Spartan Hoops

A redshirt frontcourter at San Jose State

2011-09-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Chris Cunningham has transferred over to San Jose State University from Santa Clara. He's a 6-foot-8 225 pound center-forward originally out of Diamond Ranch High in Diamond Bar, CA (southern CA).

Cunningham signed in November 2008 with Coach Kerry Keating/Santa Clara. He also had an offer from UC Riverside.

As a Bronco in 2009-2010, he played 310 minutes in 30 games, shot 55% from the floor, 53% from the foul line, averaging 2.0 points and 2.2 rebounds a game with 10 shotblocks.

In 2010-2011, he played 189 minutes in 15 games, shot 62% from the floor, 70% from the foul line, averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds a game with 2 shotblocks.

It appears he departed from the Santa Clara squad some time in January or so but PTW isn't sure if he enrolled at SJSU right away or with this new school year so he may have two or possibly two and a half years of eligibility remaining.

One description of him in high school said this: "skilled big man with a good feel for the game. Nice feet and hands. Not real explosive, but he can score around the basket"

Another offered:

"January, 2009: After a subpar performance at the Pacific Shores tournament, Cunningham was dominant against 6-8 up-and-coming junior Richard Solomon (Torrance, Calif./ Bishop Montgomery). Although he is a below the rim player, his footwork and savvy are a sight to see. His dexterity and deceptive quickness allows to him to convert over taller players and he uses his thick frame to muscle his way through contact. Overall, Cunningham doesn't have great bounce, but his skill level and fundamentals are high-level."

AO to Greece

2011-08-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

Adrian Oliver is headed to the land of Sparta:

"Signed a contract to play this lockout season in Greece. Thank you all for the good wishes. Leave in about a week so gettin everything..."

Oliver Caballero is back playing

2011-08-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a lengthy article on former SJSU center Oliver Caballero returning to the college game at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Justin Graham with a San Fran Pro-Am League dunk

2011-08-11T11:25:00.001-07:00

Here's a video of Justin Graham dunking over a couple of guys in a San Francisco Pro-Am League contest.

The re-emergence of Aalim Moor

2011-07-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Check out the video of Aalim Moor working out this summer with Marqus Coleman and Anthony Eggleton!

Aalim Moor III contemplating his future
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Guards Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham have departed San Jose State University after each was on the court for 35 minutes a game during their respective tenures, Therefore, backcourt playing time is available to be earned by Spartan junior Aalim Moor III.

In that context -- called upon to enter 17 games last season for 61 minutes of playing time, producing 5-10 from the floor and eights assists to a single turnover -- some would have soured on college hoops and folded by now.

Not Moor.

He has chosen to dig deeper.

Leaving nothing to chance, he is demanding more of himself.

This display of perseverance and ultimately self-confidence boils down to a personal re-routing in order to achieve his goals.

One day found him on the beach in Alameda but not necessarily enjoying the sights. It was dragging his trainer Marqus Coleman to and fro on the sand via work-out bands strapped to the body. And did we mention this was during a rain storm with water coursing out of the sky making everything -- the sand, the equipment, the participants -- heavier. The next workout location was all those steep stairs at Lake Merritt. Another time found him whizzing around the Merritt College track as the temperature hovered in the 90s.

These efforts took place week in and week out, with predetermined goals and times to achieve.

Working on basketball skills training followed ninety-minute sessions of either efforts on the beach or at the track. The days were capped with evening weight training sessions.

Here's the actual compilation of numbers for Moor this summer:

* Rope reps - 14,300
* Shots in the gym - 3,492
* Sprinted - 14.5 miles
* Jogged - 9.3 miles
* Lifted hundreds of pounds of weights daily

Upon returning to Spartan workouts this summer, after finishing up the month-long training with Coleman and Anthony Eggleton, Moor just completed a mile run with the top time on the team of 5:56, bettering his previous best of 6:13.

So let's pose some questions:

Q - AO and JG are gone -- your thoughts on what they brought to the court and team and your connection to each?

AM: Leadership above all! They were unequivocally our leaders and I think having to replace that will be a bigger challenge than their production on the court. I look up to both as sort of big brothers and appreciate all the advice they give me...even now.

AO and I have been talking a lot throughout his whole process of NBA workouts. He has really given me great advice and sound pointers on how I should approach going into next year.

Q - Your playing time has been minimal so far yet your demeanor during games is one of bringing positivity (congratulatory words and actions) to your teammates. How have you maintained this attitude?

AM: By trying to understand that even though I'm not on the court, I can still have a real impact on the game by being vocal and sharing my view of what I see going on out there. Also patience is something that has helped me greatly.

Q - You devised a plan for yourself and your game this summer -- tell readers why and what it consists of?

AM: My motivation this summer was to re-capture my confidence and swagger about my game. Considering that I haven't really played as much in the past two years as I did in the previous four, I felt it was important to go back there in my mind, in order to go forward now in real time.

My plan was a very basic two-step approach:

1- Basketball skill work; work on every aspect of my game. And refine and improve on each piece.

2- Strength and Conditioning; "GET IN THE BEST SHAPE HUMANLY POSSIBLE!"

I'm ready!

a moment of relaxation for Moor
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Q - With your routine, what do you tell yourself in order to keep grinding away when fatigue is yelling at you to stop?

AM: I ask myself, Do you really want this? Are you even really a hooper? I think of everything anyone has said to me or about me that was demeaning and I push through all the pain and get it done. That's my motivation...it drives me!

Q - There is no returning starter at the point for San Jose State University -- who fills the spot?

AM: Who ever wants it. And "I WANT IT!"

Q - Why Marqus Coleman and Anthony Eggleton as your workout trainers? What does each bring?

AM: I've known Marcus for 14 years and I'm 20 now to put it in perspective. He would always tell me he wanted to work with me, so I decided this year was the year and I'm glad I made that move. He has helped me to change my whole mind set and approach to the game and to life.

Coach Ant and I have a long history. He has worked with me before and literally pushed me over the hump to become a D1 athlete. I owe him more than I can count!

Q - Recalling yourself as a freshman at SJSU as compared to the present -- who are you know, what is different for you and why?

AM: I'm a lot more mature! I have responsibilities now that I did not have before. I have an apartment, with bills. I'm beginning my major classes and understand what college is really about. Where as a freshman, I was wide-eyed and a bit wild, just looking to have fun.

Q - Two years into college and working towards a degree in communications, what academic advice can you offer to high school seniors soon to make that transition?

AM: Make sure you have your priorities in order! Parties and all that will always be there. Take care of school first!!

Q - Any idea if you want to down the road go into coaching basketball at some level? Yes or no, can you explain why.

AM: It's possible. I think I have a lot more information to gain, but I would love an opportunity to give back and help younger generations be successful.

Q - Jason Kidd won an NBA championship this season -- can you tell readers about your connections with him?

AM: We both grew up in Oakland. J. Kidd and I went to the same elementary school (St. Paschal Baylon) in Oakland. I think the biggest connection to him that I have is our style of play. I always admired his game. He has always been a pass first point guard, looking to set the table for other guys. He's always been a player I've looked up to and emulated.

Q - You met new Golden State Warrior Coach Mark Jackson years ago at a Double Pump Camp where you were one of the top campers. What was your impression of him and do you recall what he passed on to you?

AM: Mark Jackson was and is a great man and he is a great pickup for the Warriors as a Head Coach. My Dad introduced me to him after a game I was playing. He watched me play and complimented me on my game and told me that "in order to get where I want, hard work isn't enough you have to really believe in yourself and your ability". I never forgot that!

Q - You work in the summers for the Golden State Warriors -- what are your duties and how many years have you been doing this?

