COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : OCCIDENTAL : Double-Post Gives Tigers Balance of Power, Finesse

In the past, Caltech students have had much more success converting mass into energy than converting a jump shot into 2 points. So some Occidental players considered it a slap in the face when one preseason basketball poll listed Caltech as the only team between the Tigers and the basement in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“We don’t have that much on paper but we have potential to be a contender,” said Brian Newhall, who replaces Bill Westphal as the Occidental coach. “That’s a direct challenge to us.”

Occidental opens its season against Christian Heritage tonight at 6 in the Christ College tournament.

Like the coaching staff, the Tigers offensive philosophy has been totally revamped. In an attempt to improve last year’s 12-14 record, Newhall plans to showcase Chris Anderson and John Crawley in a double-post offense. Anderson (6-feet, 9-inches, 210 pounds) relies on finesse and Crawley (6-8, 225) provides some muscle.

“Chris is doing the things we want him to do,” said Newhall, adding that he would like to see Anderson take at least 15 shots a game. “And his confidence has jumped a notch.”

Crawley, who opted for the weight room instead of the track for his off-season workout regimen, will need to improve his stamina to make the impact Occidental needs from him, Newhall said.

Senior forward John Keister, who averaged 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game last year, completes Occidental’s starting frontline.

Although the double-post formation should open up some perimeter shooting opportunities for the Tigers, Newhall intends to keep a tight rein on his long-distance marksmen.

“We won’t shoot 100 three-pointers as a team,” Newhall said. “A lot of coaches see that as a weakness but we emphasize our big guys.”

Ethan Caldwell, a junior transfer from Pomona-Pitzer, has adjusted well to his role as point guard.

“He’s a smart guy,” Newhall said of Caldwell, who averaged just 2 points a game at Pomona. “He doesn’t seem like a transfer. He got instant respect.”

Newhall calls starting off-guard Jason Greenstein the “hardest worker on the team” but adds that he tends to be a streak shooter.