Fresno State Athletics
1998-99 Men's Basketball Season Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gone are the tired eyes of Jerry Tarkanian.
Theres a sparkle this year, a cautious smile and a chance to put aside some of the distractions of the last three years.
By his own admission, last season was a trying one, an emotional roller-coaster filled with great basketball moments, last-second wins and a third straight trip to the National Invitational Tournament, as well as suspensions and unexpected player absences.
The last three years included times when Tarkanian perhaps questioned why he returned to college coaching.
This year, though, the reason is simple.
This year, Tark will be able to coach.
In his 27th year of coaching, hell be able to make his mark on Fresno State, his alma mater, and hopefully bring the program to the promised land, gaining an NCAA bid and rejuvenating a loyal, but anxious, following in the San Joaquin Valley.
Tarkanian makes no promises or guarantees. But so far, he likes what he sees, hard-practicing, attentive players who have learned working together is the only way to succeed. Still cautious, Tark knows there are chances it could unravel and is reminding his team what the consequences are if his players dont practice hard, dont play hard and dont pay attention to details.
"Lets hope our guys learned form the problems of last year and we dont repeat any of that," Tarkanian says. "So far, weve had a productive preseason."
Picked third in the Pacific Division of the Western Athletic Conference and left off virtually every preseason top-25 poll, there seems to be plenty of doubt Fresno State is a candidate for the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs, however, can do one thing better than anyone else: they can prove everyone wrong.
This road to redemption is never an easy one. Packaged with perennial WAC powers Utah and New Mexico as well as four teams that played in the NCAA tournament and four more that went to the NIT, the Bulldogs face a schedule with more than its share of landmines.
"Weve never ducked from anyone and consequently weve played as tough a non-league schedule as most anyone in the country," Tark says. "This year is no exception.
"We play more games at home, but as I tell our players, that doesnt guarantee winning, it just gives us a better chance to win."
Guards
Fresno State boasts possibly the best backcourt in the nation, and perhaps the best 1, 2 and 3 players in the country together on the same team in seniors Chris Herren and Terrance Roberson and junior Courtney Alexander. Herren makes the move over to point to run the Bulldog offense and make room for Alexander at shooting guard.
Altering his plans from hopeful NBA rookie to veteran Bulldog leader in the spring, Herren announced his return to Fresno State and rekindled enthusiasm, both on the part of the Bulldog fans and the other players. Herrens constant doggedness will boost the team on both ends of the floor.
Herren averaged 15.6 points per game last season, but his contribution to the offense will increase even more. His quick drive to the basket is now complemented by an solid jumpshot and passing threat to either Alexander or Roberson inside.
Junior Courtney Alexander, who sat out his transfer year during the 1998-99 season, has studied the Bulldog offense and defense and has just waited for his opportunity to showcase his skills. His combination of pure physical talent along with impressive court sense allows Alexander to explode off the dribble, fade back or create shots for his teammates.
Tark calls Alexander "the best player I have ever coached," and Alexander has the numbers to back it up.
Alexander, a two-time All-ACC honorable mention pick as an underclassman and all-ACC freshman team member, was second on the Virginia squad with 13.9 points per game in his first year, starting in 22 of 27 games. During a nine-game stretch in his first year, Alexander averaged nearly 20 points and six rebounds a game. In his second year, the Durham, N.C., native averaged 14.8 ppg with seven 20-point games, including a season-best 27 vs. North Carolina in the ACC Tournament.
"We feel we are as strong as anyone in the nation as far as out perimeter play goes," Tark says. "Chris, Courtney and Terrance give us three big-time players and thats also where most of our depth is."
Senior Willie Farley is back for his senior season, returning to the team after a change of heart. The hardest worker and defensive anchor of the club, Farley played in the first six Fresno State games last year before deciding to transfer. In early late spring Farley asked to return and was welcomed back. His quickness, sharp defensive skill and nose for the ball will be a mainstay of the Fresno defense. Farley will spell Alexander and possibly play at the three spot behind Roberson and newcomer Travis Robinson.
Farley worked on his offensive skills over the summer, learning to handle the ball and move without the ball. In his six games last year, the Chicago native scored 6.3 ppg, while grabbing 5.0 rebounds a game. The Bulldog coaching staff praised Farley for his efforts in practice and work ethic last season and hope hell pick up where he left off last year.
Waiting in the wings at the point position is Demetrius Porter, a 5-11 sophomore who studied last year under the tutelage of point guard Rafer Alston, drafted in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks. A Fresno native, Porter played in every game last season, staring five, logging an average of 24 minutes in those games. His season and career-best seven assists came in the season opener against Florida A & M, and he finished the season strong, scoring 15 points in the WAC tournament game against San Diego State and averaging over 16 minutes a game in the four NIT games.
