Ken Niumatalolo without the triple option? Is that even legal?
It’s only been two years since Ken Niumatalolo was a college football head coach and his absence remains palpable.
Thankfully, that may be coming to an end. According to multiple reports, San Jose State is turning the focus on its coaching search towards Niumatalolo, the former Navy coach who’d grind opponents down with his triple option offense.
Niumatalolo went 109-83 at the service academy, winning the American Athletic Conference in 2015, 2016 and 2019 while delivering six bowl victories to Annapolis in 16 season before he was let go in 2022.
He’d been out of the college game since then until UCLA announced he was joining Chip Kelly’s staff as tight ends coach this month. Oddly enough, If he does become a head coach again, we’ll have Nick Saban to thank.
Niumatalolo is expected to target an offensive coordinator for some type of wide-open and pass-heavy system.
After Saban retired at Alabama, the Crimson Tide hired Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. Washington then hired Arizona’s Jedd Fisch leading the Wildcats to hire San Jose State’s Brent Brennan.
While you process that, here’s another piece of information that’s hard to digest: Niumatalolo reportedly won’t bring his triple option offense to San Jose.
College fans were equally thrilled about Niumatalolo potentially getting back on the sidelines as they were devastated he’d be doing so with out the scheme most closely associated with his teams.
Here’s a name: Montana State head coach Brent Vigen.
Though MSU is an FCS school, he interviewed for the Oregon State head coaching vacancy last December and brings with him an impressive resume. He’s compiled a 21-3 record since taking over MSU. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wyoming when Josh Allen was shredding defenses.
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HollywoodinSJ @HollywoodinSJ “Will the Administration increase the pay for the assistants? Will they be willing to increase the head coach’s pay a bit as well? What is the health of the athletic department in general? Do we have the cash to do what needs to be done?”
When I asked a source familiar who is familiar with SJSU’s financial predicament about NIL yesterday, I received an interesting answer:
“The whole campus has had cuts to their budgets – including athletics– and we need to generate donations just for scholarships.”
The source then identified “student enrollment being down” as the reason behind the budget cuts.
All to say, this doesn’t reflect well on the “health of the athletic department” or bode well for incoming coaches’ contracts.
And lest we forget, the cost of living in San Jose is 49% higher than the national average and housing is a staggering 142% higher. Plus, SJSU’s donor base is still far from robust.
Sep 1, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan reacts during the second quarter against the Portland State Vikings at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan B: @rbizzle16 “We need a short list, rumors, anything… Nick Rolovich’s phone on? Sounds like they don’t want to promote from within.”
My short list is current Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, former UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo, former Hawaii and Washington State head coach Nick Rolovich and Georgia defensive backs coach Donte Williams, who was an interim head coach at USC in 2021.
Not promoting from within could be a byproduct of SJSU wanting someone with head coaching experience. Which no SJSU coach has.
Gary Patterson, the former TCU head coach, should be looked at, but the chances are slim. SJSU doesn’t align with his ambitions to rebuild his image as a premier college football head coach. There’s operating budget concerns, NIL concerns and SJSU doesn’t return four of its five starting offensive lineman, quarterback, running back and safeties from last year.
Ricky Delgado @RickyDe70535587 “How many players do you think jump ship after hearing the news. Along these lines, do you think our next coach is in house or are we looking outside for the guy.”
I think it’s more likely SJSU goes with an outside hire because of its ambitions to hire someone with head coaching experience.
If that happens, I think players bolt because that coach may want to bring his own staff and that staff could bring players from their former school.
Then again, I’m not sure if that’s wise long term. For most of these players, SJSU was their best option. Either they received offers from schools at a lower caliber which decrease their chances of getting exposure needed to reach the next level. Or they received offers from better schools that they’d ultimately ride the bench at.
Dec 23, 2023; Honolulu, HI, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) scrambles away from Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defensive lineman Will Whitson (44) during the third quarter of the Easypost Hawaii Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports
Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron “Does [Alonzo “Zo”] Carter have a real shot? he’s been putting on a PR blitz, but would they really hire a position coach?
