Big West Conference report

SportsLine Report
June 6, 2000

A proud program that averaged 18 victories a season from 1990 through 1996, Long Beach State fell on hard times during the first three years of coach Wayne Morgan's tenure.

Seems like ancient history now.

After three consecutive losing seasons, Morgan has molded a winner at The Beach and given 49er fans something to gloat about other than the architectural splendor of The Pyramid and the warm California weather.

Expectations were high for the 49ers, what with their eight top scorers returning from a 1998-99 squad that finished 13-15. Still, few conference opponents could have anticipated Long Beach's ability to take control of games almost at will.

The last time The Beach won 20 games, the coach wound up leaving for Florida International, of all places. That was Seth Greenberg, a year after the 1995 season, when the 49ers went 20-10.

So when they went 24-6 in 1999-2000, Morgan was rewarded with a three-year extension, through 2003-2004. Not bad after going 36-48 in his first three seasons.

Now the 49ers have some work to do. Their 15-1 Big West record did not impress the NCAA selection committee when they lost to New Mexico State in the semifinals of the conference tournament. That left them in the NIT, where they lost to Cal in the first round, 70-66.

A glance at 2001

The Beach loses two starters and its top two players off the bench next season, but the momentum and the talent returning from this team should keep the 49ers among the top teams in the Big West. If an impressive crop of redshirts and recruits pan out, we might be get a look at the 49ers in the Big Dance.

The coach

It took a little time, but Wayne Morgan looks to have found his footing. He's a proven recruiter who has shown the ability to work with and nurture top talent. Another big season at the Beach, however, and Morgan could be looking at some peachy job offers from across the land, despite the contract extension. Stay tuned.

Who'll be back

With center Mate Milisa gone, taking his 20 points a game with him, more of the scoring load will fall on the shoulders of shooting guard Rock Lloyd and forward James Williams, two players who have shown they can handle that burden. Also, Ron Johnson returns at the point with a solid season under his belt.

Grant Stone also returns and if given the chance could become a significant contributor.

Who's gone

The 49ers lose leading scorer Milisa and top defender Antrone Lee, along with the steady play of Charles O'Neal and D'Cean Bryant. The points can be replaced, but the intangibles Lee provided could be a bit tougher to duplicate.

Newcomers

There's at least one proven talent and some good size waiting at the wings.

• Travis Reed (F, 6-8, 240, Jr.): Transferred from UCLA and sat out the 1999-2000 season to satisfy NCAA transfer requirements and figures to be one of the top frontcourt players in the Big West. He averaged 15.9 minutes per game as a sophomore at UCLA, with a career-high of 21 points. He averaged 28.2 points and 14.7 rebounds in leading his high school team to the state championship game.
• Michael Darrett (G, 6-1, 200, Jr., Olney Central College, Ill.): Averaged 14.6 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists as an all-conference and all-region player for a 23-7 team. He attended Bosse High in Evansville, Ind.
• Vance Lawhorn (Forward, 6-8, 215, Junior): Averaged 18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as an all-conference player for a 22-11 team.
• Cedric Lusk (F, 6-7, 185, Junior, Cerritos JC, Bellflower, CA/Bellflower HS)
• Kevin Roberts (F, 6-6, 190, Freshman, Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS)
• Tadeu Souza (F, 6-8, 230, Junior, Mineral Area (MO) JC, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Terrance Watkins (F, 6-6, 205, Fr., Inglewood, NY/Bishop Loughlin HS): Rated the fifth-best player in the state.
• Lemi Williams (F, 6-6, 205, Jr., Mineral Area JC, Mo.): Averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game last year for a 19-13. Williams shot .460 from 3-point range and .530 from the field overall in earning unanimous All-Region 16 and All-MCCAC honors as a sophomore. Attended North Pemiscot HS in Hayti, Mo.

Noteworthy

• The Beach is set for a trip to Maui in November for the 9th Annual City Bank/Aloha Airlines Big Island Invitational Basketball Tournament. The Nov. 24-26 event includes Oklahoma, Appalachian State, Montana State, Oregon State, San Francisco and Tulane.
• Senior Mate Milisa, a 6-11 center, was selected the league's player of the year. He ranks among the Big West's top 10 in scoring (17.4), rebounding (7.4), field-goal percentage (57.3), free-throw percentage (83.1), and blocked shots (1.07).
• Milisa was named first-team GTE Academic All-District last week. He carries a 3.61 grade point average in international business.
• In conference games, the 49ers led the league in scoring (80.3), field-goal percentage (49.8), steals (8.44), rebounding (30.9) and turnover margin (plus-2.56).
• The 49ers won 15 games in a row during the season; their longest since 1970-71, when Jerry Tarkanian coached LBSU to a 16-game streak. The school record is 19, set in 1969-70.