Tag: San Jose State Basketball

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 G–Myron 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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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Wednesday January 30th Results

MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Tuesday January 30th Results Colorado State defends Moby Arena against visiting Aztecs. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Colorado State drives MWC narrative further with home win over San Diego State, Wyoming …

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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Tuesday January 30th Results

Colorado State defends Moby Arena against visiting Aztecs.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Colorado State drives MWC narrative further with home win over San Diego State, Wyoming gets road win & Danny Sprinkle owns 100th win.

Conference action was in full swing Tuesday night with four matchups around the Mountain West. With a marquee lacking the heavy hitting & nationally televised battles fans are craving for as we approach February.

Tuesday night felt light on the high stakes matchups but was filled with pure Mountain West basketball. Though there were some surprises & milestones to highlight.

Wyoming 83, Air Force 72 

Wyoming have made Arena-Auditorium a fortress this season. Posting a respectable 8-1 at home. They haven’t found that success on the road just yet, posting an 0-8 record on the road & or neutral court games. The Cowboys were looking for their first road win of the season as they traveled south to face Air Force inside Clune Arena. While Air Force was hoping to defend their home court & secure their second conference win.

Joe Scott has plenty of firepower in Colorado Springs this year, but in an everchanging Mountain West, it takes more than just scorers to steal a conference win. Someone didn’t tell sophomore Kellan Boylan that. Who out shot Wyoming’s D-II transfer Akuel Kot (12 1st half points, 2-3 3FGs) enroute to surpassing his career high in the first twenty minutes of gameplay (16 points, 4-7 3FGS).

“Our game plan was we were going to let 23 hit some shots, and did he do that, I was a little bit pissed in the first half, but we got it back.” Brendan Wenzel told the Caspar Star Tribune.

The second half was much of the same from Boylan. But unlike Wyoming who had two more players score double figures in the second-half. Outscoring their hosts 49-36, and achieving a milestone within the program, their first road win.

The Wyoming win placed the Cowboys in a tie for 4th place with San Diego State. A position for which the gauntlet style of the Mountain West this year can explain. As other teams lose, Jeff Linder and company seem to be figuring some things out in Laramie.

Jeff Linder had three separate players log 20+ points in Colorado Springs. Brendan Wenzel with a team high 25 points, Akuel Kot with 20 points & 5 assists & 22 points & 7 rebounds from Mason Walters. The Cowboys shot 63.2% from deep, behind a barrage of 10-15 made shots from Wenzel & Kot.

While the Falcons did their best to keep the win in Colorado. With three players in double-figures but a monster night from Kellan Boylan. Who dropped a career high 32 points off of 11-16 shooting (68.7%) from the floor and a whopping 9-14 (64.2%) from down town.

Mason Walters return has a lot to do with that, but still, I can’t see too many teams excited to face Wyoming for the remainder of conference play. As an esteemed member of the Mountain West online community phrased it, “Laramie is where the six bid Mountain West goes to die”.

No. 17 Utah State 82, San Jose State 61

The Aggies came in Tuesday as one of the toughest teams in the nation. In sole possession of first place in the Mountain West and an AP top-25 ranking for the fourth week in a row. While San Jose State is seeking their second win in conference play.

Both teams find themselves on opposite ends of the standings, but that doesn’t matter. Tim Miles group traveled west to Logan, for a potential road upset to talk about for years to come.

It was a tall task, one maybe too tall for the Spartans on Tuesday night. As things started off well, staying neck and neck with their hosts while exchanging buckets & exchanging the lead several times. They’d go into the half only down by single digits (37-30).

The Aggies separated themselves from their visitors in the second-half. A problem the Spartans have dealt with all conference slate, losing steam after half-time. They cut the lead to as low as five, before an 11-0 Aggie run just before the 18:10 mark was the buffer needed to extend that lead and eventually stomp out their opponent.

It wasn’t necessarily San Jose State’s fault either, Great Osobor had a big night with 31 points & 7 rebounds off of 9-15 shooting (32.3%) & 13-19 free throws. Joining him was Ian Martinez, who has been lights out late. Shooting 100% from the field on Tuesday, including 4-4 from deep. Not to mention Darius Brown II’s third double-double on the year, 11 points & 10 rebounds.

The Spartans struggled to generate any sort of offense. Shooting 39.3% from the floor, 21.7% from deep and only 10 free throw opportunities, they were simply outgunned Tuesday night. They still managed double figures from their backcourt, Myron Amey Jr. had 14 points & 7 rebounds & Alvaro Cardenas chipped in 11 points & 5 assists.

Danny Sprinkle’s group did a great job of taking care of the Spartans at home. They may have been favored but San Jose State has the players to light it up any given night. With the Aggies taking care business at home on Tuesday, they can now focus their sights on a visit to sunny San Diego on Saturday to display their dominance over Mountain West royalty.

No. 24 Colorado State 79, San Diego State 71

Colorado State played host to maybe the biggest Mountain West game on the docket Tuesday night. A top-half standings clash between the Rams and the visiting San Diego State Aztecs. Both teams were predestined for a place atop the Mountain West back in October.

But both programs have struggled in conference play thus far. Posting checkered conference records with quality wins along with quality losses. Tuesday night was a chance at another one of those quality wins for both sides, but that’s not how the game is played is it.

Colorado State was feeling it early, taking advantage from a possibly jet lagged San Diego State squad, by taking the early 21-7 lead midway through the first-half. The Aztecs in turn took advantage of the Rams cold hand after that, using a 10-2 run to attempt to make things closer before the half.

Colorado State was able to extend their lead to thirteen before going into half-time. Which may have been just what was needed to hold off a strong San Diego State second-half (42-42 scored).

