"The Big 12 expansion beauty pageant is an ugly show for all involved" -- Mike DeCourcey
"Colorado State makes first cut in Big 12 expansion" -- Kelly Lyell
"UNM not among Big 12’s expansion finalists" -- Geoff Grammer
"UNLV lacks one major component to make serious bid for Big 12" -- Ed Graney
Mark Ziegler: "Conference source: SDSU is not on list of finalists for Big 12 expansion. School was told it has many positives but distance was main factor"
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Going down, down, down with the flames getting higher
In an article on the UNLV athletics budget, these numbers appeared:
"Meanwhile, men’s basketball ticket sales have fallen at about the same rate as the team’s overall victories. UNLV currently has sold 5,198 season-ticket packages, down from 6,058 sold at this time last year.
But the bigger trend is even more concerning, as the final tallies have steadily fallen:
2012-13: 9,411
2013-14: 8,344
2014-15: 7,120
2015-16: 6,561"
6,561 is enviable from an SJSU point of view but not sustainable when it's hoops that needs to carry the UNLV budget.
"Meanwhile, men’s basketball ticket sales have fallen at about the same rate as the team’s overall victories. UNLV currently has sold 5,198 season-ticket packages, down from 6,058 sold at this time last year.
But the bigger trend is even more concerning, as the final tallies have steadily fallen:
2012-13: 9,411
2013-14: 8,344
2014-15: 7,120
2015-16: 6,561"
6,561 is enviable from an SJSU point of view but not sustainable when it's hoops that needs to carry the UNLV budget.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Fresno State minus a key prospect
"Fresno State five-star recruit may not be eligible until midyear" -- Robert Kuwada
Freshman point William McDowell-White will be unavailable the first semester.
Freshman point William McDowell-White will be unavailable the first semester.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
An Evening of Spartan Basketball
Monday, August 22, 2016
?????
Jon Rothstein: "Miami's Rashad Muhammad is now up to 180 pounds, Jim Larranaga told @CBSSports. Arrived on campus at 157 when he transferred."
As a Spartan sophomore, his official weight was 170. Hard to believe he arrived in the 155 range and gained but a couple of pounds in two seasons. That's on him.
Muhammad earned 112 shots at the foul line at a freshman, 98 as a sophomore in a schedule that featured four less games. That's pretty damn good for a guy weighing what he did.
As a Spartan sophomore, his official weight was 170. Hard to believe he arrived in the 155 range and gained but a couple of pounds in two seasons. That's on him.
Muhammad earned 112 shots at the foul line at a freshman, 98 as a sophomore in a schedule that featured four less games. That's pretty damn good for a guy weighing what he did.
Jon Rothstein with a load of MWC predictions, plus one other MWC feature
Jon Rothstein:
"MWC Power Rankings: SDSU, Nevada, New Mexico, Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State, Air Force, UNLV, SJS, Wyoming."
and
"MWC Preseason First-Team: J. Hemsley (SDSU), E. Brown (New Mexico), M. Marshall (Nevada), C. Oliver (Nevada), T. Williams (New Mexico)."
and
"MWC Preseason Player of the Year: Elijah Brown, New Mexico."
and
"Offseason storylines: Mountain West looks to regain multi-bid league status"
"Mountain West Summer Reset: Will San Diego State ever find offense?"
The author is incorrect here -- Kenny Wooten is not at Nevada.
"MWC Power Rankings: SDSU, Nevada, New Mexico, Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State, Air Force, UNLV, SJS, Wyoming."
and
"MWC Preseason First-Team: J. Hemsley (SDSU), E. Brown (New Mexico), M. Marshall (Nevada), C. Oliver (Nevada), T. Williams (New Mexico)."
and
"MWC Preseason Player of the Year: Elijah Brown, New Mexico."
and
"Offseason storylines: Mountain West looks to regain multi-bid league status"
+++++++
"Mountain West Summer Reset: Will San Diego State ever find offense?"
The author is incorrect here -- Kenny Wooten is not at Nevada.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Interesting move
Jon Rothstein: "Utah's Larry Krystkowiak has hired Chris Jones as Director of Basketball Operations, per release. Jones was on staff at Utah State."
To provide some context, here's Kyle Goon:
"Utah men’s basketball is bringing back another former Ute to serve as its director of basketball operations.
