Saturday, January 30, 2016

SJSU 75, AF 54

A blowout! A 21-point margin of victory! Who woulda thunk this would take place in a game where Frank Rogers and Ryan Welage were fairly negligible with the production? But it did on Saturday afternoon as the host Spartans strafed Air Force 75-54. A 39-24 initial 20 minutes facilitated the blowout.

Four of the Washington Square crew finished in double figures: Jaycee Hillsman with 13, Brandon Clarke 12 plus Jalen James and Cody Schwartz with 11 apiece. Hillsman, Schwartz and James each shot 3-6 from beyond the arc and Clarke also blocked five shots.

Interesting numbers of note:

* Air Force was held to 29% overall shooting accuracy
* 31 of the 52 shot attempts by SJSU were treys, with 12 made.

On January 2 back in Colorado, the Spartans fell 64-57.

Brent Briggeman game reports.

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Spartans interested in a 6-foot-7 sophomore

"Folsom basketball standouts Mason and McKenzie Forbes inseparable" -- Joe Davidson

"...Mason is building a recruiting profile. He is still growing into his body and game. He has recruiting interest from Washington State, Riverside, San Jose State and others..."

Energy, deep shooting and becoming opposing players

Ivo Basor hasn't played a lot during his Spartan tenure but he has performed important roles for the team as Spartan athletics features.

What Nevada must do to keep Musselman

Chris Murray writes about the awareness that it will be a uphill battle to keep Coach Eric Musselman in Reno.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

So what is the truth?

"UNM President: Coaches, ADs were not shut out of MWC tourney decision" -- Geoff Grammer

Grammer later tweeted: "MWC tourney article is giving a univ. prez his say. As several have already reached out to tell me, many around league disagree w/ it."


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Colorado St. 74, SJSU 66

Colorado State outscored San Jose State University by four points in each half on its way to a homecourt 74-66 victory on Wednesday. At the 4:10 mark, the Washington Square guys were down just 62-61 but that was it in turms of momentum.

The shooting percentages for both teams was close to equal but the Rams won the rebounding category by six (including four more offensive boards) and enjoyed three less turnovers. In favor of the Spartans was a total of six steals to half that for the hosts.

As is so typical for SJSU, hot-shooting Ryan Welage was quiet for a change with just two points and two boards and it was Princeton Onwas plus Cody Schwartz ending their lengthy slumps via 20 points and 18 points respectively. The latter shot 6-11 from three-point range on the evening. Brandon Clarke was quietly effective with eight points, a tea-leading four assists, three rebounds and a trio of blocked shots.

Kelly Lyell game reports.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The weekly MWC team reports

Here's the weekly Mountain West Conference team reports from the various beat reporters and bloggers.

Holmgren has Spartans in the 10th spot

Ryan Holmgren's Mountain West Conference team rankings again has has SJSU ahead of Air Force this week.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Elijah Brown's 33

Geoff Grammer: "SJSU's Wojcik said UNM ran a lot of staggered and baseline screens for Brown, and even when Spartans knew it was coming, EB still scored."

Seems like a combination of offensive efficiency in terms of still getting someone open and defensive inexperience, individually and collectively, plus will.

Is this good, bad or will it have no effect on Spartan hoops?

"San Jose State president search nears end: Will Sue Martin stay?" -- Katy Murphy

Saturday, January 23, 2016

New Mexico 83, SJSU 64

A 46-32 second half in favor of New Mexico propelled the Lobos to an 83-64 win versus host San Jose State University on Saturday. Guard Elijah Brown scored more than a point a minute in achieving his total of 33 in 28 60-second sweeps of the clock hand.

For the Spartans, Frank Rogers posted a line of 16 points plus eight boards with freshman Brandon Clarke totaling 14 and eight but he shot just 6-13 at the foul line.

The shooting stats tell a tale: 54%, 70% and 73% for the Land of Enchantment crew to 37%, 33% and 54% from the Washington Square guys.

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Friday, January 22, 2016

Spilt milk

Most will not remember Rokas Gustys from a couple of years back. He's 6-foot-9 and 260 and now a sophomore. SJSU and many other mid-majors really wanted him as an inside power player but he signed with Hofstra. This after attending Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, one of the top basketball program in the country.

So why is he being brought up now?

Because in a January 21 win over Northeastern, he scored 23 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. In the game before versus James Madison, he went for 25 and 20. On the season, he's averaging a double-double of 12.3 and 10.6 while shooting 64%.

