NIT Second Round
  • Nebraska: 116–114 (.504) 52–76 (.406)

Miles interviewed at California in March 2019 (Mark Fox hired), talked with Wyoming in March 2020 (Jeff Linder hired), and ‘supposedly was involved’ this year with New Mexico (Richard Pitino hired), although he denies any interaction regarding the Albuquerque opening. This article says differently.

His starting salary as a Cornhusker: “Miles was given a seven year contract starting at a base salary of $1.4 million with a guaranteed minimum raise per year of $125,000.”

His buyout from Nebraska: $2.52 million. It began in March 2019 running through this month and consisted of a monthly $105,000 check.

When Miles started at Colorado State in 2007, he hired this trio of assistants: Niko Medved, Mark Amaral and DeMarco Slocum. Medved is now the well-regarded head coach at Colorado State, Amaral assisted at Pepperdine, UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly and is now an associate head coach for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association and, coming over from UNLV, Slocum just landed back at Utah as an assistant, a position he held for eight years under former Ute coach Larry Krystkowiak. Craig Smith, Miles’ Director of Basketball Operations, just took over the head coach position at Utah. That right there is an impressive coaching tree.

Questions

It’s curious and a bit concerning Miles hasn’t been pushing all that often to be hired since his time in Lincoln ended in 2019 but a monthly check for over $100k is quite the unemployment soft landing.

Why hire someone whose coaching ties are strictly in the Midwest? Do watch both for Miles’ selection of assistants and initial pair of SJSU recruiting classes as new coaches can ‘sell’ immediate playing time to prospective recruits alongside the opportunity to forever be known as the guy/guys who turned around a forsaken program. Two immediate solid recruiting seasons will be telling (and necessary) while so-so classes early on will be indicators that more of the same old-same old will be in store.

Where at the major level (Colorado State and Nebraska) has Miles demonstrated an ability to land the level of recruits necessary to annually compete with the top tier of teams in conference?

Why hire someone who enjoyed inconsistent success at his last program (Nebraska) before being let go (52-76 in his Big 10 Conference tenure)? The Cornhusker administration provided him with the necessary resources to compete.

At SJSU, Miles isn’t earning anywhere near even his starting salary at Nebraska. In fact, he won’t be making a million a season. So will the fire-in-his-belly be roaring?

In summary, Tim Miles’ Spartan tenure won’t be boring. It’s a lock that a lot more attention to details will be displayed by his new players as will a greater emphasis on defensive effort be visible but will he be successful where so many have failed? We’ll have a large portion of that answer in a mere 12 months.


Patrick and Croy

So what happened to the candidacies of David Patrick and Rick Croy? The details of Miles’ contract will tell us a lot.

Both are previous interviewees for the Spartan head coach position so SJSU administrators already possessed a solid sense of each applicant. The feeling out element during the formal interview process wasn’t necessary. Financials, though always critical, likely played a major role in how the hiring process ultimately played out.

However, both Patrick and Croy are currently in solid situations, albeit Patrick is an assistant coach.

Regarding Patrick: “New University of Arkansas assistant basketball coach David Patrick is guaranteed $1 million in total financial compensation if he stays on the job for two seasons.

Patrick, who was head coach at California-Riverside the previous two seasons, has a two-year contract at Arkansas with an annual financial package of $400,000. His contract also includes a $200,000 retention bonus if he remains employed by Arkansas through the end of the 2021-22 season, including all tournament games. The bonus will be paid by April 30, 2022.”

As for Croy, his contract figures are private. Cal Baptist plays in a new 5,050 seat Events Center and the average attendance at Lancer games, 3,090, was bested in southern California only by San Diego State, UCLA and USC in 2020.

Miles is taking a big pay cut to get back into the college coaching ranks (the so-called handwriting was on his wall) but the odds are great he will still cost more than Patrick or Croy were requesting. Very interesting.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, recruiting, teams

Sean Paul and then Jon Rothstein says it’s Tim Miles

April 5, 2021

Sean Paul: “Source: Tim Miles appears to be the choice at San Jose State. If it can happen that’s a home run hire for a program that’s struggled heavily.”

Then, Jon Rothstein: “Sources: Tim Miles is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach at San Jose State. Official announcement expected in next 24 hours. Former head coach at Nebraska and Colorado State.”

Tim Miles Wikipedia page.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Brianne Fleming: “Shots of the year: 4. Johnson & Johnson 3. Moderna 2. Pfizer 1. Suggs”

It was a helluva shot but she’s gotta be a Zag fan.


Wow, Gonzaga and UCLA … a game for the ages, period. Entering the matchup, could UCLA create enough good looks and score enough to keep it close? … when is the last time a UCLA team wanted to run down the clock and play slower than an opponent? … similarly, when was the last UCLA team so active and aggressive defensively and better on defense than offense? … Gonzaga can be amazingly quick up the court and Coach Mark Few’s crew also offers impressive help defense and double teams … both teams played ultra-unselfishly … how many, if any, NBA impact players were on the floor Saturday? Saw some guys who will help NBA teams but …


Luke Avdalovic: “It’s go time.”

Out of Vista Del Lago High and Northern Arizona University, he’s a 6-foot-5 redshirt junior shooting guard who averaged 10.5 points in 2020-21 while shooting 46%, 44% and 81% respectively and now he is a Pacific Tiger.


6-foot-4 junior shooting guard Matt Bradley is transferring from California. He averaged 18.0 points plus 4.6 boards this past season.


Santa Clara Men’s Basketball: “WELCOME to Santa Clara, Danilo Djuricic.” He a 6-foot-8, 215 Harvard transfer who did not play in 2020-21 due to the season cancellation by the Ivy League. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.3 boards the previous year.


6-foot-8 Jack André of College Prep Academy is headed to Chico State.

Brandon Cole: “This is personal for me…when he FaceTimed me and told me I almost cried. I’ve coached Jack and known his family since 8th grade. He’s always wanted to go to @ChicoState_MBB For him to be able to do so means the world. It all paid off Jack! All the extra work. Congratulations!”

He’s is out of Jesuit High.


Osiyah Sellers: “Extremely Blessed to receive an offer from UC Riverside!”

Formerly of Modesto Christian, the 6-foot-5 2022 guard is now at the Southern California Academy and possesses seven other offers.


Derrick Claxton: “Blessed to receive a division 1 offer from UC Riverside”

He’s a 6-foot-6 2022 guard at Inderkum High and also owns an offer from Northern Illinois.


“Norcal Standouts At WCE League of Legends”


Team Select April 10-11 Spring Tip-Off
EVENT WAIVER:
(ALL SPECTATORS & PARTICIPANTS MUST FILL OUT WAIVER)
CLICK HERE FOR EVENT WAIVER

EVENT ADDRESS:
2 Private Gyms / Antioch CA

Pre Game Requirements
Online waivers to be filled out before the game.
Temperatures will be taken before entry.
Teams will be grouped and enter together 10 min prior to the game.
Teams will be assigned a holding area before the game for gear etc.
Masks required up until on court for players.
All Spectators must wear masks.
Masks must be worn correctly covering both mouth and nose. NO EXCEPTIONS Everyone MUST leave stands after each game.
Benches/Stands will be sanitized after each game
Please read and distribute Scrimmage Game Policies

CONTACT:
Ruben Garcia / 925) 367-3912
info@TeamSelectBasketball.com
www.TeamSelectBasketball.com
“Foundation for Excellence; On the Court, In the Class Room, In Life”
Sincerely,

Team Select / Lady Select
info@TeamSelectBasketball.com
www.TeamSelectBasketball.com
925) 367-3912

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

A little more SJSU

April 3, 2021

The Coaching Changes twitter feed on April 2 posted: “Is San Jose State really a division one program?” 

Not sure what the tweet references — the long term Spartan basketball program win-loss record or how the latest coaching search is unfolding — but, yes, another heap of national disrespect.


San Jose State University announced Jean Prioleau’s departure on Friday, March 12. Today, it’s Saturday, April 3.

On a daily basis, the best of a tidal wave of D1 transfers are being signed. Similarly, coaches and community college and high school recruiting prospects are cementing relationships or moving forward in the development stage.

Do the SJSU powers-in-charge have any sense of recruiting’s critical timeliness? Or is their secret plan to lure Roy Williams out of retirement?

Will whoever is finally hired yet again get nailed with the situation of writing off his first season because of the tardiness of his hire?

Want to be viewed as a first class entity? Act first class. Pay first class. Fund first class.


Coaching Changes posted on March 15: “San Jose State has a pool of names in the mix that included Dave Rice, Earl Watson, Marvin Menzies, Steve Lavin and Kurtis Townsend.”