The Tribune has learned that Chris Jones will be formally announced as a hire no later than Friday and possibly as soon as Thursday evening. Cache Valley Daily reported earlier in the week that Jones was expected to take a job with the Utes after spending the last eight years at Utah State.
Jones played for the Utes for two seasons (1993-94) under Rick Majerus. He previously served the director of ops and an assistant with the Utes for a stint between 2005 and 2008, and was also a video coordinator between 1995-97.
He has strong ties to Utes assistant Tommy Connor, playing under him and serving on staff with him at Utah and later at Westminster.
Jones served under USU coaches Stew Morrill and Tim Duryea in Logan. While a director of operations role limits on-road recruiting, Jones handled much of the Aggies’ in-state recruiting during his tenure.
It may be important to note that the Utes are recruiting Jones’ son. A guard in the 2019 class, Rylan Jones was recently ranked a top 150 prospect in his age group by 24/7 Sports. The Utes offered him in 2014 when he was entering the eighth grade, and Tribune colleague Trevor Phibbs recently reported that Jones was joining Olympus.
The Utes generated some controversy last season by taking in Utah State transfer David Collette, who will become eligible to play after the fall semester..."
USU Coach Tim Duryea accused Utah of collusion in landing Collette who left the team team two days prior to the opening game. Collette had to pay his own way at Utah.
It seems odd to leave an assistant position for a director of operations spot but the pay may be similar considering the status difference between the Pac 12 and the Mountain West. Jones certainly has ties to both programs, that cannot be disputed, but he wasn't selected as Stew Morrill's replacement at US and that had to sting. Rylan Jones is a very strong-to-Utah prospect come that time so maybe his father wanted to both coach him and see him play in college.
About three weeks ago, Jones was named the Utah State recruiting coordinator and another assistant, Tarvish Felton, was bumped up to associate head coach. Make of that what you will.
To provide some context, here's Kyle Goon:
"Utah men’s basketball is bringing back another former Ute to serve as its director of basketball operations.
The Tribune has learned that Chris Jones will be formally announced as a hire no later than Friday and possibly as soon as Thursday evening. Cache Valley Daily reported earlier in the week that Jones was expected to take a job with the Utes after spending the last eight years at Utah State.
Jones played for the Utes for two seasons (1993-94) under Rick Majerus. He previously served the director of ops and an assistant with the Utes for a stint between 2005 and 2008, and was also a video coordinator between 1995-97.
He has strong ties to Utes assistant Tommy Connor, playing under him and serving on staff with him at Utah and later at Westminster.
Jones served under USU coaches Stew Morrill and Tim Duryea in Logan. While a director of operations role limits on-road recruiting, Jones handled much of the Aggies’ in-state recruiting during his tenure.
It may be important to note that the Utes are recruiting Jones’ son. A guard in the 2019 class, Rylan Jones was recently ranked a top 150 prospect in his age group by 24/7 Sports. The Utes offered him in 2014 when he was entering the eighth grade, and Tribune colleague Trevor Phibbs recently reported that Jones was joining Olympus.
The Utes generated some controversy last season by taking in Utah State transfer David Collette, who will become eligible to play after the fall semester..."
USU Coach Tim Duryea accused Utah of collusion in landing Collette who left the team team two days prior to the opening game. Collette had to pay his own way at Utah.
It seems odd to leave an assistant position for a director of operations spot but the pay may be similar considering the status difference between the Pac 12 and the Mountain West. Jones certainly has ties to both programs, that cannot be disputed, but he wasn't selected as Stew Morrill's replacement at US and that had to sting. Rylan Jones is a very strong-to-Utah prospect come that time so maybe his father wanted to both coach him and see him play in college.
About three weeks ago, Jones was named the Utah State recruiting coordinator and another assistant, Tarvish Felton, was bumped up to associate head coach. Make of that what you will.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
The Butler Way
"Top six very, very good things about the Butler Way" -- Kent Sterling
These are wonderful elements, traits any Spartan fan would gladly welcome to SJSU basketball as a given. The kids and staff do already work hard but getting that 'enforcement' from the players and not imposed by the staff remains key.
These are wonderful elements, traits any Spartan fan would gladly welcome to SJSU basketball as a given. The kids and staff do already work hard but getting that 'enforcement' from the players and not imposed by the staff remains key.
