2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule

2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule Epic conference tournament is starting. Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Mountain West men’s basketball bracket, schedule The Moutnain West tournament tips off in Las Vegas this week and it …

2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule


Epic conference tournament is starting. 


Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Mountain West men’s basketball bracket, schedule

The Moutnain West tournament tips off in Las Vegas this week and it should be amazing.

The conference is trying to earn six NCAA Tournament bids. If that is the case, there will be a team in the opening round games which by seeding is New Mexico.

This season the Mountain West has been possibly the best ever and this tournament, hopefully, follow suit this week.

The tournament start this Wednesday with the opening round games with late morning to early evening games.

These opening round games could have NCAA Tournament implications, but the quarterfinals and beyond definitely will.

FIRST ROUND, MARCH 13

All first round games streamed on Mountain West Network

  • (9) Fresno State vs. (8) Wyoming, 11 a.m. PT/noon MT
  • (10) San Jose State vs. (7) Colorado State, 1:30 p.m. PT/2:30 p.m. MT
  • (11) Air Force vs. (6) New Mexico, 4 p.m. PT/5 p.m. MT

QUARTERFINALS, MARCH 14

All quarterfinal games are all on CBS Sports Network or stream on FuboTV with a free trial.

  • (1) Utah State vs. Wyoming/Fresno State winner, noon PT/1 p.m. MT
  • (5) San Diego State vs. (4) UNLV, 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT
  • (2) Nevada vs. Colorado State/San Jose State winner, 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT
  • (3) Boise State vs. New Mexico/Air Force winner, 8:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. MT

SEMIFINALS, MARCH 15

All semifinal games are all on CBS Sports Network or stream on FuboTV with a free trial


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2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule The schedule is out! Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Get ready for some football! The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes. The league …

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule


The schedule is out!


Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Get ready for some football!

The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes.

The league includes Washington State and Oregon State which are quasi-members of the Mountain West.

Those two schools will play seven games against the Mountain West but they are not eligible to win the conference title.

Television assignments for Fox and CBS will be released at a later date.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Delaware State at Hawai‘i
SMU at Nevada
Montana State at New Mexico

Thursday, Aug. 29

Sacramento State at San José State

Saturday, Aug. 31

Merrimack at Air Force
Boise State at Georgia Southern
Colorado State at Texas
Fresno State at Michigan
UCLA at Hawai‘i
Nevada at Troy
New Mexico at Arizona
Texas A&M Commerce at San Diego State
UNLV at Houston
Robert Morris at Utah State
Wyoming at Arizona State
Idaho State at Oregon State
Portland State at Washington State

Saturday, September 7

San José State at Air Force
Boise State at Oregon
Northern Colorado at Colorado State
Sacramento State at Fresno State
Georgia Southern at Nevada
Oregon State at San Diego State
Utah Tech at UNLV
Utah State at USC
Idaho at Wyoming
Texas Tech at Washington State

Saturday, September 14

Air Force at Baylor
Colorado at Colorado State
New Mexico State at Fresno State
Hawai‘i at Sam Houston
Nevada at Minnesota
New Mexico at Auburn
San Diego State at California
Kennesaw State at San José State
UNLV vs. KansasUtah at Utah State
BYU at Wyoming
Oregon at Oregon State
Washington State vs. Washington

Saturday, September 21

Portland State at Boise State
UTEP at Colorado State
Fresno State at New Mexico
Northern Iowa at Hawai‘i
Eastern Washington at Nevada
San José State at Washington State
Utah State at Temple
Wyoming at North Texas
Purdue at Oregon State

Saturday, September 28

Air Force at Wyoming
Washington State at Boise State
Fresno State at UNLV
New Mexico at New Mexico State
San Diego State at Central Michigan

Saturday, October 5

Navy at Air Force
Utah State at Boise State
Colorado State at Oregon State
Hawai‘i at San Diego State
Nevada at San José State
Syracuse at UNLV

Saturday, October 12

Air Force at New Mexico
Boise State at Hawai‘i
San José State at Colorado State
Washington State at Fresno State
Oregon State at Nevada
San Diego State at Wyoming
UNLV at Utah State

Saturday, October 19

Colorado State at Air Force
Fresno State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Washington State
New Mexico at Utah State
Wyoming at San José State
UNLV at Oregon State

Saturday, October 26

Boise State at UNLV
New Mexico at Colorado State
San José State at Fresno State
Nevada at Hawai‘i
Washington State at San Diego State
Utah State at Wyoming
Oregon State at California

Saturday, November 2

Air Force at Army
San Diego State at Boise State
Colorado State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Fresno State
Wyoming at New Mexico

Saturday, November 9

Fresno State at Air Force
Nevada at Boise State
UNLV at Hawai‘i
New Mexico at San Diego State
San José State at Oregon State
Utah State at Washington State

Saturday, November 16

Oregon State at Air Force
Boise State at San José State
Wyoming at Colorado State
Hawai‘i at Utah State
Washington State at New Mexico
San Diego State at UNLV

Saturday, November 23

Air Force at Nevada
Boise State at Wyoming
Colorado State at Fresno State
San Diego State at Utah State
UNLV at San José State
Washington State at Oregon State

Saturday, November 30

Air Force at San Diego State
Oregon State at Boise State
Utah State at Colorado State
Fresno State at UCLA
New Mexico at Hawai‘i
Nevada at UNLV
Stanford at San José State
Wyoming at Washington State

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Boise State Secures 82-50 Home Win Over San Jose State

Game Recap: Boise State 82, San Jose State 50 Boise State Secures 82-50 Home Win Over San Jose State Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Broncos take care of business in lopsided 32-point win over Spartans. The conference title race is as …

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 Game Recap: Boise State 82, San Jose State 50


Boise State Secures 82-50 Home Win Over San Jose State


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Broncos take care of business in lopsided 32-point win over Spartans.