Then, Hoop Dirt put this up on March 29: “San Jose State: Interviews starting here this week as well. Names that I’ve heard: Rick Croy (head coach Cal Baptist), Chris Jans (head coach New Mexico State), Marvin Menzies (former head coach New Mexico State and UNLV), David Patrick (associate head coach Arkansas / former head coach UC Riverside), Eric Reveno (associate head coach Georgia Tech / former head coach Portland), and Rex Walters (assistant coach New Orleans Pelicans / former head coach at San Francisco and Florida Atlantic).”

Even at the time, the March 15 possibilities looked like a pick a name out of a hat contest. The sole serious candidate from the five turned out to be Marvin Menzies. From the March 29 candidates, it HAS to be either Croy or Patrick. Either one makes the most sense. Now about the dollars…


An excerpt from Chris Murray’s Mountain West Conference 2020-21 season team rankings: “San Jose State (F+): The Spartans finished ninth in the 11-team conference but had the league’s lowest KenPom ranking at No. 333 (one spot behind Air Force). SJSU went 5-16 overall and 3-13 in MW action with coach Jean Prioleau being fired after the season (he went 8-62 in conference games during his tenure). The Spartans beat only three D-I teams this season, and those came in a row from Jan. 23-30 (two wins over Air Force and one over New Mexico). SJSU was outscored by 15.6 points per game, the worst mark in the conference.”

Is taking on the Spartan position the ultimate definition of heavy lifting?

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 2, 2021

April 2, 2021

6-foot-8 Jonathan Komagum is heading from UToledo to Sacramento State. link

Out of the UK, he played in 26 games/eight starts this past season averaging 8.9 minutes a contest as a junior.


6-foot-9 redshirt junior and grad transfer Tydus (Manteca High) Verhoeven is leaving from UTEP. He originally played at Duquesne. link

He averaged 4.9 points plus 4.4 rebounds this season while shooting 63% overall and 62% at the foul line (no trey attempts) in 24 games/starts and 24.6 minutes a contest.

“Verhoeven was UTEP’s best rim protector and anchored the frontcourt’s defense…”


“Arizona Wildcats’ James Akinjo makes it official: He’ll test NBA waters” Bruce Pascoe


Verbal Commits D2: “2020 City College of San Francisco (CA) G Dale Currie has received an offer from Academy of Art. Two years to play.”

Currie is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 10.8 points per game (on a team with seven player scoring in double figures) while shooting 43%, 35% and 72% respectively. He also produced 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2,2 steals to each outing.


According to this site, there is a full time Men’s Basketball Head Coach opening at Fresno City College.


6-foot-7 senior Kaden (Chico High/Cañada College) Bradley of Cal State Dominguez Hills is featured here.


Sacramento State Men’s Basketball: “Former Hornet Joshua (Sierra High) Patton (2015-20) is off to a huge start in his pro debut with BIPA Odessa of the top league in Ukraine. In 4 games, Patton is averaging 22.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.0 blocks while shooting 67% (35-52) from the field.”


Cal State University Dominguez Hills MBB: February 15 – “Where are they now?” Justin Standley played for the Toros from 13-15. The Oakland native then served as an assistant coach under Coach Becker. Coach Standley is now the Head Coach at his alma mater McClymonds High School.”


“Oscar Frayer’s mom, nephew to walk in his place during GCU graduation” Richard Obert

“Remembering Oscar Frayer | Hometown Hero Loved By All” Carson Cook


“Prep sports FAQ: Basketball season begins around the Bay Area  For some teams, games can begin as early as April 5 but others won’t start until mid- or late-April” Evan Webeck


Catching up on…

6-foot-8 junior Andre (Lincoln High-Stockton) Kelly averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 29 games/22 starts and 25.9 minutes this season for California. He shot 59% and 59% (no made treys in three attempts).

6-foot-5 sophomore Deon (Roosevelt High/UTEP) Stroud finished second in scoring for Fresno State this season with 12.2 points alongside 3.7 boards while shooting 48%, 36% and 61% respectively. He entered 23 games, enjoyed 16 starts and played 23.1 minutes a contest.

6-foot-3 junior Junior (Modesto Christian/Cal Poly) Ballard tallied 7.2 points and grabbed 2.6 rebounds each time out this season as a Fresno State Bulldog and shot 35%, 34% and 68% respectively. He averaged 25.3 minutes an outing in 25 games/19 starts.

6-foot-8 senior Shawn (Fremont High/Saddleback College) Stith scored 7.3 points while grabbing 3.5 boards as a member of the Cal State Bakersfield squad. He shot 52%, 33% (1-3) and 69% respectively and participated in 21 games/16 starts and 21.4 minutes per contest.

6-foot-7 San Diego State sophomore Keshad (San Leandro High) Johnson averaged 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 24 games,and 13.4 minutes a night. He shot 45%, 33% and 55% respectively.

6-foot-10 junior averaged Miles (CCSF) Norris scored 9.2 points and corralled 3.6 boards for UC Santa Barbara while shooting 50%, 38% and 43% respectively. In 13 games, 12 starts, he averaged 25.3 minutes a matchup.

6-foot-10 UC Santa Barbara senior Robinson (Modesto Christian) Idehen averaged 6.1 points plus 4.7 rebounds in 13 games/2 starts and 13.1 minutes an outing. He shot 71% and 56% and didn’t attempt a three-pointer.


Wednesday

Ryan (Hanford High) Johnson led with 25 points and added nine rebounds, Amil (Moreau Catholic) Fields provided 18 points, Ayo (Woodside Priory) Aderoboye totaled 16 points and Mohammed (Monterey High/Fresno City College) Adam filled the stat sheet with 10 assists, nine boards and eight points as College of the Sequoias bested Cerro Coso College 84-57.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

The latest on the San Jose State University opening

March 30, 2021

So Hoop Dirt has the latest: “San Jose State: Interviews starting here this week as well. Names that I’ve heard: Rick Croy (head coach Cal Baptist), Chris Jans (head coach New Mexico State), Marvin Menzies (former head coach New Mexico State and UNLV), David Patrick (associate head coach Arkansas / former head coach UC Riverside), Eric Reveno (associate head coach Georgia Tech / former head coach Portland), and Rex Walters (assistant coach New Orleans Pelicans / former head coach at San Francisco and Florida Atlantic).”

Our questions for the serious candidates:

  • The first question to pose is ‘why would you be successful where all others have failed?’
  • What is the overall culture you want to develop, why and how will you implement it?
  • What will be the skill sets/abilities of your assistants?
  • What will you implement to improve recruiting and why will that work?
  • What will you do to better retain players once they arrive on campus?
  • What style(s) will you play offensively and defensively, and why?
  • What are the steps you will take to create program credibility in the community?
  • What are the steps you will take to sell the program internally (to students and professionals on campus)?
  • In the first month after being hired, what will you have accomplished in building the desired relationships with local and regional HS and JC coaches as well as the better travel teams in northern/southern California?

Our Nor Cal Basketball reactions:

We’ll begin by re-posting sentiment expressed about a different program seeking a new head coach from a recent Adam Zagoria tweet but one applicable to SJSU hoops: “If Fordham continues to hire traditionally, then they’re going to traditionally suck,” one local coach said.”

Quick hit: Rick Croy should absolutely be interviewed and considered.

With passion and preparation, Croy succeeds wherever he coaches, whether that be at a community college, a pair of D2 programs or with a trio of D1 schools.

Croy began his coaching career as an assistant at UC Riverside, moved over to Concordia University, then went back to the Highlanders as Head Assistant Coach before landing the top job at Citrus College. During his 2005-2010 tenure at Citrus, he went 130-35, winning a state championship in 2008, earning a Final Four finish in 2010 and notching league championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010 while posting a 92-9 overall record in those seasons. This with a program that enjoyed but one 20 win season in 16 prior years. 13 of his players moved on to the NCAA Division I level with 97 percent (36 of 37) moving on to four-year schools.

He then joined Coach Randy Bennett and St. Mary’s as Head Assistant Coach as well as academic liaison in 2010. After three years in Moraga, he was hired at California Baptist University of the PacWest Conference in April 2013 and led the Lancers to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament every season and an overall 132-29 record before CBU transitioned to D1, joining the Western Athletic Conference in 2018. Croy is 50-33 at the D1 level.

In this past season, the Lancers shot 48% from the floor and 40% from three-point range (to 44% and 34% for opponents). His squad out-rebounded opponents 37.3 to 32.8 and delivered more assists, 393 versus 309.