AM: I'm a coach at the camps. I help the kids work on the basics of the game and try to pass on what knowledge I have on to them, it's a lot of fun. I've been working the camps for about three years now. I really enjoy working with the Warriors. They are a first class organization and do a lot for our community. I'll keep coming back each year if they'll have me.

Aalim also added this: "Shout out to Kelvin Potts (KP) who I am working out with now for my ball handling and overall PG skills. I've known him all my life and I'm glad to have him as someone I work out with also."

Moor surrounded by Coleman (l) and Eggleton (r)
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Telegraph Avenue-based Anthony "Ant" Eggleton, of Ant's Mind and Body, is a longtime resident of the East Bay, an Oakland Fremont High graduate and a trainer extraordinaire who does things differently than most folks in his field. It's not that he is looking to be a contrarian at all -- it's because he views training for gain to be a holistic effort, a congruency of mind and body.

Eggleton's plans of action include working on body mechanics to achieve multiple goals and results: greater balance and flexibility, quicker reactions to stimuli, improved strength and lateral movement quickness, plus quicker and more controlled directional changes.

That is the usual.

What's not is this: "We also work to turn on the centers of will," with the intent of leading to higher level performance, greater mental enhancement and quicker physical rejuvenation.

San Jose State Spartan Aalim Moor has long utilized this dual Eggleton approach but his time was limited since beginning college at SJSU.

Not this summer as the two have teamed up once again.

"I've known Aalim since the sixth grade and the work he has put in is paying dividends," Eggleton offered. "His athleticism has improved by leaps and bounds."

As evidence, Moor just completed a mile run with the top time on the team of 5:56, bettering his previous best of 6:13.

As Eggleton put it, look for the same name to be on the roster but it will be a different Moor on the floor this season: "I think fans will be more than pleasantly surprised," no pun intended.

Eggleton continued, "Aalim had a different focus [than before]. He has always been driven but it was a bit more now, going to a different level.

There were other differences, too.

"He has gone from a kid to an impressive young man, evolving emotionally and physically," Eggleton added. "We were able to train more aggressively and physically. His mind and body were really into it."

Moor celebrating beating Coleman on his fifth time up a training hill
photo credit: M.E. Lampkin Media Services, LLC

Marqus Coleman runs the Coleman Elite Boot Camp and worked out Moor this summer. Here's a Q-and-A with Coleman:

Q - Why are you in the profession you have chosen?

MC: I have always had a passion for teaching the game of basketball. I was taught from a young age to play the game the right way and I want to pass that on. I started my first coaching job as a 10th grader in high school and I think my passion grew from that point on.

Q - What is your core training philosophy?

MC: My training philosophy is broken up into four parts:

1. To begin with, my goal is to teach the athlete how to work out. Most athletes work out on their own, but either they don't have a good work ethic, or they don't know how to push their workouts to the next level consistently, each time they step on the floor.

2. My idea is to get the athlete in complete shape, for the duration of their play. In other words, I believe an athlete should be able to stay fresh from start to finish, offense and defense. Being able to compete for that amount of time, without having to clutter your mind with thoughts of fatigue and wanted rest, allows you space to strengthen and master your mental game. Most athletes struggle with this, and can only consistently play their best, 40-60% of the game.

3. Predicated on my Philosophy of: 2-6-2

I believe in teaching basketball skills 2 seconds at a time. Ideally the moves you make on the basketball court only happen in a 2 to 3 second time period. The 6 represents the 6 inches your base or the lower half of your body can be effective in your moves on the floor. If your feet are more than 6 inches from your body you become ineffective as a basketball player, losing your strength and balance. Finally, the the second 2 represents the 2 feet of space created from the first tow points. If you can be successful in making a move in 2 seconds and explosive in 6 inches of space, you can create 2 feet of space, giving you room to pass or score with vision.

4. The final piece to my philosophy consists of three things: I want to emphasize the athletes explosiveness, speed and agility and consistency. If a player can accomplish these three key factors to the game, they can be unstoppable. Confidence will be sparked as well.

Q - If it does, how does your training differ from that of others?

MC: I think I differ from others in my thought about my athletes. I am the trainer, which means I work for the athlete, not the other way around. I structure the training around the athlete and make sure he or she always feels they are better than they were the day before. I would often remind people that as a player its about you, this is your choice to do this and I am not forcing you to do this. However if this is what you want to do then we have to make progress together because I am only as good as you. My training principles are simple, yet the workout is unorthodox. I do the training that everyone talks about doing, but never does. I use the gym to refine skill sets and perfect what the athlete already knows. One major difference is that I always teach in pressure situations, its more realistic and forces the athlete to think.

Q - Are there any client names from the past or present you can share?

MC: I don't believe that the success of the athlete is mine to claim. At the end of the day, the athletes are the ones working, I instruct. Over the years I've worked with many successful athletes primarily in NorCal, but also across the country. To me it does not matter what your name is, I don't affiliate with names. When it's time to work, we work regardless of who you are.

Q - What can you share regarding your experience working as a trainer and basketball skills instructor for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Developmental League?

MC: Working with the Jam has been a great opportunity for me for the last 2 years and anticipation of my 3rd year in a few weeks. Coach [Will] Voight has been a great mentor and professional in allowing me to work with some of the great players trying to get to that next level. The environment is fast paced, you have to be a clear in your teaching and mistakes are not high in the workouts because these guys take the game serious at that level. I must say that I have learned a lot from Coach Voight over these last few years, but most of all he really cares. This is the part of the professional level that you may think doesn't exist but he has taught me patience with players and the importance of treating every opportunity as an interview.

Q - How did working with Aalim come about?

MC: Since he was six years old, Aalim and I have always had a close relationship. I have supported him through his years of growing and always gave my input when I had the chance. I always wanted to train him as he got into his high school years because I felt like he didn't know the potential he really had. He is a guy that would give up his game for others to shine but I felt he needed to be something different this time. He needed something this summer that will force him to face his self and to build his image of self to himself. He called me on the phone and he said, I need a quicker, first step, explosiveness and work on my shot. My response was an immediate yes I can get that done. We decided from day one the work is about him, this process is about him, everyday he wanted to be better than yesterday.

Q - Please describe what it was like working with Aalim?

MC: I greatly enjoy working with athletes who carry enthusiasm the way Aalim does. Aalim is eager and hungry to learn and get better, he is his own biggest critic, and during training tunes in with me. Our workouts were filled with communication and understanding, without the need for words. Aalim is an example of an athlete striving for success and putting in the work to get there.

Q - Can you offer any projections regarding Aalim next year at San Jose State University?

MC: Aalim's impressive work ethic will put him on another level this year, making him a "never before seen Aalim". I believe he will be an impact player and an excellent leader. If Aalim is given an opportunity to start, I believe he will be able to maintain that spot and it will be hard to take it from him.

An Adrian Oliver update

2011-05-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Based on a couple of tweets from AO, he will be visiting with the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons this week.

A walk-on for next season

2011-05-13T20:40:00.001-07:00

Aptos High's Nick Grieves (#23 above) has accepted an invitation to walk-on to the Spartan basketball team next season. He's a 6-foot-3 sharpshooter who averaged just under 20 points per game this past season.

Here's an article (scroll down some) that features Grieves (and two other Santa Cruz area basketballers).

More on former Spartan Marquin Chandler

2011-05-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

Came across this link to the site of the agent who represents former San Jose State frontcourter Marquin Chandler. Here is her specific page on Marquin.

Darshawn McClellan may visit SJSU

2011-05-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

6-foot-7, 230 pound Darshawn McClellan just earned his B.A. from Vanderbilt but has another season of basketball eligibility remaining. Out of the Fresno area, McClellan is checking out various schools including San Jose State and Fresno State at which to finish his basketball playing.

Go here.

