Tuesday, February 11, 2014
This week's MWC team rankings
Robert Gagliardi offers his Mountain West Conference team rankings for this week.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Air Force flies in Wednesday
The Falcons arrive on Wednesday
This is a team that SJSU led at halftime in the pairing on January 15. But Air Force came back and won 77-62. Guard Tre' Coggins led with 27 points and 6-foot-9 Marek Olesinski finished with 19 points, with both shooting 5-8 from long distance. The Falcons also won the rebounding battle 34-21 and shot 57%, 46% and 79% respectively. However, they did commit 23 turnovers.
Since that meeting, AF has stumbled.
There was a loss at Colorado State, then Wyoming at home, losses on the road to Boise State and then Nevada and two more defeats against Fresno State and Colorado State at home.
The sophomore Coggins missed the BSU, Nevada, and BSU games due to a suspension (apparently for academic issues) but he is back in his old role of leading scorer with a 17.5 points per game average.
6-foot-4 junior Max Yon is next at 13.2 followed by 6-foot-9 junior Marik Olesinski with 12.5 point each time out. The latter is also grabbing a third-on-the-team 5.4 rebounds per contest.
6-foot-4 Kamryn Williams brings 10.3 points nightly alongside a team-leading 6.1 rebounds (yes, at 6-foot-4!) and 6-foot-6 Justin Hammonds is at 8.9 points a contest and 5.7 caroms.
A total of ten Falcon players average double figures in playing time.
Air Force plays the so-called Princeton style of offense, with a lot of movement and backdoor cuts away from the ball. This is a team that doesn't fire up shots early in the count, preferring great patience in waiting for and seizing advantage of defensive lapses.
Simultaneously, opponents have difficulty playing 30 or so seconds of defense each possession and any slipups are usually recognized quickly and seized upon. That does not bode well for a very youthful Spartan squad.
The game will be a tough one for guys wanting to get up and down the floor. Call the key how well the Spartans defend this unique style.
This is a team that SJSU led at halftime in the pairing on January 15. But Air Force came back and won 77-62. Guard Tre' Coggins led with 27 points and 6-foot-9 Marek Olesinski finished with 19 points, with both shooting 5-8 from long distance. The Falcons also won the rebounding battle 34-21 and shot 57%, 46% and 79% respectively. However, they did commit 23 turnovers.
Since that meeting, AF has stumbled.
There was a loss at Colorado State, then Wyoming at home, losses on the road to Boise State and then Nevada and two more defeats against Fresno State and Colorado State at home.
The sophomore Coggins missed the BSU, Nevada, and BSU games due to a suspension (apparently for academic issues) but he is back in his old role of leading scorer with a 17.5 points per game average.
6-foot-4 junior Max Yon is next at 13.2 followed by 6-foot-9 junior Marik Olesinski with 12.5 point each time out. The latter is also grabbing a third-on-the-team 5.4 rebounds per contest.
6-foot-4 Kamryn Williams brings 10.3 points nightly alongside a team-leading 6.1 rebounds (yes, at 6-foot-4!) and 6-foot-6 Justin Hammonds is at 8.9 points a contest and 5.7 caroms.
A total of ten Falcon players average double figures in playing time.
Air Force plays the so-called Princeton style of offense, with a lot of movement and backdoor cuts away from the ball. This is a team that doesn't fire up shots early in the count, preferring great patience in waiting for and seizing advantage of defensive lapses.
Simultaneously, opponents have difficulty playing 30 or so seconds of defense each possession and any slipups are usually recognized quickly and seized upon. That does not bode well for a very youthful Spartan squad.
The game will be a tough one for guys wanting to get up and down the floor. Call the key how well the Spartans defend this unique style.
Frank Rogers
Sometimes (including moi) people forget that 6-foot-8 Frank Rogers is sitting out this season at SJSU as a transfer from USF. He is going to help on the frontline next season but will he be a difference maker?
That question is raised because the Cabrillo College and USF versions of Rogers were not of the physical, brawny variety. He wasn't one who let opponents know he was in the game whenever a foray into or through the paint took place.
