San Diego Toreros
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #122
Conference Rank: #5 West Coast Conference
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San Diego had a disappointing 2012-2013 campaign, finishing with a losing record overall and in West Coast Conference play. As long as Johnny Dee and Christopher Anderson are around the Toreros will be a tough out. And they both should be around for a couple more years. Dee, a 6-0 shooting guard, is a superb all-around scorer and easily led San Diego with 15.0 points per game. Dee does tend to get three-point happy at times, yet that is rarely a problem since he connects on 37.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Anderson is the heart and soul of the team. He leads the squad on both ends of the floor, dishing out 5.7 assists and tallying 2.1 steals per game. Anderson is not a bad scorer either and has enough of an outside shot to keep the opposing defense honest.
2012-13 Record: 16-18, 7-9
2012-13 Postseason: None
Coach: Bill Grier
Coach Record: 84-111 at San Diego, 84-111 overall
Who’s Out:
The problem with San Diego last year was the frontcourt and that may get worse before it gets better. Ken Rancifer and Chris Manresa were regular starters in the frontcourt. Rancifer, a 6-5 small forward, provided the team another shooting threat and was tough enough to help out a little on the glass. Manresa was the more traditional post player, averaging 9.0 points and 7.1 rebounds during his senior season. The most important number there is the rebounds. The Toreros have been consistently outrebounded over the last few years and Manresa did a ton of work on the glass. The other senior on the roster last season was Cameron Miles. The 6-1 guard averaged 4.9 points per game mostly off of the bench.
Who’s In:
There are returning options in the frontcourt and now Coach Bill Grier has brought in some new faces to add competition. Thomas Jacobs, a transfer from Cal State Northridge, has the most experience, although it is not much. At 6-6, Jacobs is not going to be the post scorer San Diego needs, but he is tough and will help in the rebounding department. Brett Bailey, the lone incoming freshman, has some nice versatility for a 6-6 small forward, but he is mostly a perimeter player. Wings Duda Sanadze and Chris Sarbaugh are perimeter orientated players as well. However, they do have size and a bit of toughness, and having that size on the wing will certainly be helpful on the glass. Jordan Bickerstaff, Nick Kerr and Therone Tillett will add depth to the backcourt after redshirting last season.
Who to Watch:
San Diego must see improvement from their returning forwards if they are to compete with the top teams in the West Coast Conference. They have a handful of role-players, but it remains to be seen if they are ready to turn into consistent starters. Dennis Kramer should find a spot back in the starting lineup after starting 21 games as a junior. Despite his 6-11, 235 pound frame, Kramer is not much of a rebounder. He is a decent shooter with a nice mid-range jumper. John Sinis is another player who can add size to the wing. The 6-9 junior from Greece can shoot over most opposing defenders and it is time for him to start living up to his expectations after two relatively unimpressive seasons with the Toreros. Simi Fajemisin and Jito Kok are the more traditional big men. Fajemisin will never be a big scoring threat, but he is a tough post player who can do everything else. Kok is an athletic big man who averaged 3.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as a freshman. With more playing time available, Kok could be in for a breakout season. Trey Guidry failed to crack the regular rotation as freshman, but the 6-6 forward is another option in the frontcourt.
Final Projection:
The potential in the frontcourt is quite impressive. Coach Grier has a lot of options and a lot of players who have either showed promise as youngsters or have quite a bit of untapped talent. It may take time to sort out, but something will give sooner or later and players like Kok, Fajemisin and Sinis will turn into productive players this season. In the meantime, Dee and Anderson will have to carry the load. They will get some help from Mike Davis. Davis spent two years at Texas Tech before coming to San Diego. During his first season with the Toreros last season he averaged 6.2 points. However, Davis struggled to find his shot even though he was a pretty consistent scorer inside the arc. If Davis can help keep Dee fresh, this will be a great backcourt. And when the frontcourt comes around, San Diego will occasionally give their elite conference foes a run for their money.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Christopher Anderson, Junior, Guard, 9.4 points per game
Johnny Dee, Junior, Guard, 15.0 points per game
John Sinis, Junior, Forward, 4.1 points per game
Dennis Kramer, Senior, Forward, 4.2 points per game
Simi Fajemisin, Junior, Center, 2.1 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.1 (231st in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.5 (166, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (160, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.5 (249, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (183, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (115, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.6 (229, 8)
Rebound Margin: -1.6 (244, 8)
Assists Per Game: 11.5 (261, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (195, 7)
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