James (Jay) Kinney signs with SJSU

2011-04-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

6-foot-1 junior college backcourter James (Jay) Kinney, just finishing up at the College of Eastern Utah, has signed a letter-of-intent with San Jose State.

Here's the link.

Kinney played in 13 games this season (eight starts and at just over 26 minutes a game), averaging 12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. He shot 45% overall, 42% on treys. In 130 overall shots, 67 were three-point attempts. He previously played at Ohio University.

A feature on Lavanne Pennington

2011-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Head here for a Barstow area newspaper feature on new Spartan signee Lavanne Pennington, a transfer from Barstow Community College.

A Texas high schooler signs with SJSU

2011-04-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Assistant Coach Talvin Hester and his Lone Star State connections, San Jose State University has added a high school wing out of Texas to its roster.

6-foot-6 Jaleel Williams visited last weekend, with Hester showing him around and quickly made up his mind to become a Spartan.

Here's one note: "Williams' size and defensive capabilities make him an attractive prospect for colleges. Over the summer, he was a reliable standout for the Texas D-1 Ambassadors... and since the summer, he's received interest from San Jose State, Oregon State, Air Force and Loyola University Chicago... Missouri State has offered Williams, who is ranked No. 64 in the state by TexasHoops.com..."

Here's a video on Williams.

From Coach Max Ivany, head of the Texas Ambassadors club basketball organization: "Williams has an extremely long wingspan. He's an athletic wing who has improved his perimeter shot in the past 8 months. He's also a shot blocker on the defensive side of the ball. His length and above the rim play make him a steal. Williams recruiting had picked up significantly in the last couple of weeks where he garnered interest from several schools, including Oregon State who were ready to offer pending a scholarship opening up in the near future...

...I met the entire SJSU staff at last week's Final Four in Houston and they made it clear that they expected him to be a huge part of their plans immediately as a freshman. Jaleel has always made it clear that he wanted to attend a West Coast school and he jumped on this opportunity..."

Adrian Oliver at the Portsmouth Invitational

2011-04-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

The only WAC player participating in the Portsmouth Invitational, Adrian Oliver, put up these numbers in his opening game: 21 minutes, 4-7 shooting (0-1 on trey attempts) for eight points, three assists, two steals, one rebound and one block.

Lavanne Pennington commits to SJSU

2011-04-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

6-foot-4 Lavanne Pennington (written about earlier below this article) has given a verbal to San Jose State. He is a s0phomore currently at Barstow Community College and noted as a long-distance shooter.

A San Jose State basketball recruiting update

2011-03-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Responding to popular request, here's the best we could do regarding San Jose State basketball recruiting. Please remember that recruiting is F-L-U-I-D, meaning it changes daily from one or both sides. What was yesterday, may not be today but could be again tomorrow as commitments emerge and targets change as availability shifts. April 13 is the first day of the new signing period.

Montray Clemons
6-foot-8 200 pounds
Mack Academy, North Carolina

Per Alex Kline/The Recruit Scoop on March 22, SJSU has offered 2011 PF Montray Clemons of Mack Academy (NC) a scholarship.

The 6-foot-8, 200 pound young man is a fifth-year player out of Baltimore, Maryland now at a North Carolina prep school in order to get a passing SAT score. He took the SAT on March 12.

Caught this somewhere on the 'net:

Strengths: He is a run and jump high flyer who plays above the rim. He can step out and shoot the 15' as the trail.

Weaknesses: Although his ball sometimes comes off flat, he has nice form and touch allowing him shoot a fade away or play a face up game. But his game is all power.

Bottom Line: A solid get late as a mid-major big man who will receive high major looks. Montray is hoping to sign a letter of intent in the Spring 2011.

Other offers Clemons has received to date are from Appalachian State and Rice.

He is #24 in this brief You Tube video.

Our Take: More suitors will arrive if he passes the SAT. Our gut tells us it will be hard to get him to come to the west coast but that isn't based on any specific knowledge.

+++++

Lavanne Pennington
6-foot-4 180 pounds
Barstow Community College -- sophomore
High School: Genesis One Prep/Mendenhall, MS

This season, the native of San Bernardino scored 16.9 points and grabbed 3.1 rebounds a game. He shot 42% overall, 33% on trey attempts and 73% from the foul line while being named to First Team All Foothill Conference.

Pennington moved to Mississippi to finish high school, playing for Coach Audie Norris at Genesis One Christian School. There he put together these numbers: 19.5 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. Here's Norris from a newspaper article on Pennington: "When he's most effective, he's dunking, he's shooting threes falling out of bounds...You really don't want to be on the opposite side of Lavance when he's got the ball and he's effective. He can get you 40 points in a heartbeat and that's not an exaggeration."

and

"Lavance was modest about his life in California...It's a tough life he comes from. Most kids he grew up with don't graduate and don't finish high school...When I first met Lavance, he came in here hard. But he got down here and the kid really understands this is a good life down here. He doesn't have to look over his shoulder and worry about things happening to him."

That caught the attention of Larry Eustachy at Southern Mississippi and Pennington signed a letter-of-intent to attend the school in Hattiesburg.

As a freshman, he sat out the season as a non-qualifier. Then he transferred to Barstow, playing for Coach Reggie Young.

Other colleges interested in Pennington: Hawaii, Mississippi Valley State. But it appears SJSU is his first offer.

Our Take: Word is that he has committed to SJSU and he visited campus last weekend.

+++++

Antonio Biglow
Mt. San Antonio Community College (CA)
6-foot-0 (on a 'long' day) 155 pounds

This season, Biglow averaged 22.4 points and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 45%, 35% and 73% from the floor. He also averaged just under four turnovers a game

From 2008: "Antonio Biglow, a prep school guard from Sound Doctrine (Ga.), was the top player for his team in the heated match-up against the N.Y. Panthers. Bigelow scored 20 points in the defeat and was a constant threat to score at the rim. The prep school guard is worth taking a look at for the mid-major level schools this summer."

December 2010: "Quick point can flat out create drive or pass off the dribble. He averages almost 9 assists an outing and can knock down jumper to keep D honest."

March 17, 2011: "(Walnut, CA) Sophomore Guard, Antonio Biglow (Sylmar H.S.) was named the 2011 Southern California Player of the Year. Earlier he was named SCC North Division Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as well. This season Biglow scored a total of 627 points for the Mounties, averaging 22.39 points per game."

Here's a video link of Biglow the high schooler playing for his club team during spring and summer.

Besides San Jose State, Montana State has also offered. He visited SJSU last weekend.

Our Take: He would be a great get because he can create although he and Keith Shamburger would form a diminutive backcourt. Playing time is available and that's always a major consideration for a junior college transfer.

+++++

James Kinney
College of Eastern Utah (out of Champaign.IL)
6-foot-1 175 pounds
A second team all-league honoree

Kinney's numbers this season: 14 games/8 starts, 12.9 ppg., 45%, 42%, 76% shooting, 5.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds

February 17, 2011: James Kinney of the College of Eastern Utah will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his mandible jawbone. Kinney, an Ohio University transfer, is known for his ability to score. He averaged nearly 10 points per game as a freshman at Ohio, and was averaging 14 points per game for Eastern Utah despite missing the early part of the season with an injury.

Kinney was averaging 20 points per game in his five previous conference games prior to the injury.

and

James Kinney's next basketball stop will be in high desert country.

The former Centennial High basketball standout recently signed a national letter of intent with the College of Eastern Utah in Price, Utah.

Kinney is transferring to the junior college following a troubled freshman year at Ohio University which ended with his dismissal from the team in mid-February. The 2009 News-Gazette All-Area Player of the Year has three seasons of eligibility remaining, one of which will be used at Eastern Utah...