I think Carter who is the SJSU running backs and associate head coach, will at least get an interview. But he’ll likely serve as a safety net hire if SJSU can’t come to terms with its favorite candidates. This isn’t a discredit to Carter, but it doesn’t fall in line with a tweet from ESPN’s Pete Thamel that said, “head coaching experience will be a preferred trait that they [SJSU] are looking for.”
Though he was successful, Carter’s head coaching experience at the high school and junior college level in the Bay Area doesn’t translate to a place like SJSU.
Brennan taking over SJSU as a former position coach is a rare occurrence. And that was a result of candidates not wanting to become head coach because the result could be so disastrous it hinders their chances of ever getting another head coaching opportunity.
“PR Blitz” front wise, the scores of endorsements from media members helps, but I’m sure those rank at the bottom of Konya, SJSU president Cynthia Teniente-Matson and donors’ deciding factors list.
It’s difficult to get a read on this. But it’s important to know that Fisch brought his entire offensive staff with him to Washington and current U of A defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen interviewed to replace Fisch. It’s common for someone in Nansen’s position to look elsewhere.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Brennan takes several members of his staff. He’s placed a premium on keeping a continuous unit at SJSU and has praised the school for finding the funds to make his ambitions possible. Furthermore, his current staff is filled with guys he brought with him from Corvallis: SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven and defensive line coach Joe Seumalo.
If I’m an SJSU fan, Nick Saban is public enemy No. 1.
Let’s trace this:
On Jan. 10 Saban retired from Alabama. Then on Jan. 12 Kalen DeBoer left Washington to fill in for Saban. Which results in Jedd Fisch leaving Arizona to head to Washington on Jan. 14. Then, on the lord’s day of Jan. 16, 2024, Brennan left SJSU for Arizona.
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch shakes hands with Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham after winning the Territorial Cup 59-23 at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Matt Hamilton @MattHamilton19 SJSU “AD [Jeff] Konya said there would be a national search. Alabama, Washington and Arizona didn’t need a national search. Isn’t that his job? Shouldn’t he have been thinking about this possibility months ago?”
According to one source, SJSU AD Jeff Konya has likely been preparing for this moment. He’s smart enough to know any success this season could result in Brennan leaping to a Power Five.
Now, this doesn’t mean Konya was actively interviewing candidates. Rather, just keeping a list of names he felt could step in for Brennan.
Bru @TXBruce2727“For the SJSU folks, do we know what BB was making as HC? What FB budget is?”
Brennan received $2.3 million at SJSU in 2023, $1.93 million in 2022 and $1.5 million in 2021.
I can’t provide an accurate number for the budget – just know it isn’t great. Its practice field’s grass was browning a couple weeks into last year’s fall training camp, a field goal post on that same field is broken and up until last year, its facilities were laughably outdated.
Laurie Cottrell @LaurieCottrell “As an Arizona fan, I am happy for us-but so sorry for you. Believe me we know how it feels. Hope you find a solid replacement and that this new era of College Football doesn’t decimate the solid smaller programs!”
Pablo Luis @PabloG90 “Sorry SJSU this is a cruel business and we know how you feel.”
Blueleaf @leafblue16 “Arizona fan here, just wanted to say that we sympathize big time and fully understand any frustration. We were and are still there too.”
“With Brennan’s storied history at SJSU (parents went here and was an assistant under Tomey here), I find it impossible for any coach that has as much success here (definitely not more) to leap at the first chance they get. I don’t blame Brennan, but man it hurts.”
In Judaism, when someone passes there’s a week-long mourning session that follows called “Sitting Shiva.” Essentially, you do nothing but grieve, eat, and reminisce on the person who passed. Then you move on with your life.
We need something like this for college football fans who are forced to watch their coach get poached by a bigger school.
It’s official: San Jose State seventh-year head coach Brent Brennan is heading to Arizona.
Which begs the question: Who will take over?
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, “SJSU is ready to execute a swift and targeted search where head coaching experience will be a preferred trait that they are looking for.”