Imagine having him in the Spartan frontcourt? No, wait, don't because it hurts too much. Don't think he was ever going to leave the East Coast but, hey, maybe the storm this weekend will have him looking for warmer pastures. In my dreams.


Neal will miss Saturday's game

Confirmed: Cullen Neal is out for New Mexico with a concussion. That's a critical loss as he's the third leading scorer and first in assists for the Lobos.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Beddeo back on the market

6-foot-1 Brewster (New Hampshire) Academy point Ryan Beddeo has dropped his commitment to Army and is back on the open market. He apparently signed an NLI back in November.

SJSU recruited him last year when he was at West Ranch High in Valencia before he decided to head east for a prep season and up until he went with Army. Don't know what the Spartan interest is now, if any, or vice versa since Nai Carlisle sure looks like the starting point for next season.

Everytihig indicates he is a great kid and a top student. You can never have too many points...

BSU 94, SJSU 69

There's the world wide web and also court wide Webb and it was the latter -- James Webb of Boise State -- who authored the effort that beat down San Jose State University 94-69 on Wednesday up in Idaho. He finished with 24 points plus 18 rebounds as the Broncos dominated on the scoreboard. Fellow frontcourter Nick Duncan also tallied 24 points, making 6-12 from beyond the arc.

For what it's worth, a look at the numbers don't indicate a complete running of the table. The Spartans shot 46% to 43% for BSU who did put up 13 more shots. But the Washington Square crew capitulated on the boards 49-31, committed 15 turnovers to seven for the home team who also made 14 more free throws.

Ryan Welage finished with 19 points, shooting 8-12 overall and 3-3 from long distance. Brandon Clarke continued to come on as he provided 13 points on 6-7 overall shooting plus 11 boards, three blocked shots and a pair of steals.

Boise won both 20 minutes, 45-32 and 49-37.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Monday, January 18, 2016

Brown with 25

Terrell Brown scored 25 points as Moreau Catholic High downed Sacramento High yesterday 77-67.

Talked to a coach recently about Brown and he said "he'll make an impact in his first year. He is difficult to stay in front of." But he agreed that shooting consistency is still a work in progress.

Spartans ahead of Air Force

Ryan Holmgren does not have SJSU in the cellar of the Mountain West Conference team rankings.

But we're going to hold off on any shouting of 'we're #10' -- okay?

MWC weekly team rankings.

Robert Gagliardi's Mountain West Conference team rankings for this week.

A case can be made that Air Force and SJSU should have their spots flipped.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Fresno St. 84, SJSU 71

In the heart of Raisinville, Fresno State downed San Jose State University 84-71 as there was no stopping guard Marvelle Harris who scored 34 points. The Bulldogs hoisted 46 free throws to just 15 for the Spartans and owned a 35-8 point differential at the line. Harris shot 15 times from the charity stripe.

Aided by 5-11 shooting from long distance, freshman forward Ryan Welage concluded the game with 28 points. Fellow frosh 6-foot-7 Brandon Clarke enjoyed another solid game via a 14 point, 12 rebound double-double accomplished in 21 minutes.

However, Frank Rogers scored just four points and Princeton Onwas went scoreless.

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Insight into and from Larry Eustachy

"Painting Larry Eustachy's picture of CSU basketball" -- Matt Stephens

An excerpt: "...I want to get to a point where you (the fan) come, not because who you’re playing, but because of who’s on your team. That you come watch Colorado State regardless of the opposition,” Eustachy said. “We have Wichita State coming in here next year, we have the neutral game against Kansas State. You try to build your schedule based on what your team is going to be, but I would be ecstatic if I was a fan about what’s happened over the past four years and what’s happening right now.

“I’ll say it. We have a base of 2,500 solid fans and the rest will show up when we play Colorado. This is a special place and we’ve worked diligently to put us on the map..."

Don't know how he gets clear of his Louisville scandal

"Don't laugh: Pitino still interested in Rebels" -- Matt Youmans

Well, since Las Vegas is a prostitute-free city... (sorry, couldn't resist)

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Remember Ed Uthoff?

Jarrod isn't first Uthoff to make good in basketball
Two Uthoff brothers from Cedar Rapids had D-I careers
Mike Hlas
The Gazette
Jan 15, 2016 

Jarrod Uthoff has a big fan in northern California.

