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| INSIDE THE NUMBERS |
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2000-01 record: 10-22;
4-14 in WAC (9th)
Postseason: None. Last NCAA appearance was in 1996.
RETURNING LEADERS
Points: Hawkins 16.0
Rebs: Hawkins 3.8
Assists: Hawkins 4.3
FG: Hawkins 45.6%
3pt: Calvert 40.6%
FT: Hawkins 78.9%
01-02 Stats:
San Jose State | WAC
KEY LOSSES
M. Thurmond | 11.6 ppg
Gary Black | 6.7 ppg
Andre Valentine | 6.0 ppg
PROJECTED STARTERS
G | B. Hawkins | Senior
G | An. Lawrence | Fresh
G | Keith West | Junior
F | Eric Walton | Junior
C | Oliver Hill | Fresh
Player to Watch
Brandon Hawkins
Senior Guard
First Spartan to be named to WAC's all-newcomer team.
DATE TO REMEMBER
The season-opener is a winnable game against a Pac-10 bottom-feeder -- Washington State.
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SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS
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The skill level just isn't on par with most WAC teams, although the Spartans did land Top 100 prep recruit Antonio Lawrence (6-4, 198) late in the spring. Phil Johnson is back as head coach after serving two seasons on the Chicago Bulls staff. He guided the Spartans to 12-16 record in 1998-99. Four of the top five scorers from last year return, although only guard Brandon Hawkins (16.0 ppg) averaged double digits. The onus to improve on last season's 10-22 record will fall to a few recruits from Ventura Community College. One is junior forward Eric Walton (6-8, 230), a good shot-blocker who will see substantial minutes. The other is junior guard Keith West (6-2, 190), a big-time shooter with an even bigger vertical leap (45 inches). The addition of Lawrence will help San Jose State play at a more up-tempo level, which could push the Spartans near the middle of the pack. The guard play could be electric some nights, but the Spartans lack size. Phil Cavert, a 6-3 senior who played in the backcourt last season, could be moved up front in certain lineups.
TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
The signing of Lawrence is a major coup for a program like San Jose State. The fact that Johnson got the player over WAC rival Fresno State is only better for the Spartans. It's a safe bet Lawrence will be given a long rope in terms of showing off his skill, not the worst proposition for a program void of much national recognition. Some say the only thing bigger than Lawrence's game is his swagger, another positive for a reeling program.
TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
The Spartans lost most of their bulk up front, which means much is expected of Walton and 6-9 freshman Oliver Hill, whose father played for San Jose State in the 1970s. Hill is a native of New Zealand and has been tabbed as the best player ever to hail from that country. But when a guard (Hawkins) is the team's top returning rebounder, you know things are thin inside. Lawrence could add rebound depth from his wing position.
BOTTOM LINE..............................
The Spartans are being picked ninth or 10th in most preseason polls and it's tough to see them faring much better. A player like Lawrence might be able to open more recruiting doors, but Johnson re-inherits a program void of much ability. A good season could be in the 12-win range.
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