If “preferred” really means ‘non-negotiable’ that may eliminate everyone on Brennan’s staff and even UNLV offensive coordinator Brendan Marion. This past season in the Sin City, Marion’s Go-Go offensive produced one of the Mountain West’s best passing attacks and college football’s best turnarounds.
Oct 1, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
So who does that leave?
The top of that list may include former UNLV head coach and current Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.
Arroyo’s stint lasted just three seasons after he was let go following the 2022 season.
Although, it did seem premature.
The Rebels’ five wins were its most since 2017 and came after Arroyo compiled an 0-6 record in 2020 and 2-10 in 2021. Furthermore, it was a year before the world saw the talent of quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receiver Ricky White III, a 2023 All-Mountain West First Team selection.
An added plus is Arroyo’s SJSU connections. He was the quarterback at SJSU from 1998-200 and assistant coach from 2005-08. During that stint, he established a strong bond with Brennan, who was also apart of Dick Tomey’s staff. If Brennan gives SJSU AD Jeff Konya his blessing, that could put Arroyo above any other candidate.
Oct 16, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Marcus Arroyo is pictured during a game against the Utah State Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The next potential candidate is former Washington State and Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich, who has an all time record of 33-33.
A former standout quarterback at UH, Rolovich went 28-27 in four seasons, 2-1 in bowl games at his alma mater and used a 10-5 record and Hawaii bowl win in 2019 to spring board his way to WSU.
His two-year stint in Pullman saw him go 5-6 and ultimately cut short after he and four members of his staff were fired for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine. With COVID-19 no longer a major factor, could he make his way to CEFCU Stadium?
Oct 16, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during warm up ups before a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
For now, those are two names Spartan Nation should keep an eye on. That list can certainly expand if SJSU poaches another head coach or considers hiring an assistant coach.
In that case, the list will include SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven and running backs/assistant coach Alonzo “Zo” Carter. But with former Wildcats’ head coach Jedd Fisch taking his entire staff to Washington and current U of A defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen missing out on the head coaching job, anyone on Brennan’s staff could head to Tuscon.
The final name Spartan Nation should be aware of is Georgia defensive backs coach Donte Williams.
Williams was an assistant coach at SJSU from 2013-15 and finished 3-7 as USC’s interim head coach in 2021.
The former Nebraska quarteback will finish his college career closer to home.
Former Nebraska and Florida State quarterback Chubba Purdy will continue his collegiate career at San Jose State.
On Monday, Purdy announced that he will be taking his talents to San Jose, where he’ll be set to use his final year of eligibility.
The younger brother of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the Arizona native, signed with Florida State out of high school, where he was a consensus four-star prospect.
After two years with the Seminoles, Purdy transferred to Nebraska where he played in 12 games, completing 53-of-105 passing attempts for 529 yards and two touchdowns while throwing six interceptions. He also had 253 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his time with the Huskers.
Notably, however, while Purdy has committed to San Jose State, the Spartans’ head coach Brent Brennan has become the favorite to land the head coaching job at Arizona, according to multiple reports, including by The Ahletic’s Bruce Feldman.
Now, Purdy will look to be San Jose State’s starting quarterback in 2024. Find a photo gallery of Chubba Purdy’s career below.
What does Chubba Purdy transferring to SJSU mean for Jay Butterfield?
So if former Florida State and Nebraska quarterback redshirt sophomore Chubba Purdy – yes, 49ers’ quarterback Brock’s younger brother – is transferring to San Jose State, then what does that mean for SJSU redshirt sophomore quarterback Jay Butterfield?
Could this be the end of Butterfield’s time at SJSU after transferring from Oregon in 2023?
Both SJSU quarterbacks have two years of college eligibility remaining. Butterfield may decide to hit the portal now to sneak a spot on another roster and save a year of eligibility. Or he could take on Purdy in a bonafide quarterback battle in spring and fall training camp.
Upon transferring in 2023 from Oregon, the tentative plan for Butterfield was to back-up then SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro in 2023 and take over in 2024.
