After four games, 17 days and more than 3,000 miles, the Sacramento State men's basketball team finally gets to play a home game tonight.
And none too soon, as the road hasn't been kind to the Hornets, who take an 0-4 record into a 7:05 p.m. contest against Idaho at the Hornets Nest.
Sac State lost at Fresno State (77-65), UC Riverside (61-49), Washington State (76-55) and Cal State Bakersfield (72-62) as first-year coach Brian Katz tries to blend 11 community college transfers with four returning players from a team that finished 4-24 last season.
Which makes the 1,200-seat Hornets Nest look pretty inviting.
"Just the environment here is a lot different than most of the other places," junior center Justin Eller said. "It's kind of closed in, but it gives us more of an advantage.
"The fans are right on top of the court. It can get just as loud as other places. It's just smaller."
Sac State has won its past nine home openers, but the Hornets are 1-10 against Idaho (3-3) and have lost all five games against the Vandals in Sacramento.
Katz has emphasized defense and pounding the ball inside offensively. But Hornets foes are shooting 49.8 percent, a slight improvement from last season's 49.5 percent.
Sac State has improved from last season in field-goal percentage (.447-.398), three-point percentage (.407-.325) and free-throw percentage (.738-.610). Turnovers have been a problem, though, with the Hornets averaging 17.0 a game, up from 14.8 a year ago.
"We've been able to score a little more than I thought we could," said Katz, whose post players have taken 42.7 percent of the team's shots, up from 23.8 percent last season. "The kids are shooting the ball better. Our shot selection has been good.
"The thing that's really hurt us, in two games in particular, is turnovers."
Katz has been trying different combinations – junior point guard Mike Marcial is the only player to start all four games – as the Hornets try to develop an identity.
Injuries haven't helped. Forward Aj Kapanoske is out for the season with a foot injury, forward Michael Selling (foot) hasn't played yet and guard Stephen Calton (tibia) missed the first three games before playing 19 minutes against Cal State Bakersfield.
"It's a long process," Katz said. "We're not really there yet. We're learning a little more every day.
"I'm happy with the effort. Practices have been very good. The attitude has been very good."
Eller said he sees promise despite the four opening losses.
"I've learned we have huge potential this year," he said. "Just the four games we've played, we've showed we can play with anybody.
"I just think we're going to get better every day."
Call The Bee's John Schumacher, (916) 326-5523.
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