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July 26th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Pacific
Tigers
Overall Rank:
#111
Conference
Rank: #1 Big West
2005-06:
24-8, 12-2, 1st
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 If history, or
at least last year, has taught us anything, it is that
Pacific
will win the Big West. The Tigers lose their top three scorers,
but it was much worse last year and Pacific still went 12-2 in
the conference and earned a trip to the NCAAs. Credit head
coach Bob Thomason for that. After 18 years of success for the
coach, expect the same in year number 19.
Who’s Out:
Christian Maraker led the team with 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds
last season. The backcourt duo of Johnny Gray and Mike Webb
combined for over 25 points per game and were lethal from long
range. Forward Miguel Flores saw limited playing time as a
senior and guard Kevin Hurley left the team after playing in two
games last season.
Who’s In:
Although
that is a lot of talent lost, Pacific fans aren’t worried.
Junior college transfer DeAngelo Garrett and redshirt freshman
Casey Neimeyer will add some depth to the frontcourt. Garrett,
a transfer from Northern Oklahoma College, is a solid scorer in
the paint and will battle on the glass. Neimeyer averaged a
double-double in high school two years ago and will see his
first action in Stockton this year. Guards C.J. Morgan, Matt
Goodwin and Solomon Horsechief will battle for the starting job
at the two spot. Morgan is a good shooter with plenty of range
and can play both guard spots. If it is a scorer you need, look
no further than Goodwin. As a sophomore at Williston State
College, the 6-1 Milwaukee, Wisconsin product averaged 24.8
points per game. Horsechief, a transfer from Redlands Community
College, is a smart player who could see most of his minutes at
the point. He isn’t a pure scorer like Goodwin, but will make
his mark on the program over the next two years.
Who to Watch:
Michael White has quietly waited his turn. After playing in
just 12 games two years ago, the 6-7 forward earned 24 starts
last season, averaging 7.5 points and 3.4 rebounds. The senior
isn’t an explosive offensive threat like Maraker, but he works
hard under the basket and does the dirty work. The scoring and
flare should come from his frontcourt mate Anthony Brown. The
6-8 sophomore showed flashes of his potential averaging 5.6
points and 4.8 boards a year ago.
Final
Projection:
Replacing the
long range shooting will have to come from the newcomers. Point
guard Steffan Johnson and wing Anthony Esparza can hit the long
ball, but won’t replace Gray and Webb’s numbers in that
category. Johnson is a scrappy point guard who can get to the
basket and Esparza will develop into one of the team leaders
during his senior campaign. Long Beach State and Cal Poly will
make the conference race interesting, but don’t make the mistake
again and bet against Coach Thomason.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Steffan Johnson,
Sophomore, Guard, 6.3 points per game
Matt Goodwin,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Anthony Esparza,
Senior, Guard, 7.1 points per game
Anthony Brown,
Sophomore, Forward, 5.6 points per game
Michael White,
Senior, Forward, 7.5 points per game
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