Fischer Is Stepping In to Fill Void

When Cal State Fullerton junior center Matt Caldwell suffered a shoulder injury that ended his season after nine games, it created a void in the Titan lineup.

“It was a big loss for our team,” said Josh Fischer, who has been asked to fill the gap in the Titans’ starting lineup. “He played with a lot of emotion and pumped up all of us in every game, the same way he did our fans.”

Replacing an experienced player and a team leader who was averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds can be a daunting task for a sophomore. But Fischer, who averaged 3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds as a freshman reserve, hopes he is up to the task.

“I know I still need to improve on a lot of things,” said Fischer, who played at La Habra High. “I’d like to be doing better right now, of course, but I think I’m making progress.”

Fischer, 6-9 and 245 pounds, is averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds heading into tonight’s game against Boise State in Titan Gym. He has started at center the past six games.

Fischer said his biggest challenge is improving on defense.

“I’d prefer to be playing the 4-spot [power forward], but I know the team needs me now at center,” Fischer said. “We didn’t have that much depth inside anyway. A lot of those guys I’m playing against now at center are bigger and stronger than I am, and I can tell that when I’m constantly banging with them inside.”

Fischer said he intends to work more on weight training.

“I know I need to get stronger and learn to do a better job of blocking out,” he said. “That will help my post defense.”

Titan Coach Bob Hawking said Fischer has shown improvement.

“Josh is big, but he still has to compensate for the quickness and jumping ability of a lot of guys he’s matched up against,” Hawking said. “He has to be able to handle the physical contact that goes with playing inside on the Division I level, and still avoid foul problems.”

Hawking said he likes Fischer’s competitive attitude.

“He was sick with the flu for the St. Mary’s game, but he played and never once asked to come out,” Hawking said. “I took him out because it was obvious he was sick. He’s also been hobbled somewhat with a knee injury, but he has played through that too. He’s a competitor.”

Fischer got a late start last season because of mononucleosis.

“I missed just about the whole preseason practice because I was sick two different times with it,” Fischer said. “My first real practice with the team was the day before we played our first game against Kansas State. It wasn’t until nearly the middle of the season that I felt comfortable, that I knew all the plays.”

Fischer said he thought he might be redshirted last season.

“Playing was good for me, though,” he said. “I got a lot of experience and learned a lot.”

One of Fischer’s strengths is his outside shooting ability. He shot a team-leading 51.4% from the field last season and made three of five three-point shots. He’s shooting 48.6% this season.

“I still can pop out occasionally and get an outside shot when I’m playing center, but most of the time you have to post up inside,” Fischer said.

Fischer said the Titan coaches and his teammates have helped him to not feel added pressure as Caldwell’s replacement.

“I know I’m getting a few more minutes this way, and I’m glad to be starting, but I’d rather we still had Caldwell,” Fischer said. “It hurts to lose a guy like him even before the conference season begins.”