About the Bulldogs: The 2003-04 season tipped off the post-Cy Alexander era as Ben Betts, a one-time Alexander assistant, is now barking instructions from the sidelines. Betts was tabbed to succeed Alexander in April when the long time SCSU mentor moved to Tennessee State after 16 seasons as Bulldog head coach. Betts inherited a team that lost three starters from a 20-11 squad, which won the mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the prestigious NCAA tournament. SCSU lost 71-54 to Oklahoma in the first round. Among the losses were guard Moses Malone Jr. (15.7 ppg) and all-purpose performer Dustin Braddick (13 ppg, 5.7 rpg), the MEAC Tournament MVP and the Bulldogs? Outstanding Player Awardee in the NCAA Tournament in a 71-54 first-round loss to Oklahoma. Only two returning starters ? 6-5 forward Thurman Zimmerman and 6-2 point guard Demeco Heath ? return from last year?s team. They spearhead the 2003-04 squad, but are receiving a lot of help from several newcomers. Zimmerman was a first-team All-MEAC selection last year and the MEAC Rookie of the Year, while Heath is one of the best defenders in the MEAC. The two are during their part in helping to carry the load for a very young Bulldog team that features six newcomers among its 13 players. Zimmerman is off to a fast start, averaging 17.7 points and 7.4 rebounds after seven games. Heath is contributing 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds each outing. Among the newcomers providing support are 6-3 JUCO Shawn Wiggins (11.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and freshman Brian Mason (11.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg). Second-year guard Brandon Trapp is averaging 8.3 points per game and leads Coach Betts? team in 3-pt percentage (.364).
