SEASIDE >> The vision since head coach Isaac Williams’ arrival eight years ago was to build a program by developing players over time, grooming them into a culture for success on and off the basketball court.

And it was working, as evident by Cal State Monterey Bay putting together a winning season in 2022 and reaching the conference men’s basketball tournament.

Yet, the rapid changes in the NCAA over the past two years have forced Williams to change his philosophies and adapt to a different version of recruiting.

When seven players entered the transfer portal after the season, Williams and his staff had no choice but to dive into the portal as well to seek replacements in a short period of time.

“I hadn’t really experienced people that played for us wanting to go somewhere else,” Williams said. “I decided I didn’t want to recruit freshmen and develop them for someone else.”

The last two recruiting cycles had seen Williams bring in eight freshmen to build his program around. Four left this past year through the portal.

“Duke lost seven kids to the portal,” Williams said. “I enjoy development. But people don’t stay in one place. I am disappointed. You are invested in them as a person as well.”

The portal has changed the makeup of the Otters roster this year as nine new players — all with experience — including four Division I castoffs have created a new environment.

“While we were recruiting freshmen for the future, others were bringing in transfers,” Williams said. “Those freshmen got better and played a lot. But it’s hard to win with young players in this conference.”

Overhauling the roster has left Williams with just one true freshman on this winter’s roster, as CSUMB opens its season on Friday in Ellensburg, Washington, facing Western Oregon.

“It’s us adapting to the world we are living in,” Williams said. “We needed to find guys that were physical and more prepared — that understand the rigors of what college basketball is like.”

For those who have chosen to come back, including junior guard Javon Johnson, the departures weren’t a complete surprise.

“I almost expected it because of how the season was going and the way that players were treating each other before they left,” Johnson said. “Still, it was a bit of a shock.”

Johnson, a De La Salle High product, had no intentions of leaving. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard wants to be part of the solution.

“I like the people here,” Johnson said. “Coach Issac really believes in me. He knows what I’m capable of. It takes time. By my senior year, I will be a well-rounded player.”

Based on what Johnson and Williams have witnessed in practices, the intensity level has shot up a degree as the Otters look to recover from a 7-20 season.

“I believe we have a team that will compete at a much higher level,” Williams said. “We focused on playing experience. We got more athletic and got better with guys that are battle tested.”

The foundation of Williams’ success — even before his arrival at CSUMB — had been about development, bringing in players that fit his culture, that he believed would be a part of the program for four years.

“I enjoy development, building relationships that go beyond basketball,” Williams said. “But in today’s world, you don’t know who will come back and who will stay.”

Those who have stayed are part of the foundation that Williams is relying on to help with the transition of turning the Otters into a contender in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

“The biggest thing is getting the new players to adjust to how we do things here,” Johnson said. “It didn’t take long for guys to buy in. I just want to do my part and win.”

Last year CSUMB lost six games by six points or less — essentially two possessions. Reverse those losses and it’s a .500 basketball team.

“We talk about this each year,” Williams said. “Every year, there will be 10 or 12 one or two possession games. The teams at the top win a majority of those.”

The Otters went 4-6 in games decided by six points or less.

Part of CSUMB’s struggles last season stemmed from a youthful roster as growing pains occurred throughout the season. That’s not expected to be an issue this winter, although the chemistry in a program with nine new faces will take some time.

“I don’t know if two months is enough time to get everyone on the same page,” Williams said. “Having that connectivity is something we’ll have to work on. That goes back to recruiting good people.”

That’s one part of the recruiting process that hasn’t changed for Williams. When sifting through more than 1,000 names in the portal, the time frame was short in signing players.

“We had to get guys on campus and make sure they were a good fit,” Williams said. “My pitch is always the same. We are team first with great culture. We play an exciting style of basketball. We wanted kids we thought would thrive in our situation.”

That includes 6-foot-10 forward Blake Jones, an Australian native, whose previous stops included Division I Montana and George Mason.

Jones has played in 76 Division I college games in his three-year career, providing experience in the post position for CSUMB.

“Guys that are coming in from that level had a chance to watch and learn the little, tiny details of the game,” Williams said. “Going from a smaller to a larger role doesn’t come right away.”

Most of the transfers that Williams brought in didn’t see extensive time at their previous stop — part of the reason players enter the portal. No one is being asked to be a savior, just a part of the puzzle.

“At the end of the day, we won’t be good because of any individual player,” Williams said. “We will be good because we can sustain a level of effort, understanding it will be someone different each night.”

As for those that have returned, Williams’ backcourt is intact with Johnson beginning his third season along with sophomore Jaden Tengan, while Jackson Corley and Joey Bilelo are two returning players who have been in the program since their freshman years.

The 6-4 Johnson shot 45 percent from beyond the 3-point arc last season, averaging just under nine points a game, while finishing second on the team in blocked shots.

“I feel we’re all competitive players,” Johnson said. “The intensity level is at an all-time high in practices. While it’s been a short time together, the focus has been there.”

Tengan started 26 games as a freshman last season, dishing out 59 assists, while finishing third on the team in scoring at 12.4 points a game.

What will be different this season for the Otters is their depth, as Williams expects to play 12 to 13 players each game.

“All of them are going to play a role on the team,” insisted Williams, the winningest coach in terms of percentage in Eastern Oregon history. “Since we have not played any games, everything we think is theoretical.”

Other than a closed-door scrimmage, all Williams has to go on is the practices that have taken place over the past two months, in what he called the most competitive since he’s been here.

“If we’re going to be good, it’s because of our depth,” Williams said. “We will be able to put more people into the game and sustain a lot more effort and intensity for 40 minutes. The strength of our team is our numbers.”