And throughout that 2023 season, Butterfield appeared to do what was asked of him. He was dogged in practice, supportive of Cordeiro and was a pillar of SJSU’s quarterback room. After the Spartans fell in the 2023 Hawaii Bowl, Cordeiro said, “The two years that I’ve been here I never thought that the best part would be the film room just joking around.”
In a limited amount of reps, Butterfield impressed in 2023. He finished 7-for-11 with 80 passing yards and threw a touchdown in the waning moments of a blowout loss to Oregon State.
So what motivated SJSU to deviate from that original plan for Butterfield?Did they feel Purdy’s shiftiness and experience offers it a better chance at continuing the rebuild?
Because if one thing’s for sure, Purdy didn’t transfer to SJSU to back up Butterfield for two years. Or solely for the proximity to Brock.
A former four-star from Gilbert, Ariz., Purdy boasted offers from Cal, TCU and North Texas after entering the portal on Dec. 21.
In Purdy’s two-year career at Florida State he totaled 317 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, 147 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Then, in two years at Nebraska, he threw for 529 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 353 yards and three scores. He was 0-4 as a starter.
Although not remarkable, did SJSU feel Purdy’s Power 5 experience offers it a better chance at continuing the rebuild than relying upon Butterfield, who has thrown 15 passes in his career?
What makes the Butterfield angle so fascinating is that SJSU was his first offer in high school. But the Spartans quickly fell by the wayside as Butterfield piled up offers from several schools of the formerly known PAC-12. Few could blame Butterfield for not committing to SJSU in 2019 after the Spartans won a combined three total games in its previous two seasons.
But now, several years later, it may be SJSU who has found a better option.
A miraculous, buzzer-beating three from Myron “MJ” Amey Jr. lifts SJSU basketball to first conference win over Air Force.
Somehow, someway, with 1.3 seconds left and the score at 67-67, Myron “MJ” Amey Jr. drilled a wildly improbable three from the corner to lift San Jose State to a 70-67 win over Air Force.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 14, 2024
But as Amey Jr. (16 points and nine rebounds) was a portrait of unbridled joy after his buzzer-beater while teammates mobbed him, it was easy to forget that SJSU fumbled a 10-point second half and was down 66-64 with 1:58 remaining.
So now comes the difficulty of identifying what’s more meaningful: SJSU rallying back in those final few minutes? Or how it fumbled yet another second half lead?
“They [SJSU] can be 4-0 in this league,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said after the win. Miles’ quote came a few dafter the Spartans nearly upset No. 19 San Diego State.
Now, some may be thinking, ‘How can you not leave a buzzer-beater completely happy?’
That’s because SJSU (8-9, 1-3 MW) has made a habit of turning promising first half starts into disappointing second half finishes. For example, it squandered a 17-point first half lead to Wyoming in its conference opener. One game later, against a stellar Boise State, it fell 78-69 after it held a nine-point lead with nine minutes remaining. And in its six non-conference losses, SJSU outscored its opponent just once following the first half.
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On Saturday, SJSU ended the first half up 46-33 after it outrebounded the Cadets 18-7 and outscored them in the paint 24-18. Then, in the second half, SJSU was outrebounded 18-13, outscored in the paint 12-10 and outscored AFA by seven fewer points than it did in the first half on second chance opportunities.
Looking ahead, what’s particularly worrisome is that Air Force is the second lowest-ranking team in the NET (232) in the conference. The Cadets aren’t particularly sharp, either. They average the third-most turnovers in the conference (12.9) and have the third-lowest free throw percentage. Both were was put on full display in the final seconds from Rytis Petraitis who went 1-for-2 with a chance to give AFA the lead with 10 seconds left. Moments later, it was Petraitis who stepped out with 1.3 seconds left after rebounding SJSU point guard Alvaro Cardenas’ (11 points and nine assists) airballed three.
Then came Amey Jr.’s dagger that Miles called “insanity.
Without Petraitis’ sloppiness, it’s hard to say SJSU wouldn’t be 0-4. What’s more, it’s hard to say SJSU wouldn’t continue to crater.