The Rams shooting wasn’t pretty across the board, but a very respectable 53.8% from the floor and a positive assist to turnover ratio (1.8:1) gave them the edge. Not to mention stellar defensive play on the perimeter (11 steals, 9 by backcourt players).

Niko Medved’s group was led by 20 point performances from Nique Clifford & Isaiah Stevens. With Joel Scott (15 points) & Josiah Strong (10 points) playing a key supportive role. Clifford’s stat line on the night was all over the place, with 10 rebounds, 5 assists, & 4 steals to go along with his 20 point performance.

While the Aztecs had three players reach double figures in Reece Waters (17 points), Lamont Butler (16 points) & All-American candidate Jaedon LeDee (13 points). LeDee’s dip in production over his last three games (14.3 PPG during this time) is beginning to effect his teams ability to win. It’s not all up to him, but for a team renowned for their defense, there aren’t many other options on the roster who can make up for that drop.

This conference is brutal. That is all. Is something I could have said given the Ram’s 8-point win over the visiting Aztecs Tuesday night. Colorado State hasn’t had the easiest time in conference play thus far.

Sitting in fifth place with a .500 record, holding quality wins over red hot New Mexico & now San Diego State. But their win over Brian Dutcher’s squad is just another testament to what we’ve been saying all month long, “Any team. Any given night”.

UNLV 78, Fresno State 69

It was the 40th anniversary of the Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday night. Kevin Kruger’s Runnin’ Rebels are trying to build on their road win in San Jose over the weekend in hopes of breaking into the conference’s top-half. While Justin Hutson’s Bulldogs are using every game as an opportunity to dig themselves out of the conference’s basement.

Fresno State has some pieces to make a run at a amid-table position come February’s end. like their near 7-foot duo of Enouch Boake & Eduardo Boayke down low. Along with a veteran backcourt trio who combined bring over twelve years of Mountain West experience every night. But would it be enough to ruin UNLV’s anniversary celebration?

The Runnin’ Rebels took an early lead, thanks to a 10-0 run that went unanswered for the first four minutes of play. UNLV didn’t let up, maintaining a double-digit lead for majority of the first half. That cushion turned into a 37-28 lead heading into the half.

That lead kept the Runnin’ Rebels in the lead for the rest of the game. Even as Fresno State crept back up to shrink the lead to just one with an Enoch Boakye dunk at the 10:56 mark. A ensuing 9-0 UNLV run created the winning margin and the nail in Fresno State’s tires. Kevin Kruger’s group was able to win 78-69 on their 40th Anniversary night.

Both squads utilized short benches Tuesday night. Albeit with plenty of production from their starters. UNLV was led by Kalib Boone with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists & 3 blocks as the game’s stat sheet stuffer. His sharpshooting brother logged 15 points & 13 rebounds.

For the Bulldogs, it was transfer big man Enoch Boakye with his second straight double double (16 points & 10 rebounds), his third on the year. Fresno State also had contributions from Xavier Dusell (14 points), Isaiah Pope (15 points) & Isaiah Hill with a near double double 12 points & 9 assists.

The loss makes the gap between Nevada and the three teams in the bottom half of the standings that much bigger. While UNLV was able to tie with No. 24 Colorado State in the 5th place space with .500 records in conference play.

Current MWC Standings

1-No. 18 Utah State 7-1, 19-2

2-No. 25 New Mexico 6-2, 18-3

3-Boise State 5-2, 14-6

4-San Diego State 5-3, 16-5

4-Wyoming 5-3, 12-9

5-No. 24 Colorado State 4-4, 16-5

5-UNLV 4-4, 11-9

6-Nevada 3-4, 16-5

7-Fresno State 2-6, 9-12

8-San Jose State 1-7, 8-13

8-Air Force 1-7, 8-12

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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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Saturday January 28th Results

MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Saturday January 28th Results Wyoming steals the show with overtime win in rivalry game. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Boise State falls again, the Bulldogs climb the ladder, UNLV has a big 2nd-half & the …

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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Saturday January 28th Results

Wyoming steals the show with overtime win in rivalry game.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Boise State falls again, the Bulldogs climb the ladder, UNLV has a big 2nd-half & the Cowboys down the Rams in the border war, hardwood edition.

Conference action was in full swing Saturday night. Filled with rivalry upsets, overtime thrillers & plain ole Mountain West basketball. It seems as though fans of the conference are treated to something exciting every time I write these quick hitters, Saturday was no different.

As we approach the onset of February, the phrase “every game counts” should be plastered all over locker room walls throughout the Mountain West.

Wyoming 79, No. 24 Colorado State 76

The Wyoming Cowboys have become the living embodiment of what should be the conference’s official slogan “Any team, any night”. After treating fans to back-to-back wins inside Arena-Auditorium in the middle of January, Jeff Linder’s squad was ready for another conference win at home Saturday night.

Which was unlucky for the visiting No. 24 Colorado State Rams. Because for the fifth time this season, the Cowboys mounted a double-digit comeback to secure the win against their southern rivals.

Things were close throughout this game inside the Dome of Doom. So much so that this one couldn’t be decided in just two twenty minute halves. With the Cowboys down 11 points with just fifty-one seconds left, a 12-1 run capped by a game tying layup sent the game to overtime. From there the Cowboys were lifted to the OT win by Akuel Kot, who scored 11 of his 18 points after the regulation buzzer sounded.

Colorado State came to play with four Rams reaching double figures, including a double-double from Nique Clifford (13 points & 12 rebounds). The loss began Colorado State’s second two game losing streak in conference play. Not where Niko Medved’s group thought they would be a month ago, but there’s plenty of games to drag themselves out of their current mid-table place.

