Matadors' Hoops Update
Notes from a Scrimmage, July 16th, 2022
CSUN Men's Hoops contested an intra-squad scrimmage Saturday 7/16, at Premier America Credit Union Arena. Coach Trent Johnson and his staff, split the roster into a Red Team and a Black Team, and played forty minutes of basketball, with officials. With Coach Johnson observing, Assistants Chris Tifft and Terry Johnson helmed one squad, while Assistants Logan Baumann and Brandon Billups coached the second. The “Red” Team emerged victorious, 62-46.
The Matadors have been conducting off-season workouts for a couple of weeks, both with their returning players from last season's squad, that went 7-23, and ten newcomers, who've come in via the transfer portal, or high school recruiting. This was just a glimpse into some of the new guys, as in this phase of the off-season, as coaches are only permitted to conduct four hours a week of team activities.
For the most part, they kept it simple, but there were some new sets and concepts that had been put in, both on the offensive and defensive side. Both Alan Zinsmeister and myself attended the scrimmage, so here are some observations. After the scrimmage, organized workouts ceased for a recruiting period, and are scheduled to resume this week, with an eight (8) hour weekly limit on team activities.
Book-keeping note, there were four players from last year's team, eligible to return, that opted for the transfer portal: Elijah Hardy, Darius Beane and Miles James all leaving with one year of eligibility remaining, and Kailen Rains, opting to transfer with three years remaining, after playing in just two games in 2021.
RETURNEES
Onyi Eyisi – Eyisi picked up right where he left off in 2022 (9.5ppg 4.2rpg .566 FG%), but looks to be a bit more polished and relaxed. He was solid in the low post on offensive side, and even stepped out to hit a couple of fifteen-foot jumpers.
Where he showed the most improvement was in rebounding, being very aggressive to the glass, as he's clearly been working in the weight room. As referenced above, Eyisi is the only returnee from last year's batch of transfers. Both AZ and I expect that he’ll be the CSUN starter in the middle when the season begins in November.
Atin Wright – Last year's leading scorer (14.5ppg) looked pretty comfortable in the newly-adjusted Matadors' offense. He was able to score from both the outside, and in the paint. Wright moved really well without the ball, and seemed to have a renewed spirit on the defensive side of the ball, where he made several plays in the passing lanes, triggering run-outs and fast breaks, which got my broadcast partner up out of his seat more than once.
Due to the lack of depth in 2022, there were times Wright wore down, having to play extended minutes (33.9mpg), which shouldn't be the case this season. I'll be interested to see how Wright performs, after his first true off-season. His Freshman Year, workouts were limited, due to COVID, while last season, CSUN missed close to two months of team activities due to a coaching transition, yet Wright still managed to be named All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Marcel Stevens – Former walk-on saw minutes at both point guard and two-guard. Was a lot more aggressive on the offensive side, taking the ball to the hoop, as well as hitting a couple of threes. His value on the floor, however, probably depends on how he plays on defense, and run the offense, when called upon.
Stevens made some real strides last season, earning minutes (10.2mpg) under a new coaching staff. There's more competition for minutes this season, but his game is also more of a known commodity to the Coach Johnson and his staff. Just like Atin Wright, it'll be his first full summer of off-season workouts since arriving at CSUN.
Fidelis Okereke – He may be the most intriguing returnee to this year's squad, heading into his third year with the program. The physically gifted forward, just started playing organized basketball in the tenth grade, and like both Atin Wright and Marcel Stevens, had yet to experience a full off-season program, since arriving at CSUN. In 2022, his offensive game showed some flashes, after working with assistant Terry Johnson, and in 2021 he was a defensive force, after some tutelage from Jeff Dunlap. Coaches and fans alike, would like to see both parts of his game come together in 2023.
Fidelis had two thunderous dunks in the scrimmage, both out of half-court sets. Besides the “Wow Factor” of the jams, this demonstrates he's understanding his role in the offense, something he didn't always grasp on 2022. Also, Okereke made a couple of nice defensive plays along the baseline, preventing advances on the basket, and triggered a fast break with a nice defensive play giving help on the wing. Playing within the system could be the difference for him, as he looks to take his next step with the Matadors' program. He played off the bench in the scrimmage, and could be a sixth man of the year candidate, if he continues to progress.
Arman Pezeshkian - The walk-on returns to the Matadors as a Grad Student. He appeared in six games in 2022, and saw some action in the scrimmage. He’s a former All-CIF Player out of Crescenta Valley HS, and can shoot it. His role will be that of an extra shooter off the bench. His grit and toughness will be an asset to CSUN.
TRANSFERS
Dionte Bostick - Murray State transfer looks to be in the running for starting PG spot, and ran the offense efficiently. Didn't show much in terms of shooting, but was solid defensive presence, and leader on the floor. Coach Johnson is looking on Bostick to make good decisions, and stay in front of his counterparts on the defensive side.