The opportunity for playing time will be there -- the key is will that court time be earned or will it be because there's not much else to choose from?
Maybe his year away from the court has brought changes to his game.
That question is raised because the Cabrillo College and USF versions of Rogers were not of the physical, brawny variety. He wasn't one who let opponents know he was in the game whenever a foray into or through the paint took place.
The opportunity for playing time will be there -- the key is will that court time be earned or will it be because there's not much else to choose from?
Maybe his year away from the court has brought changes to his game.
Matt Stephens' MWC breaktrhrough talents
Matt L. Stephens offers up his best breakthrough guys for this season in the Mountain West Conference. Alas, no Spartans.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
It's another bruising
Fresno State wasted no time in putting a hurt on the Spartans and ended up leading 50-29 after the initial 20 minutes. The final score was 82-56. For FSU, former St. Francis High guard Tyler Johnson went for 15 points, 10 rebounds and a quartet of assists. Fellow backcourter Cezar Guerrero, who entered the matchup averaging 13.8 points on 41% and 37% shooting finished with 23, going 8-13 overall and 5-9 from beyond the arc.
In what is now becoming a bit of a broken record, the Bulldogs shot 49% for the game, the Spartans 30%.
Rashad Muhammad paced the Spartans with 11 points plus be garnered six rebounds.
Robert Kuwada game reports and provides photos plus video.
Next up is Air Force coming into the Events Center on Wednesday.
In what is now becoming a bit of a broken record, the Bulldogs shot 49% for the game, the Spartans 30%.
Rashad Muhammad paced the Spartans with 11 points plus be garnered six rebounds.
Robert Kuwada game reports and provides photos plus video.
Next up is Air Force coming into the Events Center on Wednesday.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Down in Fresno on Saturday afternoon
It's Fresno State on Saturday afternoon (remember when this was THE rivalry?) down in the San Joaquin.
The Bulldogs are 10-13 overall, 3-7 in conference play and, to some unmeasurable degree, that record can laid at the missing bodies of Robert Upshaw and Braden Anderson.
No, there isn't anything macabre about the preceding sentence so let's explain.
The former is now on the roster at Washington after a tumultous freshman season of suspensions and his 6-foot-10, 240 frame is missed. His late departure didn't allow time for a replacement recruit. The 6-foot-9 Anderson suffered season-missing injuries in an auto accident early this school year so Coach Rodney Terry has been forced to play small ball.
Senior guard Tyler Johnson stands just 6-foot-4 but he is not only the leader scorer for Fresno State (15.9) but tops in rebounding too (7.2). Also second in assists as he has staked out a mighty impressive claim for all-conference honors.
Another backcourter, 6-foot-4 sophomore Marvelle Harris is playing the Avis role -- second in scoring (14.6) and boardplay 6(5.3) but he is rather streaky. When on, he's near unstoppable but he still endures periods of disappeances.
A third guard, 5-foot-11 sophomore Cezar Guerrero checks in third in scoring (13.8) plus is the team assist leader with 95.
6-foot-7 freshman wing Paul Watson boasts of 10.1 points plus 4.8 boards per game
The nominal big for the the Bulldogs is 6-foot-9, 205 junior Alex Davis and he provides 5.5 points plus 4.4 rebounds an outing but leads in blocked shots with 36.
These are the primary players at Terry's disposal, who is under some degree of heat for not turning matters around.
After a five game in-conference losing streak, the Bulldogs took down Wyoming at home 67-62 and then went to Colorado Springs and beat Air Force 68-51.
Despite the lack of size, FSU is being out-rebounded by a small figure, 35.3 to 37.8 for opponents.
This certainly is a matchup-able team for the Spartans but also one that possesses a greater degree of experience. It will be tough to win if Fresno State is allowed to get into a flow so San Jose State University's singular goal is not to allow any point runs nad make the Bulldogs have to grind it out. Such is the best chance for success.
Here's another game preview.