It was the first win over a top-25 team for Wyoming since 2018. Which also put them in third place in the conference. Behind a three-way tie for second place & league leaders Utah State.

No. 18 Utah State 90, Boise State 84

The Aggies traveled north to Boise hoping to return home with a resume boosting win and remain in first place in the Mountain West. While the Boise State Broncos were hoping for the home upset, which would have made them league leaders on Saturday afternoon.

Boise State fans showed out, giving both teams a sold out ExtraMile Arena to entertain. And it’s safe to say they didn’t disappoint. The name of the game was runs, some here by the Aggies followed by others from the Broncos. The two sides traded buckets, but it was Boise State who went into the half up 39-37. The second-half looked like much of the same, a 7-0 run by Boise State to open things up only to be followed up by a 11-1 Utah State run.

Leon Rice’s group nearly sealed the deal, up 75-72 with just 10 seconds left on the clock before an Ian Martinez coast to coast layup. That sent the game to overtime, like I said they didn’t dissapoint.

An 8-1 Aggie run to open things up in overtime may have been the nail in the coffin. As the Broncos were able to bring it to within two (84-82) with thirty-four seconds left in the game, but Utah State then went 6-6 from the charity stripe to seal the victory.

Danny Sprinkle’s group held strong and didn’t waiver in regulation. Utah State had five players reach double figures. Led by 19 points & 5 assists from Darius Brown II, helped along by a perfect night shooting from all places on the floor by Josh Uduje (18 points). Not to mention double-doubles from both members of their frontcourt, Great Osobor (14 points & 10 rebounds) & Isaac Johnson (13 points & 11 rebounds).

Boise State had a poor night from beyond the arc, which overshadowed two twenty point games from Tyson Degenhart (24 points) & O’Mar Stanley (20 points & 9 rebounds) down low.

The win as eluded to earlier gave the Aggies the sole possession of first place in the conference. Something many folks not named Danny Sprinkle likely didn’t expect back in November. For Boise State the loss slides them down into a three-way tie with No. 25 New Mexico and San Diego State.

There isn’t a giant need to panic just yet, but once the nations longest home win streak has been reduced to rubble twice this month. It’s safe to say adjustments are needed.

Fresno State 84, Air Force 70-MW Wire Article Link

Both Air Force & Fresno State are fighting an uphill battle out of the Mountain West cellar. Both squads were looking for their second conference win Saturday night, but only one could emerge victorious.

Joe Scott’s squad looked prime for a second conference road win on Saturday. As things were close in the first half, but the Falcons were in the driver seat. Thanks to some stellar 3-point shooting from the tip, knocking down four of their first six attempts. They amassed multiple five point leads before leading 43-40 as the half-time buzzer sounded.

The second-half began with much of the same. Buckets on both sides, including three-pointers aplenty. Both teams shot well from the floor, but maybe the more surprising stat was how well they shot from deep. As the Bulldogs & visiting Falcons knocked down 11-25 (44%) threes. But the Bulldogs late game defense, which held the Falcons to just one field goal before an 8-0 Fresno State run helped put send Air force home packing with yet another loss.

The Bulldogs received double-doubles from two of their starters Saturday. Longtime point guard Isaiah Hill posted 11 points & 10 assists and transfer big man Enoch Boakye led his team in scoring with 19 points while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Boakye had maybe his best game in a Bulldog uniform against the Falcons.

While Air Force received double-digits from their high scoring frontcourt of Rytis Petraitis (14 points, 5 rebounds & 5 assists) & a game high from Beau Becker (22 points, 4 rebounds shooting 4-8 from deep). The Falcons

With that win Fresno State got their second conference win & placed themselves just a little further away from last place in the conference. They may find themselves on the wrong side of the Mountain West standings. As the middle of the pack are potentially fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth (the league is just that good this year).

The road loss placed the Falcons in a tie for last place with San Jose State. A climb that seems as steep as Mt. Everest in this gauntlet of a conference.

UNLV 77, San Jose State 65

Tim Miles & his Spartans were hoping to end a two game homestand with a win before heading on the road to face league leaders No. 18 Utah State next week. But Kevin Kruger’s Runnin’ Rebels were hoping to end a two game losing streak before they returned to Sin City.

There was plenty on the line for both teams, but the win is heading east with UNLV tonight. As the Runnin’ Rebels couldn’t miss, shooting 68.2% from the floor & 46.6% from three-point range.

UNLV was propelled to victory by Keylan Boone who dropped a game high 18 points off of 7-10 shooting (70%). He was joined by freshman sensation Dedan Thomas Jr. who had another big night with 16 points on 5-9 shooting (2-4, from deep) to go along with 6 assists to just 1 turnover.

The Spartans could have kept the W in San Jose. But limited bench contributions put a damper on four different players logging double-digits and made a 7 point half-time lead disappear. As UNLV outscored their hosts 45-26 in the second-half. Myron Amey Jr. continues to enjoy his breakout season with 18 points, 5 rebounds & 3 assists while shooting 50% from the floor.

The loss put San Jose State in a tie for last place with the only team they’ve beat in conference play Air Force. For UNLV they find themselves still stuck in the middle of the pack in the conference standings. Not a bad place to be technically when you’re tied with nationally ranked No. 24 Colorado State.

