Tag: Myron “MJ” Amey Jr.

2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker

2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker Who is in & out of the Mountain West this off-season. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Portal Season is here, we’ll try to keep track for you. Updated as of 04/07/2024 Heading straight into the …

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2024 Mountain West Basketball Transfer Tracker

Who is in & out of the Mountain West this off-season.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Portal Season is here, we’ll try to keep track for you.

Updated as of 04/07/2024

Heading straight into the second week of the NCAA tournament, with all but maybe thirty teams still active in postseason play around the country. The offseason & “Portal Season” has officially arrived for around three hundred programs nationally. The Transfer Portal officially opened on March 18th and the Mountain West has managed to stay out of the spotlight with several teams still playing in postseason tournaments well into this past weekend.

But San Diego State is the only team to make the Sweet 16 & UNLV is still playing in the  NIT, so player movement is picking up in the conference. With several big names already in the portal as of this week.

Air Force

In: N/A

Out: 2

Kellan Boylan, So. G/F-Overland Park, KS

2023-2024 Stats: 7.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.1 APG & 1.3 SPG in 31.9 MPG (30 GMS/ 28 Starts)

Best Performance: 27 points, 3 assists & 2 rebounds on 11-16 (70.5%) shooting from the floor & 9-14 (77.7%) from deep against Wyoming on January 30th, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Another big Air Force guard who can rebounds & knocked down 26 three pointers at 41.9%.

Rytis Petraitis, So. F-Arlington, TX

2023-2024 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG & 1.6 SPG in 32.9 MPG (24 GMS/20 Starts)

Best Performance: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks & 2 steals against UNLV on January 23rd, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Petraitis is a big guard who can play the 1-4 positions on the floor while also being only the second Falcon in program history to record a triple-double.

Boise State

In: N/A

Out: 3

Jace Whiting, So. G-Burley, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 3.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG & 1.1 APG in 14.3 MPG (33 GMS/6 Starts)

Best Performance: 10 points, 2 rebounds & 1 assist against Wyoming on February 24th, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: Whiting proved to be a reliable option off of the bench when Roddie Anderson III struggled in his first season in Boise.

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Kobe Young, R-So. G-Pasco, WA

2023-2024 Stats: 1.1 PPG, & 1.1 RPG in 4.1 MPG 25 GMs/0 Starts

Best Performance: 6 points, 2 assists & 2 rebounds against Air Force on February 3rd, 2024

One Sentence Breakdown: A wing with plenty of size & athleticism who received little opportunity off of the bench.

Kade Rice, R-Fr. G-Boise, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 0.1 PPG & 0.9 RPG in 3.1 MPG 8 GMs/0 Starts

Best Performance: 1 point & 6 rebounds against Vanguard on November 7th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: A walk-on two guard who happens to be related to the head coach.

Colorado State

In: N/A

Out: 5

Cam Lowe, Fr. G-Monument, CO

2023-2024 Stats: N/A

Best Performance: N/A

One Sentence Breakdown: Redshirt freshman walk-on guard

Javonte Johnson, Sr. G-Colorado Springs, CO

2023-2024 Stats: 1.9 PPG & 0.7 RPG in 6.2 MPG (19 GMS/0 Starts)

Best Performance: 10 points, 2 rebounds & 2 steals against Adams State on December 29th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: Redshirt freshman walk-on guard

Eligibility Left: 1 year

Taviontae Jackson, So. G-Las Vegas, NV

2023-2024 Stats: 2.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG & 0.7 APG in 8.0 MPG (22 GMS/2 Starts)

Best Performance: 13 points, 5 steals & 4 rebounds against Colorado State-Pueblo on December 17th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: A two guard with potential but never really found minutes in two years in Fort Collins.

Eligibility Left: 2 years

Jack Payne, R-Fr.-Boise, ID

2023-2024 Stats: 0.6 PPG & 0.9 RPG in 2.1 MPG (8 GMS/0 Starts)

Best Performance: 2 points & 1 rebounds against Kansas City on November 17th, 2023

One Sentence Breakdown: Large but seldom used two guard

Eligibility Left: 3 years

Next: Fresno State, Nevada & New Mexico

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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SJSU loses to Fresno State on buzzer-beater; falls to 1-4 in MW play

As Fresno State’s Isaiah Hill celebrated a buzzer-beating three that lifted the Bulldogs over San Jose State 85-82, several Spartans trudged to the sideline. They’ll all have a long, quiet bus ride back to San Jose to think about what just …

As Fresno State’s Isaiah Hill celebrated a buzzer-beating three that lifted the Bulldogs over San Jose State 85-82, several Spartans trudged to the sideline.

They’ll all have a long, quiet bus ride back to San Jose to think about what just transpired tonight and what it could mean moving forward.

Some may vent about the charge that was called on Myron “MJ” Amey Jr. (13 points) with four seconds left that could’ve given SJSU (8-10, 1-4 MW) a three-point lead. On that pivotal play, Amey sliced into the paint, put his body through a Bulldog defender’s chest and dropped ball in the basket. For a brief moment it appeared that Amey would notch his second game-winning shot in a row.

In a 70-67 win over Air Force last Saturday, Amey drilled a miraculous three-pointer from the corner with just over a second left to give the Spartans their first win in conference play. In doing so, SJSU had confidence it could overcome its 0-3 start in conference play and win eight of its next 14 games to be eligible for a CBI appearance.

Instead, on Tuesday night in FSU’s (8-9, 1-3 MW) Save Mart Center, Amey sat below the rim in utter dismay that the ref didn’t call a block. Opting for a charge instead. Not long after, he had to watch Hill drive the length of the court, spot up from the wing and nail a three-pointer.

