Steph F. Austin State University Scouting Report

[Apis Bull]

From the Sports Network

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN - Trying to replace one of the league's top players from last season, all-conference forward Antonio Burks, Stephen F. Austin will have trouble duplicating its 21-9 record from a season ago. The team was one of four in the Southland to finish with double-figure league wins and was just a game out of first place when the smoke cleared. The Lumberjacks are directed by head coach Danny Kaspar, now entering his fifth season with the program, who has a wealth of potential at his disposal, but for the moment that's all it is, potential. Anthony Paez, Justin Thomas and Jerry Cheves are three junior college transfers on the roster this season and according to Kaspar, as of the first days of November, they still need to get into the rhythm and pace that SFA has set forth. The group has to replace five seniors from last year's team, so there's little time to sit back and wait for players to develop into roles. As a possible all-conference performer in his own right, point guard Marcus Clark will have to contribute much more than his 3.9 assists per contest from a year ago. Senior guard Leonard Brown provides plenty of experience in the backcourt for the 'Jacks, but with both he and Clark checking in at 5-10 and 5-7, respectively, opponents are going to take advantage of the duo in the paint whenever they can. The crew from Nacogdoches hasn't been in the NCAA Tournament since 1987 when the school was part of the Gulf Star Conference and chances are the school will go yet another year without the exposure.