Due to NCAA rules, no statistics can be recorded, no winner can be declared
and no one outside the "personnel necessary to conduct a basketball practice
scrimmage" circle can even see it. (For more information on closed scrimmages,
see this article) Sources close to the program, however, say the coaches of Cal State Fullerton were pleasantly relieved
with the results of the first action against an opposing team. (If you are
desperate for stats and a score
see this post on the TitanCentral.com message boards)
While the Titans were missing the services of Scott Cutley, out at least
three more weeks due to a broken ankle, as well as Gerard Anderson and Adam Thomas, who are planning to take redshirt years, all remaining players saw
plenty of action. The top highlights for the Titans included the play of
newcomer Josh Akognon and senior Frank Robinson as well as the pressure defense
by the entire team.
Ray Reed was especially effective on the defensive side and Marcus Crenshaw
was back into the swing of things nailing his patented high-arc, long-range
missiles. Crenshaw and JC transfer point guard Junior Russell also played very
good defense against the bigger opponents.
Overall, the team played really well, especially when you consider that only
one week ago the coaches were not too optimistic on how the Titans played in
the Blue & White Scrimmage.
While the guard play may have been outstanding, the front court still has
plenty of room for improvement. Eddie Lima, who still needs to get into playing
shape, played well during his somewhat limited time but Kenneth Alexander and
Marcus Morgan just played okay. It was, however, encouraging to see them hold
their own against the much taller, very athletic 6-9, 6-10, and 6-11 USC
players, especially on the defensive end.
O.J. Mayo, Southern Cal's highly touted 6-5 freshman guard and likely 2008
NBA lottery pick, was as good as advertised. Just about every one of Cal State
Fullerton's players ended up guarding him at some point.
Overall, this was a good step in the right direction for the Titans who have
an exhibition game against Biola University on Tuesday (7:05 PM Tipoff). The
2007-08 season opener is on Friday, in historic Titan Gym against CS
Bakersfield.
If you were a fly on the wall wearing orange and you had been keeping score
the Titans probably came away with the victory. The reality of the situation is,
however, this was a scrimmage and coaches are experimenting with numerous
offenses and defenses and are not coaching to win the game. The best news is the
Titans held their own, played good defense and came away with a much better
understanding of what they need to work on.