A graduate of Northgate High in Walnut Creek, Croy matriculated at San Francisco State and maybe the most important of all of his credentials is sporting endorsements from multiple Bay Area basketball luminaries including Randy Bennett, Frank Alloco, Chris Mullin, Bob Myers, Garry St. Jean and Bill Duffy. That’s an influential list.

Croy’s coaching career (HC unless noted):

  • 1999–2001 UC Riverside (asst.)
  • 2001–2002 Concordia (CA) (asst.)
  • 2002–2005 UC Riverside (asst.)
  • 2005–2010 Citrus College
  • 2010–2013 St. Mary’s (asst.)
  • 2013–present California Baptist

Quick hit: There is no reason to hire Marvin Menzies – wrong person, place and time.

Menzies prospered with five straight 20 win seasons at New Mexico State and went 103-37 in conference before he left for UNLV and proceeded to go .500 overall plus and 23-31 with the Runnin’ Rebels in three seasons. Additionally, he will turn 60 in October. How is a coach going to win at SJSU if he cannot succeed with better resourced UNLV? Why would there be any, let alone enough, fire remaining in his belly to pull the Spartans out of a decades long miasma?


Quick hit: Chris Jans is simply radioactive.

Jans has won everywhere he has coached — his on the court success is undeniable. However, his misbehavior is 2015 causing him to be fired as head coach at Bowling Green University is a five-alarmer. Plus, his nine seasons as an assistant at Wichita State under former Shocker leader Greg Marshall also generates concerns. SJSU is already facing various allegations involving a former trainer sexually assaulting student-athletes. Remember the saying about a ten-foot pole?


Quick hit: David Patrick possesses three major plusses in his portfolio and, yes, deserves very strong consideration.

  • a very successful 2006-2010 stint as an assistant at St. Mary’s
  • generating momentum with the UC Riverside program. In 2018-19, he went 10-23 overall but more critically posted a 4-12 Big West Conference record, followed by 17-15 and 7-9. This in an atmosphere where the campus administration is considering the elimination of D1 athletics.
  • a track record of landing recruits from the Bay Area, plus talents out of both Australia and New Zealand

The current Highlander roster (thanks to Patrick) contains six Aussies and three New Zealanders. SJSU desperately needs a recruiting ‘in’ and Patrick would bring just that.

Patrick also landed 6-foot-9 Arinze (Bishop O’Dowd) Chidom when the latter left Washington State after his sophomore season (SJSU made no contact despite Arinze being from Oakland). Chidom averaged 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 47%, 39% and 56% for UC Riverside respectively this season and earned First Team All Big West Conference honors. 6-foot-4 Honorable Mention selection teammate Zyon (College Park High) Pullin averaged 12.1 points, 4.9 boards and dished out a team best 99 assists while shooting 48%, 40% and 80% respectively.

Additionally, Philadelphia 76er Ben Simmons is Patrick’s godson and maybe, just maybe, would contribute financially to the cash poor  Spartan program.


Quick hit: Eric Reveno just hasn’t displayed any reasons why he would be successful at SJSU when so many other have failed.

Reveno achieved success with 19, 21 and 20 win seasons after two rough years beginning at Portland but that was followed by five losing seasons prior to being let go. He couldn’t sustain the momentum and finished 140-178 overall and 60-96 in the West Coast Conference.


Quick hit: Two college coaching tenures and two sets of mediocre results define Rex Walters so no thanks.

Walters has enjoyed two college head coaching stints, going 31-33, 18-18 at Florida Atlantic followed by 126-125 overall at USF, 63-65 in the West Coast Conference. Here’s Steve Kroner/San Francisco Chronicle in a 2016 article:

“Too many players left the USF program under Rex Walters, but the breaking point for USF and its head coach likely resulted from his merely breaking even over eight seasons…

…Walters’ tenure was marked by an inordinate number of players leaving the program before their eligibility expired.

The two most notable instances: after the 2011-12 season, when six players transferred, and in November 2013, when senior point guard Cody Doolin quit the team after a fight with Derksen in practice…”

In his favor, he was raised in the South Bay.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 29, 2021

March 29, 2021

“Memorial Fund: Oscar Frayer & Andrea Moore-Frayer“


“Modesto’s Central Catholic boys basketball assistant coach (Matthew Quillen) dies of cancer” Julian A. Lopez


“Arizona State lands Robert Morris transfer A.J. Bramah“ Adam Zagoria

“AJ Bramah transfers to Arizona State” Austin Bechtold


“Fortuna’s (Thomas) Nelson out of NCAA tournament” Mario Cortez

Thomas Nelson is a 6-foot-3 junior attending Flagler College (FL).


“3/24/21: (Jordan) Ratinho Adjusts to BBL Life | 2/19/21: Ratinho with a big night for the Sheffield Sharks…” Hilltop Hoops Bulletin Board

Ratinho is out of De La Salle and USF.


“WILDCAT OF THE WEEK (BRENNAN) WHEELER MAKING SURE HE SEES THE SUNSHINE” Luke Reid

Wheeler is out of Ponderosa High.


On March 19, 6-foot-4 senior Dempsey (Redwood High) Roggenbuck scored 31 points and grabbed six rebounds as his Linfield College squad fell to George Fox 106-102. The next night produced a major reverse as Roggenbuck provided 28 points in Linfield’s 100-74 route of George Fox.

On March 26, Linfield pounded Warner Pacific 112-78 with Roggenbuck busting out for 33 points (12-16, 3-6, 6-6 shooting) in just 24 minutes. In the same pairing the next day, Linfield edged Warner Pacific by one, 79-78, with Roggenbuck tallying 22 points.


Catching up on…

6-foot-3 junior Souley (Oakland Tech/USF) Boum led UTEP this season with 18.8 points and a team best 34 steals alongside 3.7 rebounds while shooting 38%, 39% and 81% (160 attempts) respectively. In 34 games/starts, he played 34.1 minutes an outing.

6-foot-8 UTEP redshirt senior Bryson (Roosevelt High/Fresno State) Williams averaged 15.1 points plus a team high 7.1 boards in 24 games/starts and 31.4 minutes a contest. He shot 48%, 28% and 84% respectively.

6-foot-9 redshirt junior Tydus (Manteca High/Duquesne) Verhoeven provided UTEP  with 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 24 games/starts and 25 minutes and outing. He led the Miners with 21 blocked shots and shot 63% and 62% (no three-point attempts).


Friday

6-foot-5  sophomore Ryan (Hanford High) Johnson tallied 22 points and added seven rebounds in the College of the Sequoias 97-51 victory over Cuesta College.

6-foot-7 sophomore Kody (Mt. Shasta High) Baumann scored 34 points in the College of the Siskiyous 107-88 victory versus Feather River College.


The 2021 Feather River College roster:

  • Peyton Schneringer G SO 6’2″ 180 Chico, CA / Pleasant Valley
  • Patrick Parkes Jr G FR 5’11” 180 Las Vegas, NV / E. Career Tech Academy
  • Damon Woods G FR 6’0″ 170 La Jolla, CA / Esondido
  • Brandon Scott G FR 6’5″ 190 Chicago, Il / Bishop Noll Institute Academy
  • Jakarri Lindsey G FR 6’4″ 180 Oakland, CA / McClymonds
  • Jake Rick G So 6’5′” 180 Quincy, CA / Pleasant Valley High School
  • Dewitt Bullock PF FR 6’8″ 220 Sacramento, CA / Rio Americano
  • John Fox Jr. F FR 6’5″ 215 Las Vegas, NV / Sierra Vista
»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Portland gets it right, SJSU moseys along

March 27, 2021

With University of Portland hoops and San Jose State University (SJSU) basketball ranked similarly in the 2020-21 season (around 320ish overall) and each in similar long term quagmires, the Pilots nabbed a rising head coach sporting an aura of major mojo and tangible accomplishments.

John Canzano: “UP talked with 17 candidates, per AD Scott Leykam. Official interviews with four. (Shantay) Legans accepted the job today. It’s four years with an option in year No. 5.”

Below is Will Maupin writing about the Legans hire and the options available when teams at or around the Portland level are seeking a new head coach:

“From my perspective, having watched Legans’ teams fairly closely over the past few seasons, this is a great hire for the Pilots. He has a track record of success at the mid-major level, as both an assistant and head coach. His Eagles played a phenomenally fun style of basketball — against the slow-as-molasses Saint Mary’s Gaels, Eastern put up 75 points in a five point loss in Moraga.

After a five season run that put the Pilots firmly in the West Coast Conference cellar and saw the team become incapable of building rosters with much talent, a young, fun head coach is just what the doctor ordered to remedy the situation in the Rose City.