The conference title race is as close as it’s ever been. With only four games left in the regular season on average, losing for teams who currently find themselves in the top-half of the standings could be a death sentence for their at-large hopes.

So, as what could be the game that decides that aforementioned title race come a few weeks from now taking place about 292 miles southeast of the ExtraMile Arena. Those hoping Boise State would have a hiccup against San Jose State on Tuesday night were watching. A tall task given the Broncos are were 21-0 against the Spartans in Boise heading into this one. While those hoping they tightened their hold on a top-3 conference finish with a blow out win were too.

Either way, somebody was going to end their night disappointed and Leon Rice’s group was on a mission to keep those sentiments outside of Boise.

The last time these two programs met in San Jose earlier this year the Spartan’s gave Boise State quite a scare. Behind a 30 point outing from MJ Amey Jr., Tim Mile’s group had the Broncos on the ropes heading into halftime. Down 40-33, their visitors went on to outscore them 45-29 to secure the 78-69 victory. Tuesday night’s matchup had a different feel entirely.

Even though the Broncos were double-digit favorites coming into this one, that didn’t mean the Spartans weren’t going to come out swinging. A Trey Anderson three opened things up for San Jose State. While back to back Tyson Degenhart layups gave the Broncos their first lead of the game at 4-3.

After a Myron Amey Jr. layup put Tim Miles’ group back on top. That would be the last time they held the lead for the rest of the game. An ensuing 7-4 run kept the home squad out front.

Boise State began to break away with a 6-0 run, Trey Anderson would respond with a jumper of his own. That would be the last time the Spartans would score over the next six minutes. The Broncos went on a 17-2 run over that next six minutes of play. Which really decimated what little momentum the Spartans had before a Tibet Gorener three pointer ended their scoring drought.

As impressive as that sounds, it wouldn’t end there. It would only be a part of a larger 24-3 run. Everyone showed out offensively for the Broncos. The seldom played freshman RJ Keene threw his name in the mix with five straight points of his own in just six minutes of play.

For the Spartans the shooting nightmare couldn’t come sooner. As they found themselves down by twenty points (33-13) with 2:51 left to go in the half. Amey Jr. would put a single point on the scoreboard after going 1-2 from the charity stripe, but his squad could not make a field goal no matter where they tried on the floor.

Boise State wouldn’t pile it on much more after that. Heading into halftime up 38-16 over their visitors. San Jose State didn’t attempt a single free throw until the final three minutes of the half. They also shot a horrid 6-27 (22.2%) from the floor, mostly in part due to their shot selection. Taking a whopping 14 three pointers, which was 51% of their total shots.

Even though it wasn’t one of the most efficient offensive performances ever. Boise State didn’t need anything remotely close to efficient to display their dominance. Shooting 52% from the floor, finding most of their success inside the arc (10-16, 62.5%).

Leading the charge for the Broncos in the first half was Tyson Degenhart with 9 points (2-3 FGs, 5-6 FTs). With O’Mar Stanley not far behind him with 8 points of his own to go along with 6 rebounds. Leon Rice had eight different players score a field goal in the first twenty minutes.

The Broncos didn’t take their foot off the gas as they emerged from halftime either. A quick 5-0 run felt like a replay of the first-half until the Spartans responded with a quick 5-0 run of their own. Both sides would go on to treat fans inside ExtraMile Arena to a three point barrage I’ve rarely seen in college basketball. As San Jose State would shoot 2-3 from deep as the Broncos answered. Making three of their next four attempts in that same time.

Even as the Spartans found some offensive rhythm, Boise State stayed hot enough to effectively make that run irrelevant to the overall score. Both squads began to cool off after that, with a few field goals on both sides to keep the scoreboard operator involved.

Boise State found themselves up 57-32 heading into a media timeout with 11:57 left in the game. A quick 5-0 run capped by yet another Tibet Gorener three pointer shrunk the lead back to twenty points. O’Mar Stanley would make a second chance layup off of an offensive board on the other end, his 3rd of the game. That sparked a 7-0 run only to be muddled with an extracurricular tie up after the whistle.

That resulted in a double technical and saw two players on each side dealt technical fouls (which canceled each other out). Myron Amey Jr. would end another San Jose State scoring drought with a made field goal & 1 free throw within about thirty seconds of play.

As both coaches began to utilize their bench with a little less than five minutes to go, Roddie Anderson III received an and one to put Boise State up 70-45. Each side would continue to exchange a few buckets as the Broncos would let time expire to secure their 82-50 win at home.

“Obviously it’s good for metrics but you can’t take these kinds of wins for granted in the Mountain West,” said Chibuzo Agbo. “Really good teams can still lose these kinds of games on any given night in this conference so it felt good to get it done.”

San Jose State looked like a JV team in the first-half, which couldn’t be overcome. No matter how much more impressive their 34 point second half was. They ended the night having shot 10-28 (35.7%) from deep, thanks in part to Myron Amey Jr. (3-7 3FGs) & Tibet Gorener (4-9 3FGs, 12 points).

Boise State on the other hand had a very efficient & well rounded offensive night. Shooting 29-54 (53.7%) from the floor & 10-25 (40%) from three-point range & 14-17 (82.4%) from the charity stripe.

