COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : Lopez Faces an Uphill Struggle With a Lot of Downhill Talent

Larry Lopez takes the wheel of a Cal Lutheran basketball program that has been rolling downhill for a number of years. Actually, the Kingsmen have always been downhill. They’ve had 23 losing seasons in 25 years. Last season, CLU was 5-23. The year before, 8-25.

Lopez, an assistant coach for two years, is taking over for Ed Anderson, who has taken a year’s leave of absence. Said Lopez: “It feels good to be a head coach.”

For now, at least.

“We’re looking to go .500 or better and to make the NAIA District III playoffs,” he said. “We’re going to surprise some people. I feel upbeat about it.”

By the end of the season, he may feel beat up. But the Kingsmen have new hope with the return of Steve DeLaveaga, a 6-4 guard, and the addition of Mike Demeter, a 6-7 freshman from Santa Maria.

DeLaveaga is a sophomore who averaged 13.5 points a game last season. “He and Darren Ranck are outstanding outside shooters,” Lopez said. “Both of them can score from three-point range.” James Faulk, despite being 6-3, will man the high post in Lopez’s UCLA offense. Faulk transferred from Diablo Valley College in Vallejo. Lopez said Faulk could play center, forward or guard. “The high post is perfect for him, though, because he can do so many things. He’s aggressive, strong and quick.”

Demeter is being looked at as the man who could eventually pull the Kingsmen out of their hole. Lopez calls him “the best inside player in the history of the school.” This year, Lopez expects eight or nine points a game from Demeter and hopes that he’ll just get accustomed to college basketball.

Dave Jacques will start at the other forward spot. The 6-4 senior led CLU in field goal percentage as the team’s sixth man a year ago.

“Both he and Faulk are relentless,” the coach said. “They both play two or three inches taller than they are.”

And they’ll need to.

The Kingsmen have an adequate bench with forward Lionel Boyce and guards Jeff Logsdon and John Aguirre.

CLU opens its season Nov. 25 at home against West Coast Christian College.