Coyote basketball team a mystery

No one seems to know what to expect out of the Cal State San Bernardino men's basketball team. Coach Jeff Oliver doesn't even know and he's the one with those 14 players every day.

In my six years covering local colleges I haven't seen a team that can be so good one minute and so bad the next. Up and down, hot and cold. The Coyotes (9-7, 7-3) have been all that and more.

Last week they went to the northern part of the state and laid an egg against Sonoma State, a team they should have beaten even if they were on the road. Then the next night they turn around and whip Humboldt State by double digits in what is one of the most hostile environments for a visiting team.

Did the Coyotes learn? Apparently not because they did the same thing a week later. Lose to a .500 San Francisco State, then turn around and beat a feisty Monterey Bay team despite playing without three players for disciplinary reasons.

It is hard seeing this team making a run because it hasn't yet put together enough good efforts to make one think they can sustain a postseason run.

The talents is there but the issue seems to be team chemistry. The individual players all seem like nice enough guys. Sometimes the mix just doesn't work. But the Coyotes have a poor record against out-of-conference foes so they're going to have to put some wins together just to make a regional tournament.

Stay tuned!

Next up is Dominguez Hills on Friday. The Toros are currently first in the CCAA so the good Coyotes will have to show up to stand a chance.