Bringing in a new head coach alone isn’t enough to change the situation in Portland. There needs to be a change in culture along with the change in coach. Based upon how quickly Legans went from coaching in the NCAA Tournament to taking the Portland job — less than 48 hours! — I have to believe he sees something good at Portland…

…To me, this is right up there with LMU’s hire of Stan Johnson, BYU’s hire of Mark Pope and Pacific’s hire of Damon Stoudamire as one of the best I’ve seen in my seasons covering the league. Not just because of the guy they hired, but because of the situation the program was in and the direction they chose to go from there.

Teams at this level have a few general options when making a hire.

…You can go out and get a free agent former high-level coach, as Santa Clara did with Herb Sendek, Pepperdine did with Lorenzo Romar, and LMU did with Mike Dunlap. The thing is, those former high-level coaches are free agents for a reason, whatever success they once had dried up at some point. Could they be good again? Absolutely. However, those three programs have achieved at essentially the same level as they had under their previous head coaches.

Or, you can go out and grab a young up and comer as LMU did with Johnson, BYU did with Pope, Pacific did with Stoudamire and Portland has done with Legans. All three took a program that was down, relative to the league or its own standards, and turned things around. Yeah, we’ve only got one year of Johnson so far, so it’s way too soon to know how it pans out, but the early returns are very strong…”

In the last iteration, SJSU hired an assistant but not necessarily an individual described as an up-and-comer.  He wasn’t in demand anywhere else. There was no talk, let alone concrete examples, about changing the culture. Even chatter of an exciting style of play was absent.

So does Legans-to-Portland increase pressure on the Spartan brain trust? The short answer is no.

That’s because:

  • the odds are favorable at least a few members of the Spartan hiring committee would likely mistake Legans for the latest lead on “The Bachelor.”
  • One of the major figures in the hiring process is said to be pushing for a soon-to-be 60-year-old as the program savior — afternoon naps now to be de rigueur.
  • How does a culture changer get hired when too many residents in the current culture are beset with delusions of grandeur regarding the viability for success in the men’s basketball program?
  • The last selection of a SJSU head basketball coach produced someone who finished 8-62 in Mountain West Conference play and with the same ‘experts’ in charge…
»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 26, 2021

March 26, 2021

“College basketball star from Oakland dies in Central Valley car crash” Amy Graff

It’s not any consolation whatsoever but Oscar Frayer took to the court last week in The Big Dance.


AJ Bramah: “UPDATE: I appreciate every University that took their time to recruit me. These are my FINAL 4 schools and I will be committing on Friday March 26.”


Just Hoops: “Southland conference freshman of the year (@Sam Houston State) Bryce Monroe has entered the transfer portal averaged 10.1 points a game and 2.8 assist a game also shot 33% from 3.”

Just Hoops: “Sam Houston State transfer Bryce Monroe tells me that Seattle U, UC San Diego, and San Diego have reached out to him since he entered the transfer portal earlier today.”

Jake Lieberman: “He only entered the portal yesterday, but Sam Houston State transfer Bryce Monroe tells me that a decision is coming soon. Washington State, USD, UCSD are involved. Was named Southland Freshman of the Year.”

The 5-foot-11 guard is out of Archbishop Riordan.

UPDATE: “Bryce Monroe Transferring to The University of San Diego” Carson Cook


Jon Rothstein: “Source: Tommy Kuhse is returning to Saint Mary’s next season and will exercise an additional year of eligibility. Significant WCC news.”

The 6-foot-2 Kuhse scored 17 points and dish out 11 assists in the last game of the season for the Gaels. Overall, he averaged 12.8 points plus 3.7 boards alongside team highs of 121 assists and 61 steals. The redshirt senior shot 41%, 28% and 80% respectively in 24 games/starts and at 35.8 minutes an outing.


West Coast Elite: “6’0” G Cameron Walker of Turlock (2021) has committed to Arizona Christian University!”


Simply Basketball: “One of the top unsigned point guard in NorCal is off the board! Jason Cibull (Alameda HS) has committed to Holy Names!”

Cibull is 5-foot-11, out of Alameda High and headed to play for Coach Dan Eberhardt.


“Magic trade Aaron Gordon to Nuggets for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a first-round pick” Dario Skerletic

Denver’s elevation should aid Gordon’s elevation, not that he needs it.


“Pistons send Delon Wright to Kings for Cory Joseph, two second-round picks, per report” Sam Quinn

Wright played at City College San Francisco.


Marquese Chriss is now a San Antonio Spur but remains out for the season with a broken leg.

An excerpt:”It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Warriors try to bring him back next offseason.”


“CHIWIKE E’DENCHUKWU TABBED CAL PAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK”


“USF offers 2021 6’11” C Sebastian Forsling (RIG Mark, Sweden)…” Hilltop Hoops


“Bethel High grad (Chase) McMillian relishes playing in March Madness” Thomas Gase


Bob Padecky: “How local Asian Americans are still dealing with racism”


“Growth Mode: How Mondays Have Become the Key to Gonzaga’s Success” Greg Bishop


“UCSC basketball coach Ron DuBois takes leave of absence; Sam Walters named interim” Jim Seimas

A great guy, let’s hope he’s back on the sidelines soon.


Catching up on:

6-foot-3 redshirt junior Joey (Marin Catholic) Calcaterra averaged 13.3 points and 3.1 rebounds this season while shooting 42%, 38% and 87% respectively. He played in 12 games with 10 starts and at 29.9 minutes an outing.

FYI: Jerry (Sacred Heart Cathedral/Fresno State/Santa Clara) Brown is an assistant coach at San Diego.


UC Merced is 3-0 on the season with two victories over La Sierra 92-79 (6-foot-9 junior Kinglsey (Alameda High) Obiorah totaled 19 points plus 13 boards) and 88-82 (Chiwike (Salesian Prep) E’denchukwu played extra large with 26 points and 14 rebounds) and the latest a 75-52 defeat of Pacific Union College (E’denchukwu totaled 16 points and 10 boards).

Pepperdine bested Longwood 80-66 in the CIT on Monday as redshirt junior guard Jade’ (St. Joseph Notre Dame) Smith produced 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. On Tuesday, the Waves topped Bellarmine 82-71. Coach Lorenzo Romar’s squad won the CIT Wednesday with an 84-61 defeat of Coastal Carolina as Smith provided 11 points, four boards, three assists and a trio of steals.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

It’s David Patrick if he decides to say yes

March 23, 2021

Arkansas Associate Head Coach David Patrick will be the next San Jose State University head coach, if he decides to accept the position.

He currently enjoys a $400,000 Razorback base salary with a number of built-in performance-based incentives. Patrick was earning $261,000 as head coach at UC Riverside, his previous employer.

One likely influential issue is Patrick receiving a $200,000 retention bonus if he remains as a Razorback through the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, including any Arkansas NCAA tournament games.

Another probable concern for Patrick is the differential in housing prices. The median home price in Fayetteville, Arkansas is $220,000 whereas it’s $1.2 million in Silicon Valley.

Patrick also interviewed back in 2017 for the Spartan head coach position but wasn’t selected.

He departed from Riverside amidst concern that the Highlanders athletic programs might be downsized, if not eliminated.

Having assisted St. Mary’s Coach Randy Bennett from 2006-10, Patrick is well-versed with West Coast basketball and is known as a top  recruiter with excellent connections in Australia.

Arkansas faces upstart Oral Roberts on Saturday as part of the Sweet 16.

Here is his University of Arkansas biography.

Below is Patrick’s record as UC Riverside head coach:

  • 2018–19 UC Riverside 10–23 4–12
  • 2019–20 UC Riverside 17–15 7–9

Here’s a listing of Patrick’s various coaching tenures:

  • 2005–2006 Nicholls State (Assistant)
  • 2006–2010 St. Mary’s (Assistant)
  • 2012–2016 LSU (Assistant)
  • 2016–2018 TCU (Assistant)
  • 2018–2020 UC Riverside (Head Coach)
  • 2020–present Arkansas (Associate Head Coach)
»  Top
Posted in coaches, teams

Legans to Portland

March 22, 2021

“Following NCAA Tournament berth, Shantay Legans leaves Eastern Washington for Portland” Ryan Collingwood

Thought he could parlay his success into a stronger program. Mixing sports references, this is a home run hire for the Pilots.

»  Top
Posted in Uncategorized

Ruminating on Last Chance U

March 22, 2021

In Netflix’s 2021 iteration of “Last Chance U,” the members of the 2019-20 East Los Angeles College (ELAC) basketball team, as well as Coach John Mosley and assistants Rob Robinson and Kenneth Hunter, are featured over eight hours.

