Oct. 18, 2003
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State opened the 2003-04 basketball season with a three-hour practice Saturday morning at Peterson Gym.
The Aztecs return eight letterwinners off last season's squad, which claimed the first Division I, postseason victory in school history with a win over UC Santa Barbara in the NIT.
"Nobody got hurt so that is a good first day," head coach Steve Fisher joked. "The liabilities we have you can see and that is a lack of height. However, I like our team. We will have a savvy ball club that will play hard and know how to play."
Of the 13 players on the roster, 12 were able to practice. Sophomore guard Steve Sir was present but spent the practice rehabilitating from last month's hernia surgery. Other players that had off-season surgery, including Travis Hanour, Chris Manker and Wesley Stokes participated in the first practice.
"We had everyone practice with the exception of Steve Sir," Fisher added. "Travis Hanour is my big concern and I think he did a good job today. He practiced almost the entire time and Wesley Stokes did go the entire way."
San Diego State's first exhibition game is scheduled for Nov. 4 against LA Stars at Cox Arena. The Aztecs will open the season for real at home on Nov. 21 against Long Beach State.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Senior forward Aerick Sanders: "It feels good to get back out on the court and get down to business. I'm glad to see a lot of people on the court and getting back to being healthy."
Junior forward Travis Hanour: "For the first day of practice I thought we communicated very well. A lot of times you see teams have a lot of energy but struggle and look out of sync. I thought we had good energy but also look like a team. I think it shows how close we are as a team to perform like this on opening day." "This is the most I have done since the surgery and I feel very good. I am sure I will be sore later today but I felt comfortable out there."
Junior guard Wesley Stokes: "I want to come in and my presence felt this season. I feel like my first two seasons I was not able to show all of my abilities so I am looking forward to the opportunity to do that this season. "I thought we looked pretty good today. The freshmen did a good job of knowing the drills and we got excellent leadership from senior captain Aerick Sanders. We have a good nucleus coming back and I think we have enough talent to have a successful season."
Sophomore guard Steve Sir: "I am feeling better and making progress. I am doing a little more every week. This week I am doing some light jogging and riding the bike, next week I will do a little 5-0 work on the court. I hope to be able to practice in a couple of weeks."