All night it was a team effort, with ten different Bronco’s seeing time on the floor & all scoring at least one field goal. Four starters posted double-figures, in Stanley (10 points), Agbo (14 points), Rice (14 points) & Degenhart (15 points).

As impressive of a night it was for Leon Rice’s group offensively, they did just as good of a job defensively. Forcing 14 turnovers, logging 7 steals as a team & only sending the Spartans to the line 5 times total. Not to mention playing a part in San Jose State only having five players score a point.

Player Spotlights

Boise State F-Tyson Degenhart

Stat line: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals & 4 assists on 4-9 shooting (44.4%) from the floor & 7-8 (87.2%) from the line in 30 minutes of action

Boise State’s 32-point point win on Tuesday night was definitely a team effort. And I don’t think Degenhart’s 15 points would have necessarily been the line between win or loss. But he turned in a fine performance nonetheless and should be highlighted for it.

He had his way offensively down low against San Jose State. And was a part of a frontcourt defensive effort that made the paint a no go zone for Spartans all night.

San Jose State GMyron Amey Jr.

Stat line: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals & 2 blocks on 8-15 shooting (53.3%) from the floor & 3-7 (42.8%) from the line in 32 minutes of action

Amey Jr. has been a reliable scoring threat for Tim Miles and Co all season. Taking the leap many onlookers of the conference thought he was capable of and tasked with replacing former MWC POY Omari Moore. Even though the Spartans have fallen down the conference standings this season, Amey Jr.’s offensive production isn’t the reason why.

His 21 point performance Tuesday night was his 23rd double-digit outing this season & his 8th 20+ point performance of the season. Amey Jr. also made his impact on the other side the ball as well, forcing five recordable turnovers & being involved in plenty of others.

Two Takeaways:

  • San Jose State is obviously at the tail end of a rebuilding year. The Spartans are without their best frontcourt player in Robert Vaihola, who could have provided a scoring presence in the paint. And have relied on plenty of freshman & a few transfers to make meaningful impacts in their first season’s in San Jose. The ceiling for this team at the moment is snagging a win (or two) in their final remaining four games of the season. In hopes of building some winning momentum before the conference tournament in Las Vegas.
  • Boise State were the favorites by far coming into this home matchup against a program from the Mountain West’s cellar at the moment. Yes, any team can win any given night still. So team’s need to stay focused & execute in very winnable games like this. The Broncos did just that and in doing so, sit alone in second place in the conference just 0.5 games behind league leader Utah State.

Next Up:

The Broncos begin a two game road trip on Saturday against a sneakily dangerous Wyoming team in Laramie. The Cowboys have done their share of giant slaying this conference season, so Boise State shouldn’t take them lightly, especially inside the Arena-Auditorium.

That game tips off at 5:30 PM MT on February 24th and can be seen on the Mountain West Network.

While the Spartans head back home to prepare to host San Diego State on Friday February 23rd. The Aztecs are coming off of a tough loss to league leaders Utah State Tuesday night but are one of the always dangerous Mountain West teams year in & year out.

That game tips off at 7:00 PM PST and can be seen on FS1 as the lone Mountain West game of the night.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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How San Jose State’s Invisible NIL Presence Is Impacting HC Tim Miles

What do San Jose State’s Conference Woes Mean for HC Tim Miles?

How San Jose State’s Invisible NIL Presence Is Hurting HC Tim Miles


SJSU reporter Matt Weiner gives an in-depth look about how SJSU’s lack of NIL is negatively impacting Tim Miles.


Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

The soulless power of NIL

After a demoralizing 77-65 defeat to UNLV last Saturday, SJSU head coach Tim Miles quipped that, “Last year every time I made a decision, it was the right decision and it worked out. And this year, I can’t make one [right] decision. It feels like each one gets screwed up.”

Does this mean Miles, the 2022-23 Mountain West head coach of the year, lost his touch?

The Spartans are currently 1-6 in conference play and could fall to 1-8 after games against No. 17 Utah State on Tuesday and Nevada on Friday. If that happens, players may start to lose faith and the Spartans could plummet back to the lows they hoped to escape. In doing so, Miles’ chances of ascending back to a Power Five could crater significantly. 

In reality, however, Miles hasn’t lost his touch. He’s just living proof of NIL (name, image and likeness) stratifying the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’

Feb 14, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; San Jose State Spartans head coach Tim Miles in the first half against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

SJSU, which has no NIL money to offer recruits, has now fallen to five of the seven Mountain West teams who “have reported annual NIL budgets for men’s basketball over $400,000,” according to the SF Chronicle. It could be all seven if SJSU can’t upend Nevada this Friday and Colorado State a week later. 

When Miles was asked if SJSU’s conference struggles are a result of NIL after the UNLV loss, he quickly pivoted from the subject into the Runnin’ Rebels’ hot-and-cold tendencies. 

“Oh, you know, I mean, there’s talent, right? They’re [UNLV] really talented,” Miles said. “ … I was joking with one of their media guys before the game, I’m like, ‘well, which team is gonna come out Jekyll or Hyde?’ Because they’re [UNLV] really dangerous. I think we got Jekyll in the first half and Hyde in the second or who is more dangerous? I don’t know.”

Few can fault Miles for demurring. 

By talking to the media about the talent disparity forged by NIL after a loss, he could diminish players’ confidence and come off as an excuse-maker. But no matter what he says, the data is undeniable. 

Just take the last two losses. 