Current MWC Standings

1-No. 18 Utah State 6-1, 18-2

2-Boise State 5-2, 14-6

2-San Diego State 5-2, 16-4

2-No. 25 New Mexico 5-2, 17-3

3-Wyoming 4-3, 11-9

4-Nevada 3-3, 16-4

5-No. 24 Colorado State 3-4, 15-5

5-UNLV 3-4, 10-9

6-Fresno State 2-5, 9-11

7-San Jose State 1-6, 8-12

7-Air Force 1-6, 8-11

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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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Tuesday January 16th Results

Overtime in Colorado, A California Clash, the nation’s longest winning streak gone & the No. 16 Utah State gets first MWC loss.

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MWC Basketball Quick Hitters: Tuesday January 16th Results

The Lobos win over No. 16 Utah State may highlight a wonderful night of hoops in the Mountain West.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Overtime in Colorado, a California clash, the nation’s longest winning streak gone & No. 16 Utah State gets first MWC loss.

Mountain West Action was in full effect Tuesday night. Full of storylines, quad 1 wins & plain old conference fun. The conference has a chance, no matter how small at sending six teams to the big dance in a couple of months. It’s far fetched & sending 5 teams (last done in 2013) would be considered huge progress, but hope keeps fanbases alive this time of year right? And fans were treated to some pretty riveting games from the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast.

Even as wins for some can be considered resume boosting & losses for others considered resume blotches this time of year. The Mountain West is a gauntlet & if you hope to survive, you bring your A game.

Colorado State 78, Air Force 69

In-state matchups seemed to be all the rage in the Mountain West on Tuesday night. As a struggling Colorado State team who was coming off of two straight losses after having one of the more impressive non-conference performances welcomed southern conference foes Air Force.

The Falcons like have elevated their competitiveness under Joe Scott. With three players averaging 15+ points a game & having all-conference caliber seasons. But they’ve done so in a Mountain West that has elevated it’s competitiveness as a whole.

Tuesday night inside Moby arena was yet another testament to how tough the Mountain West is year in and year out it seems. As the Rams were likely looking forward to sleeping in their own beds tonight after a two game road trip. But the Falcons forced Colorado State into overtime on their home court. Though, Niko Medved’s group managed to dominate their opponent in overtime (14-5). Giving them the 78-69 victory, no matter how ugly it was.

Joe Scott’s team shot an impressive 10-22 (45%) from beyond the arc, led by Ethan Taylor (18 points, 5-11 3FG) & Beau Becker (18 points, 4-8 3FG). With Colorado State nearly matching them with 10-24 (41%) but the x-factor as proclaimed by his Head Coach, being Joe Palmer off of the bench with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, a key block & shooting 3-6 from deep.

Fresno State 85, San Jose State 82 (Click For Recap)

The Bulldogs & Spartans may find themselves towards the bottom of one of the more competitive Mountain West Conferences in recent memory. But it doesn’t mean they can’t treat the fans inside the Save Mart Center to a fun in-state clash on a Tuesday night right?

Tim Miles continues to make the Spartans a respectable & competitive team in year three in the Bay Area. While now sixth year Bulldog Head Coach Justin Hutson still seeks stability in the Central Valley. As they met on the court neither squad backed down on Tuesday night.

Instead they kept things close & an Isaiah Hill buzzer beater was needed to seal the deal, giving Fresno State’s their first conference win of the year. A 30-point night from Tibet Gorener wasn’t enough to lift his team to the win on the road, even if he made 7-9 3-pointers. On the other side of the court, super senior Isaiah Hill’s 24 points, 9 assists with no turnovers & 5-8 three pointers gave himself a new season high in scoring & his team a much needed win.

UNLV 68, Boise State 64

The Runnin’ Rebels walked into the fortress known as ExtraMile Arena in Boise. The Broncos have managed to turn their home court into a topic of discussion by national media. The largest winning streak in the nation, twenty-two games at home was on the line for Boise State. For UNLV it was another chance to prove how tough this conference truly is.

Kevin Kruger’s group did their job, taking an undefeated (in conference play) Boise State team down to the wire to put an end to that Bronco fairytale. Twenty-four points from Tyson Degenhart wasn’t enough to keep the W in Boise. Leon Rice’s team needs to stay focused & avoid a dip in conference play, like others have done this far. Tuesday night may be the wake up call they need before they face San Diego State on Saturday on national television.

While UNLV was led by junior college transfer Robert Whaley Jr., who has taken some time to acclimate to the D-I game. Maybe he’s acclimated, as Whaley Jr. dropped 18 points on 8-11 shooting tonight. The Runnin’ Rebels have taken some tough losses thus far and handed them out jus the same. Don’t worry about their place in the current standings just yet, with plenty of basketball to still be played & weapons galore.

New Mexico 99, No. 16 Utah State

The Lobos looked like the team media all across the country were high on to in the preseason Tuesday night. Handing No. 16 Utah State their first conference loss and ending a seven game losing streak to the Aggies in the process. Danny Sprinkle’s group never gave up and had 5 players in double figures by the nights end.

As I said on Twi..whoops I mean X, Utah State didn’t have a bad game, far from it. The Lobos simply had a better one in front of 13,000 fans on a Tuesday night for a 8:45 PM tip-off. New Mexico had 6 players in double figures & were led by a double-double from Donovan Dent (15 points & 14 assists, just 1 turnover) & a breakout performance from Nelly Junior-Joseph (26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals on 91% shooting from the floor).

Ian Martinez had a huge second-half, which included 14 points & a 11-0 run of consecutive made three pointers & an acrobatic layup to shrink what had turned into a 20-point Lobo lead with more than half of the game left to play. If not for him, a respectable 13-point loss inside one of the toughest opposing arenas to walk into in the country, could have turned into a nationally televised blowout.

