Fresno State in 2010-2011

Here's another club where subtraction may be addition as at this point better talent has departed than arrived but the squad has the opportunity to function better as a unit. Sylvester Seay in particular, but even Paul George to some degree, didn't click at times with teammates and coaches -- for whatever reasons. But they have departed -- along with Mychal Ladd (his being sent home just prior to the WAC tourney was the bizarreness capper) -- and the team has a fresh chance to gel.

What will be the most fascinating aspect of the 2010-2011 Bulldogs is who emerges as a leader or as leaders? It's easy to see that Greg Smith is the best talent but he's just a sophomore. It sure would help the Bulldogs if a backcourter emerges as the on-court 'telestrator' of FSU.

Also worthy of mentioning is that after a period of time in APR hell (in which present coaches and players suffer for the sins of past participants), Steve Cleveland's squad is again fully blessed by the NCAA -- no more taking on opponents with a hand tied behind one's back.

Here's the Bulldog roster:

SMALLS

Jerry Brown guard/forward 6-foot-7 195 sophomore

The opportunity is there at the wing to earn major minutes. Brown shot 51% overall as a freshman but didn't attempt a trey all season and went 50% at the foul line -- the latter numbers obviously need expanding. He brings energy to the court, turning that into consistent production is the key.    

Garrett Johnson guard/forward 6-foot-5 190 sophomore    

His shooting numbers also need a boost -- it's hard at this point to see him jumping ahead of Brown for playing time.

Tyler Johnson 6-foot-1 170 guard freshman HS/CA

Watch to see it it's Johnson or Olekaibe (the following listing) who pushes ahead of the other in the pecking order.  This northern Californian kid is very athletic and like to take it to the hoop -- establishing himself as a must-defend outside threat will be an early priority. We see him more as an off guard.

Kevin Olekaibe 6-foot-1 175 guard freshman HS/NV

A prolific scorer out of Las Vegas (35.6 points per game), he has repeated that his recruitment to Fresno was as a point, one who could set up others and score in transition. More strength will be needed in order to do so. There is excellent potential here.

Bennie Rhodes 6-foot-6 180 guard/forward junior City College of San Francisco

The leading scorer for the Rams, he brings athleticism and versatility and we see him playing more at the three spot than the two. As we stated before, he's a steal as a walk-on.

Steven Shepp guard 6-foot-2 170 junior

He'll likely remain the top point -- at least early on -- but needs improvement in these areas: creating on dribble-drives and shooting better (37%, 33%, 57% overall, from long range and at the foul line) and opreventing dribble-drive penetration more often.

Tim Steed guard 6-foot-5 210 junior Highland Community College, IL

If he plays up to his reputation, Steed should be the second-leading scorer for the 2010-2011 Bulldogs. Making things happen on dribble-drives has been described as his talent but he also has perimeter shooting skills.

Jonathan Wills guard 6-foot-6 180 redshirt junior       

Coach Cleveland would really like to see him play a lot of minutes and he's capable of spending time at the 1, 2 and 3. A solid defender, he can pop from outside. He and Steed should quickly become fan favorites for Bulldog fans.

BIGS

Bracken Funk 6-foot-8 freshman UT

Coming off an LDS mission began right after high school, it will be a year of adapting and learning for Funk.

Nedeljko Golubovic forward 6-foot-8 245 junior

A bad thumb obliterated any chance of him having a solid season as his shooting percentages tumbled: 29 overall, 19 on trey attempts and 57 from the foul line. We don't see him as a starter but certainly a rotation guy.

Justin Johnson forward 6-foot-6 205 sophomore

We're not sure what his status is as injuries and ailments have prevented him from practicing and playing.

John Ryan center 6-foot-9 freshman CA

He already possesses the body size so it's a matter of making the adjustment to the speed and strength of the college game.

Greg Smith center 6-foot-10 250 sophomore

Mark him down as THE candidate for a bustout WAC season as he nailed 58% of his shot attempts last season (but needs to upgrade his 59% at the free throw line because he'll be heading there a lot). With Seay and George gone, his rebounding numbers will jump -- he has the chance to average a double-double.

+++++

Surprisingly, the Bulldogs were nowhere near their opponents in shooting from distance last season -- 32% to 37% -- that must be rectified. Steed and Wills will help.

A power forward to twine with Smith is a necessity but it's not certain such is presently on the roster and ready come October.

We see the starting five and even the playing rotation shape-shifting throughout the season.

The starting lineup through our crystal ball:

* Greg Smith

* your guess is as good as ours (Jerry Brown? Nedeljko Golubovic?)

* Jonathan Wills

* Tim Steed

* Steve Shepp

*** 6-foot-7 Givon Crump, a Baylor transfer, is redshirting this season and has the potential to be a very solid contributor come 2011-2012.