A James Kinney update
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
The SJSU non-conference schedule is out
Fives of the games are against teams with new coaches -- Portland, Denver, Santa Clara, Bowling Green and Southern Utah.
"The San José State men's basketball team will play seven of its 11 non-conference games inside The Event Center during the 2016-17 season. The nonconference portion of the schedule makes it 16 home contests for the Spartans, the most in over two decades.
"It's exciting and I'm really looking forward to this schedule," said Spartans' head coach Dave Wojcik. "I think it's a great year for fans to buy season tickets to see us play. It's the most home games we've had in decades, we have good competition and we're going to be good this year."
SJSU begins the regular season with three straight on Walt McPherson Court: West Coast Baptist (Nov. 12), Portland (Nov. 15) and Denver (Nov. 17).
San José State and Saint Mary's will square off for the first time since 2009 when the Spartans visit McKeon Pavilion on Nov. 22. The contest against the Gaels begins a three-game road trip where the Spartans also visit Washington State (Nov. 27) and Idaho (Nov. 29).
"We're getting better, and it's time for us to start playing teams like Saint Mary's," Wojcik said. "They're going to be top-25. We'll play them at their place this year and see them at The Event Center next year."
The Spartans welcome in Santa Clara on Dec. 3, before a trip to the University of Montana on Dec. 7.
Life Pacific College (Dec. 10), Bowling Green (Dec. 18) and Southern Utah (Dec. 21) will give San José State three in a row at home leading into Mountain West play.
"We have a great group of guys with Brandon Clarke leading the way," Wojcik said. "We're excited, and people are excited about us. So I really hope people will come out and support our players this season."
The Spartans will play a pair of exhibition games at home against Pacific Union College (Nov. 1) and Cal State East Bay (Nov. 6) before regular season action begins..."
Saturday, August 13, 2016
This season is uber-critical
So why such a dramatic headline? Because San Jose State University needs at least 15 wins (actually a few more are needed) in 2016-17 to facilitate getting into the good graces of higher level recruits, especially a number of local and regional prospects.
Look at who has visited and/or been offered:
Look at who has visited and/or been offered:
6-foot-1 2020 guard Robby Beasley of Dublin High
6-foot-5 2019 wing Deon Stroud of San Joaquin Memorial
6-foot-7 2018 forward Mason Forbes of Folsom High
6-foot-2 2018 guard Elijah Hardy of Bishop O'Dowd
6-foot-7 2018 Andre Kelly of Lincoln High (Stockton)
5-foot-10 2018 guard James Akinjo of Salesian High
Then there is 6-foot-2 2018 guard Jake Wojcik of Bellarmine
As well as 6-foot-2 2018 guard Logan Johnson of St. Francis
Some of these young men will get too big and become national recruits but others here will remain sign-able. However, that will take a winning program, one not just on the rise. 17 or 18 wins followed by 20 the following season will be a must.
Spartan recruiting has shifted from just a couple of years ago. Now, it's California-centric, especially so in northern California. Scholarship cost is now a consideration. Plus, the signing of Keith Fisher out of Los Angeles has hopefully opened some doors back up that were previously nailed shut.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Three MWC schools making pitches to the Big 12
"...Among the 17 schools that will make their presentations to the Big 12 are Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, South Florida, UCF, UConn, Memphis, Colorado State, Boise State, Tulane, Temple, East Carolina, SMU, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, San Diego State and Arkansas State, sources said."
All life is fluid. Can't blame 'em.
All life is fluid. Can't blame 'em.
The top MWC incoming frosh
"Which Mountain West Freshmen Could Be Set For Breakout Campaigns?" -- Chris Schutte
Let's start a write-in campaign for Nai Carlisle.
Let's start a write-in campaign for Nai Carlisle.
Robbie Skinner update
"Skinner earns Athlete of the Year honors" -- Emanuel Lee
"...Skinner will not attempt to play basketball at San Jose State..."
He is the son of former Spartan basketball great Johnnie Skinner.
"...Skinner will not attempt to play basketball at San Jose State..."
He is the son of former Spartan basketball great Johnnie Skinner.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
6-foot-8 Evan Battey's recruitment at the moment
"Skilled 2017 post Evan Battey breaks down list of suitors" -- Josh Gershon
Battey doesn't have SJSU among the schools he is talking to the most.
Battey doesn't have SJSU among the schools he is talking to the most.
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