...Before offering a scholarship, Barton flew to Champaign to meet with Kinney and his parents. He said he came away convinced that the former Charger was sincerely remorseful for actions that led to guilty pleas in two separate court cases and two team suspensions while at Ohio.

Fairleigh Dickinson and Utah Valley State have. Also interested: Portland State, San Jose State

Our Take: There's a lot of talent here but, again, our gut says he lands elsewhere.

+++++

Jeremy Jones
6-2 170 pounds
Seward County Community College (Kansas)

February 14, 2011: Jeremy Jones of Seward County Community College in Kansas is putting up strong numbers, and now has a host of high-major programs in hot pursuit.

Jones, a 6'2" guard, leads the Jayhawk Conference in scoring with an average of nearly 18 points per game. Jones is also dishing out 4 assists per contest for a Seward team that sports a 22-5 record, and holds down the #13 ranking nationally.

and

Jones, another Chicago product, ran the point this season after spending most of his career at scoring guard. "He played at another junior college last year in Texas, but when we got him, seeing how he was only 6-2 (165 pounds) and wanted to play at a higher level, we forced him to play the point a little," Seward County assistant coach Jay Cyriac said.

Jones averaged a team-high 18.6 points and 4.5 assists (3.2 turnovers) for a team that averaged 85.8 points per game. Six times Seward County topped 100 or more points. He shot 48.9 percent (55.5 inside the arc, 37.2 behind it.) He also got to the foul line 171 times (5.0 attempts per game), making 74.3 percent.

"He's slight of build, but he's really long," Cyriac said. "When he drives the ball, he's kind of wiry, so he usually gets fouled."

Jones is visiting South Florida this week, Kansas State on April 8, Houston on April 16 and ASU on the 29th.

"A lot of kids get caught up in names, but Jeremy is looking for an opportunity to play," Cyriac said.

Connections: Jones knows ASU sophomore forward Kyle Cain from their days growing up in Illinois. Cyriac also has history with Sendek. He used to coach an AAU team in New Jersey that featured Al Harrington, a player Sendek pursued during his North Carolina State days.

Before transferring to Seward County, Jones played at Western Texas College. In high school, he starred at Chicago Simeon, averaging 21 points and four assists.

Our Take: SJSU is trying but Jones has a number of higher level opportunties and he's headed elsewhere

+++++

Daquan Brown
Barstow Community College (out of Brooklyn, played at Laurinberg Institute and also Mt. Zion Christian Academy, both in NC)
6-foot-9 210 pounds
An All Foothill Conference selection this season

His numbers this season: averaged 11.7 points per game while shooting shot 62% and 67%, grabbed 9.6 rebounds and blocked 1.6 shots a contest.

Besides SJSU, Kennesaw State has offered. Other schools also interested: Ohio, Pepperdine. It was also reported recently that Brown will be visiting West Virginia in the near future.

Our Take: It appears some big-time schools are moving in but Brown did visit campus last weekend. He would bring some degree of defensive intimidation to the paint that is currently missing.

+++++

Brady Hurst
College of Eastern Utah (attended high school in Utah)
6-foot-8 220 pounds (6-foot-7 and 195 coming out of high school)

Hurst's number this season: 13.4 points a game on 51% and 67% shooting, 7.1 rebounds ( 84 offensive/111 defensive) plus honorable mention honors in the Scenic West Athletic Conference

He's been offered by SJSU and is from the same community college as James Kinney.

Our Take: Hurst would be another inside player, with more scoring ability than Matt Ballard.

Marquin Chandler playing in Portugal

2011-03-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Former San Jose Stater Marquin Chandler has signed with Benfica, a club in Portugal.

From one note by Luis Filipe Cristovao on March 16:

Sport Lisboa Benfica finally found a substitute to Mike Williams. Its Marquin Chandler (202-F-82, college: San Jose St.), a 28 years old Power Forward, with 2.02m.

Chandler finished college in San Jose St. and made his pro rookie year in Philippines. Despite a try in Belgium and a year in USA, Marquin Chandler stayed almost all his career in Asia, playing in countries like Singapore, Philippines, South Korea and Bahrein, where he spent his last months, in Al Ahli Manama.

Here's a link to his signing.

SJSU falls to Utah State 58-54

2011-03-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

It was Utah State and San Jose State University punch-for-punch to borrow a phrase from the the sweet science. One double digit lead was obtained by the Aggies in the second half but then shortly erased. Eventually, all turned on late-in-the-game offensive rebounding by Tai Wesley and such finally put the Aggies over the top against the Spartans 58-54.

Adrian Oliver led the way for SJSU with 16 points (6-19 shooting). Keith Shamburger contributed 11 and Wil Carter finished with 11 rebounds. Brockeith Pane topped Utah State with 16 points and Tai Wesley had 14 plus 12 boards for a double-double. Center Nate Bendall was the best boardman for the Aggies with 12.

Each team finished at 37% shooting and the rebounding ended 36-35 in favor of SJSU. The 10 offensive boards grabbed by the Spartans contributed heavily to second chance scoring.

At the 14:54 mark of the second 20 minutes, Pane, Wesley and Bendall were all saddled with three fouls.

Two Bendall free throws made the lead 44-34 but he subsequently committed his fourth foul and Utah State began mixing in some zone due to the foul trouble.

Later, an Oliver trey cut the margin to 46-40.

Further on, a Calvin Douglas three-pointer followed by a Matt Ballard followup basket made it 50-49.

Pane's fast break layup pushed the lead back to three. Justin Graham then nabbed a pass and went the length of the court for a layin. Pane subsequently scored again to make it 54-51 with 4:14 showing.

After a flurry of possessions back and forth, Wesley grabbed a blocked shot and put it in -- the score 56 to 51 and 2:38 on the clock. Wesley (his fourth)then fouled Ballard on a shot. He missed the first but made the second (56-52). After Tyler Newbold missed a shot, Wesley grabbed the offensive rebound, shot and was fouled. He missed at the charity stripe but USU still led by four.

San Jose State subsequently missed and Bendall rebounded but Pooh Williams also was errant on a shot. Oliver came down the court, made the basket and was fouled, the score, 56-54. He missed with 35.5 seconds to play.

SJSU went to man-to-man defensively and Graham fouled Wesley -- Justin's fifth, with 27 ticks remaining. Wesley missed both attempts but Oliver came down and erred on a trey attempt. Wesley rebounded, was fouled with 3.2 seconds on the clock.

It was another one-and-one situation. He nailed the first, and then the second, clinching the game for Utah State.

At the half, Utah State led 33-29. It was Pane and Wesley with six points apiece and Nate Bendall totaling five rebounds. Both Shamburger and Oliver led SJSU with eight points and Wil Carter grabbed six boards. SJSU zoned for the first 20 minutes.

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With this season-ender, SpartanHoops is moving on to other on-line opportunities and ventures. So who is willing to step in, fill the not-so -sizeable shoes and take over this duty? The compensation is great, the hours are short and you can perform the duties in your PJs -- an unbeatable trifecta.

Wa-Do, Dank je, Grazie, Go raibh maith agat, Tapadh leat, Mahalo.

SJSU faces Utah State

2011-03-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

With all the prejudice that can be mustered, the WAC tourney reward system needs tinkering. The evidence, your honor? Two wins, defeating Hawaii and the Idaho, and the result is facing the conference juggernaut. Huh? Hopefully, a free buffet -- at the very least -- was thrown in to sweeten the deal.

Yes, San Jose State University faces Utah State at 6 p.m. on Friday

It's an overly simplistic presentation but as Tai Wesley goes, so goes the Aggies. In the only non-conference games that Utah State has lost, Tai Wesley went 1-6 from the foul line in the 78-72 road loss to BYU (plus center Nate Bendall didn't play). In the 68-51 loss in D.C. to Georgetown, Wesley fouled out with 10+ minutes remaining and GT led just 33-29 at the half. Within the WAC, Idaho took down USU on February 9 with Wesley totaling 11 points, 10 boards and six turnovers in 29 minutes. But what can't be dismissed is that seniors Brian Green (0-6), Tyler Newbold (2-9) and Pooh Williams (3-10) were muy, muy frio that evening.