Current MWC Standings

1-No. 16 Utah State 4-1, 16-2

2-Boise State 3-1, 12-5

3-San Diego State 3-1 14-3

4-New Mexico 3-2, 15-3

5-Nevada 2-1, 15-2

6-Wyoming 2-2, 9-8

7-Colorado State 2-2, 13-3

8-UNLV 2-2, 9-7

9-Fresno State 1-3, 8-9

10-San Jose State 1-4, 8-10

11-Air Force 0-4, 7-9

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.

Can SJSU Basketball Use Near Upset Over No. 19 SDSU To Shift Season?

Can SJSU basketball use near upset over No. 19 SDSU to shift season?

Can SJSU Basketball Use Near Upset Over No. 19 SDSU To Shift Season?

A deep-dive into SJSU’s conference slate

Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

Frustration must turn to momentum

WHO: San Jose State (7-9, 0-3 MW) vs. Air Force (7-7, 0-2 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, January 13th — 7:30 p.m. MST / 6:30 p.m. PST

WHERE: Cadet Field House

TV: Mountain West Network

STREAM: FuboTV — get a free trial

It’s surprising San Jose State head coach Tim Miles and junior guards MJ Amey and Alvaro Cardenas didn’t exhibit more glee in their press conference after the Spartans nearly upset No. 19 San Diego State 81-78 last Tuesday. 

SJSU has never won an NCAA Tournament game. The Aztecs, meanwhile, won five last year en route to finishing as March Madness runner-ups. 

So shouldn’t the Spartans have viewed that near monumental upset as encouraging first and frustrating second – not vice versa? In theory, yes. But Tuesday’s defeat was the latest example of how the Spartans (7-9, 0-3 MW) lost a game they could have won. With its postseason chances slimming, SJSU must figure out how to turn frustration into momentum. 

Just a week before the SDSU loss, the Spartans squandered a 17-point lead in its conference-opener to Wyoming, falling 75-73 on a buzzer-beater. Then, in its conference home-opener, SJSU fumbled a nine-point lead it held over Boise State with less than 10 minutes and wound up losing by nine.

SJSU felt frustrated last Tuesday night not because it played poorly. In fact, considering the talent disparity, that game could be considered one of the best of Miles’ tenure. But the Spartans method of losing is emotionally draining. 

Following the SDSU loss, Miles asked rhetorically “‘Do you let it [frustration] suck the life out of you? … Or use it [frustration] to make yourself stronger and more resilient?’”

Could Miles’ sentiment also be that of a coach whose team entered conference play with a penchant for struggling to finish games?

In SJSU’s six non-conference losses, it outscored its opponent following the first half just once. Now, the defeat to Texas Tech (No. 31 in NET) can be forgiven. But what about the losses to Cal Poly (No. 327 in NET) and Abilene Christian (No. 255 in NET)? 

In doing so, it hinted that what’s happening now could’ve been seen from far away. 

Miles should know. After the Cal Poly loss he said, “You hope it’s not a symptom of a larger problem in the program or an unwillingness to build on a lead and play the type of defense necessary to win tough-minded games.”

Months later, those words are hauntingly prophetic. 

But the Spartans inability to “play the type of defense necessary to win tough-minded games” isn’t perplexing. 

After all, they entered this season without 2022-23 Mountain West Player of the Year Omari Moore and last year’s frontcourt of center Ibrahima Diallo (transferred), power forward Sage Tolbert (graduated) and power forward Robert Vaihola who sustained a season-ending injury this offseason. 

Their replacements haven’t come close to matching their production. Though Washington State transfer Adrame Diongue averages the second most blocks per game (1.6) in the conference, his inability to stay out of foul trouble and staggering 38.2 free throw percentage limits his crunch time minutes.  

Power forwards sophomore William Humer and freshman Diogo “DJ” Seixas haven’t made contributions required for SJSU to command the paint. In the Wyoming loss SJSU was outscored 36-20 in the paint. After that, Broncos’ power forward O’mar Stanley went for 30 points and 11 rebounds and SDSU’s Jaedon LeDee netted 31 points and 10 rebounds. 

This doesn’t mean Diongue, Humer and Seixas are bad. This is just what happens when inexperienced players are thrust into major roles they may not be ready for.

This loaded Mountain West, however, will offer no sympathy. 

But to take a step back, is all of this far too harsh and grim of an outlook? Shouldn’t the SDSU defeat vault — not crater — SJSU’s CBI chances? 

That’s what makes it so difficult to predict SJSU’s future. To definitively say the SDSU loss will vault SJSU is to be too much of a prisoner of the moment. To definitively say that loss will crater SJSU is to unjustly give up on a team dripping in promise.

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Amey’s 15.3 points per game is good for top-10 in the conference and Cardenas has paired his 14.1 points per game with 5.7 assists – fifth-most in the conference. The pair’s 20-point performances against SDSU is just the latest example of how they’ve taken that pivotal third-year leap. 

And don’t let the Spartans inability to close games fool you into thinking they are incompetent. Evidenced by how they turned the ball over 11 times against Wyoming, seven times against BSU and 10 times against SDSU. As a result, SJSU has averaged the second-fewest turnovers per game (10.4) in the Mountain West.

If the Spartans can find a way to match their first half effort with their second half effort, they can win nine of their next 15 games to clinch the .500 record necessary for CBI eligibility. 

“I’ve been saying we can play with anybody in the country,” Amey said after the SDSU game.

If there’s one thing SJSU can’t play with — it’s time. And if there’s any time for a seismic shift, it’s this Saturday night at Air Force (No. 232 in NET) and next Tuesday night at Fresno State (No. 245 in NET). 

