Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball coach Jeff Oliver isn’t quite sure what to do. On paper he thinks he has a talented team. But that hasn’t translated to the court. The Coyotes most recent loss came 63-62 to Westmont, an NAIA team that local rival Cal Poly Pomona beat by 15.

“We lack fight and physicality and that’s a huge problem,” he said. “Until we get some we’re not going to beat anyone. We’re not fighting for loose balls, fighting for a rebound. We’re just not competing.”

Oliver addressed the issue before practice on Monday. He tried simplifying the offense last week after the first two California Collegiate Athletic Association games. It worked to a point. The Coyotes (2-4) held their last foe to 63.

“We were in the right position so we did better in that respect,” he said. “But I never thought we’d be held to 62 points.”

Oliver hasn’t given up hope. All his players came from successful programs so they know what it takes to win. And the problem isn’t that they’re bad individuals.

“It’s a great group of kids. I enjoy being around them. They’re nice, maybe too nice. It isn’t like a few years ago when I had knuckleheads.”

The Coyotes will travel to Las Vegas for a pair of nonconference games Saturday and Sunday against Grand Canyon and Academy of Arts.

Help is on the way in the form of 6-foot-7 forward Brandon Brown, who should be eligible later this week.

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