But maybe, just maybe, within those final couple minutes and Amey Jr.’s heroics was SJSU realizing it can be a conference force.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 14, 2024
Or, will the momentum from Saturday slip away and the Spartans struggle to handle a Fresno State (No. 251 NET ranking) this Tuesday night?
Even more intriguing now is how SJSU will fare in the six-game gauntlet after FSU which features four teams in the top-40 of the NET and five teams in the top-100.
Ask someone their prediction of how SJSU will fare in the first half on Saturday, when Adrame Diongue (four points and three rebounds) slammed down an alley-oop from Cardenas and Garret Anderson (six points) was attacking at will, it may yield a positive one. What if you asked in the second half when SJSU let a 46-33 halftime lead whither into a 66-61 deficit?
And eventually, after Amey Jr.’s buzzer-beater, where will that same person land?
“We looked like we are dead in the water and Myron Amey Jr. makes this incredible, miracle of a shot,” Miles said, “… Great way to get out first Mountain West win.”
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.
Down to the wire against the No. 19 team in the country.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 10, 2024
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.
Oh no. It happened again. San Jose State conceded another late lead.
This one – a nine-point second half lead to Boise State – came just three days after SJSU surrendered a 17-point lead to Wyoming.
SJSU’s 78-69 loss on Friday night is now its fourth late-game collapse of this young season. And now Spartan fans are left wondering if this means SJSU is cratering back toward irrelevance.
Perhaps the biggest problem with Friday night’s loss is that it wastes a mind-boggling 30-point performance from SJSU (7-8, 0-2) point guard MJ Amey.
“Just got to move on and bounce back,” Amey said in a dejected tone.
Twenty five of those 30 points came in a first half where Amey was untouchable. When he drilled four-straight shots and three-straight three-pointers to give SJSU a 19-10 lead, it imbued something special was brewing. Then he scored again … and again … and again. By the end of it, he’d totaled 25 points – four shy of his previous season-high – on 9-for-11 shooting, 5-for-7 clip from three and 2-for-2 from the line. Don’t let that distract from his five rebounds and three steals.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 6, 2024
Perhaps the greatest compliment one could give Amey, is that he gave flashbacks to former Spartan and 2022-23 Mountain West Player of the Year Omari Moore.
But with teammates around Amey struggling, his performance is now remembered as good but not good enough. Rather than it being remarkable and enough for SJSU to upset BSU.
SJSU wings Trey Anderson (13 points) and Tibet Gorener (three points) combined to shoot 1-for-13 from three. Perhaps the most staggering offensive lowlight is SJSU not scoring a single basket in the final 5:16 of the game as SJSU’s 65-61 lead slipped into a 78-69 defeat.
“At Wyoming I thought it was our perimeter defense that let us down and we lost on a last-second shot and tonight I thought it was our interior defense,” SJSU head coach Tim Miles said.
BSU (10-4, 1-0 MW) power forward O’mar Stanley obliterated SJSU’s front court for 30 points and 11 rebounds. And Tyson Degenhart trailed Stanley with 21 points for the second-most on the team.
Throughout the entire game, Miles ping-ponged SJSU center Adrame Diongue (10 points and four rebounds) and William Humer (two points and zero rebounds) in and out of the rotation but couldn’t find a formula that worked. A lack of paint presence contributed to SJSU getting outrebounded 43-23 and outscored 20-5 on second chance opportunities.
The Broncos amassed 45 second half points a few days after Wyoming amassed 40 second half points against SJSU’s shaky defense.
Now at 7-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play, the Spartans must win nine of their 16 conference games to become eligible for their second-straight CBI tournament appearance. If they can do it – which now seems less likely – it would be their first time making back-to-back postseason appearances.
A pivotal piece to SJSU’s unprecedented success from a year ago was its 2-0 start. Until that point, SJSU had never started out 1-0 in conference play. But now staring down an 0-3 start with San Diego State coming to town this Tuesday, SJSU may have to wait until its back-to-back games against Air Force (Jan. 13) and Fresno State (Jan. 16) to build momentum.
Considering SJSU still has to face New Mexico (No. 36 in NET), UNLV (No. 115 in NET) and Utah State (No. 26 in NET) this month, the Spartans could rack up six losses before February begins.
