NCAA BK

San Diego Getting Inside

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Updated Oct 23, 2009 12:05 AM ET
     
 
In Bill Grier's first season as a college head coach, everything seemed to go right.

In his second year, everything seemed to go wrong.

He's back for a third season with San Diego, hoping things go smoothly again and that his team can get over the changes that affected the team last season and continued into the offseason.

The 2008-2009 season was a bust. Expected to contend for the WCC title with five starters back from a team that had upset Connecticut in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, the Toreros started slowly and sank into oblivion after Brandon Johnson tore his Achilles' tendon eight games into the season.

The problems continued when guard Trumaine Johnson, a key part of the 2007-2008 team, was suspended late in the season. He ultimately left San Diego.

Another setback occurred after the season when two-year starter Rob Jones transferred to be closer to his home in San Francisco.

But there was one bit of good news in the offseason and that came in June when the NCAA ruled that Brandon Johnson would be granted a fifth year of eligibility, a decision that had been expected.

Johnson provides the hard-nosed leadership and scoring at the point guard position that will make the Toreros a factor in the WCC race. He and the two returning starters, De'Jon Jackson and Matt Dorr, will give the Toreros a backcourt as strong as any in the conference.

However, the loss of Jones and all-conference power forward Gyno Pomare will make San Diego soft up front, making it unlikely it can challenge for a title.

San Diego must hope it gets a lot immediate help from the six newcomers to the program, particularly junior college transfer Rafael Crescencio, a 6-9 post player who has some skills and can block shots.

The Toreros hope the addition of Crescensio and 6-8 freshman Chris Manresa, and the return of 6-9 senior Robert Mafra, can give them an adequate frontcourt.

Most of the Toreros' points will have to come from the perimeter, which means their two top 3-point shooters -- Dorr and small forward Chris Lewis -- will need to have good seasons.

Grier's teams typically play solid defense, and that should be the case again this season. The problem will be scoring enough points, especially with a schedule that includes Oklahoma, Mississippi State, San Diego State, Houston, New Mexico and Southern Illinois.

The Toreros need to get into the conference season without having their spirit broken.
Tagged: San Diego

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