Men's Basketball 2004-05 Season Preview

Program is full of changes

- (11/11/2004)

It’s a brand new start for the Simpson University Men's Basketball team this season.  Simpson, now titled a university, has an entirely new coaching staff, soon to be new mascot, and eight incoming players that make for a completely changed atmosphere.  The hope is that all these changes can come together in time to make another positive change, one to the record.

Simpson is coming off a 12-20 season and just 2-16 in the California Pacific Conference.  New Head Coach Bill Callaway will get his first look at the tough Cal Pac along with his athletic squad.  Callaway is a long-time local prep coach and will be joined by recent Simpson graduate Paul Kaukonen on the coaching staff.

Returning from last year’s squad is leading scorer Ben Saunders (Jr., F, 6’2”, Alta, CA), who averaged 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds a game last year.  Simpson also returns leading rebounder Melbourne Sattler (So., F, 6’4”, Sacramento, CA) at 5.9 rebounds and 8.9 points a game.  Also returning is center Kyle Hasler (Sr., C, 6’7”, Mesa, AZ) at 3.9 RPG and 4.4 PPG and Brandon Smith (Jr., G, 6’, Sacramento, CA) who played in just three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The new class brings with it a lot of raw athleticism.  At the point position, Richard Mitchell (So., G, 5’11”, Richmond, CA) a transfer from Peru State and freshman Calvin Johnson (Fr., G, 5’10”, Oakland, CA) have plenty of speed to burn.

At the other guard position, there is a great mix of talents in sharp-shooter Todd Dwyer (Fr., G, 6’, Redding, CA), energy and athleticism with C.J. Martin (Fr., G, 6’2”, Sacramento, CA) and the steadiness of senior transfer Sam Gichuhi (Sr., G, 5’11”, La Habra, CA).

Another freshman, Markis Morrison (Fr., F, 6’3”, Vallejo, CA) adds a lot of versatility to the squad.  A pair of transfers round out the squad at the forward position in Jeff Scantlin (So., F, 6’5”, Anchorage, AK) from Western Baptist and Grant Drake (Jr., F, 6’5”, Palmdale, CA), who returns to the team after playing for the Vanguards in 2002-2003.

The men’s basketball team has already got things underway by taking part in the Golden State Athletic Conference Classic November 4-6 in Costa Mesa and Fullerton.  Two nationally ranked NAIA DI teams took part in the tournament.  While the Vanguards suffered three tough losses, they witnessed some top teams in person and now know what it takes to get to that level.