The Bulldogs are 10-13 overall, 3-7 in conference play and, to some unmeasurable degree, that record can laid at the missing bodies of Robert Upshaw and Braden Anderson.
No, there isn't anything macabre about the preceding sentence so let's explain.
The former is now on the roster at Washington after a tumultous freshman season of suspensions and his 6-foot-10, 240 frame is missed. His late departure didn't allow time for a replacement recruit. The 6-foot-9 Anderson suffered season-missing injuries in an auto accident early this school year so Coach Rodney Terry has been forced to play small ball.
Senior guard Tyler Johnson stands just 6-foot-4 but he is not only the leader scorer for Fresno State (15.9) but tops in rebounding too (7.2). Also second in assists as he has staked out a mighty impressive claim for all-conference honors.
Another backcourter, 6-foot-4 sophomore Marvelle Harris is playing the Avis role -- second in scoring (14.6) and boardplay 6(5.3) but he is rather streaky. When on, he's near unstoppable but he still endures periods of disappeances.
A third guard, 5-foot-11 sophomore Cezar Guerrero checks in third in scoring (13.8) plus is the team assist leader with 95.
6-foot-7 freshman wing Paul Watson boasts of 10.1 points plus 4.8 boards per game
The nominal big for the the Bulldogs is 6-foot-9, 205 junior Alex Davis and he provides 5.5 points plus 4.4 rebounds an outing but leads in blocked shots with 36.
These are the primary players at Terry's disposal, who is under some degree of heat for not turning matters around.
After a five game in-conference losing streak, the Bulldogs took down Wyoming at home 67-62 and then went to Colorado Springs and beat Air Force 68-51.
Despite the lack of size, FSU is being out-rebounded by a small figure, 35.3 to 37.8 for opponents.
This certainly is a matchup-able team for the Spartans but also one that possesses a greater degree of experience. It will be tough to win if Fresno State is allowed to get into a flow so San Jose State University's singular goal is not to allow any point runs nad make the Bulldogs have to grind it out. Such is the best chance for success.
Here's another game preview.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
An offer out to a 2016 point
Here's a recent article.
Here's a 2011 article.
Below is a 2013 video:
Below is a 2012 video:
New offer to a 2014 guard
A PoP tweet: "San Jose St. Head Coach Dave Wojcik offers '14 PG Noah Robotham: Bishop Gorman"
Robotham is a 5-foot-10 point out of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and he plays alongside two of the top-rated 2015 bigs in the country, guys who will be choosing from among the creme de la creme of college basketball programs.
Here is a recent Robotham feature.
Bishop Gorman is also Rashad Muhammad's alma mater.
Another recent tweet from PoP: "Can't say enough about Coach Chris Brazelton who went with his IQ and not the rankings and offered Rashad Muhammad at Drake & San Jose St."
Check out the Robotham videos below:
Robotham is a 5-foot-10 point out of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and he plays alongside two of the top-rated 2015 bigs in the country, guys who will be choosing from among the creme de la creme of college basketball programs.
Here is a recent Robotham feature.
Bishop Gorman is also Rashad Muhammad's alma mater.
Another recent tweet from PoP: "Can't say enough about Coach Chris Brazelton who went with his IQ and not the rankings and offered Rashad Muhammad at Drake & San Jose St."
Check out the Robotham videos below:
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Kuwada looking at the SJSU's inability to get a lead
Robert Kuwada is out with his weekly take at Mountain West Conference basketball with a predominate emphasis on San Jose State University.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
MWC team rankings for this week
Chris Murray offers his weekly Mountain West Conference team rankings as does Robert Gagliardi.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Hitting the wall
Yes.
The roster contains a majority of newcomers and freshman who aren't used to the length of nor experienced in the effort required to fulfill a college season of hoops and right now there isn't a lot of zip being displayed. The absorption rate of hoops knowledge and speed of learning through experience varies among players and it's looking like the majority of the Spartans are on overload at the moment.
That and their overall size, skill and athleticism levels need a mighty swing upward.
