Old, New, Borrowed and Blue Fill SDSU’s 1992-93 Lineup : College basketball preview: Aztecs, 2-26 last season, try to regain their footing under Tony Fuller.

SAN DIEGO —  They slapped a new coat of paint on the San Diego State basketball offices. They stuck a new man in the head coach’s chair.

They gave Peterson Gym a makeover and recruited some Division II schools for the schedule.

But there is a saying: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Last year’s edition put together the most embarrassing season in school history, a 2-26 mark (not including two exhibition losses). These guys became as addicted to losing as Geraldo Rivera to slime.

So as the Aztecs prepare for their Dec. 1 season opener against the University of San Diego, the elevator is on the first floor.

“We want to learn how to win,” Coach Tony Fuller said. “We were watching a tape of our (exhibition) game with Australia the other day and we pointed out to them, we make a run in the first half, we’re up and we’re happy. Australia called time out to regroup.

“In the second half, the Australians made a run, took the lead, and we just kind of put our heads down. Those are the kinds of things we need to learn not to do.”

There are few proven players and even less front court depth.

“I’m not going to judge this team in terms of wins and losses,” Fuller said. “I think it would be unfair to them. We will judge ourselves on effort and attitude. Playing hard, and our guys trying to do what we ask them.”

But then again, as center Joe McNaull said, “There’s no way we can’t be better than last season.”

Nine reasons why:

1. THE SUIT

Tony Fuller has replaced Jim Brandenburg and, although it is Fuller’s first head coaching job, things will be better if for no other reason than the players are happier.

The biggest memories from last season are the half-dozen or so times every game when players were jerked out after mistakes and had angry words with Brandenburg on their way to the bench. Utter chaos.

“We’re more like a family this year,” McNaull said. “We’re together. We’re not 13 individuals, we’re one team. That’s something we couldn’t do in the two years I’ve been here.”

2. THE SCHEDULE

Cal Poly Pomona is here. So are Westmont College and UC Riverside.

And the Texaco Star Classic includes Azusa Pacific, an NAIA school, and North Florida. You can’t find North Florida’s record from last season no matter how hard you look. See, this is North Florida’s first year fielding a basketball team.

Maybe Texaco should drop the “Classic” from the title this year, no?

3. THE STUD

Keith Balzer redshirted last year because of tendinitis in his knees. He has returned this season, and he will give SDSU talent and depth inside. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in six games last year.

And, at 6 feet 8, 225 pounds, he can leap WAC defenders in a single bound.

“He’ll give us some senior leadership, which we really need,” McNaull said.

4. THE BANDBOX

Peterson Gym might have been a first-class university facility in, say, 1940. Now, however, it is a small gym (capacity, 4,000) that certainly isn’t going to help win any recruiting wars.

Still, while Fuller waits for the new on-campus arena--due sometime before Chelsea Clinton grows up, gets married, has kids and becomes a grandmother--he smiles about Peterson Gym. He says that, unlike in a nearly deserted San Diego Sports Arena, the Aztecs actually will have a home-court advantage.

It can’t hurt. But check it out Dec. 12, when Rollie Massimino and Nevada Las Vegas visit.

5. THE CLICHES

Every coach uses them, and you figure Fuller’s career is off to a good start because he has mastered several. All he wants to do is “build a program” in which “kids graduate” and “play hard.”

His “Four Standards of Excellence:” Play hard, play defense, play together as a team and rebound.

After 2-26, let’s see: Play hard, yes, that would be a nice change; play defense, yes, that would work; rebound, OK, McNaull certainly wouldn’t argue with some help; and play together as a team . . . wow, at SDSU? This coach is a radical.

6. THE OFFENSE

Fuller has installed an up-tempo, three-guard offense. Two of the projected starters are new: point guard Jason Hamilton, a 6-foot freshman from Renton, Wash.; and Chris Walters, a 6-2 community college transfer from Lancaster, who will play a wing position.

Hamilton averaged 19.9 points for Hazen High last year and Walters averaged 17.6 at Antelope Valley Community College.

Robert Ringo, a part-time starter at SDSU last season, will play the other wing position. Balzer and McNaull, who led SDSU in scoring at 13 points per game and in rebounding at 7.9 last winter, are the other two projected starters.

7. THE TIGER

Tony Clark, who splits his time between SDSU and the Detroit Tigers’ farm system, is feeling better this fall. Although his back is still fragile, it is better than at this point a year ago.

A healthier Clark, who averaged 11 points per game last winter, will be a big boost.

8. THE CHARACTERS

Senior guard Ray Barefield is academically ineligible but is expected to return during the Texaco Star Classic. Although you wouldn’t say shooting is a strength, his defense will help.

Junior forward Courtie Miller started a year ago before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. As he gains confidence in it, his game should improve.

Sophomore forward Marcus Banks still hasn’t proven he can play, but he sure looks good. After losing 40 pounds in the off-season, Fuller has been pleased with his progress.

Sophomore forward Chris Davis has been hampered with a bad ankle but, with a year under his belt, is expected to contribute. Junior forward Terrence Hamilton has also been injured (a groin).

9. THE DORMITORIES

Players are actually expected to stay put this season. In the past five, a total of 21 recruits either left the program before their four years of eligibility were up or failed to qualify academically for enrollment at SDSU.

“I think (a key) for everybody is getting the negativism out of our mind-set,” Miller said. “Always being in a negative mind-set. . . .

“It’s fun to come to practice and play. We don’t have an overbearing sense of gloom we had when we walked into the gym last year.”

San Diego State Roster

No. Player Pos Yr Hgt Wgt 42 Keith Balzer F Sr. 6-8 225 55 Marcus Banks C-F So. 6-9 265 11 Ray Barefield G Sr. 6-1 190 32 Tony Clark G-F Jr. 6-8 215 53 Chris Davis F So. 6-8 245 12 Jason Hamilton G Fr. 6-0 170 34 Terrence Hamilton F Jr. 6-6 210 40 Joe McNaull C Jr. 6-10 230 21 Courtie Miller F Jr. 6-7 215 23 Berry Randle G Fr. 6-4 185 3 Robert Ringo G So. 6-2 175 33 Deon Taylor G Fr. 6-2 180 4 Chris Walters G Jr. 6-2 165

Coach: Tony Fuller