The Spartans received a 95-75 thumping by No. 19 New Mexico, which spent “$1.5 million” in NIL money, according to the Las Vegas Sun. ” 

A few days later, the Spartans were torched by first-year Runnin’ Rebels Keylan Boone, a transfer from Oklahoma State, and Dedan Thomas Jr., the eighth-best high school point guard in the nation. The duo, who received NIL money to play in Las Vegas, combined for 34 points (16 from Thomas Jr. and 18 from Boone) and pitched in a few of the 14-straight field goals UNLV made to end the game en route to rallying back from an 11-point first-half deficit.

“I felt humiliated the way the second half went,” Miles said. 

Added SJSU point guard Alvaro Cardenas: “I feel like we just haven’t been able to put up 40 minutes of basketball.”

That much is true. The Spartans have been outscored in the second half in every conference game and could be 0-7. Their lone Mountain West win over Air Force was helped by crucial, late-game mental lapses by Cadets big man, Rytis Petraitis, and a miraculous, buzzer-beating three-pointer by SJSU point guard Myron “MJ” Amey Jr. 

Jan 13, 2024; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Myron Amey Jr. (0) reacts with guard Alvaro Cardenas (13) after the game against the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Now, forgiveness for SJSU’s inability to close games could be offered when it fell to Mountain West’s top dogs San Diego State and Boise State. The problem, however, is that SJSU’s second half struggles have occurred against teams ranked below it in the NET. Which begs the question: Is this team just not capable of beating conference opponents?

For the 2023-24 season – possibly.

This reflects poorly on Miles, but is it fair to criticize him? Of course not. 

While other Mountain West head coaches can use NIL funds to nab elite high school talent or veterans in the transfer portal, Miles must construct his roster with no-star recruits or players descending to SJSU after unsuccessful stints at a Power Five. 

SJSU’s inexperienced frontcourt triumvirate of sophomores Adrame Diongue and William Humer and freshman Diogo “DJ” Seixas have been unable to fill in for the season-long absence of sophomore power forward Robert Vaihola. What’s more, second rotation players like freshman Latrell Davis and sophomore Garrett Anderson continue to be non-factors. 

“We’re asking guys to do things that they’re not always ready for. We just have to continue to find strategic ways to be better,” Miles said. 

As a result, SJSU’s veteran core – Amey Jr., Cardenas and wings Trey Anderson and Tibet Gorener – need to play unreasonably well. 

Thankfully for Miles, each member of the veteran core has taken that pivotal third-year leap. There’s a reason why SJSU has at least held leads over conference opponents and boasts wins over Santa Clara (No. 107 in NET) and UC Irvine (No. 76 in NET). So this should bode well for next year, right?

In theory yes, but what if any of SJSU’s veteran core gets poached by a bigger program that can offer more exposure and NIL opportunities? In that scenario, Miles could be in an even worse position for the 2024-25 campaign. 

San Jose State basketball coach, and former Colorado State head coach, Tim Miles catches up with old colleagues before the game at Moby Arena on Saturday Dec. 31, 2022.

Csu Sjsu Bball

Based on how he was let go by Nebraska in 2019, he can’t afford any career setbacks. SJSU could be his last shot of reaching those same heights. But the more SJSU struggles, the more Miles’ SJSU resume signifies that he is incapable of succeeding without Omari Moore, the 2022-23 Mountain West player of the year, whom he inherited.

These trying times illustrate why Miles told SJSU’s NIL collective Blue & Gold Unlimited this past off-season, “‘We really have to make a decision. Do we want to be Division I? Or do we want to be Division II? And if you really want to be Division I, we have to get behind the collective and the driving forces behind that to be able to keep up.’” 

If Miles is losing faith, he must remember that he concocted rebuilds at every rung the NCAA has to offer, including at CSU from 2007-12 which is how he ascended to Nebraska. And he’s the man who nicknamed himself ‘Coach F.E.M.A.’ because of that uncanny ability to weather storms.

“You either adapt or die,” Miles said before the season began.

He better hope so.

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An Early Look Into San Jose State Football’s 2024 Slate

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An Early Look into San Jose State Football’s 2024 Slate.

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An early look into San Jose State football’s 2024 slate


SJSU reporter Matt Weiner weighs in on questions from Spartan Nation.


Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

A way too early look ahead

Nicolas Sarabia (@sjrugby): “Given our current roster and next years schedule, what’s the early predictions for next seasons record?”

I have SJSU going 4-8 in year one of the Niumatalolo era. There are just too many guys to replace — nine potentially on offense, including quarterback — and the Mountain West slate could be dangerous. That said, I do think the Spartans will upset a woeful Stanford at home and use that win as proof they could return to bowl games heading into the 2025 campaign. 

Keep in mind, my prediction comes to you a couple of months before the 2024 Spring Game. 

Here goes:

Sacramento State – W

Kennesaw State – W

Washington State – L

Stanford – W

Air Force – L

Colorado State – L

Fresno State – L

Boise State – L

Nevada – W

UNLV – L

Wyoming – L

Oregon State – L

Nov 19, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Navy Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo looks on during the second quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Hamilton (@MattHamilton19): “What does our QB room look like presently? Is Butter excited about the new OC?”

SJSU’s quarterback room features its new commit Dorian Hale, Jay Butterfield, Tyler Voss, Walker Eget, Anthony Garcia and Alonzo Contreras.