Another item to factor into the game equation is the coaches in the league recently selecting Wesley as the WAC Most Valuable Player. Even though the voting is in the past tense, Adrian Oliver will certainly 'advocate' for his case in this matchup. It's not head-to-head per se but team leader versus team linchpin.

Our expectation is that Wesley will get his usual points on Friday but hopefully he'll shoot no better than 50%. Limiting Bendall who is a clever inside scorer (with the major focus on his teammate) and can pop the faceup jumper from the foul line will be a key. That and making sure none of the jumpshooters -- Green (a Second Team All-WACer), Williams and Newbold -- enter into a zone where the ball leaves their respective hands and nestles into the net much more often than not. Besides Wesley, the other primary creator is junior point Brockeith Pane, a First Team All-WAC selection and also an All - Newcomer honoree. Pane is erratic from outside but superb at dribble-drive penetration. It's impossible to keep him out of the key so the mission is to reduce his successful forays.

Williams and Newbold are the top defenders. The latter made the All - Defensive Team and a case could easily be made for Williams' inclusion in that group.

Here are our game reports from the earlier meetings between these two teams:

Utah State wins 80-71

December 31, 2010

Spartans fall 84-65

January 27, 2011

Even minus Justin Graham (Achilles strain during warmups) and Brylle Kamen (suspended indefinitely due to conduct detrimental to the team), the fight was present all game. But Utah State was just too much and triumphed 84-65.

The vaunted Utah State inside game surprisingly wasn't much of a factor tonight, especially Nate Bendall who went scoreless. Even Brockeith Pane and his dribble-drive prowess was rarely a factor. But 6-foot-0 (in the eyes of his mother) Brian Green, stocky frame and all, was en fuego and damn near perfect all night.

Early in the second half, Utah State pulled away 41-29 but San Jose State closed it to 41-33 and with 15:41 remaining, it was 45-35.

The Aggies went up 14 at 51-37 on a Green trey with 12:56 on the clock. Then 56-39. With the score 59-42, the Utah State bench had totaled 34 of the team's 58 points.

An Oliver and1 three-point play with 7:33 showing cut the deficit to 11 at 64-53.

At the five minute mark, two Green free throws made it 72-58. It was 76-60 with three minutes remaining and effectively over.

Adrian Oliver paced SJSU with 29 points (10-23 shooting). Keith Shamburger scored 13 and Calvin Douglas added 10.

Green was 5-5 from long distance, sank his initial eight shots and totaled 25 points (a career high). Pooh Williams had 15 and Brockeith Pane 14. Tai Wesley's contribution: nine points and six boards.

At the half, it was 37-27 in favor of the Aggies. It went back and forth with both teams taking leads until a late Aggie spurt boosted the margin to 10.

The USU Starting Five

* Nate Bendall 6-foot-9 -- 6.3 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, shooting 46%

* Tai Wesley 6-foot-7 -- 14.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, 56% shooter

* Pooh Williams 6-foot-4 -- 8.2 points a game

* Tyler Newbold 6-foot-5 -- 8.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, shooting 44% and 40% with 65 of 98 shots being trey attempts

* Brockeith Pane 6-foot-1 -- 12.5 points a game, 50% shooter, 13% from long distance, 71 assists-to-46 turnovers

Williams owns a 40-19 and Newbold a 45/16 assist-to-turnover ratio but aren't creators.

Off The Bench

* Brady Jardine -- the best jumper in the WAC but very limited scoring range, shooting 52%, 6.8 rebounds per game

* Brian Green 6-foot-1 -- 9.9 points a game, shooting 47% and 42%, 66 of 114 shots being three-pointers

* Morgan Grim 6-foot-8 -- inside muscle

* James Walker 6-foot-2/E.J.Farris 6-foot-2 -- Typically one or the other comes in as Pane's backup but both play little

What is fascinating but may or may not be a key to the game is the differences in how Utah State performs in each 20 minutes. The Aggies have scored 547 points while giving up 398 in the first halves of conference games but it's a much closer 576 to 506 in second halves.

The Aggie roster (alphabetized, by position)

Antonio Bumpus 6-3/185 Guard JR (redshirting)
Leon Cooper Jr. 6-1/170 Guard FR
E.J. Farris 6-2/185 Guard SO (walk-on)
Brian Green 6-1/200 Guard SR
Preston Medlin 6-4/175 Guard SO
Tyler Newbold 6-5/210 Guard SR
Brockeith Pane 6-1/195 Guard JR
Steve Thornton 6-5 200 Guard Fr (grayshirting)
James Walker 6-2/180 Guard FR

Pooh Williams 6-4/190 Guard/Forward SR

Nate Bendall 6-9/250 Forward SR
Brad Brown 6-6/190 Forward RS FR
Ben Clifford 6-7/220 Forward FR
Matt Formisano 6-8/240 Forward SR (walk-on)
Morgan Grim 6-8/230 Forward RS JR
Brady Jardine 6-7/220 Forward JR
Tai Wesley 6-7/240 Forward SR

Leland Miller 7-1/230 Center SO (walk-on)

Spartans win 74-68

2011-03-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Trios. Triplets. Triads. Triumvirates. Trinities. Such were the passwords of the day for San Jose State as the Spartans were dialed in from long distance all game long. Backed by 28 points apiece from Adrian Oliver and Keith Shamburger (his career high), plus Wil Carter's 11 boards, SJSU downed Idaho 74-68.

13-23 shooting from beyond the stripe paved the way for the Spartan while the Vandals could only manage 7-21 from way outside.

San Jose State University open up a seven-point lead with 10:20 remaining in the game after an Oliver jumper. Wil Carter made it a nine-point margin with a pair of free throws.

UI's Jeff Ledbetter (who scored 21) nailed a three-pointer to cut the difference to six. He followed up with another trey, making it a one possession deficit at 61-58.

Later on, Luiz Toledo scored on an and/1 three-pointer play to put the score at 68-65. After a free throw by center Kyle Barone, Deremy Geiger's spin move layup at the 2:56 mark tied the game at 68.

Ignoring the Biblical commandment, Shamburger then stole a pass and converted it into a layup. He then became a repeat offender of the first half of his previous effort but then a shot was missed.

With under a minute to go, a Ledbetter shot attempt was blocked and gathered in by -- who else? -- Shamburger. After a pass, Oliver was fouled but one not putting him at the foul line.

Fittingly, Shamburger was then fouled and went to the line with 31 seconds remaining. He made the first and then the second, putting SJSU up 72-68.

Justin Graham then stole yet another pass and Idaho was hosed.

After the initial 20 minutes of play, it was 36-34 in favor of Idaho, with Oliver taking an early trip to trey-mania-land by burying four first half three-pointers. Shamburger added 11 for the Spartans. Ledbetter totaled eight points but Barone -- the second-leading scorer for the Vandals -- not appearing among the leaders in the points or rebound numbers -- he was credited with just two points. SJSU shot 39% overall but a remarkable 8-14 from long distance.

The Spartans versus the Spuds

2011-03-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

It's SJSU going up against Idaho tomorrow at noon. It's a Vandal team that went 9-7 in conference play, (tied for third place) 18-12 overall.

Coach Don Verlin's team is not an overpowering squad, more appropriately described as the epitome of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. That formula bodes well when all the elements are working together smoothly, such as the February 9 64-56 home win against Utah State. But then there was the November 22 75-33 road loss to Montana when all was off-kilter. The January 22 71-56 loss to Louisiana Tech probably falls somewhere in-between -- some parts in synch with others haywire.

