The MWC beat reporter team reports

Here's the weekly Mountain West Conference team reports provided by the newspaper beat reporters for each squad.

Jimmy Durkin's contribution:

"The Spartans finally played in a competitive game, but with little experience in that environment the result was predictable: San Jose State lost to Nevada, 60-57, on Saturday to remain winless in the Mountain West and against Division I competition.

"You have to make plays down the stretch, and we didn't do that offensively or defensively," coach Dave Wojcik said.

True freshman Darryl Gaynor II had a career-high 25 points, including a 9 of 9 effort at the free-throw line. Efforts like that are about the only thing San Jose State can hope to glean from this season.

Gaynor was, at most, supposed to provide some depth off the bench at point guard for sophomore Jalen James. But with James lost for the year to an ankle injury, Gaynor has made 14 starts and is third on the team in minutes and points.

The problem is, most of the others seeing court time aren't expected to be future starters.

Sophomore guard and leading scorer Rashad Muhammad is the exception, but among the remaining heavy minute players, only sophomore guard Isaac Thornton will likely have a major role next year.

Forward Jaleel Williams, the second-leading scorer, is a senior, while forwards Brandon Mitchell (sophomore), Ivo Basor (junior) and Ryan Singer (freshman) and walk-on freshman guard Danny Mahoney should continue to be bench players in the future.

So while the future bench may be getting some experience, the Spartans will probably still have a raw starting five next year that could very well feature two true freshmen.

Cody Schwartz, a 6-foot-8 forward from Wisconsin, rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and 6-7 forward Brandon Clarke from Phoenix could be starters from the day they reach campus. Teaming with 6-11 German center Leon Bahner, a freshman who should receive a medical redshirt this year, could give the team a decent front court next year."