USD Men's Basketball 1982-1983

Prospectus

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UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO 1982-83 BASKETBALL PROSPECTUS

Head Basketball Coach Jim Brovelli feels that the Toreros are right on target with his five year plan for success. The University of San Diego hoopsters have seen steady improvement in each of the three years that the Toreros have been at the NCAA Division I level and the West Coast Athletic Conference. In 1979-80 USO finished last in the WCAC with a 6-19 record and have improved to 11-15 and a sixth place finish in 1981-82. This year will be the true test for the Toreros , who lose four starters and seven seniors. Gone are guard Rusty Whitmarsh, forwards Jim Bateman and Gerald Jones, center Dave Heppell, and reserves Steve Rocha (center), Paul Appleby (forward), and Mike Ramsey (guard). The strength in the returnees has to be at the point guard where 6'0" senior Rich Davis (6.3 ppg-2.2 apg) and 6'0" junior John Prunty (4.0 ppg-1 .8 apg) return after sharing duties last year. They will be hard pressed by a 6'2" sophomore Jon Freeman, who saw limited action last season . Guard/forward Don Capener (6 '6", Jr., 6.4 ppg) returns along with redshirt Randy Brickley (6'6", Jr.) hoping to fill the void at the big guard position . USO returns two forwards, 6'7" senior Robby Roberts (4.7 ppg-5.4 rpg), and sophomore Anthony Reuss (6'7"). Jim Brovelli is quite pleased with this year 's recruits, and feels that this may be the best recruiting year since the Toreros entered the NCAA Division I ranks three years ago. USO brought in two top notch freshmen and four junior college transfers. The freshmen, 6'8½ " center/forward Mario Coronado (21.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg , 68% FG¾) and 6'9" forward Mike Davis (22 .9 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 4 Blk/game) have strong credentials and may see a great deal of playing time . All four J.C. transfers are expected to give strong competition for star– ting spots at their respective positions. Bill Penfold, a 6'5" big guard form Glendale College, averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg for the Vaqueros. Besides Coronado and Davis USO recruited three forwards including 6'8" Dave Mciver (Cypress College, 3.8 ppg , 2.3 rpg), 6'7" Brian Setencich (Fresno City College, 13.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and 6'5" Mike Whitmarsh (Grossmont College, 18.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg , 62% FG¾). Not only do the Toreros have to fill four voids in the starting line-up, but they have to compete with the toughest schedule in USO basketball history. The schedule opens up with an exhibition game against the University of Alberta on November 22, then the Toreros play a Thanksgiving weekend series with the U.S. Air Force Academy on November 27th and Northern Arizona University on the 29th. December opens with a road trip to NIT participant UC Irvine on the 2nd. USO is home for two contests with St. Thomas College and Doane College on December 5th and 6th . On December 9th USO will take on cross-town rival San Diego State (NIT) in the San Diego Sports Arena. The Toreros take a week off for finals and then travel to Cal State Long Beach for a game on the 18th of December. USO comes home for a December 21st contest against Texas Tech , then travels to San Jose State on December 22 to play the Spartans, and then close out December at the Big Blue Classic (Utah State (host], T.C.U., Idaho State and USO) on the 28th and 29th .

The non-conference schedule ends with Oklahoma Christian (USO, Jan . 4), University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, Jan. 8), and the University of Denver (USO, Jan . 13).

West Coast Athletic Conference action will be more fierce than ever with Pepperdine the clear favorite and everyone else right behind. Pepperdine re~urns four starters from last year's WCAC Champion and NCAA Regional participant team and look like the best bet for this year's crown. Gonzaga, Loyola/Mary– mount, Portland , St. Mary's, USO and Santa Clara have all greatly improved their teams with increased ex– perience and fine recruiting.