After three years of being at the top of the conference in Assist To Turnover ratio (Thank You, DB2), the Matadors were near the bottom last season. Bostick's presence should reverse that trend in 2023. Dionte averaged 5 points and 3 assists in around sixteen minutes per game as a Freshman at Murray State, but played just 5 minutes a game in '22, as the Racers represented the OVC by reaching the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, with an OT win over USF.
Ethan Igbanugo - Grad Transfer from North Dakota also in running for PG spot, was a mirror for Bostick. The staff hopes the two of them will push each other in practice, preparing them for Big West competition. Ethan's probably the better shooter in the platoon, and he's logged more D1 minutes than his counterpart, but both should play.
Igbanugo's an experienced player, who logged 90 games over his four seasons at North Dakota, including 24 starts. For his career, he's a career 37% three-point shooter, and made 65 treys over his last two seasons, in 55 games, while averaging 25 minutes. Point guard looks to be a Bostick/Igbanugo platoon, with some odd minutes potentially going to Marcel Stevens.
De'Sean Allen-Eikens – CSUN hopes Allen-Eikens can regain the form from his freshman season at North Dakota, when he averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes. In the last two years, split between North Dakota and New Orleans, he competed in just 19 games, averaging 5.6ppg in around nineteen minutes. At 6-6, Coach Johnson and his staff are looking for him to play the three.
Matadors' Coaches like him as a scorer and rebounder, and Allen-Eikens possesses an exceptional Basketball IQ. He seemed a bit off on this particular Saturday, and with some misses, perhaps lost a little bit of confidence in his shot. Again, we don't know who arrived in SoCal when, so it was possible, maybe he hadn't logged the practice time of some of his other teammates. None other than Trent Johnson expressed to us, that Allen-Eikens is definitely the kind of player who could start and be a significant contributor in the Big West.
Dearon Tucker – Tucker was a guy who impressed on both sides of the floor on this particular Saturday. He displayed a good touch around the rim, with a nice over-the-shoulder hook from close range. Did a nice job catching some passes down in the low post as well.
Has a wide, 6-10 frame that can clog the middle on the defensive side. His physicality is also a plus for the CSUN defense. Tucker played on the 2021 Oregon State Elite 8 squad (29g 9.6mpg 2.7ppg 1.7rpg), before spending last year at Indiana State (14g 10.4mpg 2.2ppg 2.7rpg). Tucker and Onyi Eyisi could be a Fire and Ice sort of combination for the Matadors. Splitting time at the “5” allows both players to rev their engines at Top Gear for every minute they're out on the floor.
Logan Alters – The Grad Transfer from Cal is familiar with Coach Trent Johnson who was Director of Player Development for the Bears, under Mark Fox for Alters' first two years in Berkeley. Alters looks to be an insurance policy at the PG spot, a coach-on-the-floor type, who's familiar with Coach Johnson and his system.
Alters played just six games in his three years with the Bears, but did appear against CSUN in December of 2020, when the Matadors' traveled to Haas Pavilion, playing two minutes. His function at the scrimmage was to come in and settle down the offense, in a couple of instances, when they'd lost their bearings, and weren't playing within the system.
John Wade III – Transfer from Contra Costa College looked very comfortable on the floor, both on offense and defense. Did a nice job taking the opportunities in front of him, scoring a couple of transition baskets, and hitting the open three. Like Dearon Tucker, didn't get a lot of extended time on the floor, but always made an impact when he was out there.
Wade's size, speed and athleticism were on display, as he engaged on the defensive side as well, looking like a solid Big West player. He led a playoff team in 2022 with 14 points and 7 rebounds a game, and showed to be a willing passer as well. He averaged 6 points as a Freshman in 2020. (CCCAA’s 2020-21 Basketball Season was canceled).
John's Dad (John Wade II) also has some Big West ties, having served as an Assistant Coach under both Bob Thomason (Pacific) and Jerry Pimm (UCSB). John II currently serves as Contra Costa College Athletic Director. Wade III attended UC Davis as a Freshman, but didn't play basketball.
Adam Afifi - Was a capable “pick-and-pop” guy at the JC Level, but CSUN wants him to be a banger down inside, at 6-8, 230. Was very good on the face-up jumper, when the ball was swung, but had a couple of nice post moves as well. One move in particular, he went middle post from left side, and dropped a nice Baby Sky Hook out of a half-court set.
Afifi played on a State Finalist in JC, averaging 17 and 9. CSUN is looking for him to tap into his physicality, and really crash the boards. He'll also get some chances to drop the three, when the Matadors move the ball around the perimeter. Former Matador Alex Merkviladze would be a good comp for Afifi.
