Newcomers on display in open practice, scrimmage

Here are some quick thoughts on the 2008-09 Long Beach State men’s basketball team before the season opens in mid-November.

The 49ers conducted an open practice and scrimmage at the Walter Pyramid last Saturday.

New recruits look promising, especially freshmen

- Casper Ware, a 5-foot-9 point guard, can get to the hoop and ran the offense effectively.

- Larry Anderson is a raw talent but the versatile, 6-foot-6 guard should be able to put up a lot of points for a group that desperately needs a viable second offensive threat. He is listed as a guard but would most likely play small forward, if leading scorer Donovan Morris is on the floor.

- Eugene Phelps and T.J. Robinson are 6’6” and 6’7”, respectively. Like Anderson, they are not only big but can run the floor. The guard-forward hybrids are often called swingmen at the NBA-level. They can stretch the defense, get their shot anywhere on the court and rebound well.

It’s early

- As head coach Dan Monson said, the team has only been practicing for a week and still has a ways to go. Both teams played mostly man-to-man defense and ran motion offense. I expect more zone defense and imaginative offense come game time.

- Morris, the only returning first-team selection in the Big West Conference, has to like what he sees around him. Constantly double-teamed last year, the senior guard should see more open opportunities with a more balanced and consistent offensive attack.

Upcoming schedule

- Before traveling to BYU to open the season on Nov. 14, LBSU will play two scrimmages:

- The 49er men will take on the University of San Diego Nov. 1 before hosting Air Force on Nov 8.

- The first home game of the season will be Nov. 22 against Weber State.

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