Random “LCU” thoughts:

  • How far/long does a coach go with the misbehavior of a player before deciding no more? This subject arises in every episode and is one of the most critical/difficult decisions facing a coach.
  • Community college coaches are extremely underpaid (Mosely started on a 15k stipend and apparently his two assistant are volunteers)
  • A lot of players/teams would benefit from utilizing a sports psychologist/mental health counselor (a safe person to unload one’s fears/concerns and learn different behavioral responses/approaches). Mosley has some young men who certainly could be helped by this.
  • It’s readily apparent that Coach Mosley could succeed at the D1 level so why hasn’t he moved there — has Fullerton or Northridge been too successful to consider him? Let’s see who goes first, Mosley or Fullerton College’s Perry Webster?

Here’s where various ELAC players moved on to and what they accomplished in their initial seasons at four-year schools:

  • 6-foot-9, Malik Muhammad transferred to Central Michigan and in 19 games/14 starts and 21.3 minutes this season, he averaged 5.5 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 54% and 63% (no three attempts) alongside a team high 27 blocked shots.
  • 6-foot-8, Joe Hampton transferred to Long Beach State and in 18 games/17 starts and 21.7 minutes this season, he averaged 10.3 points, 4.1 boards and tied for team best 15 blocked shots while shooting 45%, 22% and 65% respectively.
  • 6-foot-8, Marquis Copeland transferred to DII NYACK College in New York City and in nine games, seven starts and 25.1 minutes, he averaged 4.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 57% and 57% (no three attempts), as well as blocking 17 shots.
  • 6-foot-6, KJ Allen signed with USC but doesn’t appear on the Trojan 2020-21 roster.
  • 6-foot-2, Deshaun Highler transferred to Sacramento State and in eight games/one start and 19.5 minutes this season, he averaged 5.0 points on 41%, 33% and 69% shooting respectively, alongside 1.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds.
  • 6-foot-6, Jordan Polynice and 6-foot-1 LJ Zeigler (whose hometown is Oakland) joined up with Chicago State which chose not to play this season.
»  Top
Posted in players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 22, 2021

March 22, 2021

Coach Shantay Legans and Eastern Washington gave Kansas a scare on Saturday, leading 46-38 at the half, before the Jayhawks used a 55-38 second 20 minutes to right their wobbling ship. PAC-12 Utah going from Larry Krystkowiak to Legans would be a night and day difference in overall program personality. Johnnie (Bishop O’Dowd/CCSF/Utah) Bryant as well as Damon Stoudamire have been mentioned as replacement possibilities. Question: has the Ute basketball program ever been fronted by a minority coach?


Simply Basketball: “Kyree Brown of @SFCityBasketball has been offered by Seattle U!”

Brown is a 6-foot sophomore guard out of Berkeley High. Redhawk Coach Jim Hayford is apparently determined to start a satellite CCSF program up in Seattle.


Jaylen Thompson: “Very blessed to receive an offer from San Diego State University”

Thompson is a 6-foot-6 wing formerly of St. Joseph Notre Dame and now at Southern California Academy.


On Wednesday, Kam (College of Alameda) Malbrough scored 19 points, grabbed nine boards and pilfered three steals in leading Ottawa University of Arizona to a 79-67 victory versus Southwestern Christian. Josiah (Clovis West High/Bellevue University/Yuba College) De’laCerda added 18 points on 7 of 10 shooting with seven rebounds.

On Thursday, Josiah De’laCerda posted a 27 point, 11 board double-double with Kam Malbrough totaling 22 points, six assists and five rebounds in the 86-66 Ottawa University of Arizona win over Alice Lloyd.

On Saturday, Josiah De’laCerda tallied 20 points and Kam Malbrough 18 but Ottawa University of Arizona fell 82-75 to Northwestern (MN) in the championship game of the NCCAA DI Men’s Basketball National Championship.


Verbal Commits D2: “Northwest Nazarene F Brandon Recek (JR) has entered the transfer portal.”

The 6-foot-6 talent is out of Clovis West High and Yuba College. He shot 14-31 on three-point attempts this season.


“Nash: ‘Shooting is the cherry on top. Competition, fight, energy is what we love about Tyler (Johnson)“ Chris Milholen


“Matthew Dellavedova getting closer to season debut, possible he plays during Cavaliers’ upcoming road trip” Chris Fedor


“Patrick Ewing’s coaching success is more than a feel-good story” Jesse Washington


“Why Juwan Howard has excelled as college coach when so many former NBA stars have failed” Jeff Eisenberg


“Former point guard jailed in bribery scheme has book deal” 


Catching up on…

In 16 games/starts and 28.4 minutes each time out, 6-foot-5 Sacramento State senior Christian (Sacramento High/UC Santa Barbara) Terrell averaged 11.9 points, 3.6 boards and 1.7 assists nightly while shooting 53%, 41% and 38% respectively.

In 18 games/17 starts and 35.7 minutes an outing, 6-foot-3 Sacramento State senior William (Vista Del Lago High/Folsom Lake College) FitzPatrick averaged 9.9 poins while shooting 39%, 42% and 75% shooting respectively. He also grabbed 3.0 rebounding a contest.

6-foot-3 Sacramento State junior Zach (Capital Christian High/San Jose State University) Chappell averaged 16.3 minutes in 13 games, scoring 7.2 points on 55%, 50% and 72% shooting respectively.

5-foot-11 UC Davis sophomore Ezra (Heritage High) Manjon averaged 15.6 points on 42%, 23% and 87% shooting respectively, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 18 games/starts and 33.9 minutes a contest.


Friday

Sophomore guard Mohammed (Monterey High/Fresno City College) Adam scored 14 points, powered by 4-8 shooting from long distance, but College of the Sequoias fell 64-60 to Allan Hancock College.

Saturday

College of the Sequoias topped Allan Hancock College 78-63 as 6-foot-8 sophomore Tiveon (Selma High) Stroud led the victors with 19 points.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 19, 2021

March 19, 2021

Eastern Washington faces Kansas beginning at 10:15 on Saturday morning. Attempting a factual assessment of that outcome, I want to be Coach Shantay Legans’ cell phone about two hours after the start of that game. Then I’d like to morph into being his agent.

Guard Austin (Monte Vista High) Fadal is a redshirt sophomore with Eastern Washington but played in just four games this season.

Legans should have his guys come out in uniforms with N-C-A-A in big. bold letters on the front of their jerseys.


“This high-profile Bay Area prep coach protested the Pac-12 basketball tournament and started a movement” Evan Webeck


Jake Lieberman: “Robert Morris transfer AJ (San Leandro High) Bramah is down to three: Western Kentucky, St. Bonaventure, and Nevada.”

More.

St. Mary’s could really use Bramah right now but a return to the Bay Area apparently isn’t the works.


6-foot-9 freshman Alex (Modesto Christian) Merkviladze is transferring out of Cal State Northridge. He averaged 10.0 points plus 7.0 rebounds this season while shooting 44%. 38% and 62% respectively.


6-foot-7 senior Camron (Oakland Tech/Sheridan College) Reece is departing University of Akron as a grad transfer. He averaged 6.4 points plus 4.5 rebounds while shooting 66% and 73% respectively. He didn’t attempt a trey.


6-foot-5 redshirt junior Luke (Vista Del Lago High) Avdalovic is leaving Northern Arizona. He averaged 10.8 points plus 1.9 boards while shooting 46%. 44% and 81% respectively.


“Four Potential Trade Destinations For Aaron Gordon“ Liam McKeone


“Former Skyline and current Sonoma State guard (Jake Salinero) wins CCAA Championship Men’s Basketball Scholar Award”


Cameron Salerno: “Recruiting news: @Jesuitsacbball guard @IamChrisHolley has received his first D1 offer from Sacramento State, per his Instagram. Holley is a great player who was a Sac Bee All-Metro selection last year.”

Holley measures out at 6-foot-2.


Rose City Ballers: “Congrats to @mathewkulitgma1 on his offer from Paul Smith College”

Mathew Montebon is a 6-foot-1 guard out of Newark Memorial High. PSC is located in upstate New York.


“Basketball player who called Jeremy Lin ‘coronavirus’ identified” Cynthia Silva

A lapse in judgment, possessing no judgment or unabashed racism?