With wins over the Mountain West’s lowest-ranking NET teams, SJSU can quickly erase the sting of the 0-3 conference start. Not to mention the momentum required to attack a six-game slate afterward featuring four teams in the top-40 of the NET and five in the top-100. 

“We can lose to anybody in this league, but I think we have proven we can beat anybody in this league, too,” Miles said.  

Preview: Can HC Tim Miles lead SJSU to a winning record in Mountain West play?

Can HC Tim Miles lead SJSU to a winning record against MW opponents with robust NIL presences in order to notch a postseason appearance?

Preview: Can HC Tim Miles lead SJSU to winning record in Mountain West play?

Can SJSU finish .500 against MW opponents with robust NIL presences in order to notch a postseason appearance?

Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

“You either adapt or die”

WHO: San Jose State Spartans (7-6) vs. Wyoming (7-6)

WHEN: Tuesday, January 2nd — 7:30 p.m. CST / 5:30 p.m. PST

WHERE: Arena-Auditorium; Laramie, Wyo (8,083)

TV: Mountain West Network (Stream on the Mountain West Network)

ODDS: Wyoming -5

As San Jose State men’s basketball opens conference play tonight against Wyoming, head coach Tim Miles now faces a question that’s loomed large since the preseason: Can SJSU repeat last year’s success without an NIL presence and reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Omari Moore?

“You either adapt or die,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles told The Spear last October.

Mar 4, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) gestures in the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

At 7-6, the definition of “repeating last year’s success” has been slightly tempered to making back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time ever. In order to do that SJSU must win nine of its 18 conference games. 12 of those 18 games come against teams with a higher NET ranking. Just so happens that nearly all of those teams have an NIL presence the Spartans only hope to achieve one day. 

According to the SF Chronicle, Colorado State, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, Boise State, San Diego State and UNLV each have collectives that have reported annual NIL budgets for men’s basketball over $400,000. Miles, meanwhile, watched recruits immediately “wig out” on Zoom calls when he mentioned he couldn’t offer NIL money. 

Prior to an upset over crosstown rival Santa Clara on Dec. 20, finishing .500 in conference play for the second time since 2000 was daunting. SJSU was fresh off an 86-75 loss to Montana where its defense was reliably unreliable. “We just got hurt inside,” Miles said following the defeat. “But that’s not new news.” 

Miles entered the 2023-24 season well-aware of how the Spartans’ inexperienced front court could be detrimental to the team’s success. How could he not? Freshman forward Diogo “DJ” Seixas and sophomore forward William Humer had no prior Division I experience. The team’s prized 2023 recruit in sophomore Washington State transfer Adrame Diongue averaged 1.3 points and 1.8 boards in six minutes per game in Pullman. 

This stress was only heightened when Miles announced SJSU forward Robert Vaihola, the Mountain West leader in offensive rebounds a year ago, would be out for the year with a foot injury. 

With the departures of Vaihola’s front court counterparts in Sage Tolbert (graduated) and Ibrahima Diallo who “transferred to Central Florida this past June for $160,000 in NIL money,” according to that same SF Chronicle article, SJSU’s new rotation could be a deterrent to winning conference games. 

A “deterrent” but not a complete obstruction. 

At least senior forward Trey Anderson was rapidly evolving into a trustworthy three-point shooter and defender at the start of the season. 

Then he sustained a “significant knee sprain” on Dec. 4 in an overtime loss to North Dakota State – SJSU’s third straight at the time. 

The streak ended at three when SJSU used a late-surge to beat New Orleans (then ranked in the bottom 300 of the NET). But the thrill of the win and junior guard MJ Amey’s season-high 29 points was quickly forgotten when SJSU followed it up with that aforementioned loss to Montana at home on Dec. 17.

If SJSU was outrebounded 44-24 and allowed Montana forward Laolu Oke to go for 16 points and 15 rebounds, how could it handle an eight-game stretch in January that features Wyoming’s Sam Griffin (18.3 points per game), San Diego State’s Jaedon Ladee who leads the Mountain West with 21.3 points and is tied for the league lead in rebounds (9.2). Furthermore, the guy Ladee’s tied with – Utah State’s Great Osobor – will be hosting SJSU in Logan to end the month. 

By that point, if SJSU ends the month at 3-5 or 2-6, there’s little chance it can make up enough ground to clinch that prized .500 record. In consequence, it’ll reinforce the narrative that SJSU’s paltry financial state isn’t conducive to long term success. No coach since 1966 has finished with a winning record. Even scarier for Miles, since 1938, no SJSU head coach has fulfilled the same duty at a different school for at least two years. Mind you, San Jose is viewed as a stepping stone to a better opportunity for coaches.

As SJSU’s defense struggled, the fear that it would return to its disastrous state was front of mind. Forget the fact SJSU won 20 games for the first time since 1981 last year. The Spartans 10 Mountain West wins eclipsed its conference win total (eight) from the previous five seasons. 

But then came that 81-78 upset over Santa Clara – No. 120 NET ranking –to end non-conference play. Yes, it wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to offer hope. 

 

Amey (team-leading 17 points and nine rebounds) continued his emergence as the team’s leading scorer, SJSU outscored SCU 23-13 in points off turnovers, Humer finished with a +14 and point guard Alvaro Cardenas dished a team-high 10 assists.

When the Spartans upset Santa Clara last year, Miles noticed a growing confidence in each player. Suddenly, they started to believe in themselves a little more and held their chest a little bit higher. That was then parlayed into beating UNLV and Colorado State to start conference play. Until then SJSU had never opened Mountain West play with a win. 

Perhaps tonight’s bout with a struggling Wyoming could signal a repeating trend. 