What worked to some degree for the players in non-conference play (although the level of competition was definitely lower) needs a countermove as defenses tighten up in order to keep opponents from their respective sweet spots. Home crowds also fire up come league action making matters inhospitable.
Let's see how the frustration is handled.
SJSU after a Lithuanian big
The Lithuanian owns offers from from URI, San Jose State, Georgia, UAB, Charlotte, Rutgers, Old Dominion, interest from Pittsburgh, Auburn, Boston College and Indiana so there is at least a chance of landing him.
Rhode Island is having him in for a visit next weekend. Indiana signed one of his teammates.
...Physically, Gustys looked like he could defend and rebound at the Big Ten level, but his offensive ability looked like a work in progress.One other tidbit: "Gustys is what Oak Hill coach Steve Smith calls "a workout freak."
Gustys' strength was impressive. He looked like he could play in the Big Ten today. He said he currently bench presses 290 pounds and wants to get that to 310 by the end of the season...
He is in his second year at Oak Hill Academy,
Gustys definitely an inside the paint player, not yet an offensive threat and is lacking a touch from the foul line. One report indicated some distance shooting prowess but...However, guards will love the picks he sets -- his guards that is.
Phenom Hoops Reports offers a series of evaluations.
Here is some video.
Here is the young man's Twitter account.
Below is the young man talking about coming to this country:
Sunday, February 2, 2014
New Mexico takes down SJSU
It was in The Pit and there was no escaping New Mexico's pendulum as San Jose State University's chances faded early in the second half of a 72-47 loss.
Lobo big Alex Kirk did play, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds. Cam Bairstow led the home squad with 14 points and he also grabbed seven rebounds. Coach Craig Neal's crew won the battle of the boards 40 (11/29) to 26 (2/24), got 36 points from its bench brigade and managed 20 assists on 27 baskets, shooting 47% on 58 attempts.
For the Spartans, Rashad Muhammad ended the night with 15 points while Jalen James totaled 11 points plus a team-leading seven boards. SJSU was credited with a remarkable 13 assists on 15 makes but put up just 44 shots and finished with 34% accuracy. A paltry two offensive rebounds just doesn't work as part of a winning formula.
Geoff Grammer game reports.
Lobo big Alex Kirk did play, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds. Cam Bairstow led the home squad with 14 points and he also grabbed seven rebounds. Coach Craig Neal's crew won the battle of the boards 40 (11/29) to 26 (2/24), got 36 points from its bench brigade and managed 20 assists on 27 baskets, shooting 47% on 58 attempts.
For the Spartans, Rashad Muhammad ended the night with 15 points while Jalen James totaled 11 points plus a team-leading seven boards. SJSU was credited with a remarkable 13 assists on 15 makes but put up just 44 shots and finished with 34% accuracy. A paltry two offensive rebounds just doesn't work as part of a winning formula.
Geoff Grammer game reports.
Not what you want your program to display
Matters got a little chippy at the Coloado State - San Diego State game and one element involved Coach Larry Eustachy and one of his players tonight:
From Matt L. Stephens:
Video from Jeremy Ramer:
From Matt L. Stephens:
...Huddles overflowed with emotion, young players were forced to take new roles, and Colorado State University guard Daniel Bejarano had to be restrained during a disagreement with coach Larry Eustachy. A CSU fan was even ejected from the game, holding up Rams horns with his hands to the crowd of 12,414 as police escorted him out of the building...From Aztec Hoop Scoop: "Looked like Eustachy said something to Bejarano that involved the F word and it turns out that Bejarano didn't like it"
...Bejarano — who entered the game as the Mountain West’s second-leading scorer— started for CSU (12-10, 3-6 MW) on Saturday, but was substituted for Cohn, a freshman, less than 3 minutes into the contest. At the ensuing media timeout, he and Eustachy had a verbal altercation and Bejarano wouldn’t play the rest of the game...
Video from Jeremy Ramer:
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Chris Murray's coach rankings
Chris Murray takes a whack at ranking the coaches in the Mountain West Conference.
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