It’s someone who used to play Division I basketball himself, someone who is his third-cousin. Someone named Uthoff.

Ed Uthoff will be watching Sunday as Jarrod and his Iowa team plays Michigan.

"I’ve been following Jarrod since he moved to Cedar Rapids Jefferson (after his freshman year of high school)," Ed said by phone Friday. "That’s where Dean and I went.

"I get the Big Ten Network. I watch as much as I possibly can to see what Jarrod’s doing. It’s just been wonderful to watch Jarrod, really exciting. It’s brought back my interest in college basketball and takes me back to the days I played.”

But they’ve never met.

“I knew Jarrod’s grandmother pretty well before my father passed away,” Ed said. “I can’t honestly say I’ve met either of his parents.”

Some background: Dean and Ed Uthoff are brothers who both played basketball at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, where Jarrod was the state’s “Mr. Basketball” in 2011.

The 6-foot-11 Dean played at Iowa State from 1976 to 1980. He is the Cyclones’ all-time leading rebounder with 1,233. Ed was on the Air Force football team for a year, then left and played basketball at San Jose State from 1980 to 1983.

Dean had a 13-year career in Australia’s National Basketball League. He became a naturalized citizen there in 1991 and has remained there. Ed went to work for Intel Corporation after college. He is a planning manager in that company’s office in Sacramento, Calif.

“I was a three-year starter at San Jose State, the last two as co-captain,” Ed said. “I wasn’t the player Dean, or certainly Jarrod, is. I was a two-or-three-point, two-or-three rebound kind of guy. Our team scored 50 and held the opponents in the mid-to-high 40s.”

Then-Iowa coach Lute Olson recruited Dean “very heavily,” said Ed, “but then he signed a center (Larry Olsthoorn) from Pella. So Dean went to Iowa State and was a great player from Day One.”

Dean averaged 11.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game over his four years with the Cyclones. He had 22 rebounds in a game on two occasions, and averaged 14.0 as a sophomore.

Earlier this week, I was on a Carver-Hawkeye Arena elevator with Jarrod before an Iowa practice. I asked if he knew about Dean’s Iowa State career. He said he knew Dean was a good player. But when I told him Dean led the Big Eight Conference in rebounding four straight years, Jarrod replied, “That’s crazy.”

Dean was a sixth-round draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 1980, but didn’t make the team. Former Iowa State teammate Chuck Harmison was playing ball in Australia and persuaded Dean to do the same. He originally thought he’d give it a shot for one year. It turned into the rest of his life.

Ed said before he went to Australia to visit his brother during his playing days, Dean told him, “I want to let you know I’m kind of a big star here.’”

Ed’s response was, “Sure.” But then he got there and, “Anywhere we went he was pretty much mobbed. He was on TV commercials. I thought ‘Oh my God, you are a big star.’”

Jarrod has become a star in his own right in this, his senior season. He has made a lot of fans, including one who lives in California and shares the same last name.

“The range Jarrod has is unbelievable to me,” Ed said. “He’s such a different player than Dean and I were. We were more typical big guys, rugged. We did most of our scoring in the paint.

“He’s such a complete player, longer than Dean and I were. He’s so efficient with all his movement. He can pound the ball inside and he can shoot the three.

“I have a couple friends at Intel who went to Purdue and Michigan. We have a friendly rivalry, and I’ve been telling them ‘My cousin’s going to dominate you guys.’ The Hawks got Purdue, and now it’s Michigan this weekend.”

Ed said he’d love to see Iowa get sent his way in the NCAA tourney and meet his fellow Uthoff/fellow J-Hawk. The closest site is Anaheim, in the Sweet 16. But Sacramento does have an NBA team, so ...

Interesting story on coaching, teaching, cutting corners and discipline

"The Demise of Dave Rice’s Detail-Oriented Approach" -- Mike Grimala

Will the Bulldogs defend?

"Fresno State men’s basketball: Defense has separated wins, losses" -- Robert Kuwada

Friday, January 15, 2016

A Keith Fisher feature

Eric Sondheimer/Los Angeles Times has Spartan signee Keith Fisher profile himself. Do take a read.

More on Terrell Brown

"...The Division I-bound quartet of Damari Milstead, Terrell Brown, Oscar Frayer, and Brandon Lawrence are all seemingly taking turns stepping up as top scorers on any given night, with Frayer’s prowess on the boards also shining through against top competition.

