After failing to live up to last year’s preseason predictions, Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball says out with the old and in with the new, entering the 2014 conference season with an entirely revamped coaching staff. Head Coach Dedrique Taylor (formerly the associate head coach for Arizona State) will join the Titans in hopes of transforming the program from the ground up.
The Titans suffered a devastating 2012-13 season, finishing with a record of 14-18 and 6-12 in the Big West. So far under the coaching staff of Taylor, the Titans have a record of 5-9 in non-conference play. In addition, the Titans were ranked eighth in the Big West preseason media poll.
Although the Titans lost leading scorers Kwame Vaughn and D.J. Seeley to graduation, the team added several players that are projected to play important roles.
One such player is senior transfer Michael Williams. Williams redshirted for the Titans last season but had a successful 2011-12 season at the University of San Francisco, averaging 11.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Another new addition to the team is freshman guard Sheldon Blackwell. Blackwell led Etiwanda High School to a CIF Division 1-AA Southern Section Championship his senior year.
Lacking in size last season, the Titans now possess depth with the addition of several newcomers.
This season the Titans will take advantage of their quickness and look to push the ball for transition opportunities. In addition, they will capitalize on the large influx of “new”. With a changed coaching staff and several added players, the Titans are destined to be an entirely different team this conference season.
A version of this article appeared on page 10 of January 8, 2013’s print edition of The Daily Nexus.