“Tim Kawakami: Attacks on Asian Americans are an attack on us all”


“What It Takes With Chuck Hayes” 


“India’s Newest NBA Hopeful Is a Window Into the Country’s Basketball Future  Growing up in a small Indian village, Princepal Singh had never heard of basketball, let alone players like LeBron James. Now, he’s trying to become the first Indian-born player ever to make an NBA roster.” Mirin Fader


“WILDCAT OF THE WEEK (Calvin) GERACI’S GOING TO MISS THE ROAD TRIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS GRADUATING IN MAY AND GOING OUT ON A GREAT NOTE WITH 52 MADE 3S” Luke Reid


Jon Becker: “Legendary Fremont High of Oakland boys basketball coach Leo Allamanno dies at 99, just 8 days shy of his 100th birthday.” link


Catching up on…

6-foot-5 senior Noah (St. Francis High) Stapes of Point Loma Nazarene University averaged 7.5 points plus 4.8 rebounds this season in 11 games/starts and just under 25 minutes a contest. He shot 48%, 39% and 82% respectively.

Westmont College 6-foot-6 senior Ajay (Cupertino High/DeAnza College/Notre Dame de Namur) Singh averaged 21.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 11 games/10 starts and 30.1 minutes an outing this season. He shot 60%, 41% and 88% respectively.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Meet Greg Clink

March 18, 2021

Considering the combination of win-loss success and program culture, Chico State Coach Greg Clink heads the top four-year basketball program in northern California. A strong claim for sure but consider during Clink’s 13-year Wildcat tenure, Chico State has enjoyed 10 post-season appearances plus seven entries into the NCAA Championship Tournament berths, won three California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season championships as well as a pair of NCAA West Region titles. Overall, Clink sports a 229-124 record in Chico and an especially impressive 191-79 record in the last nine seasons.

Clink and his staff annually nab prospects primarily out of northern and southern California (including a California Community College Co-Player of the year in the last recruiting class), win 20+ games each season and experience few, if any, transfers. He is the backbone to the annual generation of a family-like atmosphere, so much more than just a group of hoops talents appearing on a roster. In fact, former Wildcats return each season to speak to the team and do athletic promos.

His players also succeed in the classroom, to the extent that Chico State is always at or near the top in California Collegiate Athletic Association academic success.

A Morgan Hill native and Live Oak High graduate, he played at Gavilan College and Chico State and assisted at the latter, taking over when the program was in the midst of a swoon. In his second season, the Wildcats were back to their previous successful ways. Clink also assisted at UC Davis (reaching Associate Head Coach level) and UC Santa Barbara and helmed the Gavilan College program for a year.

This excerpt from a Morgan Hill Times article illustrates a major component to his early success: “The first thing was attacking recruiting, trying to identify good players that care about getting their degrees, care about working and developing and that want to be a part of something special” … “We instilled discipline in the program. We are going to work hard, extremely hard. And, in order to do that, it’s about finding the right group of guys.”

Here is an excerpt from Carson Medley’s recent book on Chico State basketball.

Could Greg Clink provide what the San Jose State University program has been missing for so many years?

»  Top
Posted in coaches, teams

James Giacomazzi on the SJSU opening

March 17, 2021

Las Positas Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Coach James Giacomazzi has gleaned valuable insight into the San Jose State University (SJSU) hoops program initially from his days living on the Spartan campus while playing for two years at San Jose City College (SJCC). He followed that stint by assisting Coach Percy Carr at SJCC for seven seasons after being honored as an All Conference player as a senior at UC Riverside. Giacomazzi also received his Master’s degree in Kinesiology from SJSU.

“I was recruited out of high school (Washington High in Fremont) to San Jose State by Stan Morrison,” said the 6-foot-8 Giacomazzi. But a reduction in scholarships left him out in the cold so he decided to attend San Jose City College. In a strange turn of events, “I lived at San Jose State as did many of my teammates” because the school wanted to fill the dorms. “So I got to know a lot of the (Spartan basketball) players.”

One element Giacomazzi learned about was confounding. Yes, a new multi-functional arena and entertainment Event Center was finally present on campus but the basketball program couldn’t practice in it. “They couldn’t get in there, it was like athletics was last.” Instead basketball practice was relegated to unattractive facilities elsewhere on campus. “Those factors matter, especially in selling your program,” Giacomazzi explained.

Asked about the current opening at SJSU, Giacomazzi said, “how many times have we seen this movie, why not try something different?” His advice on any new hire is “he better be connected to the Bay Area.”

Giacomazzi recommended two individuals, San Francisco City College Coach Justin Labagh and West Valley College Coach Danny Yoshikawa for SJSU consideration. Yoshikawa was a point guard at Lincoln High before attending West Valley College and playing for Coach Bob Burton. He transferred to UC Davis and, after two all-conference seasons and a Player of the Year honor, he returned to work for Burton as an assistant. Following successful stints assisting at UC Santa Barbara, USF and St. Mary’s, Yoshikawa returned to the South Bay.

»  Top
Posted in coaches

Meet Justin Labagh

March 16, 2021

A prediction likely applied far too often is that so-and-so will be successful at whatever endeavor he/she chooses. In reality, it can plausibly be offered about very few but consider Justin Labagh who is a living example. He knew what he wanted to do in life (coaching basketball) and has notably made it happen.

Raised in San Francisco and a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, he played three seasons at UC Berkeley (one under Todd Bozeman, two with Ben Braun) and also worked as an assistant to City College of San Francisco Coach Harry Pantazopoulos during his senior year at California. Labagh remained on the coaching staff in The City when Patrick Springer succeeded Pantazopoulos. He also interned in 2000-2001 as a post grad with then-Texas Tech Coach Bob Knight before returning to California and taking over at City College San Francisco in 2003.

Labagh’s accomplishments since taking the helm on Phelan Avenue:

  • 486-60 overall record (89% winning percentage)
  • 15 Coast Conference Championships
  • 3 State Championships
  • 2 State runner-up
  • 4 Final Fours
  • 2 Elite Eights
  • 5 Sweet Sixteens
  • 55 Div I players 24 Div II/III/NAIA
  • 1 NBA first round draft pick
  • 9 times named California community college coach of the year

To those skeptical due to Labagh’s accomplishments coming at the community college level:

  • Labagh already is a head coach, familiar with recruiting, scheduling and fronting a program
  • He is a winner, a consistent winner ever since his initial season
  • He will open up currently nailed shut doors of recruiting prospects SJSU needs to land
  • He will attack on offense, press on defense and change strategy whenever there is an advantage to be gained
  • His 30-0 team this past season would likely have played in state championship game again but the tournament was cancelled

Here are a couple of Labagh comments that say a lot about him and his values:

“He found a partner in CCSF head coach Justin Labagh, who was happy to help provide the structure (Delon) Wright needed.

“Let’s face it, 70 per cent of the kids who end up playing at junior college are here because they weren’t held accountable elsewhere,” says Labagh, who took in the Raptors practice Tuesday. “So our job is to change that.”

A small example? Wright had worn No. 1 throughout high school and wanted to wear it at CCSF. Small problem: CCSF didn’t believe in having anyone wear No. 1.

“ You don’t want to be on a team with a guy who wants No. 1 or needs it,” says Labagh. “You shouldn’t care. So that’s when we gave him 55. It’s kind of cool that he’s still wearing that number.”

Here is a recent Basketball Times article featuring Labagh.

So what more could San Jose State University be seeking?

»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams

Local Coaching Potpourri

March 16, 2021

So Coaching Changes posted this: “San Jose State has a pool of names in the mix that included Dave Rice, Earl Watson, Marvin Menzies, Steve Lavin and Kurtis Townsend.”

So a long term ultra unsuccessful program is going to begin showing some spark because:

  • Townsend has been an assistant since 1993 and has caught the recent attention of the NCAA
  • Lavin was fired at UCLA and then St. John’s so he’s going to be a savant at SJSU
  • Menzies did well at New Mexico State but was fired at UNLV later for going 48-48 overall, 23-31 in the Mountain West Conference
  • Rice got fired at UNLV after five years (his only head coaching job) after going 37-32 in the Mountain West Conference and currently is an assistant at Washington (a bad team this season).
  • Watson played and assisted in the NBA but was fired as Phoenix Suns head coach after posting an overall 33-85 record

Please tell me the above are camouflage for the serious names. None of these guys sport an ‘SJSU saviour’ tattoo.

As for other names ponied up as possibilities by Spartan fans, well, sometimes a sanity check is needed:

Sorry, Jim Les is not departing UC Davis to come to Silicon Valley.

Rex Walters had so many players coming and going at USF the uniform seamstress reportedly quit.

Russell Turner is not going to jump from UC Irvine for San Jose.

Dan Majerle couldn’t succeed at Grand Canyon even with all the resources provided there.

Larry Eustachy, well, a no comment will suffice.


