Going Miss Cleo on the Fresno State Bulldogs

NOTE: When this was initially posted we mis-named Bulldog recruit Justin Johnson, typing Eddie Johnson -- his father's name -- who is also the former NBA player. We regret the error and have corrected the mistake.

Most of the time any team losing it's best players will not post an equal or better won-loss record the next season.

We believe that called Naismith's First Theorem of Basic Basketball.

Such is the situation Steve Cleveland will face in 2008-2009 at Fresno State as the Bulldogs program has been hit by the basketball equivalent of the perfect storm.

However, help is on the way.

Student-athletes in legal trouble, players departing early to the siren call of the NBA, young men not taking care of their academics, plus probationary woes and scholarship losses courtesy of the previous FSU coaching staff -- all have crashed down upon the Bulldog program and left a roster in need of greater talent but especially playing experience.

SAYING GOOD-BY

Cleveland had bid adieu to Kevin Bell, Eddie Miller, Hector Hernandez and Alex Blair from last year's squad -- that's quite the departure of talent. Frontcourter James Tchana has also returned back home to the east coast. Heralded recruit Rekalin Sims was never able to get on the court last season due to academic and legal woes and his athletic eligibility has expired. *** However, one positive note out of the latter situation is that Sims has earned his degree so credit him with buckling down despite seeing his college basketball career end in a manner nobody expected. His graduation obviously helps the FSU APR, which could use any boost available.

RETURNEES

Jordan Ambers sophomore guard -- He's a walk-on backcourter who won't see much court time again in 2008-2009.

Nedeljko Golubovic 6-8 230 sophomore forward -- Golubovic was actually better than expected considering it was his initial go-around in the program. He looks to be a full-time starter somewhere on FSU's frontline in the new season.

Myles Green 5-10 160 freshman point -- Another backcourt walk-on, Green only saw 24 minutes of action and that will probably be duplicated.

Bryan Harvey 6-5 210 junior wing -- A heralded recruit out of southern California, Harvey didn't like things at Louisville, transferred to Fresno, sat out a season and then became academically ineligible in December. His nonchalant commitment to academics let down his teammates and there's a degree of respect he needs to earn back.

Dwight O'Neil 6-3 180 junior guard -- A broken hand midway through the season put O'Neill on the injured list until late in the season when he gave playing a go but was never 100%.

Sylvester Seay 6-9 215 junior forward -- A transfer from Arizona State, look for Seay to be a nice points producer for the Bulldogs, possibly the leader scorer. The opportunity and shots will certainly be there.

Brandon Webster 6-10 250 sophomore center -- This youngster has promise but needs to be in shape and ready to contribute come October. There is nobody else on the roster who even resembles a center so the opportunity is there to be seized.


NEW RECRUITS

Bracken Funk 6-8 235 forward Utah high school -- Funk is on his two-year church mission and won't alight in Fresno for some time.

Chris Jones 6-3 180 guard CA high school -- Jones possesses a ready-for-college-play body and frame and will contribute right away at the defensive end. He's not really a point and neither a rapidfire points producer but will grow into those roles. Jones is the type of player whose contributions will show up all over the box score.

Reggie Moore 6-1 170 WA high school -- He moved to the point after also making a high school switch after his sophomore season. He's a good athlete who can create for himself and his teammates but his shot needs greater consistency. Kevin Bell left mighty big shoes to fill and it's unfair to have anywhere near that sort of expectation right now of Moore. Down the road could be different.

Mychal Ladd 6-4 180 WA high school -- Ladd is a big-time athlete but one who is still developing the basketball skills necessary for college play. He'll definitely need a longer time than high school teammate Moore in order to be ready to consistently contribute.

Paul George -- 6-7 185 CA high school -- Again the same refrain -- he'll need time but has the potential to become a good points producer for the Bulldogs. He first committed to Santa Clara, then recused himself and signed with Pepperdine. After a coaching change there, George cast his net out again and it was Fresno State completing the trifecta.

Justin Johnson 6-7 190 Prep School -- Injuries this season limited his recruiting exposure. Upgrading his body, along with his ball skills needs to be his initial priorities.


THE COMPLETE FRESNO STATE ROSTER BY POSITION

Center

Brandon Webster -- Additional maturity and a wide open opportunity at the center spot should have Webster becoming a 10-and-5 player on the stat sheet this coming season. He possesses a nice touch inside but albeit with very little range. But if he doesn't come through or encounters injury, then FSU will be in a world of major hurt.

Strong Forward

Nedeljko Golubovic -- He earned some starts once into league play and displayed some scoring ability. He'll be a starter either at center of power forward but now needs to demonstrate better boarding ability and defensive prowess.

Sylvester Seay -- As we mentioned earlier, Seay is our choice to become the leading scorer for the Bulldogs. He's a good athlete with more of an offensive focus than anything else at this point. If things work out and Seay can get in enough minutes at the small forward/wing spot, look for bigtime size mismatches to occur. Cleveland will do what he can to make this happen but the roster makeup in 2008-2009 is problematic.

Wing

Bryan Harvey -- It's time for Harvey to step forward. He needs to demonstrate a greater commitment to his teammates (with his academics) and also finally display the offensive firepower expected of him. His shooting percentage of last season -- .349% -- isn't going to cut it. But do give him credit for a 5.0 rebounding per game number.

Paul George -- Determining the contribution of a freshman is always difficult but George has the best chance of putting points on the scoreboard of any of Cleveland's newbies.

Eddie Johnson -- We see Johnson as more of a down the road helper but one with nice potential for such a late signing.

Two Guard

Dwight O'Neil -- Doesn't it seem like O'Neill has been with the Bulldogs for a decade or so? He'll help at the defensive end and with some point production. A bonus will be any leadership he supplies to an extremely young backcourt and overall team.

Chris Jones -- He may not play a lot right away in the coming season but look for him to move into O'Neill's vacated spot the following year.

Mychal Ladd -- It's going to take some time for him to develop the skills to match up with his athletic talents.

Jordan Ambers -- Depth and a practice player.

Point

Reggie Moore -- There's going to be a great deal of pressure on this young man, a freshman still in process of learning to play the point. Paying a price now will facilitate enjoying a very good playmaker in the future bvut regardless, what other choice does Cleveland have?.

Myles Green -- Again, more of a depth and practice guy.


SUMMARY

With the need for size and strength, we were surprised that Cleveland would sign an early recruit -- albeit a power forward -- who won't appear in a Bulldog uniform until two years hence (Bracken Funk). Eddie Johnson, his last signee, has possibilities at power forward but probably not for a couple more years.

So it's Golubovic, Webster and Seay and pray for referees who don't use their whistles often.

Cleveland certainly decided to go the high school route this recruiting go-around. This will mean more losses in the near term but a much more solid Fresno State foundation for the future. The academic, behavioral and early pursuit of NBA roster spots woes were the kingdom primarily of FSU's junior college transfer recruits and such seemingly played a role in Cleveland's decision-making vis-a-vis recruiting.

We can't recall a time when Fresno State men's basketball had so many questionmarks. But Bulldog fans will be rewarded with a brighter down-the-road future if they can be patient and let the newcomers acclimate.