FRESHMAN
Cam Slaymaker - Got off to a bit of a slow start in the scrimmage, but once game settled in, one thing was clear. He can really shoot it. Basketball IQ comes through in how he makes adjustments from possession to possession. Teams will be physical with him, but he's a mature enough player to where he'll deal with it.
Slaymaker has some international experience under his belt, with Canada's National team. Cam's father was also a basketball standout in Canada. Reminiscent of Siler Schneider from UC Davis, or if you want to throw it back, Adam Jacobson at Pacific. Plus, he's got a great basketball name.
Johnny Walter - Lefty scorer, equally comfortable inside and outside. Prefers facing the bucket, but not afraid to get down inside, at 6-9 and mix it up. The most impressive aspect of his performance at the scrimmage might have been his passing. Really sees the floor well in the half-court. Elicited some emphatic reaction from my broadcast partner, Dr. Z. with a couple of nice finds down along the baseline.
Johnny's Dad was AVCA All-American for the Matadors, under Jeff Campbell, and Mom was an All-Conference performer in Volleyball as well. A true-born Matador, who grew up in Agoura and played at Oaks Christian, before going the Prep Route, Walter's very fluid and confident on the floor, looks to be the real deal. Trent Johnson coached Nick Fazekas at Nevada, to whom Walter has a comparable skill set.
Christopher Carter - Late addition to the CSUN roster, referred by Rick Pitino, of all people. Didn't get much time on the game, but was impressed was how he moved on defense. He was a human highlight film at Shadow Hills HS in Indio, so hopefully he can do the same for the faithful at Premier Credit Union Arena, before it's all said and done. Project Carter as an athletic scorer who'll play at the two or the three. With a refined shooting stroke, game could be similar to former Matador Darin Johnson.
Lamine Niang - Long and athletic, but raw. Didn't play a ton of minutes, but had a couple of nice blocks. Did good job with his feet, along the baseline, making guys work for their buckets. He'll make Eyisi and Tucker better, just because they have to go up against him in practice. The last guy from Senegal with that name did okay at CSUN. Unsure as to how much Niang will contribute in 2023, but in time, he could be a monster in the Big West. He's very slight, at 6-10, 190, as my broadcast partner is known to say, he “needs to eat a few more pancakes.” Niang did play at Fairmont Prep with Atin Wright, his first two years in HS, so maybe some familiarity eases his transition. Youngster has a very high ceiling.
Ben Starks - Starks, the walk-on from San Clemente, attended the session, but did not participate. He's expected to start working out with the team once official practices begin. He adds some size, depending on which report you read, he's listed at between 6'10 to 7'0. Starks was seated for most of the scrimmage, so we couldn't really get an eyeball perspective. Considered to be a project by some, looks to be low-risk high-reward proposition.
COACHES
The most significant addition to the Matadors for 2022-23 might not even be a player, it may be new Assistant Coach Logan Baumann. Baumann is a bit of a coaching Wunderkind, coming over from Evansville, where he worked under Todd Lickliter. He's a former Video Coordinator under Rick Pitino, and worked with Trent Johnson, when Coach was an assistant at Louisville in 2017. Baumann was a walk-on on the Cardinals' 2013 NCAA Title Team, and also served as a student manager, graduating from Louisville in 2015.
Not yet thirty, Baumann is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, and was Associate Head Coach at Evansville in 2022. He brings an energy and focus on the sideline that was palpable during the July 16 scrimmage. Baumann's addition allowed Coach Johnson to be a little less hands-on, and more of an observer during the contest. Reminded me of when Coach Jim Harrick would run Matadors' practices, allowing Mark Gottfried to sit back, take it all in, and interject to emphasize a particular point, when it seemed needed.
July scrimmages are generally very basic. Offenses are fairly fundamental, and CSUN never went to any kind of zones or traps on defense. Even so, they did run a couple of Pitino-Styled sets (which I'd attribute to Baumann) and while they maintained the “Inside-Out” philosophy of Coach Johnson's from last year, they moved the ball effectively, with guys like Walter and Afifi getting ample “Pick-and-Pop” opportunities out of half-court sets. We saw guards attacking more, and the emphasis was on aggressively crashing the boards on both sides of the floor.
The remaining staff also seemed to be settling into their roles, and will also benefit from being able to learn players, and develop chemistry over a full summer of workouts, ahead of the 2022-23 season. Each assistant will have specific duties assigned for the season, which they've all gotten a jump-start on, in the early stages of organized team activities.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Just wanted to take a moment to extend our well-wishes to Nick Hermann. As most of you know by now, Nick's battling osteosarcoma, and won't be with the team in 2022-23. He was, however, in attendance at the scrimmage, and it was great to see him. We'd obviously like to extend our love and support to both he and his family. We look forward to greeting Nick upon his return to campus.