Coach Shantay Legans has Eastern Washington in the Big Dance and Portland fans are definitely enthused. But with Legans’ status now en fuego, he likely has outgrown the Pilots program for a situation offering a bigger paycheck and better facilities. One Portland fan valiantly posted:

Legans has also gotten bigger than anything SJSU can offer.

There is also this news about Eastern Washington athletics.

14th seed Eastern Washington faces Kansas in the Big Dance on Saturday in Indianapolis.

No names have slipped out (or been dropped intentionally) for the open Portland position. The early word was that some West Coast Conference assistants might be in the running.

»  Top
Posted in coaches, teams

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

Bishop O’Dowd High School: “Check out this article from the San Francisco Chronicle about how Lou Richie ’89, our championship boys basketball coach, is standing up against the lack of diversity in the college and high school basketball coaching ranks.”


“Giacomazzi Begins Term as Association President” CCCMBCA


“NBA agents: What it’s like getting fired” Michael Scotto


“Trio of Junior College teammates propel Seattle into WAC semifinals” Gregg Mitchell


“NBA G-LEAGUE’S JALEN GREEN A ‘STEP AHEAD’ AFTER FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING” Corey Leff


“(Kevin) Kremer, a 6-6 (Chaminade University) guard, finished second … in the team’s scoring column at 12.9 ppg. He also led the ‘Swords in rebounding (8.6 per game), steals (1.3) and blocks (1.1). Kremer also had four double-doubles…”

Out of Pleasant Valley High, the 6-foot-6 Kremer earned a spot on the Pacific West Conference All-Hawai’i Pod Team.


“Jordan Graves has been selected as the Defender of the Year as a part of the All-Pacific West Conference Men’s Basketball Team, selected by the conference’s coaches today.

“Graves has been known around the PacWest for parts of three seasons as a glove and ball hawk on defense. This year, he had 22 steals, including five in the first half of a game against Chaminade. Two years ago, in his last full season, he was second in the conference in thefts with 60. He was averaging over two steals per contest last year before an injury ended his season.

“Jordan was a great defensive presence for us,” (Coach Kaniela) Aiona added. “He was able to dominate several defensive matchups this season and was one of the toughest guys to score on in the conference.”

At Hawaii Hilo, Graves is a 6-foot-1 redshirt senior out of North Monterey High and Santa Rosa Junior College.


Also catching up with…

Now at St. Mary’s, 6-foot-2 junior Logan (St. Francis High/Cincinnati) Johnson averaged 13.5 points and 3.6 rebounds on 45%, 22% and 72% shooting respectively. He played in 19 games with 16 starts and at 31.9 minutes a matchup. He dished out 35 assists, committed 39 turnovers and grabbed 19 steals.

Jake (Bellarmine Prep/Richmond) Wojcik led Fairfield with 13.5 points per game on 42%, 40% and 84% shooting respectively. He grabbed 3.2 rebounds a night with 39 assists versus 33 turnovers. Wojcik started and played in 20 games at 33.0 minutes a contest.

6-foot-2 junior Elijah (Bishop O’Dowd/Washington) Hardy averaged 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 35%, 30% and 75% respectively this season for the Portland State Vikings. He played in 20 games with one start and at 16.4 minutes per outing. Hardy had 23 assists versus 32 turnovers alongside 21 steals.

6-foot-3 sophomore guard Dathan (Modesto Christian) Satchell is averaging 10.8 points on 41%, 43% and 91% respectively in 13 games/10 starts and 20.2 minutes a contest. He is also pulling in 1.9 rebounds a night.


Friday

Freshman guard Chance (Bethel High/Golden State Prep) McMillan scored 14 minutes in 22 minutes and Grand Canyon bopped Seattle 81-47 in a WAC tournament semifinal matchup. The Lopes scored more points in the first half (49) than the Redhawks did in the entire game.

Jamestown turn back Bellevue University 86-69 despite 6-foot-6 junior Eric (Fresno City College) Pierce scoring 20 points and 6-foot-7 senior Isaiah (West Campus High/Yuba College) Bates 18.

Ryan (Hanford High) Johnson poured in 26 points as College of the Sequoias topped Antelope Valley College 79-71.

Saturday

UC Santa Barbara handled UC Irvine 79-63 to win the Big West Conference tournament championship with Miles (CCSF) Norris scoring 19 points for the Gauchos.

Using a 45-29 first 20 minutes points differential, College of the Sequoias defeated Antelope Valley College 82-69 as Ryan (Hanford High) Johnson led with 16 points plus eight boards and Tiveon (Selma High) Stroud contributed 13 and 11.

»  Top
Posted in Uncategorized

San Jose State University looking for a new head coach

March 13, 2021

Okay, the San Jose State University (SJSU) 2020-21 season concluded with a 111-80 loss to Wyoming in the first round of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament. Victories came against Fresno Pacific and Benedictine in non-league play plus a pair of successes against Air Force and one versus New Mexico, the two teams that finished below the Spartans in league.

Coach Jean Prioleau’s four-year MWC record of 8-62 (1-17, 1-17, 3-15 and the latest, 3-13) resulted in his recent dismissal.

It’s seems a near impossible task to determine must-have hiring prerequisites for whoever becomes the new San Jose State University head coach as none of the hires throughout the past decades have been successful, but hope springs eternal.

We’ll lead with this statement about a different program from a recent Adam Zagoria tweet but one applicable to SJSU hoops: “If Fordham continues to hire traditionally, then they’re going to traditionally suck,” one local coach said.”

Strong words, yes. But the Spartan hiring authorities need to at least attempt something different, not for the sake of being different but due to the need to overcome the multiple factors that have kept the program mired in mediocrity (or worse) for seemingly forever.

Those elements being:

  • too many ‘buddy of the AD selections’ for head coach
  • the recruiting of far too many leftover talents (those not being sought by other quality programs/conference competitors)
  • zero presence in the Nor Cal and So Cal high school basketball scenes
  • emphasis always upon a current year budget gap rather than long term thinking of building a viable program
  • low coaching salaries
  • last place (by far) annual program budgets
  • no development of serious donors, either million dollar givers or 50 people who can give $10K
  • head coach not held accountable for non-league schedules that provide games no basketball fan would ever want to watch
  • not practicing where the team plays games
  • no plan/commitment for fan outreach in order to build a permanent fan base

Seriously offering interview questions for those head coach candidates selected for interviews:

  • the first question to pose is ‘why would you be successful where all others have failed?’
  • what is the overall culture you want to develop, why and how will you implement it?
  • what will be the skill sets/abilities of your assistants?
  • what will you implement to improve recruiting and why will that work?
  • what will you do to better retain players once they arrive on campus?
  • what style will you play offensively and defensively, and why?
  • what are the steps you will take to create program credibility in the community?
  • what are the steps you will take to sell the program internally (to students and professionals on campus)?
  • in the first month after being hired, what will you have accomplished in building the desired relationships with local and regional HS and JC coaches as well as the better travel teams in northern/southern California?

Offering hiring suggestions:

  • hire a head coach who would create an immediate buzz — someone already successful who would generate a ‘how did they get him?’ response
  • hire a head coach who “gets” why SJSU basketball has been a very long term failure and offers specific remedies, not bromides
  • hire a head coach who is a proven recruiter at the college level, someone who can immediately generate responses to his outreach
  • hire a head coach who has experience with the volatile nature of rosters, especially nowadays when transferring is at startling levels
  • hire a head coach who is going to employ something ‘different’ on offense and defense, at least at times, using distinctive styles of play that teams don’t often face
  • hire a head coach who has roots in and resides in and around the extremely expensive Bay Area

A new hire should exhibit successful experience with at least a majority of these “commandments” or the result will again be more of the same old, same old.

File this under who comes most prepared should receive extra consideration. When Rick Croy interviewed at SJSU a couple of coaching openings ago, he distributed a 20-page outline of his coaching strengths and accomplishments that also included endorsements/references from a who’s who of Bay Area basketball figures and pages detailing his plans for student development, personal development, recruiting, leadership, coaching, fundraising and community/campus relations.

»  Top
Posted in Uncategorized

Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 12, 2021

March 12, 2021

“(Zyon) Pullin Earns Final Men’s Hoops Player Of The Week Award In 2020-21″


Big West Conference 2020-21 (Nor Cal-connected) basketball honorees:

  • UC Riverside’s 6-foot-9 senior Arinze (Bishop O’Dowd/Washington State) Chidom grabbed a First Team spot
  • 5-foot-11 sophomore Ezra (Heritage High) Manjon of UC Davis took home Second Team honors
  • Zyon (College Park High) Pullin, a 6-foot-4 UC Davis sophomore, nabbed an Honorable Mention selection
  • 6-foot-10 junior Miles (CCSF) Norris also was bestowed an Honorable Mention placement

Darrion (St. Ignatius/CCSF) Trammell earned First Team All Western Athletic Conference honors with Seattle teammate Riley (Archbishop Mitty) Grigsby awarded a Second Team spot.