Which group of Vandals will be on display Thursday is anyone's guess.

Plus, will Idaho be rested or stale? Again, who knows?

The two players who usually do the most damage are:

Guard Jeff Ledbetter, a second team All-WAC honoree is the team barometer. He buried 55 treys in WAC action, totaled 15.1 points per game, was tops in free throw percentage at 87% and third in steals. He's not necessarily a creator, benefiting more from coming off screens for open looks, a la what Utah State (Verlin's previous address) utilizes. Ledbetter needs to be on for the Vandals to succeed.

Center Kyle Barone averaged 13.2 points and six rebounds per game in WAC play, shooting an amazing 61% from the floor. He also possesses excellent hands so Idaho rarely commits turnovers on entry passes to him. He does need added weight and strength though.

Verlin's guys are obviously handling a number of on-court matters efficiently. They are shooting 47% overall (tops in the WAC) versus SJSU's 40%, 39% to 36% in treys.

The comparative filed goal percentage defense numbers are 41% for the Vandals to the Spartans' 45%. In defending the three-pointer, Idaho is holding opponents to 30% to SJSU's 35%.

San Jose State leads 37 to 32 in rebounding numbers.

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Can anything be gleaned from the previous two meetings between these teams?

SJSU wins in double overtime 92-89
February 3, 2011

What quickly became apparent is that neither team was going to run away from the other -- the Idaho and San Jose State squads were very evenly matched on the 30 degree night in Moscow. That was outside, thankfully not inside the Cowan Spectrum, for the literal-minded.

At the half, the score was 29-28. Adrian Oliver led SJSU with 12 points (5-9 shooting) and Justin Graham contributed nine.

At the 15:53 mark of the second 20 minutes, it was the Spartans ahead 33-32. SJSU upped the margin to two, 42-40, with 12:59 showing.

San Jose State was down by four at the 7:45 mark but an Oliver and1 three-point play cut it to one.

Eventually, a Jeff Ledbetter trey upped the Vandal margin to six, 55-49. Brandon Wiley put back in an offensive rebound to make it eight.

With 3:55 on the clock, Graham followed with his own and1 three-point effort to reduce the deficit to five.

Kyle Barone scored inside, was fouled and nailed the free throw, boosting the point differential back to eight.

Oliver then tickled the twine with a hook shot.

With 2:31 showing, Shawn Henderson sank two free throws to make it 62-54.

Barone's jumphook in the paint made it 10.

Graham followed with a jumper from the foul line.

After a steal by Wil Carter, Keith Shamburger was fouled in the act of shooting. He sank both, making it 64-58 at the 1:58 mark.

Wiley was fouled in the lane with 1:16 showing and made both -- score 66-58.

Carter grabbed a loose ball and scored with 58 seconds left.

Shamburger tipped the ball away from his opponent, Graham got it and hit Shamburger with a pass. The freshman backcourter scored, was fouled by Wiley and made the free throw. making it 66-63 at the 45 second mark.

Carter was then elbowed by Wiley who was called for an intentional foul. Carter was awarded a pair of free throws -- he missed the first and then the second. SJSU then was awarded possession with 23 seconds left.

Graham quickly nailed a top of the key trey with 18 second showing.

Idaho got the last shot attempt but it wasn't close, creating an overtime period.

Oliver was fouled and missed both free throws. Carter rebounded the second miss and scored on the putback.

Barone was fouled by Matt Ballard and made both.

Oliver entered the lane with the ball, lifted and scored. He also was fouled and he notched a three-point play. SJSU led 71-68.

But Jeff Ledbetter came down and sank his own trey attempt,. making it 71 all.

London Tatum was fouled on a driving layup attempt, sending him to the foul line. He missed the first but made the second.

Oliver put in a leftside trey but Matt Ballard was called for an intentional foul, sending Barone to the charity stripe. He made both and Idaho also retained possession of the ball.

Luiz Toledo buried a jumper to put Idaho ahead 76-74.

Henderson then buried a leftside three-pointer after stealing a pass.

Graham was fouled on a dribble-drive, sank both and cut the margin to 79-76.

1:40 shone on the clock.

Idaho missed a shot and Oliver rebounded.

With 37 seconds remaining, Carter put back a miss by Shamburger.

The Vandals led by one.

Tatum, a 61% free throw shooter, was fouled with 27 second sleft.

He made the first, then the second and Idaho was up three.

At the eight second mark, Keith Shamburger scored on a three-pointer, evening up the game.

Idaho called timeout with six seconds.

But Kyle Barone missed a turnaround jumper, sending the game into a second overtime.

Carter won the tip, Shamburger missed but Carter rebounded. Another trey attempt by Shamburger was good.

Ledbetter missed his own trey attempt but Idaho rebounded. Shamburger was called for a reach in foul on Luiz Toledo. The latter sank the first but missed the second.

Graham hit Shamburger with a pass and the frosh nailed another trey, making it 87-82.

Idaho missed a three-pointer but SJSU committed a turnover. It was 87-84 after Toledo hit another jumper.

A couple of missed shots later, Idaho got the ball. Ledbetter rebounded a miss and was fouled. He made both -- the score 87-86 with 1:42 showing.

Graham scored on a jumper, boosting the lead back to three.

But Ledbetter scored on a leftside trey, evening up the game.

Shamburger was fouled with 23 seconds left. He missed the first and sank the second.

SJSU led by one, 90-89.

Ledbetter then missed on a drive, Ballard rebounded and Carter scored on a dunk to finally close out the marathon.

Justin Graham paced the Spartans with 28 points. Adrian Oliver contributed 25, Keith Shamburger 20 and Wil Carter 17.

and

Here's our game report Walt McPherson Court from January 8, 2011:

Spartans fall to Idaho 75-67

It was 'Famous Potatoes' times two this week for San Jose State but neither game left a pleasant aftertaste as Idaho also topped the Spartans tonight 75-67.

SJSU led 35-27 after the initial 20 minutes, looking in a degree of command if not control, but the Vandals lived up to their forebearers namesake in the second half with a 48-32 rampage.

The last eight minutes of the matchup was an Idaho scoring blitz. Adrian Oliver led with 25 points. Justin Graham passed for nine assists while Brylle Kamen topped the Spartans in rebounding with 11, his second straight double figures outing. He played 29 minutes, making his first appearance as a starter. Calvin Douglas contributed 12 on 5-7 shooting from the floor, 2-4 on trey attempts.

Deremy Geiger led Don Verlin's squad with 17 points but four other Vandals finished in double figures: Luiz Toledo and Jeff Ledbetter with 13 apiece and Shawn Herson and Kyle Barone each totaling 11. Toledo led the board effort with nine rebounds. Idaho shot 50% for the game to SJSU's 37%. Each of the other statistical categories were either a wash or close to it.

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The Vandal Starting Five

* Deremy Geiger 5-11 (on a 'long' day) -- 51/25 assist to turnover ratio, 3.2 assists-per-game, the most creative of the Vandals but is usually very on or off.

