Once again, coach Kevin Bromley is dealing with a less than full, healthy roster
Just when you think they're getting back to full strength, down goes another Mustang.
The Cal Poly men's basketball team is expected to gain the services of freshman point guard Trae Clark for tonight's nonconference game at Santa Clara but will be without freshman wing Travis Busch because of a foot injury.
The Mustangs (1-4) played without Clark, who was academically ineligible during the fall quarter that ended Friday, and injured freshman forward Titus Shelton for the first five games of the season.
Like Shelton, out until January with a stress fracture in his right foot, Busch this week was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot, Cal Poly coach Kevin Bromley said.
Busch, a 6-foot-4 forward/guard, averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in the Mustangs' first five games. He could miss four to six weeks.
Bromley, who hasn't had a full squad in more than two years because of injuries or eligibility problems, said he couldn't remember the last time he's had a completely healthy roster.
The Mustangs are also without sophomore forward John Manley because of a career-threatening back injury.
"I don't know what it is," Bromley said about the injuries. "It's just one of those things. Hopefully we can get some of those guys back by the first of conference play."
A depleted roster, along with the addition of eight newcomers, have the Mustangs off to another slow start.
Cal Poly is 1-4 for the second straight season and is still searching for its first win against a Division I team.
The Mustangs opened the season with a 71-67 win against UC Santa Diego but have dropped four straight to San Jose State, Fresno State, Stanford and Colorado. All four losses have been by eight or more points.
Cal Poly is ranked 321st among 334 teams in the latest Ratings Percentage Index, playing a schedule that is ranked 104th in terms of opponents' strength.
"I know we're going to be fine," Bromley said. "This team has the willingness to learn. Their attitude and work ethic is what you would have hoped, and this is challenging for them. They haven't wondered what's gone wrong or started pointing fingers. They figure they've been playing teams that are really good."
Tonight the Mustangs face a Santa Clara squad that head coach Dick Davey describes as a "young team that is trying to find itself."
Santa Clara (3-2) is looking to avenge a 98-89 loss at Cal Poly last season when another Mustangs squad plagued by injuries and eligibility concerns went 5-22 and missed the Big West Conference Tournament.
Without Shelton, Manley and Busch in the front court, the Mustangs will rely heavily on forwards Gabe Stephenson (11.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Derek Stockalper (10 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and centers Coby Leavitt (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Joe Henry (2.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg).
Point guard Chaz Thomas and shooting guard Dawin Whiten will continue to start in the backcourt, but Bromley said Clark could be vying for a starting spot down the road.
Clark, who has not played in five games or the two exhibitions, is listed as a 5-11 guard out of Freemont's Newark Memorial High.
Also recruited by St. Mary's, Portland State, Tulsa and New Mexico, Clark averaged nearly 10 points and four assists as a senior, guiding his team to a 29-5 and 12-0 league record and a berth in the Northern California Division I semifinals.
In his final game, a three-point loss to Serra, Clark scored 19 points with four rebounds and four assists.
"I'm anxious to see Trae play," Bromley said. "He can really handle the ball and he pushes it on offense. He's a real verbal player who calls for the ball, makes the extra pass when necessary and he can shoot it. He just brings us a lot of energy."
Just when you think they're getting back to full strength, down goes another Mustang.
The Cal Poly men's basketball team is expected to gain the services of freshman point guard Trae Clark for tonight's nonconference game at Santa Clara but will be without freshman wing Travis Busch because of a foot injury.
The Mustangs (1-4) played without Clark, who was academically ineligible during the fall quarter that ended Friday, and injured freshman forward Titus Shelton for the first five games of the season.
Like Shelton, out until January with a stress fracture in his right foot, Busch this week was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot, Cal Poly coach Kevin Bromley said.
Busch, a 6-foot-4 forward/guard, averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in the Mustangs' first five games. He could miss four to six weeks.
Bromley, who hasn't had a full squad in more than two years because of injuries or eligibility problems, said he couldn't remember the last time he's had a completely healthy roster.
The Mustangs are also without sophomore forward John Manley because of a career-threatening back injury.
"I don't know what it is," Bromley said about the injuries. "It's just one of those things. Hopefully we can get some of those guys back by the first of conference play."
A depleted roster, along with the addition of eight newcomers, have the Mustangs off to another slow start.
Cal Poly is 1-4 for the second straight season and is still searching for its first win against a Division I team.
The Mustangs opened the season with a 71-67 win against UC Santa Diego but have dropped four straight to San Jose State, Fresno State, Stanford and Colorado. All four losses have been by eight or more points.
Cal Poly is ranked 321st among 334 teams in the latest Ratings Percentage Index, playing a schedule that is ranked 104th in terms of opponents' strength.
"I know we're going to be fine," Bromley said. "This team has the willingness to learn. Their attitude and work ethic is what you would have hoped, and this is challenging for them. They haven't wondered what's gone wrong or started pointing fingers. They figure they've been playing teams that are really good."
Tonight the Mustangs face a Santa Clara squad that head coach Dick Davey describes as a "young team that is trying to find itself."
Santa Clara (3-2) is looking to avenge a 98-89 loss at Cal Poly last season when another Mustangs squad plagued by injuries and eligibility concerns went 5-22 and missed the Big West Conference Tournament.
Without Shelton, Manley and Busch in the front court, the Mustangs will rely heavily on forwards Gabe Stephenson (11.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Derek Stockalper (10 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and centers Coby Leavitt (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Joe Henry (2.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg).
Point guard Chaz Thomas and shooting guard Dawin Whiten will continue to start in the backcourt, but Bromley said Clark could be vying for a starting spot down the road.
Clark, who has not played in five games or the two exhibitions, is listed as a 5-11 guard out of Freemont's Newark Memorial High.
Also recruited by St. Mary's, Portland State, Tulsa and New Mexico, Clark averaged nearly 10 points and four assists as a senior, guiding his team to a 29-5 and 12-0 league record and a berth in the Northern California Division I semifinals.
In his final game, a three-point loss to Serra, Clark scored 19 points with four rebounds and four assists.
"I'm anxious to see Trae play," Bromley said. "He can really handle the ball and he pushes it on offense. He's a real verbal player who calls for the ball, makes the extra pass when necessary and he can shoot it. He just brings us a lot of energy."