Craig Stutzmann, the Spartans’ newly minted offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, told me Butterfield is excited to learn his “Spread-N-Shred” offense at Niumatalolo’s introductory press conference. But that was before Hale, a bounce back from Sacramento State, committed to SJSU. So I wouldn’t be surprised if Butterfield’s initial excitement has decreased. Or, maybe, the added competition lit a fire under him.

Jenni Steele (@JenniSteele): “What can you tell us about the new OL coach?”

Nothing at the moment because no official announcement has been made. But once it is, I’ll do an in-depth look on that and all future staff hirings.

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Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An Early Look into San Jose State’s 2024 Slate

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An Early Look into San Jose State’s 2024 Schedule

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: An Early Look into San Jose State’s 2024 Slate


SJSU reporter Matt Weiner weighs in on questions from fans.


Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

Matt Hamilton (@MattHamilton19): “What does our QB room look like presently? Is Butter excited about the new OC?”
SJSU’s quarterback room features its new commit Dorian Hale, Jay Butterfield, Trevor Voss, Walker Eget, Anthony Garcia and Alonzo Contreras.
The Spartans’ newly minted offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Craig Stutzmann told me Butterfield is excited to learn his “Spread-N-Shred” offense at Ken Niumatalolo’s introductory press conference. But that was before Hale, a bounce back from Sacramento State, committed to SJSU. So I wouldn’t be surprised if Butterfield’s initial excitement has decreased. Or, maybe, the added competition lit a fire under him.
Nov 19, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Navy Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo looks on during the second quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Nicolas Sarabia (@sjrugby): “Given our current roster and next years schedule, what’s the early predictions for next seasons record?”

I have SJSU going 4-8 in year one of the Niumatalolo era. There are just too many guys to replace — nine potentially on offense, including quarterback — and the Mountain West slate could be dangerous. That said, I do think the Spartans will upset a woeful Stanford at home and use that win as proof they could return to bowl games heading into the 2025 campaign. 
Keep in mind, my prediction comes to you months before the 2024 Spring Game. 
Here goes:
Sacramento State – W
Kennesaw State Owls – W
Washington State Cougars – L
Stanford – W
Air Force – L
Colorado State – L
Fresno State – L
Boise State – L
Nevada – W
UNLV – L
Wyoming – L
Oregon State – L
Jenni Steele (@JenniSteele): “What can you tell us about the new OL coach?”
Nothing at the moment because no official announcement has been made. But once it is, I’ll do an in-depth look on that and all future staff hirings.
[lawrence-related id=59066]

San Jose State Blown Out By No. 25 New Mexico, 95-75

San Jose State Blown Out By No. 25 New Mexico, 95-75

There was a familiar apathy in Provident Credit Union Event Center during San Jose State’s 95-75 loss to No. 25 New Mexico. SJSU fans schlepped their way out minutes before the game concluded. The Spartans hung their heads low on the bench. The school’s band provided a dreary backdrop after the blowout loss.

Now left needing to go 8-4 to be eligible for the CBI, SJSU must use lessons from Wednesday’s loss to New Mexico to save its season.

“We know at the end of the day we still are a team that people fear,” SJSU’s Myron “MJ” Amey said.

Now, SJSU (8-11, 1-5 MW) shouldn’t have been expected to win.

Recently, in an appearance on CBS Sports, college basketball pundit Jon Rothstein felt the Lobos could win the Mountain West and had the “highest ceiling” in the conference.

On top of that, the Lobos score the most points per game (86.3) in the Mountain West. The Spartans, meanwhile, allow the third most points per game (72.8) in the conference.

Bad matchup. Great team. That spells disaster.

So SJSU fans shouldn’t be flummoxed by what transpired in the Provident Credit Union Event Center on Tuesday.

But for the first time in conference play, the Spartans turned the ball over at an unreasonably high rate. SJSU had 18 turnovers which UNM turned into 25 points.

SJSU head coach Tim Miles called the Lobos’11 steals “an insane number.”

And really, for the first time all season, the talent disparity was completely evident.

UNM’s vaunted backcourt of Jaelen House (18 points), Jamal Mashburn Jr. (17 points) and Donovan Dent (17 points) torched the Spartans.

On one play in the first half, House laced a series of crossover dribbles at light speed before stepping back and knocking a jump shot over SJSU’s Trey Anderson despite his velcro-like defense.

Then on one second-half play, Amey sprinted the length of the court, and dove for a ball, his body screeching loudly, only for a Lobo to snatch it and heave it the other way for a Dent layup.

The game was littered with similar plays. Where no matter what SJSU did, no matter how much effort was exerted, it just wasn’t enough.

What must be remembered is that SJSU is by no means hapless.

Amey scored 24 points and despite a poor shooting night, Alvaro Cardenas dished 10 assists. Cardenas entered Tuesday’s matchup ranked 24th and 17th in Division I in assists and per game (5.9) and assist/turnover ratio (3.42).

Although the game devolved into a blowout, the Spartans at least made it competitive. With 6:12 left, following a breezy dunk by Trey Anderson (eight points), the Spartans cut the deficit to 75-66.

Then came a flurry of points and eventually Miles talking about the importance of a “growth mindset” in his press conference.

“I always talk about having an attitude that craves improvement. So if you won five in a row you just worry about getting better and if you lost five in a row you just worry about getting better, “Miles said.

But is this just what the rest of the season will look like? Where SJSU proves it’s good but not good enough?

Miles should hope not.

Game after game, however, his preseason concerns about NIL and the transfer portal leaving SJSU behind are coming to fruition.

UNM is one of seven Mountain West schools with a collective to “have reported annual NIL budgets for men’s basketball over $400,000,” according to the SF Chronicle.