But the Spartans can’t expect to win after allowing 85 points, getting outscored 40-24 on points in the paint and allow Hill to score 16 of his 24 points and dish five of his nine assists in the second half.

So now SJSU is left with the frustration of shooting 17-for-29 (59%) from deep and still losing. SJSU wing Tibet Gorener scored a career-high 32 points on a remarkable 7-for-9 clip from three and fellow wing Trey Anderson netted 21 points on a 5-for-5 clip from three.

The fact that SJSU allowed a whopping 85 points is unsettling. For starters, this has been a driving force in SJSU’s shaky start and now puts its chance of heading back to the CBI in jeopardy. Furthermore, if FSU is averaging the second-least amount of points per game (68.7) in the conference, how will SJSU fare over the course of its forthcoming six-game slate which will feature four teams in the top 44 of the NET and five teams in the top 91?

The Spartans next game will come against New Mexico which is leading the conference in points per game (82.6) and recently upset San Diego State 88-70.

If SJSU goes 1-5 in that six game stretch, its record will drop to 9-16, forcing it to go a remarkable 9-2 to be in position to make back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in program history.

Achieving that goal seemed tangible last Tuesday after the Spartans nearly upset then No.19 ranked SDSU, 81-78. For that close loss came days after SJSU surrendered a nine-point second half lead to Boise State and fell 78-69.

Although the final result was back-to-back losses, it offered hope.

This loss tonight, however, even if it happened because of a coin flip of a call and once-in-a-lifetime shot, only shaves that hope.

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: Did SJSU do right by signing Brock Purdy’s younger brother?

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: Did SJSU do right by signing Brock Purdy’s younger brother?

Matt’s Monday Mailbag: Did SJSU do right by signing Brock Purdy’s younger brother?

SJSU reporter Matt Weiner weighs in on Chubba Purdy signing with SJSU, burgers and buzzer-beaters.

Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

Bay Area added another Purdy

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

Enough chit-chat. Let’s get into it.

Thomas Christian: @ThomasGoatnba: “What do we think of signing Brock Purdy’s lil bro?”

Optics wise, signing Chubba Purdy was a good move. The connection to Brock will generate buzz this program desperately needs. 

Football wise, I like this move, too. Compared to any other SJSU quarterback available, Purdy has started multiple games at the Power Five level. And sure, he went 0-4 at Nebraska last season, but I’ll take that over SJSU QB Jay Butterfield who has 15 career pass attempts. 

[lawrence-related id=58874]

Furthermore, Purdy’s mobility could be a massive help to SJSU’s offensive line which will feature four new starters. 

Ryan B: @rbizzle16 “Do you think it’s fair to say that we’d have a good chance at being 4-0 in league if we had Rob V [Vaihola] in the lineup?”

Oh, without a doubt. 

Each loss featured an example where SJSU’s frontcourt was outmatched.

In the Wyoming loss, SJSU was outscored in the paint 36-20 which played a pivotal role in the squandered 17-point lead. In its next loss to Boise State, SJSU allowed power forward O’mar Stanley to net 30 points and 11 rebounds. A few days later, No. 19 San Diego State’s power forward Jaedon LeDee finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds. 

Imagine the destruction a frontcourt of Vaihola and seven-footer Adrame Diongue could inflict upon opponents?

Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “A sign of a good team is that they can handle adversity (especially on the road) and still find ways to win. So far this season we hadn’t done that but on Saturday we did. I take it as an indication they are starting to gel and improve. We’re on the upswing and I’m excited For the rest of the season.”

Myron “MJ” Amey Jr.’s buzzer-beating three over Air Force should signify SJSU shifting course of its late-game woes. 

But I just don’t know. 

The Spartans let a 46-33 halftime lead over the Cadets wither into a 66-61 deficit. Yes, SJSU rallied back triumphantly. But with 10 seconds left and SJSU up 67-66, what if AFA’s Rytis Petraitis went 2-for-2 not 1-for-2 from the line? More importantly, what if he didn’t step out with 1.5 seconds left after he rebounded SJSU point guard Alvaro Cardenas’ airballed three? Lastly, AFA is the second-worst team in the conference. 

Not saying it can’t happen. Just important to remember the context surrounding Amey Jr.’s dagger. 

Fake Matt Mumme:@FakeCoachMumme “What’s the best burger in Santa Clara County?”

Not sure if it’s the best burger (I’m more of a chicken sandwich guy) but the best I’ve had is the Breakfast Burger at Egghead Sando. 

Paring over-easy eggs with caramelized onions as a burger topping is beyond elite. 

Ricky Delgado @RickyDe70535587 “Incredibly happy for the players, especially MJ to get that win on Saturday. I could see some of them had that “here we go again look” like the football team did early in the season. I keep going back to football season because I can’t help how similar these two teams feel. With that said, a turnaround similar to the one the football team had is improbable. However, this team will compete night in and night out with any team in the conference and I feel like they’re even going to upset a couple of the big programs.”

I think this team will be a gambler’s worst nightmare. 

Last Tuesday, SJSU nearly upset No. 19 San Diego State, 81-78. Then followed that up by needing an improbable buzzer-beating three from Amey Jr. to escape a woeful Air force. 

Don’t be surprised if SJSU struggles at home against Fresno State (No. 254 NET ranking) on Feb. 6 and then has Colorado State (No. 20 NET ranking) on the ropes in its next game. 

Which is why I believe SJSU can win eight of its next 14 games to clinch eligibility for the CBI. But at the same time I wouldn’t put any money on it.