CSUF Notebook : McQuarn Juggles Lineup to Get More Speed

Substantial lineup changes are in store for the Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team, Coach George McQuarn said Monday, two days after the Titans’ third loss in four games this season.

The Titans have struggled largely because of poor inside play, and McQuarn said he plans moves to change that.

Henry Turner, the Titans’ second-leading scorer last season, will move from wing to power forward as soon as he returns from an ankle injury that has sidelined him two games, McQuarn said. Turner will be taking over for Bobby Adair and Vincent Blow, who shared the power forward position.

David Moody, who had been expected to redshirt to gain a season of experience, will move into the Titans’ top eight and will share time with Vincent Blow at center.

The moves, which include starting Van Anderson at Turner’s accustomed wing/small forward position, are designed to give Fullerton a smaller, speedier lineup. For the past two games, Anderson has filled in for Turner, who may return for Fullerton’s game against Utah Saturday in Titan Gym.

“We want to try to take advantage of our quickness and speed and score more out of our defense,” McQuarn said.

John Sykes, who started at center in the season opener, and Oval Miller, who has started the past three games, appear to have dropped out of the top eight.

Sykes averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds averaging 20 minutes per game in the first four games. Miller averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. In the 80-57 loss to New Orleans in which the Titans were outrebounded, 35-15, Sykes and Miller had only three rebounds each, despite playing more than half the game.

A likely starting lineup, provided that both Turner and Blow, who has been suffering from the flu, are able to play: Eugene Jackson (point guard), Richard Morton (off-guard), Anderson (small forward), Turner (power forward) and Blow (center).

Guard Marlon Vaughn, power forward Bobby Adair and Moody likely would be the top reserves.

McQuarn said he is looking for substantial contributions from Adair, who has started three games. He is averaging six points a game.

“From Adair, we need 25, 30 minutes a game,” McQuarn said. “He has potential, but he needs to be more consistent.”

Morton’s 34-point performance in the Titans’ loss to New Orleans Saturday moved him into fifth place on the Titan career scoring list, passing Gary Davis. Leon Wood holds the Titan career record of 1,876 points, set during the 1981-84 seasons.

Morton has scored 1,178 points, and has averaged 20.1 points a game since the beginning of his junior season. In four games this season, he has averaged 28 points.

The Fullerton women’s team, off to its best start in Coach Maryalyce Jeremiah’s three seasons, plays host to ninth-ranked Ohio State at 7:30 tonight in Titan Gym.

Fullerton (4-2) has been led by senior Amy Torczon, who is averaging 17.2 points and 12 rebounds a game, and is shooting 64% from the field.

Ohio State (4-0) is led by two-time Big Ten player of the year Tracey Hall, who is averaging 17.3 points.

The game will be broadcast live on Prime Ticket.