The other six?

Colorado State, Wyoming, Nevada, Boise State, San Diego State and UNLV. Three of those teams – Colorado State, Nevada and UNLV – SJSU will face over its next five games.

But even if there’s a reason to, SJSU can’t approach games feeling like victims of its circumstance. For now, all it can do is prepare to beat UNLV this Saturday.

“How do you eat an elephant?” pondered Miles.

“One bite at a time,” he answered.

Ken Niumatalolo Must Prove He Can Succeed Without Triple-Option

San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo must prove he can succeed without triple-option.

The idea that San Jose State could be in a 2024 New Year’s Six Bowl is hard to picture – scratch that – it’s unfathomable. SJSU has finished in the Associated Press Top-25 poll once and may not return nine of its 10 All-Mountain West honorees from last year. 

And yet, newly minted SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said that was his goal in his introductory press conference Tuesday afternoon. 

But Niumatalolo’s lofty goals shouldn’t be the topic of conversation right now. Rather, the focus needs to be on whether or not Niumatalolo can build a sustainable winner in San Jose without the triple-option. 

Sep 10, 2022; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo walks through the bench during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

He used it as a head coach for 15 years at Navy en route to winning 109 games – 55 more than any other coach – and from 2015-19, was selected as American Athletic Conference coach of the year three times as the Midshipmen finished in the Associated Press Top-25 poll four times. This was all done while recruiting smaller, less talented players who had to meet the Naval Academy’s high academic enrollment standards. Plus, players would have to serve after their playing career so he couldn’t recruit to offering players the chance to play in the NFL. 

The answer to this conundrum? Running the triple-option. 

But then came the 11 combined wins from 2020-22 which led to athletic director Chet Gladchuk Jr. relieving Niumatalolo of his duties. 

The downturn was a byproduct of the Navy being unable to offer NIL (name, image and likeness) deals, utilize the transfer portal and players weren’t granted an extra “Covid Year.”

Now at SJSU, Niumatalolo can access all of those. Except, he won’t be running the offensive scheme that he used to build his resume.

Inside the Spartans’ media room, while talking to Niumatalolo and his newly hired offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Craig Stutzmann, it was easy to believe he could adapt. Never mind the fact that SJSU may not return 10 of its 11 starters on the offense from last year.

Stutzmann beamed about the simplicity of his “Spread-N-Shred” offense and how excited SJSU’s quarterback room of Jay Butterfield, Anthony Garcia and Tyler Voss are to run it. 

The style is adapted from offensive mastermind June Jones’ “Run and Shoot” and has yielded success at Stutzmann’s stops at Division III Emory and Henry, Hawaii, Washington State and last year at Texas State. 

As TSU’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, Stutzmann helped it rank top-15 nationwide in total offense (457.6 yards/game) and 12th in the country in scoring offense (36.7 points/game).

Stutzmann’s vision will balance with Niumatalolo’s and former SJSU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kevin McGiven’s who will move to wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. On the surface, this can seem awkward. McGiven was foundational to previous SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro’s success and has been the Spartans’ offensive coordinator since 2018. 

“I get it, it’s a difficult transition for him [McGiven]. You know, ‘What does it look like with the players, what does it look like for him [McGiven], what does it look like within the building?’” said Stutzmann, who worked with McGiven at Memphis in 2010. “ … I think Coach Ken even talked about it. Everywhere I’ve gone that we were successful – everybody – all the coaches were able to check their egos at the door.”

Therein lies the complexity of introductory press conferences. 

Everything seems fine now, but what’ll happen in the hypothetical scenario where SJSU’s new pieces aren’t gelling and McGiven doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Stutzmann? Will egos remain checked at the door?

Niumatalolo should hope so. 

While shepherding the Midshipmen to 10 bowl games and six bowl wins, he turned down opportunities at bigger programs. 

“I had several PAC-12 in-person interviews, a couple of BIG-10 in-person interviews, and when we [Navy] were humming, every year I would get two to three interviews and people didn’t even know,” Niumatalolo shared. “When I talked to people, some of them were very enticing. It was a lot of money. But I was at peace with my job so I wasn’t looking to go.”

Then, after he was let go in 2022, those opportunities decreased. 

Niumatalolo guessed that “some of it was because of the triple-option. ‘Could I do other stuff?’… I’ve also found in this world that most of it is like, ‘What’s the new hot toy?’ and I was doing really good at first and I was the new toy many people wanted to play with and then you start to lose and then it’s like, ‘Don’t forget about me,’” he joked. 

This past coaching carousel, Niumatalolo interviewed at San Diego State, but didn’t get the job. As a result, he was going to stay at UCLA for the second straight year and become its tight ends coach. 

Then SJSU AD Jeff Konya came into the picture and offered him an opportunity to replace Brent Brennan last week. “We asked the direct question and we weren’t really interested in being Air Force 2.0,” Konya said … “We’re going to be running a version of the air raid in the Spread-N-Shred. We are going to be a really fun team to watch.”

Programs that turned down or looked away from Niumatalolo are justified in doing so. But is that fair? Niumatalolo used the triple-option at Navy as a coach for 25 years out of necessity – not by choice. And he succeeded until college football’s changing landscape had other plans. 

But whether it was or wasn’t fair, Niumatalolo can now prove that he turned the triple-option into a success. Not, the triple-option turned him into a success.

His head coaching career and the Spartans’ continuing their unheralded boom may hinge upon it.

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: What should fans expect from Ken Niumatalolo?