Brown, the San Jose State commit, has poured in 46 points over the last two games, wins over Irvington and Mission San Jose..." 

Brown is really going to help. It may take a year of adjustment and better consistency with his shooting but he's amazingly athletic and likes to attack.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Timing is (almost) everything

Besides others 'connected' to San Jose State University, Spartan commit Terrell Brown (Moreau Catholic High, Hayward) was spotted in the stands last night at the win over Wyoming.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

SJSU 62, Wyoming 55

Hallelujah, it's over. Depending on how you count, it's been 26 or 27 games since San Jose State University finished on top in a Mountain West Conference matchup but the Spartans downed visiting Wyoming 62-55 on Wednesday. In this one, it was the Spartans closing it out via Gary Williams Jr. knocking down six free throws in the last 87 seconds.

22 turnovers from the Washington Square crew were a bit much but Coach Wojcik's guys out-shot the Laramie-ites 46% to 35% and almost doubled up in rebounding at 39-22.

Williams Jr. led with 18 points (5-11, 2-4, 6-7) and tied teammates Ryan Welage and Brandon Clarke with seven boards.

The leading scorer for the Cowboys this season, Josh Adams, tallied 10 points and committed six turnovers.

Some video highlights.

Play by play

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Getting to know Princeton Onwas

Great feature from SJSU athletics on Spartan senior Princeton Onwas.

UW at San Jose State men's basketball Q&A with Kevin McCarthy

WyoSports senior editor Robert Gagliardi did a Question-and-Answer session with Kevin McCarthy, author of this Spartan Roundball blog, about Wednesday’s (January 13) game with the University of Wyoming.

Read the article here.

The Bells top Mitty -- Jake Wojcik with 18

Bellarmine 49, Archbishop Mitty 47

Bellarmine: Wojcik 6-4-18 (two treys), Bradford 2-4-8, Denzel 3-0-7, Gaffey 2-2-6, Clark 1-0-3, Maxwell 1-0-3, Bringuel 0-2-2, Saso 1-0-2

Mitty: Kone 6-8-20, Grigsby 2-0-5, LaBruna 1-3-5, Wilson 2-1-5, Scott 2-0-4, Peterson 1-1-3, Meng 1-0-3, Diaz 1-0-2

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Chris Murray's weekly MWC team rankings

11. SAN JOSE STATE

Last week: 11
Record: 5-11, 0-4
Comment: SJSU nearly upset Colorado State, losing by one in overtime after the Spartans gave up a game-tying basket with 1 second left in regulation and the game-winner with 14 seconds left in overtime. Tough break for the Spartans, who might not have that many good looks at a win in MW play. This team is clearly improved but it also has to prove that by actually winning some close games.

SJSU signee Keith Fisher and Westchester High

Keith Fisher blocking a shot

"In an earlier game, Westchester used a 6-0 run in the final minute to rally for a 59-54 victory over Corona Centennial.

Terrell Waiters hit both ends of a one-and-one free-throw situation to give Westchester a 55-54 lead with 52 seconds left. Then junior Luis Rodriguez stripped Centennial’s Isom Butler and took the ball the length of the court for a layup. That was followed by a L’Kielynn Taylor steal, which led to a Keith Fisher basket with 15 seconds left that clinched a 59-54 victory for the Comets.

Fisher had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Waiters had 12 points and six assists to lead the way for Westchester (11-5).

“It was a confidence-builder for us and a good win for us going into league,” Westchester coach Ed Azaam said. “Terrell was really aggressive offensively and really led us offensively. He made some key shots and got other guys involved. Keith played well too.

The game was a see-saw affair with 16 lead changes, as Centennial was led by Jordan Griffin, who had 20 points, and Jalen Wiltz, who had 15 points.

With the Comets trailing 44-41 with five minutes remaining, Fisher stepped up his game. He converted a three-point play and then grabbed a rebound and scored to tie the game at 50.

Evan Council then hit a huge 3-pointer to put the Comets up 53-50 with 2:20 to play, before four straight points by Jalon Hill put Centennial (10-5) back up with 1:20 left. That set up Waiters’ heroics.

“I just needed to make them,” Waiter said. “I just believed I was going to make the shots. After that I just knew we were going to win the game. It is a very important win going into league.”

Fisher was also happy to get the win.

“I told myself we had to pick it up in the fourth quarter,” Fisher said. “I’ve been told Jalon was good and he was a UCLA commit, and I wanted to go out there and play my heart out and test him, and I got the job done at the end of the day."