* Jeff Ledbetter 6-2 -- 15.1 ppg., 46% on three-pointers (55-119), 87% on free throws (42-48)

* Shawn Henderson 6-3 -- 43% (19-44) on treys

* Luiz Toledo 6-8 -- 10.0 ppg., shooting 58% (52-90), he's a banger inside

* Kyle Barone 6-10 -- -- 13.2 ppg., 64% shooting overall (69-107), 78% (47-60) free throws, six boards a contest, he's slim but long and needs to be kept out of any sort of shooting rhythm in the paint

Barone and Toledo may start upfront or Verlin may go with one or the other plus Brandon Wiley -- all dependent on his desire for certain matchups

Off The Bench

* Brandon Wiley 6-5 -- a glue guy, he isn't outstanding in any one thing but rebounds, blocks shots and scores inside on putbacks and the like

* Landon Tatum 5-11 -- top assist-to-turnover ratio in the WAC 56-21, 3.5 assists a game

* Stephen Madison 6-5 -- a burly freshman reserve, not shooting particularly well

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The Vandal roster (alphabetized, by position)

Matt Borton G 6-5 180 Fr
Deremy Geiger G 5-11 170 Jr.
Shawn Henderson G 6-3 178 Sr.
Jeff Ledbetter G 6-2 195 Sr.
Shayne Sheridan G 6-0 170 Jr. (walk-on)
Landon Tatum G 5-11 196 Jr.

Brandon Wiley F 6-5 218 Sr.
Paul Jorg F 6-8 200 Fr. (walk-on)
Stephen Madison F 6-5 215 Fr.
Luiz Toledo F 6-8 225 Jr.

Kyle Barone C 6-10 220 So.
Joe Kammerer C 6-9 241 Fr. (redshirted last year)

San Jose State beats Hawaii 75-74

2011-03-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

Everybody likes something free. Can we all agree on that? Well, all those connected with Hawaii basketball would beg to differ. The Rainbow Warriors put on a pitiful display with its free throw attempts -- 18 for 30 for the game -- and it resulted in paying the price of losing a tourney game.

Hawaii led 59-54 with 9:40 remaining. But at 7:57, it was just 61-60. UH was maintaining a small lead but unable to pull away while the Spartans came close but couldn't tie.

Then SJSU did, followed by a pair of Keith Shamburger free throws putting SJSU up by two. Adrian Oliver followed with his own duet of foul shots.

Bill Amis countered with a solo free throw, making it 69-66, followed by a Vander Joaquim jump hook.

On a pass from Adrian Oliver, Wil Carter banked in a reverse layup to boost the point differential back to three.

Justin Graham then nailed a jumper but subsequently committed his fifth foul. Amis put down a free throw and another, making it 73-70.

An Ostroswki steal resulted in Zane Johnson scoring on a layup, cutting the Spartan lead to one with 1:04 showing.

Keith Shamburger missed on a jumper and a long rebound had Johnson fouling Calvin Douglas. CD missed and Hawaii came down with Bill Amis being fouled and 21 second remaining.

He made the first, followed by the second and Hawaii led by one 74-73.

Oliver scored on a jumper with seven seconds left. SJSU led 75-74.

Ostroowski missed on a jumper and Amis tipped it back in but an the eventual ruling by the referees waved it off, resulting in the San Jose State victory.

Oliver totaled 29 points (plus seven boards), Carter 15 and Shamburger 12. Amis concluded with 23 points plus six boards. Joston Thomas had 16 and Zane Johnson 14. The 5-foot-9 Ostrowski paced the Rainbow Warriors with eight assists and eight rebounds.

Throughout all this, Matt Ballard picked up his fourth with 16:58 showing. Joe Henson got his fourth at 14:09 and then fouled out at the 11:52 mark. UH had an enormous advantage in the paint but simply couldn't succeed enough at the foul line.

At the half, it was 42-37 in favor of Hawaii. The Spartans started out en fuego and enjoyed a 6-0 lead, holding the advantage until the Rainbow Warriors tied it at 20. UH took its first lead 23-22 with 7:05 remaining.

The numbers after the initial 20 minutes:

* Amis 14 points, Thomas 11 points and five boards, Ostrowski five assists, 61% from the floor, 6-14 at the foul line, 13 assists. three fouls for both Johnson and Trevor Wiseman

* Oliver 16 points, Graham seven points, four rebounds, three assists, 37% shooting, 11 second chance points off five offensive rebounds, three fouls for both Ballard and Henson.

*** A note to Commissioner Benson: please reverse the setup and have the men play the night games and the women the day games. The background noise was akin to a pickup game in our backyard.

A 'hometown' feature on Justin and Adrian

2011-03-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

Shooting Stars: Oliver, Graham aim to net WAC title for SJ State
Ron Agostini
Modesto Bee
March 9, 2011

Guess the odds of two basketball players raised a few minutes apart in the Central Valley manning the same backcourt of an NCAA Division I program.

A billion-to-1? Trillion-to-1? More like pick-any-number-to-1.

Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham, the twin longshots at San Jose State, can't believe it themselves. Somehow and someway, the basketball universe funneled them onto the same campus close to home, and it worked...

Go here for the remainder.

A treat from Darren Coelho

2011-03-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

Darren Coelho has gone into the proverbial phone booth and returned as Wendell Berry in his annual ode to Spartan basketball and the WAC tournament:

THIS WAC-KY TIME OF YEAR

So the Tournament is here
This WAC-ky time of year
When our hoop teams meet
For a March Roundball treat

We’re here in Vegas
No one had to beg us
Hoops is the game
Tippin’ it for fame

No win and we’re out
We won’t leave any doubt
Survive and advance
& We’re in the Big Dance

Play our best now
It doesn’t matter how
Zone or Man-to-Man
Just do all that we can

Sammy is here with cheer
& our great fans are near
We’re all going to pray
To play another day

Against Ags or Dogs
Assist men or hogs
Or the other Dogs and Ags
Showing Tight-D and sags

The Spartans are here
It’s OUR time of year
Blue and Gold in their seat
Over hardwood 94 feet

It’s now a whole new season
To keep playing is the reason
Use the square if we dare
Just board it if not there

Will it be Broncos or Pack?
With their full-court attack
How about Warriors or Vandals?
Minus bad call scandals

It comes down to this
Shots to swish and to kiss
Lay-ups, dunks, or threes
Just one more game please!

Let’s Go Gold and Blue!
It’s now up to You
We’re all here to cheer
This WAC-ky time of year.

Darren Coelho
Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Operations
San Jose State University
Adapted February 28, 2011, from Original Version March 9, 2009

Mark Emmons with a feature on Justin Graham

2011-03-07T12:14:00.001-08:00

The Mercury News' Mark Emmons has a lengthy feature up today on Justin Graham -- head here.

It's SJSU Wednesday at noon versus Hawaii

2011-03-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

So did anyone expect host Fresno State to bop Hawaii 85-70 since UH was riding a five game winning streak and the Bulldogs had lost four consecutive conference contests? Can we get a show of hands? Yes, it's been that kind of season. We loved the opening line from Daniel Lyght's game report that night: "Fresno State's men's basketball players took the floor with a blaze under their butts Saturday night."

It was the second game for Hawaii since leaving the islands and they will not return home until their involvement in the WAC tourney concludes. Maybe some fatigue plus continual unfamiliar surroundings evolving into distraction will set in.

Now it's San Jose State matching (Wednesday, noon, Las Vegas) up with Hawaii for the third time this season opening up the WAC post-season action. Here are our game reports from the earlier contests between these two teams:

March 3, 2011

Spartans fall 77-71

Back and forth. Forth and back. The SJSU - Hawaii matchup was a veritable teeter-totter as neither team could sink the dagger and pull away from the other. One would go up followed by the other regaining ground and taking the lead. Eventually, a critical call took place, changing ball possession and offering UH a pair of free throws and that ultimately determined the outcome.

The final 77-71. Adrian Oliver led the way for San Jose State with 18 points. Justin Graham scored 15 and Keith Shamburger 14. At the forefront of the Hawaii offensive attack was Zane Johnson with 26 points and Bill Amis contributed 18.

Here's how it played out:

A Johnson trey cut the San Jose State lead to one.

Following that, Shamburger missed on a pair of free throws with 2:37 remaining.

Then at the shot clock buzzer, Amis caught net with a 17-foot fadeaway.