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Mountain West Basketball: 2023-2024 Conference Schedule Announced

With a little over a month on the ole college basketball countdown tracker, entities around the sport continue to release 2023-24 schedules.

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MWC Basketball: 2023-2024 Conference Schedule Announced

A first look at this year’s conference slate.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The 2023-2024 Mountain West Conference schedule release.

With a little over a month on the ole college basketball countdown tracker, entities around the sport are almost done releasing conference, non-conference & multi-team event participation for the 2023-2024 season.

The announcement also came with this season’s national T.V. schedule. With the hype earned from San Diego State’s Cinderella run to the National Championship game this past March. There will likely be more eyes on the Mountain West than ever before. And as in years past fans around the conference as well as newcomers gained from the big dance can catch their favorite team on CBS & Fox outlets.

This season each team will play nine home games & make nine away games. As of now, league play kicks off on January 2nd, when New Mexico heads north to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State.

CBS

The first game on CBS will be on November 29th when Colorado State hosts in-state rival Colorado on CBS Sports Network. This will be the first of over forty-nine televised games across CBS and CBS Sports Network.

A key date to circle on the CBS broadcast calendar should be UNLV at National Championship runner up San Diego State on Saturday, January 6th. Another matchup to look forward to will be the Aztecs at league rival New Mexico on Saturday, January 13th. Both games between these two conference foes last season made for must-watch TV, we can look forward to much of the same with revamped rosters on both sides.

A last matchup of note will be between conference title contenders San Diego State and Boise State. This showdown of Mountain West heavy weights airs on CBS Saturday, January 20th.

Not to mention all games airing on CBS are also accessible via stream on Paramount+.

FOX

On the Fox side of things, thirty-two games will be televised nationally. The first FS1 broadcast is a non-conference meeting featuring Cal State Fullerton at San Diego State on Monday November 6th. Among the key conference games to catch on FOX is Utah State at San Diego State on Saturday, February 3rd.

As with CBS & Paramount+ all games on FS1 will also be available on the FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com.

But for those without access to any of CBS or Fox’s outlets, don’t worry. All other games will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.

Important Dates

-January 2nd-League play begins with five contests

-March 9th-Regular Season Concludes

-The 2024 tournament will take place March 13th-16th

March Madness

CBS Sports will televise the Mountain West Basketball Championship as in years past. The quarterfinals & semifinals will air on the CBS sports Network. With the championship game televised on CBS (as well as Paramount+) on Saturday March 16th.

This is an exciting time around the Mountain West Conference. For the last year or so it appeared that the upcoming season was going to be the conference’s last hurrah. But as predictable yet at the same time unpredictable as conference realignment machine can be, here we are.

So with fresh eyes aplenty, rejuvenated fanbases throughout and a raised ceiling by San Diego State, fans this season should be excited to say the least.

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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Mountain West Conference Tournament: #5 San Jose State vs. #4 Nevada–Prediction, How to Watch, Odds

San Jose State and Nevada meet in Mountain West Conference Tournament quarterfinal action. Here’s a preview.

Mountain West Conference Tournament: #5 San Jose State vs. #4 Nevada–Prediction, How to Watch, Odds

Spartans, Wolf Pack meet in MWC Tournament Quarterfinals

https://twitter.com/coachmosser & @MWCwire

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What: Mountain West Tournament Game 5
Who: #5 San Jose State Spartans vs. #4 Nevada Wolf Pack
When: Thursday, March 9th – 2:30 PT
Where: Thomas & Mack Center; Las Vegas, NV
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Live stream: FuboTV — get a free trial
Odds: Nevada -5 Over/Under 131

San Jose State and Nevada will meet for the third time this season in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament. The two teams are trending in opposite directions, with the Spartans winners of three straight, and the Wolf Pack coming off a disastrous week. It was one that really saw their NCAA Tournament profile take a big hit. A road loss to last place Wyoming was bad enough, but they blew a big lead late on Saturday to in-state rival UNLV and fell in overtime. The back-to-back defeats dropped Nevada from around an 8 or 9 seed according to most bracketologists, to squarely on the bubble (the last four in/first four out batch of teams). That makes this game enormous for multiple reasons for the Pack. Obviously the winner of this will move on to Friday night’s semifinal against the winner of Thursday’s first game between Colorado State and top seeded San Diego State. But a loss by Nevada is going to put them in a precarious position on Selection Sunday.

The task will not be easy here, as San Jose State is playing very good basketball and is brimming with confidence. They have the freshly named Mountain West Coach of the Year in Tim Miles, and the Player of the Year – Omari Moore. The Spartans finished the regular season with an upset over Boise State, a blowout of Colorado State, and a 20-point rally/come from behind victory at Air Force. Miles has squeezed the best out of this squad, the role players are playing their roles and Moore is performing at an extremely efficient rate, hence his POY award.

This does not seem to be a good matchup for San Jose State, as two of their worst performances of the season came against Nevada. The Wolf Pack possess an elite wing defender in Tre Coleman, who can bother Moore, and slow him down better than most in the conference. They also have a stretch big, Will Baker, who while he is great in the paint, can also pull the Spartans rim protector Ibrahima Diallo away from the basket with his threat of knocking down jump shots.

Do you go with the hot hand or do you go with the better matchup? Wolf Pack boss Steve Alford has a history of performing well in the MWCT, mostly while with New Mexico, but he’ll have his work cut out for him getting his troops to put the late collapse versus UNLV behind them. This one should be tight all the way through, but Nevada has a bit too many bullets in the chamber and should move on to Friday’s semis.

Prediction: Nevada 73 San Jose State 67


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Mountain West Basketball: San Jose State vs. Ball State–Preview, Odds, Prediction

San Jose State ends it’s 3 game tournament in the Bahamas against Ball State. Here’s what to look for.

