#9 Cal State Northridge
Predicted Record: 7-11
The BWC will be tougher this year than last; teams must improve to win
the same number of games. Cal State Northridge has too much uncertainty to
predict an improvement. The roster contains some impressive, but untested
recruits. The immediate future of the program itself is unknown stemming from an
investigation of John Clark's grades. And it remains to be seen if a full-court
strategy will prevail in a conference of proficient half-court teams.
CSUN's hopes will rise with 4 new players. Eto Onyenegecha is a JC wing
recruited by Arizona State and BYU, Davin White is a high-scoring JC guard,
Thomas Shewmake is a huge RS-frosh center, and Austin Waggoner is a PF out of
H.S. Braswell has called this recruiting class “the best we have ever had.”
The returning players of note are Ian Boylan, Joe Frazier, and Chris Davis. The
key losses are Curtis Slaughter, Lionel Benjamin, and Ben Sullivan (transferred
to Portland).
This group stacks up favorably to last year. Post players Armand Thomas and Dan
Read were disappointments. Benjamin was a good role-player. But, Shewmake, Davis
(now a junior), Waggoner, and Onyenegecha will be an upgrade. However, the
rewards will be reaped for CSUN more in future years than now. Of the 4 players,
three are brand new to CSUN and have never played in a D-1 game. White sat out
of basketball last year and Waggoner is a true frosh. With Boylan and Frazier
(both juniors), CSUN will have a strong core for 2004-05.
Braswell's strategy remains an issue because the BW will rarely run with CSUN.
Opponents will continue to slow the tempo into a half-court game. Last year,
CSUN's half-court defense frequently ended possessions by fouling, leaving no
opportunity for transition offense. CSUN committed the most fouls and allowed
the most FT attempts in the BWC. In order for this team to run, they must
stiffen their half-court defense. They must get more stops and foul less. Given
time, it could happen, but the results won't be immediate with inexperienced
post players.
I look forward to seeing the new players, but Slaughter was a personal favorite.
His long lanky frame posed match-up difficulties for opposing guards.
Offensively, Boylan's stats were slightly better, but I thought it was Slaughter
that should have been 2nd team All-BWC, not visa versa. I'm sure Boylan will
have another fine year, but Slaughter's defense may be missed, because he was
tough in both the half-court and the press. And defense is an area that CSUN
must address.