“More than anything I want them [SJSU] to know they’re capable of winning these games and they’re this close,” Miles said showing an inch wide margin between his index finger and thumb.
Perhaps in the gap is what SJSU fans are left wondering what could’ve been.
The buzzer-beater that was equal parts cruel and ironic
There was a cruel irony to Wyoming guard Akuel Kot’s step back buzzer-beater to stun San Jose State, 75-73, to improve to 8-6.
It was one of the Spartans best defensive possessions of the second half. Who are now 0-1 in Mountain West play and 7-7 overall.
SJSU point guard Alvaro Cardenas was step-for-step with Kot, wasn’t deterred by any flashy dribble moves and was a hair away from blocking the shot. Unfortunately, that sliver of space was all Kot needed to send the Spartans back home in heartbreak.
But don’t feel too bad for SJSU. The Spartans once led by 17 points and entered the second half up by 12 points. Moving forward, will SJSU’s shaky defense stand in the way of it making back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time ever? Furthermore, following the Spartans’ disappointing conference opener, one must wonder: Can SJSU compete in the Mountain West without an NIL presence?
According to the SF Chronicle, Wyoming is one of seven Mountain West teams to have a collective that has “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.
And it wasn’t just recruits – it was Spartans’, too.
Former SJSU center and 2022-23 Mountain West blocks leader Ibrahima Diallo “transferred to Central Florida this past June for $160,000 in NIL money,” according to that same SF Chronicle article.
If Diallo stayed, would the Cowboys have outscored SJSU in the paint 36-20 and allow seven-footer Oleg Kojenets to go for 18 points (5-for-12 from the field)? What about if SJSU could use NIL to lure recruits in the transfer portal, would Wyoming have gone 23-for-25 (93%) from the line?
At times, SJSU seemed incapable of stopping Cowboy guard Sam Griffin, who scored a floor-high 23 points. His explosive blow by drives were just too much.
Now one game into conference play, there’s an added pressure for SJSU’s inexperienced frontcourt of freshman forward Diogo “DJ” Seixas (three points and zero rebounds), sophomore forward William Humer (seven points and three rebounds) and sophomore Washington State transfer Adrame Diongue (two points and one rebound) to improve.
Just a few games ago, following an 86-75 loss to Montana, Miles said, “We just got hurt inside but that’s not new news.”
The problem is SJSU must find a way to make it old news. The consequence is just too costly. SJSU has now surrendered multiple late leads. Which now makes a quote Miles gave after SJSU conceded a late-lead to Cal Poly in November feel hauntingly prophetic.
“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,” he said.
Now at 7-7, SJSU must win nine of its remaining 17 conference games to be eligible to notch that prized CBI bid. Mind you, 12 of those 17 games come against teams with a higher NET ranking.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 3, 2024
The problem with Tuesday night’s blown lead is how easy it is to forget all the good.
Like in the first half when SJSU point guard Ricky Mitchell soared in for a put back, blocked a shot on the other end and snapped a pass to Tibet Gorener (16 points, 3-for-5 from deep) for a three to put SJSU up 31-18. A string of plays that illustrated everything SJSU needs to bounce back; unrelenting energy from the second rotation; rim protection; timely three-point shooting.
That Gorener three-pointer came in a first half where SJSU shot a sturdy 18-for-35 from the field and 9-for-18 from three to go up 47-35 heading into the second half.
Not to mention Cardenas’ brilliance. That final possession shouldn’t distract from him scoring 21 points on a stellar 8-for-13 mark from the field and 4-for-5 clip from three. Without Gorener and Cardenas’ clutch shooting, Wyoming might not have needed a buzzer-beater to down SJSU.
Plus, SJSU forward Trey Anderson scored 10 points in his return to the starting lineup after missing a few games due to a knee sprain.
But offensive production only goes so far with a defense that struggles to close games.
All the Spartans can do now is hope to rally back against Boise State in its conference home-opener this Friday night at 7:30.
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.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 2, 2024
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 forat leasttwo 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.
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) December 21, 2023
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.