Mountain West Basketball: San Jose State vs. Ball State–Preview, Odds, Prediction

 

 

Spartans, Cardinals meet for 5th place in Baha Mar Hoops Championship event

 

 

Contact/Follow on Twitter  @coachmosser & @MWCwire

 

 

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Game 8: San Jose State Spartans (5-2) vs. Ball State Cardinals (4-2)

When: Sunday, November 27th – 11:30 AM PT 

Where: Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center; Nassau, Bahamas

How to Watch: FloHoops

Odds: San Jose State -1  Over/Under 139 

 

San Jose State will finish off a difficult 3 game in 3 day stretch early Sunday afternoon in the 5th place game of the Baha Mar Hoops Championship against Ball State.  While it says on the tournament sheet that this game is for 5th place, two things should be noted.  First, the Spartans drew the best team, and likely champion of the 8-team field in the first round (North Texas, who will play for the title on Sunday night).  Second, to win this game would have SJSU leaving the island with a 2-1 record from the 3 game trip, and that’s really all that matters to Tim Miles and his guys.

It was a great bounce back effort on Saturday, tipping off less than 20 hours from the conclusion of Friday’s tough, physical loss to the Mean Green.  The Spartans shot the ball better than they have all season, and played a pretty complete game, defeating Oakland, a historically good low-major program, 80-67.  It was quite the contrast from the in-your-face intensity of UNT to the more free-flowing offensive style preferred by Oakland, who has below average numbers on the defensive end to start this season.  Still, it’s great to be able to take advantage of those opportunities, and the Spartans did.  Sunday’s opponent will likely fall somewhere in the middle of the first two teams SJSU has seen in the Bahamas.

Ball State is 4-2 on the year and is headed by first year coach Michael Lewis.  Ironically, Lewis was an assistant coach on Miles’ staff when he was the head man at Nebraska, so the Cardinals should be very familiar with what San Jose State will try to do today.  This is Lewis’s first head coaching job, and looking at BSU’s early schedule, which in fairness is pretty poor, it’s too soon to tell what type of identity Lewis wants his program to have.  

The Cardinals are coming off their best win of the season on Saturday, upsetting Missouri State 67-64.  Their leading scorer in that one and on the season, was/is 6’9” center Payton Sparks.  The big sophomore is averaging 16 and 7 this far, shoots a very efficient 63% from the field, knocked his first three-pointer of the year down yesterday, and has done a nice job of avoiding foul trouble.  On the down side, he shoots only 51% from the foul line.  He will also have his work cut out for him today, facing the Spartans 7-footer Ibrahima Diallo, in an old-school post matchup.  Ball State also gets double figure scoring from Jarron Coleman, Demarius Jacobs, and Jaylin Sellers, so a very balanced lineup awaits Miles and his staff during the scouting report.  They shoot the 3-ball pretty well from a % standpoint, but it is not a huge part of their offense.  

For San Jose State, the last four games have produced four different leading scorers, a really positive sign.  Omari Moore was the leading returner from a year ago, and was the one many expected to put up huge numbers.  While he currently leads the team with a 13 ppg average, the effort and stat line from Saturday’s game will put a much bigger smile on Miles face.  Moore scored only two points, but he did other things, and many of them, with 9 rebounds and 9 assists, and only one turnover.  Probably most encouraging of all was that he only attempted six shots in 34 minutes.  Many leading scorers and ‘go-to-guys’, will force shots and need to get their points each time out.  Moore was perfectly content to do other things to help his team win, and they did.  That’s a huge check mark in the plus column moving forward for this squad.  

As for who did the scoring, let’s just say that Sage Tolbert and Trey Anderson like the Bahamas.  Tolbert torched the nets for 25 points Saturday on 11-12 shooting, and added 7 boards for good measure.  Anderson was a perfect 6-6 from the floor, including 4-4 from downtown, on Friday against the stifling North Texas defense, and followed that up with 19 points yesterday.  With Moore capable of popping for 20 at any time, and point guard Alvaro Cardenas doing exactly what a point guard should do (distribute the ball, and knock down occasional shots), adding Tolbert and Anderson to the holster on a regular basis, gives Miles options if one of his scorers is having an off night.  

When you get to the end of these multi-team events, talent and execution matter for sure, but it’s also about fresh legs.  It doesn’t matter if you’re in the championship game, or the 7th/8th place game, everyone is playing their third game in three days here in Nassau.  The effort required in a 40 minute college basketball game is immense; by the last 20 minutes of your third game, even the most conditioned athletes are fatigued.  Having an extra player or two in your rotation that you trust is huge.  Miles has used 9 players for significant minutes through two games here, whereas Lewis has only gone 7 deep.  That is going to come into play by the end of Sunday’s game.  Ball State has several guys who can get buckets, but their primary weapon is Sparks in the post.  The big man will get his points as he’s an all-conference talent, but he will face his stiffest challenge yet, in Diallo.  Even more encouraging for the Spartans, is that Diallo only logged 11 minutes on Saturday, primarily because of Oakland’s style of play.  He should resemble a cell phone plugged in overnight – fully charged.  Meanwhile, Sparks has played 35 and 32 minutes in the two games here, and may not have the legs down the stretch.  These are big advantages for SJSU.  They also have multiple emerging scorers, and better overall depth.  This Spartan squad is under the radar right now, and rates lowly in the popular metrics websites because of their poor 2021-22 season.  This is not last season, and it says here San Jose State ends their holiday getaway with a W.

 

Prediction: San Jose State 73  Ball State 64

  

    

 

 

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