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Cal State Fullerton Getting Inside
by Sports Xchange
The infusion of frontline size should give the Titans a new look a year after they finished eighth in the Big West Conference with a minus-4.2 rebounding margin.
"Last year it was so hard to rebound. We were just awful, and it was so frustrating," Burton said. "You're going to see a totally different team this year. We're going to be a lot more inside oriented, and we think we can do that. It's a totally different team than I've ever had at Fullerton, but it's a plus."
So is the return of Jacques Streeter. The sophomore point guard was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 10.4 points and 4.4 assists.
"He's a throwback point guard," Burton said. "He's one of these guys who really want to be a point guard and run the team. He's getting better with his shot every year, becoming more offensive minded, and I think he has a chance to become one of the really outstanding point guards on the West Coast eventually."
Other top returning players include senior forward Gerard Anderson and senior guard Aaron Thompson. Burton said Thompson "should have a breakout year," adding, "He's a great defender and can take it to the hole. He just needs consistency in his jump shot."
The Titans have the unenviable task of replacing the production of departed Big West Player of the Year Josh Akognon, who ranked sixth in the nation in scoring last season at 23.9 points per game. Burton said scoring ability will give newcomers Devon Peltier and Robbie Robinson a chance to play right away.
"They are our two best shooters, and the biggest problem our team is going to have is shooting the ball," Burton said. "We're really big. I've never had a team like this. They're big and it's a different-style team, but with that, one of the problems is shooting it, and one of our strengths over the last six years is having kids who can really shoot it."
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