Monday, January 11, 2016

THe MWC weekly report

Here are the various MWC beat reporters/bloggers with the weekly update on their respective teams.

We have a prediction of a Spartan victory

Robert Gagliardi provides his MWC team power rankings for the week and he also ... wait for it ... is predicting a victory for SJSU on Wednesday.

More UNLV musings

"Keep these names in mind as possible successor to Dave Rice at UNLV" -- Bill Bradley

"Failure abounds in Rice's exit at UNLV" -- Ed Graney

"UNLV assistant coach Simon promoted in curiouser and curiouser move" --  Ron Kantowski

The change at UNLV

Here are a number of articles on the UNLV coaching change:

"UNLV pulled the trigger too early on coach Dave Rice" -- Jon Rothstein

"Why underachieving UNLV made the right decision firing Dave Rice" -- Jeff Eisenberg

"What Dave Rice’s departure from UNLV means for Stephen Zimmerman’s development" -- Andrew Ford who was not impressed by how Rice deployed Zimmerman.

"Ten candidates to replace Dave Rice as UNLV's men's basketball coach" -- Gary Parrish

Sunday, January 10, 2016

UNLV fires Rice

UNLV Coach Dave Rice has been let go. LINK

Tention with 25

Vytas Mazeika covers Palo Alto High's recent victory over Gunn High in which junior guard Miles Tention (son of you-know-who) scored 25 points.

Will the boosters pay up?

"Money should be key factor in decision on Rebels' Rice" -- Ed Graney

Heck, UNLV could still win the conference this season even though 0-3 or even the league tournament and go to the Big Dance?

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Spartans offer a JC guard

Dream Vision AAU: "Incredibly proud and excited to announce that former #DV PG DeVonte Klines has received two offers. #MontanaState #SanJoseState"

He's 6-foot-2, 190 and a freshman at Saddleback College in southern California. Some posters have him as a point, others as a shooting guard. It looks like he was more of a point in high school.

He finished high school in 2014 -- not sure what he did last season. A guess is that he redshirted/grayshirted and completed some academic work so that he could accept a scholarship after one year on the court for Saddleback.

This season, he's averaging 7.9 points per game, third on his squad, on 50%, 43% and 75% shooting. For perspective, his team's leading scorer is putting up 11.9 points per contest. Saddleback is 16-1 thus far this season and won the state championship in 2014-15.

From ESPN: "Klines is a definite Division I sleeper out west due to his chiseled frame, strong handle, and explosive nature. He has a great burst in transition, can carry defenders on his hip, and can explode to the rim. He gets good lift on his jump shot..."

Rice not doing so nice

Yes, it was in Laramie but UNLV's 59-57 fall to Wyoming on Saturday has to have engendered an inferno blazing under Coach David Rice's seat.

Patience has never and will never be a virtue in Sin City. Losing either.

The Runnin' Rebels had a 17 point lead in the first half. They lost by one to host Colorado State the other night. By three to Fresno State before that in a home game.

It produced this via Matt Youmans: "Dave Rice: 'I fully expect to be coach' Tuesday against New Mexico."

Colorado St. 85, SJSU 84

In an Event Center burner, it took an overtime before Colorado State nabbed an 85-84 victory over San Jose State University on Saturday. The Spartans enjoyed an eight-point lead at one point in the second half before the Rams tied it with a second remaining.

Princeton Onwas paced SJSU with 24 points (9-9 at the foul line), Ryan Welage tallied 16, Frank Rogers 12 and Gary Williams Jr. 10. One other numerical note: in 26 minutes, Brandon Clarke scored but four points but also posted a team best seven boards and five assists.

The Washington Square crew shot a very solid 47% overall, managed 18 assists on 29 baskets but had the whistle blow 27 times on foul calls.

Kelly Lyell game reports.

Matt Stephens offers a tantalizing but ultimately heartbreaking video. So close.

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Gaynor gone

At InsideTheSpartans, spartanmark has posted the news that former SJSU basketball player Darryl Gaynor Jr. has been dropped from his College of Southern Idaho team for behavioral issues.

The hardest thing in life can sometimes be accepting that the world doesn't revolve around you. May the young man get there sooner than later.

