A preview of San Jose State men's basketball 2007-2008

San Jose State has been in a drought for decades. Newish Coach George Nessman hasn't been able to change the lack of success for the Spartans in his first two years but the roster has now been refurbished with Nessman recruits. Experience is lacking but look for SJSU to be the most improved squad in the WAC.

Looking at the team by position, there is so much more talent and depth.

At the center spot:

C.J. Webster, sophomore - He has a partial Division One year under his belt but realistically this is his initial season. Webster is a load inside, with the strength and bulk that will help in getting his opponent matchup into foul trouble. He presents a wide target and isn't shy about banging bodies. With he and Oliver Caballero patrolling inside, San Jose State should have no trouble with the rebounding ledger. Realistically it's too early to tell to what degree but it appears that Webster possesses some shotblocking ability. It probably doesn't matter who starts as both Webster and Caballero will see plenty of playing time. In fact, there is the possibility each could be starters in the first bunch of contests while forward Chris Oakes fulfills his six game sit-out per NCAA transfer rules.

Oliver Caballero, redshirt freshman - He is a mix of power and cleverness inside. His strength and bulk is put to good use in carving out position and he employs pivots and reserve pivots -- although sometimes a bit too much -- to get open. He is ambidextrous inside, a skill that allows him to accurately release the basketball with either hand, something that will flummox opponents. He enjoys a physical style of play for beneath the calm demeanor is a fierce competitor. He may not be a high-jumping shotblocker but he'll contest shots and make opponents miss with his physicality. Caballero is one of the better passers on the team, sometimes too willing to give up his own shot but it's a trait that will endear him to teammates. It may not appear very often but he also possesses a nice face-the-basket jumper with 15-foot range if not more.

At power forward:

Chris Oakes, redshirt sophomore - Oakes has to sit out the first six games of the season due to his transfer from Pepperdine but look for excellent athleticism and solid power forward basketball skills hitting the floor as a starter for SJSU in game seven. He's a very good runner and jumper and has been working on adding weight and strength. Oakes is our candidate to be the leading rebounder for the Spartans in the upcoming season and the major minutes player at the 4.

DeVonte Thomas, junior - Call him a hybrid. No, his nickname isn't Prius -- it's that his strength and style of play is that of a power forward while his height pigeonholes him as a wing type. There's no doubt that he's a banger in the paint, using his body and strength to carve out openings. He'll create some mismatches as well as face some but expect a solid season as he is entering his junior year. Actually label Thomas a combo forward or a tweener.

Lance Holloway, senior - Holloway should be able to remain as a power forward this season so, barring injury or unforseen woes, he will no longer have to swing to the center spot. He's best as a shotblocker but also can board some.

Clint Amberry, freshman - Even at 6-10, he may just be the best long-range shooter on the team. But additional weight and strength, plus Division One experience, are needed for game in-game out consistency and production from him. Right now, think of Nick Fazekas shooting from three-point range and you have Amberry. But the post play Fazekas also exhibited is a work-in-progress for the Spartan freshman.

At the wing, small forward:

Tim Pierce, junior - He's a player who can score points in bunches and now needs to demonstrate greater consistency in his overall play. He was a 10-game starter and averaged 18 minutes a contest last season. He puzzlingly accumulated a better points per game average -- 8.3 -- overall on the season than he did in conference play with his 6.8 ppg. This despite the conundrum of shooting better in conference than league play, .410 for all his shots and .349 on three-pointers in the WAC versus 343% and .315 on 3's over the full season.

Kevin Fleming, redshirt senior - Fleming is returning this season, having one year of WAC experience and also a redshirt year under his belt. He had to play a number of minutes at power forward due to the makeup of the roster when was as a junior but that won't be the case this season. No, it's going to be all WSF this time around, providing him opportunities to face up to the basket.

DaShawn Wright, junior - This young man is going to bring an element of toughness to the court, with his rugged play and rebounding prowess. He played on a smallish community college team and grabbed seven boards game, 85 offensively (4th in his league) and 154 defensively (first in his conference). He shot close to 50% overall while nailing.35% of his threes.

Kevin McDowell, redshirt freshman - McDowell is the Spartan X-factor. He's the most athletically gifted player on the team but is still in catchup mode regarding playing experience. His focus is integrating his running and jumping talent, along with his basketball skills, into a team concept. When it finally clicks for Kevin -- and it is a question of when, not if -- then watch out as he will soar.

Two guard:

Senior Jamon Hill and sophomore Mac Peterson look to be the top two candidates for playing time at the shooting guard spot, with soph Darion Goins a darkhorse.

Hill averaged 9.7 ppg. [10.1 in conference play] last season and was an every game starter for the Spartans, playing 32-plus minutes each contest. He led the squad in assists with 79, while also grabbing 3.7 rpg. Hill shot.329 overall from the floor, .279 on his three point attempts. He went to the foul line 86 times, shooting .733, best on the team. Hill's minutes, tops on the team at 978 - 32.6 a game - will lessen this season because of the addition of Peterson and Goins' seasoning but look for him to either start or be the top shooting guard off the bench. He will also fill-in for Justin Graham at the point when foul trouble occurs or a breather is needed.

Peterson is right now the best long range shooter on the team but it remains for him to translate that skill into Division One game production. His shotmaking last season at Diablo Valley College (DVC) consisted of .440 from the floor, .514 on his threes and .909 from the free throw line. At 6-3, 190, he possesses a much more solid frame than Hill which will come into play with dribble drives to the hoop and when defending against the typical 6-2 to 6-4 shooting guards featured by opponents. Peterson played some point in high school and also passed for 112 assists versus 75 turnovers at DVC so his ballhandling is sufficient. It's worth noting that all his numbers were achieved as a 'marked man' -- the primo offensive threat and therefore target on the team.

Sophomore Goins will also be in the mix and he possesses good size and strength at 6-2, 200. Goins seemingly hit the wall in his freshman season and finished shooting .376 from the floor and .250 on his three-point attempts. He averaged 3.5 ppg., averaging 12.4 minutes a game, with a total of 371, including six starts. He showed promise performing in the catch-and-shoot role last year. Goins paced the team with 22 points in the 107-73 August win over the London Leopards.

Both Hill and Goins will shoot better this season just by being surrounded with better talent and more consistent offensive threats. Newcomer DaShawn Wright may also see time at shooting guard although we believe he will earn the majority of his playing time as a wing/small forward.

At the point:

First, our expectation is that redshirt Justin Graham will have earned the starting point guard spot for San Jose State beginning with game one so that means, for the very first time in our memory, that a freshman will be not only be starting but playing major minutes at the most critical position on the team.

Now we have no interest in burdening a young man, one who has yet to play a single minute in Division One, with impossible expectations and that is certainly not our intent here. We are simply writing what we believe will take place as a natural progression.

We also want to emphasize that the success we envision for Graham will be in the context of the team's prosperity as any point guard needs running mates who can also perform their roles with accomplishment. The shooting guard and the wing need to position themselves to receive passes that will lead to scores, as do the power forward and center. All must be able to finish.

From what we have seen to date, that potential and ability is certainly present throughout the squad. A pairing up with experience will fulfill the trifecta.

It's also important to note that senior Jamon Hill will be shifting over and providing relief for Graham this season, along with newbie Brad Langston filling in at times.

Do note the depth here and the challenges that will be faced in earning playing time, two radically new and positive concepts in SJSU men's basketball. Expect a mid-pack finish.