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: What should fans expect from Ken Niumatalolo?

Matt’s Mailbag: Which SJSU Coaches Are Joining Brent Brennan in Tucson?


SJSU reporter Matt Weiner weighs in on questions from fans related to former SJSU head coach Brent Brennan leaving SJSU for Arizona


Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

Who’s out? Who’s in?

Hello and welcome to Matt’s Mailbag™ your go-to destination for all pressing SJSU football matters.

Enough chit-chat. Let’s get into it.

Ricky Delgado (@RickyDe70535587): “How much of a leash would u personally give the new guy before hitting the panic button?”

Personally, I’m using one of those really long, retractable leashes. 

I’m not expecting much the first two seasons. Hopefully he could win 4-6 games so fans and the donor base don’t lose belief in him. But let’s face it. Niumatalolo is running a completely foreign offensive scheme with an offensive coordinator he’s never coached with before and several of SJSU’s best players have either graduated or hit the transfer portal. 

 

If he doesn’t make a bowl game by year three and players are leaving in masses because of him, then get that panic button. 

ksa (@ks_a49): “Are we screwed?”

No. Leadership transition is always a hectic thing. Those same players who hit the portal could realize they won’t find a better opportunity than SJSU and be back in San Jose by next fall. Plus, Niumatalolo has built a career on developing under-recruited talent and did so under stiff academic restrictions, too. 

Sep 10, 2022; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo walks through the bench during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Delgado (@RickyDe70535587): “Is it unfair to expect at least 7 wins this year despite a coaching change?”

Yes. He’s essentially starting from scratch and doesn’t even know what his entire staff will look like nearly a week out from February. 

Other than Sacramento State and Kennesaw State, I don’t have SJSU as a clear favorite over any other team. But let’s remember it’s January 22. Lot’s can change.

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Ricky Delgado (@RickyDe70535587): “How much change in culture do you anticipate? Coach Ken is not a carbon copy of Brennan but to my understanding, he amasses some of the same qualities.”

I think similar qualities start and end with an ambition to be a leaer and win football games. 

If SJSU was to make another Hawaii Bowl appearance, I wouldn’t expect Niumatalolo to run shirtless with swim trunks, Viper shades and a thick coat of sunscreen on his nose to announce it like Brennan did. 

Which isn’t bad. Maybe the Spartans could use someone who is more of a heavy.

King Tut (@KingByari): “I don’t know about this hire. Safe I guess but no splash. Offensively I know he is not bringing in triple option but that’s all he knows. We need a young splashy OC – who will our next OC be?”

Robb Silverstein (@RobbSilverstein): “Any realistic OC candidates in the mix yet?”

Drumroll please … the new offensive coordinator is Craig Stutzmann who comes to SJSU a year after guiding Texas State to a top-15 ranking nationwide in total offense (457.6 yards/game) and 12th in the country in scoring offense (36.7 points/game).

On paper it makes sense and offers hope that Niumatalolo can succeed without the triple option.

Sarah (@Smwallace06): “How many assistant coaches do you anticipate being back next year? And related, how many will they lose to Arizona/going with Brennan?”

Very hard to tell right now. But the only lock is OC Kevin McGiven who is now passing game coordinator/WR coach after Niumatalolo hired Stutzmann to become OC/QB coach. 

As of right now, Alonzo “Zo” Carter (SJSU associate HC/RB Coach/Recruiting Coordinator), Joe Seumalo (DL coach), Josh Oglesby (OL coach), Matt Adkins (TE coach) and Cullen Carroll (strength and conditioning coach) are following Brennan to Arizona.

Ozark (@Ozmosis711): “Who is our likely starting QB next season?”

Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88): “Are we finally going to see the Jay Butterfield era?”

If Stutzmann doesn’t bring anyone in, it’ll be a battle between redshirt sophomores Jay Butterfield and Tyler Voss and true freshman Anthony Garcia. I’ve considered the job Butterfield’s to lose, but with a new OC/QB coach I think the playing field has evened out. Simply becomes whoever is best at running Stutzmann’s “Spread and Shred” offense will play.

Jenni Steele (@JenniSteele): “OL coach prospects?”

I’m curious to see if Stutzmann brings Jordan Shoemaker over from Texas State. In their first year together, that helped Texas State rank as a top-15 offense in the country in 2023.

Or, if he goes with Mark Weber who was on the same staff as him at UH in 2019 when the Rainbow Warriors posted the nation’s fifth-rated passing attack and at Washington State in 2020 when the Cougars had the Pac-12’s top red zone offense and third-best passing game.

Playa (@J_Rawwbante): “Do you expect to see additional incoming transfers anytime soon?”

100%.

Just need some time for Niumatalolo to put the rest of his staff together.

Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron): “Why do you think Niumatalolo hadn’t gotten a head-coaching job yet?

I’m leaning toward AD’s feeling that he was too tied to the structure and triple option at Navy to deliver success elsewhere after he was let go in 2022. It could also be him not wanting to take a job for the sake of taking a job. 

If he stayed at UCLA for another season in 2024, his name could build buzz worthy of him getting looks he couldn’t have before in the 2024-25 carousel. 

Charles Myer (@CharlesMyer_UT): “Let’s go!! I love the hire, but truly hope he does not try to implement the triple option.”

Don’t worry he won’t, although, I am a bit disappointed. 

I think it’d be fun for the funding of a school that brands itself as cunning and progressive to rely upon an offense that’s conservative and old. 

Fake Matt Mumme (@FakeCoachMumme): “What is your grade for all of the new MWC coach hires this year?”

