Morgan's team picked to win West
By Andres Cardenas
Daily Forty-Niner
The expectations are high. This is the
way Long Beach State Head Coach Wayne Morgan likes it.
For the first time in Morgan's tenure at
LBSU, he recognizes the majority of his players from last year's squad.
The 49ers lost only three letter-winning
players from last year's team and none from the starting lineup.
As a result, the 49ers are favored in the
Western Division of the Big West Conference in the coaches' and media polls.
"Having seven returning players is extremely
important for us this year," Morgan said.
"We have not had this many players coming
back since I've been here and it's nice to have guys who know our system
and know what we expect."
The 49ers not only return seven players
from last year's team 13-15 team, but more importantly Morgan has two All-Big
West Conference second team members in Ramel "Rock" Lloyd and Mate Milisa
coming back.
LBSU also returns last year's All-Big West
Conference Tournament member, forward Antrone Lee.
The tandem of Lloyd and Milisa can create
defensive match-up problems for the opposition.
They averaged 31.9 points per game combined
last season.
Morgan said that Lloyd, who is chiseled
at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, is a guard who is very strong and can post-up
defenders.
As for Milisa, Morgan said the 6-foot-11
center has the rare combination of an inside game and the ability to shoot
the three-point shot from the outside.
Milisa will also be one of three team captains,
along with Lee and D'Cean Bryant.
In the case of need at any position, the
49ers have Lee, who will be playing in his third and final season of college
basketball.
In his career at LBSU, Lee has averaged
9.3 points per game.
He has done this despite playing out of
position and making sacrifices for the team's good.
Lee has played four positions in the past
for the 49ers.
In addition, Lee spent one year playing
for the University of Florida before transferring to LBSU in 1996.
This year the 49ers hope Lee can ride the
wave of his tournament success and exceed in his natural small forward
position.
"I'd like to see a continuation from what
he did at the tournament." Morgan said.
"He's worked hard over the summer and has
improved, but the main thing he will have to do is be more aggressive."
Joining Lee in the frontcourt, the 49ers
experience lies in Co-captain D'Cean Bryant, who is playing his final year.
This Prop-48 student graduated over the
summer with a black studies degree and is currently working on a degree
in sports psychology.
As a result of being declared a Prop 48
student and graduating in under four years, the NCAA awarded him a final
fourth year of eligibility.
The 6-foot-5 Bryant has averaged 8.2 points
a game In his career at LBSU, to go with his 4.8 rebounds a game average.
"We're very happy to have him back after
receiving his degree this summer," Morgan said.
Joining Bryant in the frontcourt is 6-foot-8
forward Grant Stone.
After spending the start of last year recovering
from a broken foot, Stone is in the best shape of any player on the team,
Morgan said.
Morgan has added more depth to his team
this year.
James Williams is a 6-foot-9 forward from
Dixie Junior College.
Williams is still learning the system,
Morgan said.
"We have to take our time with him," Morgan
said.
"He has to be able to rebound for us to
win.
He's not a monster rebounder, but he has
to get his share." |
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