Freshman Travis DeManby, out of Medford, Ore., is a pure shooter with his eye constantly on the basket. An intelligent player, DeManby will prove to be a solid back-up to Alexander and Farley.
Walk-ons Jimmy Ortiz, a senior who played in only one game last year, and freshman Mike McIntyre will more than likely see most of their minutes on the practice court. Both Ortiz and McIntyre have impressed the coaching staff with tremendous work ethic and will handle scout team duties to prepare the team.
Center
Depth and inexperience, maybe the worst double whammy in collegiate basketball, are the two main concerns at the center position. Sophomore Melvin Ely, in his first season after sitting out to meet NCAA eligibility requirements, has the size and ability to handle the spot. At 6-9, Ely still needs to develop his strength and play with careful aggressiveness as to not get into quick foul trouble. After a year off, adjusting to the college game, as well as working on his own offensive options, is key to the Bulldogs success. Tark calls Ely "the best center Ive had in three years." Ely plays well with his back to the basket, can block shots and runs the floor extremely well.
One of Fresno States two McDonalds All-Americans, Ely averaged 15.5 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game and 5.4 blocker per contest, earning first team all-state and Chicago Sun-Times player of the Year honors. He led Thorton Township to a third-place state finish as a senior and runner-up showings the previous two seasons.
Backing up Ely at center will be junior Larry Abney. Abney, who played mostly at power forward last season, is not a natural fit as a backup center, but his versatility, game around the basket and rebounding are critical to Bulldog success at the position. Depending on the number of minutes and the pace of the offense, Abney will be called upon to maintain the game plan when Ely is out and provide the offense with a fresh look.
Abney started the season coming off the bench, then assumed a starting role for eight games mid-year, mostly hitting the boards. After playing for two weeks this summer with the People to People tour, Abney brings back a stronger offensive game, more confidence and an opportunity to rise to a big challenge. Abney, who scored back to back double-digit games on the road vs. San Diego State and Hawaii, is poised to make those occurrences a little more regular. Abney played the full 40 minutes against the Hawaii, going 7-7 from the floor for 15 points and pulling down 11 boards. He duplicated those numbers in the final game against Minnesota in the NIT, scoring 15 points with 11 rebounds.
"My main concern is inside where Melvin is our only true center and hes been away from the game for a year," says Tark. "If we have a weakness, its not having a backup center who can give us 10-15 quality minutes."
Forwards
Senior Terrance Roberson has owned the three spot for the last year and a half, staring all but two games during the 1997-98 season and staring a half of the 28 games the year before. The 6-7, 210-pound Roberson led the team last year in three-point field goal percentage at 40.8% and was third on the team in overall field goal percentage. For the season, Roberson averaged 14.6 points per contest, just behind Herren at 15.6, scoring in double figures in all but seven games with three double-doubles. His career night came against Tulsa, where the Saginaw, Mich., native poured in 25 against Tulsa in January, hitting nine baskets from the floor, including four treys. Robersons 22 points against Hawaii in the NIT helped point the Bulldogs to New York, as hit a three-pointer in the final minutes to tie the game.
"The physical strength of our forwards is a positive for us," Tark says. "Larry vastly improved and has added a facing jumpshot. Randy has been a pleasant surprise with his rebounding and scoring and I love Andreas intensity."
Freshman Travis Robinson, who originally signed with Missouri before gaining a release and coming to Fresno State, is a surprise addition to the team. An athletic perimeter shooter, Robinson is an "instant offense" player with great potential. Rated as one of the best players in the country during his high school years, Robinson led Mt. Zion Christian Academy to two straight 30-win seasons, averaging 26.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks during his senior season.
Newcomer Andrea Bona, an import from Italy and member of the Club Cantu squad, will see time at the three spot behind Roberson and Travis Robinson. A 6-7, 220-pound left-hander, Bona is an intense competitor who may be forced to play inside if the situation warrants. The first basketball player in Italys history to be awarded a full athletic scholarship from an American University, Bona played two years on the Italian junior national team and averaged 16.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during his senior year at Redemption Academy in New York.
Abney will get the start at power forward and will shift over to the five spot to relieve Ely.
Sophomore Randy Holcomb, also making his debut this season after sitting out the 1997-98 year to meet NCAA eligibility requirements, will back Abney at the four spot. Holcomb was a two-year starter at Lincoln Park High School, averaging 18 points per game.
With a group of young men who have their priorities set, both on and off the court, big things can be expected in the 1998-99 season.
"I hope this is a breakthrough year for us, as much as for the Red Wave, who have stuck by us since Ive been here," Tark says.
