Coyotes show potential in tough loss

The Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team fell to Concordia-Irvine on Saturday 80-74. But there were some encouraging signs.

Concordia is one of the better NAIA teams. It is big. it is physical. It can shoot the 3. The Eagles really don’t have any weaknesses. They also went into the game with the benefit of having played six games while the Coyotes had played one. This early in the season, that matters.

The Coyotes are also a little thin right now as Coach Jeff Oliver relies pretty much on seven players. Lawrence Tyson and Aaron Hill are doing an admirable job in the backcourt. Neither is a true point guard but they’re having to carry that load until Corey Caston is eligible at the end of the semester. (That will be after the first two conference games next weekend).

The Coyotes will also get back Steve Gaston, a sharp-shooter who redshirted last year to get his grades in order.

This team also plays hard and the team chemistry is good – both factors that led to the demise of a team that should have done better last  season.

The players also seemed angry after losing. That’s a good thing. And it wasn’t always the case last year.

We’ll see as CCAA play gets underway on Friday. The Coyotes will host UC San Diego, which is off to a slow start but is well-coached and always poses a threat.

 

 

 

 

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