Wednesday, April 3, 2013

It's a wrap

With this post, it's time to say good-bye (past time, to some 'admirers') as Parsing The WAC is concluding its run, and there will be no Parsing The MWC. This endeavor has become too time-intensive to continue.

Thank you for your kind notes and critical admonitions, too -- your patronage has always been appreciated.

Parsing The WAC has witnessed many great moments, but the highlight will always be Boise State's 107-102 triple overtime victory over New Mexico State in March 2008 to win the WAC tournament (sorry Aggie fans). Nothing will ever top that game.

The time spent here has been extremely educational as has 'conversing' with many of you. Knowing more about basketball than when Parsing The WAC began is the definition of success.

As for the future, Spartan Roundball and NorCal HS & College Basketball Central will be my focus.

Adios, arrivaderci, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, aloha, shalom, fare thee well.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Tuesday: a trio of links

Coach Reggie is back in the college game. Let's get a matchup with New Mexico State scheduled. Hey, Utah State, too.

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LA TECH athletics has prepared some individual and collective season numbers for you.

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The Associated Press honors Idaho's Kyle Barone as an Honorable Mention

The state of the SJSU basketball program

Below is the currently listed SJSU 2013-14 roster: 

* David Andoh, F, 6-foot-7, 200, sophomore
* D.J. Brown, G, 6-foot-2, 185, junior
* Chris Cunningham, F, 6-foot-9, 240, senior
*
Louis Garrett, F, 6-foot-6, 215, senior

* Nick Grieves, G, 6-foot-3, 160, junior (walk-on)      
* Stephon Smith, F, 6-foot-8, 260, junior      
* Mike VanKirk, C, 7-foot-1, 240, sophomore
* Jaleel Williams, F, 6-foot-6, 215, junior


The numbers make it appear that up to six scholarships will be available to Coach Dave Wojcik but nothing is official in that category.

Each position is in dire need of a talent upgrade as possibly just one player -- Chris Cunningham -- has the level of ability needed to have the chance of winning that position in a Mountain West Conference matchup and that may not be on a nightly basis.

The backcourt is virtually barren.

A starting center is absent.

Rhetorically, how is SJSU going to win at any of the five positions during a game and thus have a chance to nab a victory?

First let's continue and make some comparisons.

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Now, here is former SJSU Coach George Nessman's very first SJSU roster, by position:

* Menelik Barbary, 6-foot-9, 230, junior
* Matt Misko, 6-foot-11, 225, senior

* Demetrius Brown, 6-foot-6, 230, senior   
* Kevin Fleming, 6-foot-6, 215, junior
* Lance Holloway, 6-foot-7, 195, sophomore
* DeVonte Thomas, 6-foot-4, 195, freshman
* Kenny Smith, 6-foot-4, 215, senior
   
* Jared Cozad, 6-foot-3, 195, junior (walk-on)    
* Alex Elam 6-foot-4, 215, senior
* Nelson Garbutt, 6-foot-2, 175, junior (walk-on)
* Tyree Gardner, 6-foot-0, 175, senior
* Nick Novacevich, 6-foot-5, 195, freshman (walk-on)
* Julian Richardson, 6-foot-1, 160, guard   
* Justonn Smith, 6-foot-2, 189, freshman    
* Carlton Spencer. 6-foot-2, 180, junior

But the above is his full roster at season's beginning, not what he initially inherited. Take away the signees of his initial recruiting season and what he found upon accepting the job in 2005-06 was:

* Menelik Barbary, 6-foot-9, 230, junior
* Matt Misko, 6-foot-11, 225, senior

* Demetrius Brown, 6-foot-6, 230, senior   
* Lance Holloway, 6-foot-7, 195, sophomore
* Kenny Smith, 6-foot-4, 215, senior
     
* Alex Elam 6-foot-4, 215, senior
* Nelson Garbutt, 6-foot-2, 175, junior (walk-on)
* Tyree Gardner, 6-foot-0, 175, senior
* Julian Richardson, 6-foot-1, 160, junior   

So which group would you want to command as a coach, what Wojcik or Nessman was bequeathed?

Strictly on this basis of talent, Coach Dave Wojcik's inheritance is lesser.

What Coach Nessman found -- a pair of serviceable centers, an inconsistent forward (Brown) but one who could win his position on a given night and a solid, if unspectacular backcourter (Elam) -- could be considered an initial 'get-by' talent pool.

Wojcik is facing the construction of a foundation.

The game is down, or is it?

Here's a lengthy post titled "NCAA Quality And Talent Are Down... Right?" that explores various memes such as scoring and shooting percentages are dropping in college hoops, alongside fan interest. It's a fascinating and well-researched read.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Monday: a few links and items

A Ron Agostini tweet: "In my next life, I want to be Florida Gulf Coast's Andy Enfield. Reminds me of a Dos Equis commercial" 

Damn you Andy Enfield! You make my life look so barren.

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Loved this Nicolas Lewis article and you will to.

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So who will the next Texas State coach inherit:

* Dante Bachus  Jr. F 6-7 230   
* Basil Brown II  Jr. F 6-5 195   
* Wesley Davis Jr. G 6-3 185   
* Ray Dorsey So. G  6-3 170
* Phil Hawkins Sr. G 6-0 195  
* Nick Hinton Jr. F 6-9 225   
* Deonte' Jones Sr. G 6-2 180    
* Reid Koenen Sr. F 6-7 200
* Jeffrey Nwankwo Jr. F 6-6 225  
* Darius Richardson Jr. G 6-4 205
* Corey Stern Sr. F 6-7 220   
* Joel Wright Sr. F 6-7 225   

Thankfully, Wright returns but 6-foot-10 Matt Staff, the second leading scorer and rebounder, will be sorely missed.

By the way, when will the new coach appear? This is a team in desperate need of a talent infusion and any chance of rescuing the recruiting season is slipping away.