New Mexico (Bronco Mendenhall)- A

Boise State (Spencer Danielson) – A

San Jose State (Ken Niumatalolo) – Solid B 

Nevada (Jeff Choate)- B

Wyoming (Jay Sawvell) – B-

Matt Hamilton (@MattHamilton19): “I think it’s a great hire. Ten winning seasons and three-time coach of the year in the AAC. A year at UCLA gave him time to reflect and experience more growth. Could this actually be a great shot in the arm for our program?”

I think so. 

If Niumatalolo can adjust to a completely new set of circumstances, then he’ll succeed. I just don’t think fans will feel as attached to him as they did with Brennan – and that’s fine. Because at the end of the day, want to know how to make a fan and donor base like you? Win games. 

Karl (@Born_ont): “San Jose State University. I extend my sincerest wishes for nothing but the utmost success to you all. Congratulations on making a truly exceptional hiring decision for San Jose State University. I genuinely wish you all nothing but the very best of luck moving forward.”

Cue the Epic Handshake meme and photoshop a Spartan logo over Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Wildcat logo over Carl Weathers.

Ricky Delgado (@RickyDe70535587): “I’m assuming no Scott White at DC given the sudden transfers?”

Probably not. I don’t imagine him being promoted from special teams coordinator and linebackers coach from someone who didn’t initially hire him.

San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Ricky Delgado (@RickyDe70535587): “What happened to the AD at Arizona?”

According to the Action Network’s Brett McMurhphy:

“Arizona AD Dave Heeke was fired for “financial & operational mismanagement, resulting in an athletic department financial ‘disaster,’ loss of major donors & mishandling of former coach Jedd Fisch’s contract.”

And according to 247 Sports’ Jason Scheer, “There is an audit on Arizona Athletic Department that will be released within the next week or so and the results were not good.”

If Arizona president Robert C. Robbins also gets fired, Brennan could lose his two most important supporters. Simultaneously Brennan better hope that no wrongdoing found in that audit could be deemed by the NCAA as ‘sanctionable.’

Chris Daniel (@ChrisDanielSRA): “1) When is the introductory News Conference, 2) Any word on which coaches are staying, 3) When will coach make his pitch to the players (and try to stop the portal hemorrhaging)?”

1) Not sure, but likely within the next week. 2) That list is mentioned above. 3) I believe that initial pitch was made Monday morning but likely to be an ongoing one. 

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San Jose State Hires Craig Stutzmann As New Offensive Coordinator

San Jose State Hires Craig Stutzmann As New Offensive Coordinator

On Monday Jan. 22, San Jose State announced that Craig Stutzmann will be hired as the team’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Stutzmann’s hiring marks newly minted SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo’s first staff hire after replacing Brent Brennan who left for Arizona.

The move from Niumatalolo, the winningest head coach in Navy history, means current SJSU offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven will slide over to wide receiver and passing game coordinator. 

Stutzmann comes to San Jose after guiding Texas State’s offense to the most yards per game (457.6) in the Sun Belt and the 12th-most points per game in the nation (36.7) last season.

“Having played for June Jones and working with Nick Rolovich in the run and shoot system, I’m looking forward to having the chance to bring the Spread-N-Shred offense to San José State,” Stutzmann said in an SJSU issued press release. “Coach Niumatalolo has been a coaching mentor to me from the beginning and I can’t wait to get started.”

His hiring is especially important because it answers a critical question: How will Niumatalolo transition away from the triple option? It was the only offense Niumatalolo ran in his 25 seasons as a coach at Navy and 15 as a head coach.

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From 2007-22, with Navy Niumatalolo at the helm, Navy went to 10 bowl games, and from 2015-19, he was named American Athletic Conference coach of the year three times and the Midshipmen had four AP Top 25 poll finishes.

With running back Quali Conley announcing he’d enter the transfer portal on Monday, SJSU’s offense won’t return its starting quarterback, top-two rushers, tight end and four offensive lineman from last year. It’s likely Conley will follow former SJSU associate head coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Alonzo “Zo” Carter to Tuscon.

The news of Stutzmann’s hiring also comes hours after Brock Purdy’s younger brother, Chubba, flipped his transfer commitment from SJSU to Mountain West foe Nevada. 

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Potential quarterbacks to run the “Spread-and-Shred” are Jay Butterfield, Trevor Voss, Anthony Garcia and Walker Eget. Although, it would be interesting to see if Stutzmann will try to get former LSU, Auburn and Texas State quarterback T.J. Finley to flip his commitment from Western Kentucky to SJSU. 

Before Stutzmann was at TSU, he was at Utah Tech in 2022 and at Washington State for two seasons from 2020-21 as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Cougars had the third-best passing attack in the conference in 2020. And while working for Rolovich at Hawaii, the Rainbow Warriors had the ninth-ranked passing offense in the nation in 2018 and fifth-rated passing attack in 2019.

Several years earlier, he coached Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota at Saint Louis High School. 

In three seasons as a wide receiver at UH, Stutzmann totaled 2,025 receiving yards — fifth-most in school history.

It’ll be intriguing to see how SJSU’s offense will do with Stutzmann working alongside McGiven, who’ll help replace former Spartan wide receiver coach Eric Scott.

McGiven has been offensive coordinator at SJSU since 2018 after spending several seasons with Brennan at Oregon State and has been the Spartans quarterbacks coach since 2021. 

There’s plenty of work cut out, but if the offense can adapt SJSU could make three-straight bowl games for the first time in program history.