In the PAC-12, James (Salesian Prep/Georgetown) Akinjo grabbed a First Team All conference selection with Arizona teammate Jordan (Woodcreek High) Brown chosen as Sixth Man of the Year.


“(Kam) Malbrough Named to GSAC All-Conference Team”

Now at Ottawa University in Arizona, the 5-foot-9 guard played at College of Alameda.


“(Jemeil) King earns first team all-NSAA honors”

A 6-foot-5 junior, King is from Lincoln High-San Francisco and Modesto Junior College.

Also, 6-foot-4 Bryce (Dublin High/Mt. San Antonio College/Western Washington) Knox earned North Star Athletic Association Second Team honors for his play at Dickinson State as did 6-foot John (Freedom High/Las Positas College/Hawaii Pacific) Ketchel with Mayville State.


Vanguard University’s Masie (Serra High/Skyline College) Mohammadi achieved a 3.82 grade point average and earned a spot on the Golden State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete team.


Hoop Scoop Media: “BREAKING: Green Bay transfer PJ Pipes has committed to Santa Clara, he tells us. Pipes averaged 14.5PPG this past season at Green Bay and will bring a lot of experience to Santa Clara.”

Pipes is a 6-foot-2, 190 shooting guard who shot 43%, 41% and 95% respectively alongside 73 assists in 24 games.


Simply Basketball: “Lucky Hampton (2021 Salesian) recently offered by CSU Maritime!”

Hampton is a 6-foot-3 guard.


“Las Positas Basketball: We’re Open!” Matt Schwab


“NorCal middle-schoolers show well at Pangos Junior All-American Camp” Harold Abend


“Aaron Gordon Cleared To Return” Alex Kirschenbaum


Archbishop Mitty High School Athletics: “Congratulations to Monarch alum (Drew Gordon) @xtraGORDONary32 who was named MVP for the month of February in the VTB League in Russia. Drew averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 70% from the field in the month.


Rod Benson: “The NBA is using the Black national anthem as a symbol, and it’s not working”


Monday

BYU topped Pepperdine 82-77 despite 6-foot-4 junior Jade’ (St. Joseph Notre Dame) Smith totaling 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Waves.

Tuesday

Fairfield edged Manhattan 59-58 in overtime as junior Jake (Bellarmine Prep/Richmond) Wojcik provided 15 points plus five boards.

Wednesday

In the first round of the Big Sky tournament, Northern Colorado defeated Sacramento State 90-83 despite Zach (Capital Christian/San Jose State University) Chappell scoring 17 points (7-8, 3-3, 0-1 shooting in 26 minutes) and Christian (Sacramento High/UC Santa Barbara) Terrell 16.

Northern Arizona bested Portland State 77-66 in n initial round Big Sky Conference tournament pairing with Luke (Vista Del Lago) Avdalovic shooting 7-10 from three-point range on his way to 26 points for the victors.

Deon (San Joaquin Memorial High/UTEP) Stroud’s 19 points aided Fresno State in taking down New Mexico 85-77 in initial round Mountain West Conference tournament play.

In PAC-12 first round tournament action, Arizona State downed Washington State 64-59 but Cougar freshman big Dischon (St. Patrick-St. Vincent) Jackson totaled 10 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes.

In a second round Conference USA matchup, Florida Atlantic bested UTEP 76-70 although Souley (Oakland Tech/USF) Boum provided 23 points for the Miners.

Andre (Lincoln High-Stockton) Kelly provided an efficient 12 points (4-7 overall shooting, 4-6 at the foul line) plus nine rebounds in California’s 76-58 defeat of Stanford in PAC-12 first round tournament action.

Oklahoma handled Iowa State 79-73 although Solomon (Sacramento High) Young posted a line of 12 rebounds, eight points, two assists and two steals for the Cyclones.

Thursday

Nate (Las Lomas High/CCSF) Robinson shot 10-17, 4-5 and 3-4 on his way to 27 points with Darrion (St. Ignatius/CCSF) Trammell contributing 23 and Emeka (De La Salle/CCSF) Udenyi posting a 13 point, 14 rebound double-double in Seattle’s 83-66 defeat of California Baptist in a Western Athletic Conference quarterfinal.   .

In a Big West Conference quarterfinal matchup, 5-foot-11 sophomore Ezra (Heritage High) Manjon scored on a dribble-drive reverse layup just before the buzzer leading UC Davis to a 58-56 victory versus Cal State Bakersfield.

Freshman guard Robby (Dublin High) Beasley led with 23 points (shooting 8-12, 4-7 and 3-4) in Montana’s 80-75 Big Sky Conference quarterfinal downing of Weber State.

Despite Colin (Immanuel High) Slater contributing 20 points, Long Beach State fell 95-87 to UC Santa Barbara in a Big West Conference quarterfinal pairing.

Colorado State defeated Fresno State 72-62 in a Mountain West Conference quarterfinal as Deon (San Joaquin Memorial High) Stroud shot 7-10 overall and scored 15 points for the Bulldogs.

 

The College of the Siskiyous 2021 roster

  • JOSEF PEREZ G 5’9 160 Fr CORONADO
  • T. J STROSCHEIN F 6’3 190 Fr WHITE RIVER
  • JAVARUS KEITH G 5’10 150 Fr HARRELS CHRISTIAN
  • TRIPP RODRIGUEZ G 6’2 160 Fr WEED
  • CADE EALY F 6’3 215 Fr GRANTS PASS
  • JETT SNURE C 6’8 235 So MOUNT SHASTA
  • TRISTAN ELLERBE G 6’0 170 Fr MOUNT SHASTA
  • WILLIAM DOBSON G 6’0 175 Fr ENTERPRISE
  • HARLEY WILLIAMS C 6’4 225 So WEED
  • BRYAN TAPIA G 5’10 215 Fr NEWPORT
  • KODY BAUMAN F 6’7 195 So MOUNT SHASTA
  • ZANE LUETH G 6’3 190 Fr LOXTON
»  Top
Posted in coaches, players, recruiting, teams
  • « Older Entries
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 130

Recent Posts

  • Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 12, 2021
  • The Known Knowns and the Unknowns of Tim Miles
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 9, 2021
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 7, 2021
  • Tim Miles to Spartanville
  • Sean Paul and then Jon Rothstein says it’s Tim Miles
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 5, 2021
  • A little more SJSU
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Apr 2, 2021
  • The latest on the San Jose State University opening
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 29, 2021
  • Portland gets it right, SJSU moseys along
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 26, 2021
  • It’s David Patrick if he decides to say yes
  • Legans to Portland
  • Ruminating on Last Chance U
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 22, 2021
  • Nor Cal Basketball, Mar 19, 2021
  • Meet Greg Clink
  • James Giacomazzi on the SJSU opening

Archives

  • April 2021 (9)
  • March 2021 (19)
  • February 2021 (10)
  • January 2021 (10)
  • December 2020 (9)
  • November 2020 (9)
  • October 2020 (10)
  • September 2020 (9)
  • August 2020 (10)
  • July 2020 (11)
  • June 2020 (10)
  • May 2020 (8)
  • April 2020 (12)
  • March 2020 (11)
  • February 2020 (10)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (15)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (8)
  • September 2019 (9)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (7)
  • June 2019 (10)
  • May 2019 (9)
  • April 2019 (14)
  • March 2019 (15)
  • February 2019 (14)
  • January 2019 (13)
  • December 2018 (12)
  • November 2018 (15)
  • October 2018 (12)
  • September 2018 (9)
  • August 2018 (9)
  • July 2018 (8)
  • June 2018 (9)
  • May 2018 (16)
  • April 2018 (252)
  • March 2018 (292)
  • February 2018 (324)
  • January 2018 (344)
  • December 2017 (223)
  • November 2017 (265)
  • October 2017 (210)
  • September 2017 (166)
  • August 2017 (198)
  • July 2017 (208)
  • June 2017 (218)
  • May 2017 (146)

Tags

camp coach coaches graduation insights jc nba nc-d1 player players player signing recruiting recruting team tournament trainer transfer

‘Premium’ Recent Posts

Preview, then subscribe

Pages

  • Welcome
  • Daily Dose
  • Subscribe
  • Search Entire Site

2019 Nor Cal Basketball | kevindmccarthy.com/bb/wp | All rights reserved
contact | report a website issue | subscribe to premium content

WordPress Theme Custom Community 2 developed by Macho Themes