Friday, January 8, 2016

"New' player for Colorado State

Colorado State will have a 'new' player available for the game with San Jose State University on Saturday afternoon.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Switching gears for a moment

Saw this on SJSU women's basketball signee Analyss Benally and thought it needed posting -- "Splash Sister? Navajo Hooper Compared to Steph Curry Signs to Play College Ball"

Patience is not considered a virtue in Vegas

There's a seat getting very warm in Vegas -- "Broken record: Rebels still can't finish games" Amazingly, the Rebels led Colorado State by five with 50 seconds left. There are a number of issues with the team and not having a point is right up there.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

SD State 77, SJSU 62

It was a 40-27 second half that provided the difference as San Diego State hosted and defeated San Jose State University on Wednesday 77-62. The Spartans got big games -- 23 points apiece from Princeton Onwas and Ryan Welage -- but Frank Rogers was below his usual average and finished with just three points in 30 minutes of play. He shot 1-6.

The SJSU starting five consisted of three freshman, a junior and a senior.

"[Spartan Coach] Dave Wojcik said he challenged Welage, a freshman from Greensburg, Indiana. "I said, `You're going to walk out there and they're not going to respect you. They're going to look at you and see 190 pounds. You just be aggressive.' He knows how to play. He's from Indiana. He knows what to do with the ball. I'm really proud of him. He was aggressive from start to finish."

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One of the differences is...

Yep, it ain't the only difference between the SJSU and Bronco programs but Boise State defeated Utah State 76-61 in The Spectrum the other day even with second-leading BSU scorer Anthony Drmic going scoreless.

Winning a game under such circumstances requires teammates to step up and that's what happened in Logan. Such an element is currently missing with the Spartans. It's actually pretty rare when even two of the Washington Square guys simultaneously enjoy good games. Generally, it's one with the others not providing plus contributions that night. That must change if SJSU is ever going to turn it around.

The morality in recruiting song and dance

"Did unproven allegations hurt SDSU recruiting?" -- Mark Ziegler

Two brief excerpts:

Fisher put it like this: “It can be a seedy business we’re involved in.”

and

Fisher said he heard which schools engaged in negative recruiting, and according to some sources it was more than 10. He also said there’s little he can, or will, do about it. 

+++++

And you can bet that anyone who is considering SJSU (or even actually signs) gets a 'why would you want to go there?' pitch or two or three...especially so if someone is a November signee and then blows up even just a bit.

Here's more background on the Aztec situation.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Chris Murray's weekly MWC team rankings

The link

11. SAN JOSE STATE

"Last week: 11
Record: 5-9, 0-2
Comment: SJSU lost its first two MW games - to Utah State and Air Force - but at least both were only by single digits. Of the Spartans 18 MW losses last year only two came by single digits (at home against Nevada and Wyoming), so there's improvement. Enough improvement to win a MW game? We'll see. SJSU draws games at SDSU and at home against Colorado State this week."

The Aztecs cleared

San Diego State cleared of what never was.

Monday, January 4, 2016

MWC weekly team roundup

Here's this week's team-by-team roundup for each Mountain West Conference team.

Utah State transfer David Collette explains his situation

David Collette's indicts some college coaches with his comments here:

"Collette re-joined Utah State in 2014 after spending two years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (he redshirt during the 2011-12 season). As a freshman, he became the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game. But when then-head coach Stew Morrill decided to retire and Duryea was hired to replace him, Collette said he no longer had a desire to play for Utah State.

However, despite offers from other programs at the end of the season, Collette remained..."

So which coaches reached out, even through a third party, and offered when Collette was certainly still a student-athlete at Utah State?

Holmgren's MWC team rankings

Ryan Holmgren, the  Casper Star Tribune beat reporter, is out with these week's Mountain West Conference team rankings. No change for SJSU.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

AFA 64, SJSU 57

Air Force did its best to try and give this one away late with a combination of fouls, missed free throws and turnovers but San Jose State University wouldn't oblige as the Spartans fell this afternoon 64-57 in Colorado Springs. The closest it got near the end was 58-53 with 1:30 left.

The season-long bugaboo of not having two or three players simultaneously enjoying their best games continued as just Princeton Onwas with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists earned entry into that category. He shot 6-9 from the floor, 6-8 at the foul line. Ryan Welage was strong on the boards with nine, eight defensively, but Frank Rogers shot 3-9 overall and finished with 10 points. He was scorelss at the half.

The most important element in the final score was AF going 25-30 on free throws to SJSU's 14-23. The Washington Square-ites also committed 20 turnovers.

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