At the 1:46 mark and Hawaii ahead by one, UH freshman backcourter Bobby Miles was struck by an elbow went down. The referees checked the video to determine the consequences, if any. It was judged an intentional foul based on the rules established prior to this season.

In a no-brainer, Coach Gib Arnold inserted Bo Barnes for Miles. The sharpshooting frosh sank both free throws, putting the Rainbow Warriors up by three. UH also retained possession. The scoreboard: 71-68

Amis then fouled Wil Carter who sank the first but missed the second, with just over a minute left.

Johnson subsequently buried a long trey to make it 74-69 with 35 ticks showing on the clock.

Oliver was fouled and was good on both his attempts at the line. The scoreboard: 74-71

Amis proved to be a thorn again with a layup that put the Rainbow Warriors up by five.

Subsequently, Shamburger missed a trey attempt which Oliver rebounded but he missed the followup. Barnes rebounded and was fouled.

He was good on the first but erred on the second. Hawaii led by six and the remaining seconds didn't matter.

At the half, it was San Jose State with a one point lead at 37-36. Graham had 12 points and Amis 11 at that point.

and

January 22, 2011

Spartans fall to Hawaii 67-61

The Spartans wore blue and felt that way after giving Hawaii a run on the road before falling 67-61. Elvis was obviously not in the building. Otherwise, it would have been blue Hawaii.

With 11:25 remaining, the score was 47-42, with SJSU down by five.

Later, Justin Graham's jumper at the 6:33 mark cut the deficit to 53-52.

But UH then went on a mini-run, boosting the margin to 61-54 with 4:50 showing.

At that point, Adrian Oliver made one of two free throws but UH's Joston Thomas countered with a pair at the foul line. Hiram Thompson connected on 1 of 2 at the charity line to make it 64-55. An Oliver runner cut the lead to seven.

Bill "Famous" Amis then got free for a dunk and the contest was over minus additional trips to the foul line.

It was inconsistent free-throw shooting hindered SJSU.

Amis totaled 20 points and nine boards. Fellow frontcourter Joston Thomas put up a 14/14 double-double.

Justin Graham led the Spartans with 20 points. He also notched six rebounds and four assists with nary a turnover. Keith Shamburger totaled 12 points with Oliver and Wil Carter contributing 10 apiece. Matt Ballard led in rebounding, corralling 10 boards. SJSU shot 31% overall.

At the half, it was 31-24.

Adrian Oliver returned to the starting lineup tonight. He picked up a pair of somewhat early fouls, thereby missing some of his usual playing time early on. Rebounding totals were fairly even, it seemed like UH big Vander Joaquim was having a block-athon.and the teams went back and forth. Late in the initial 20 minutes, a 9-0 run pushed Hawaii to a 10-point lead until Graham's trey cut it to seven.

The Rainbow Warrior Starting Five (numbers are for WAC games)

* 6-foot-10 sophomore Vander Joaquim -- 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest, 28 blocked shots, his numbers are improving as the season progresses

* 6-foot-9 senior Bill Amis -- averaging 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds a game with 31 shotblocks in 14 games

* 6-foot-7 freshman Trevor Wiseman -- label him the Energizer Bunny as he averages just 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game but brings a franticness to the court

* 6-foot-6 junior Zane Johnson -- 15.9 ppg., THE long distance marksman on the team, shooting 41% on trey attempts, 120 of his 182 shots have been three-pointers

* 5-foot-9 junior Jeremiah Ostrowski -- 51/27 assist-to-turnover ratio, can pop from three but is more of a dribble-driver penetrator, had 10 assists with zero turnovers the last time these two teams met

*** Again, 6-foot-3 senior Hiram Thompson, the normal starter at the point, is sidelined with an arm injury

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-7 sophomore Joston Thomas -- 7.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg., is very athletic and best inside but sometimes tries to do too much and goes outside his skills zone

6-foot-1 freshman Bobby Miles -- he's now the backup at the point despite his freshman status

* 7-foot-0 senior Doug Kurtz -- the back-up in the middle, he can score inside

* 6-foot-4 freshman Bo Barnes -- 5.6 ppg., 66 of his 77 shots have been from long distance

Forward Bill Amis was named a member of the All-WAC second team with wing/guard Zane Johnson landing on the Honorable Mention list.

In the most recent game (and loss) to Fresno State, the Bulldogs out-boarded UH 43-30. Will that play out again? SJSU out-rebou7nded UH 38-33 on March 3 but it was 38 apiece on January 22.

As a team, the Rainbow Warriors are shooting 44% in WAC play to 41% for opposing teams.

If Zane Johnson doesn't shoot well from outside, then UH suffers because his teammates, Bo Barnes excepted, don't possess that kind of range.

The UH Roster

Bo Barnes G 6-4 190 Fr.
Bobby Miles G 6-1 190 Fr.
Zane Johnson G 6-6 210 Jr.
Bobby MIles, G, 6-1 190 Fr.
Pi`i Minns G 6-4 180 So. (walk-on)
Jeremiah Ostrowski G 5-9 175 Jr. (walk-on)
Hiram Thompson G 6-3 175 Sr.

Bill Amis F 6-9 235 Sr.
Dominick Brumfield F 6-8 215 So.
Joston Thomas F 6-7 235 So.
Trevor Wiseman F 6-7 210 Fr.

Vander Joaquim C 6-10 245 So. (Angola)
Douglas Kurtz C 7-0 265 Sr. (Brazil)
Davis Rozitis C 7-0 230 So. (Latvia) (redshirting)

San Jose State falls 66-51

2011-03-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

It was 44 degrees at game time in Boise, with showers prevailing.The temperature obviously was much more comfortable inside Taco Bell Arena, at least for BSU. But it was also raining inside, with Bronco shot attempts and makes, and Coach Leon Rice's team was comfortable with that 'precipitation' from the get-go and prevailed 66-51.

For the game Boise State shot 46% (11 treys) to 29% for SJSU.

Adrian Oliver led the Spartans with 30 points.

Worth noting even if it a case of coincidentalism: BSU is 8-0 this season in games when senior forward Paul Noonan makes three 3-point shots. Now it's 9-zip as Noonan reached his trey trifecta, plus one.

At the half, it was 32-26 in favor of the Broncos. Oliver had 15 at that point, becoming one with the foul line throughout the initial 20 minutes. For the evening, he went 12-14.

*** Also worthy of mention due to the remarkable point differential is that Utah State defeated host Louisiana Tech tonight 72-30. Wow.

San Jose State at Boise State on Saturday night

2011-03-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

SJSU is in Boise on Saturday evening for the final game of the regular season for both teams. Will it be another endurance contest like the last get-together? Four overtimes. 102-101. Remember that? The orange basketball and friends rim and backboard were thisclose to demanding extra pay while the players were beyond huffing and puffing and probably into moaning and groaning (at least the next morning). Justin Graham, who rumor has it as replacing Robert Downey Jr. in the next edition of "Iron Man III," played all 60 minutes.

It's worth noting that the 18-11, 9-6 Broncos are on a four-game conference win streak, six straight counting non-league contests.

Boise State enjoyed its Senior Night earlier this week in a game against Cal State Bakersfield. The reason? Coach Leon Rice recalled that, while being an assistant at Gonzaga, center Ronny Turiaf went scoreless after the pre-game senior-honoring ceremony. Apparently, superstition is going to rule the day, make that the night. But look for something to take place anyway since the Broncos have seven seniors and, more than likely, all the parents could not make it for the earlier, during the week, event.

Here's our game report from the January 6 matchup of these two squads:

Spartans fall 102-101 in four overtime

Based on Robert Arnold's first half offensive output (14 points) and a very solid entire game by point La'Shard Anderson, it looked like Boise State had put the game away. But that was before a streak of poor foul line shooting by the Broncos and a 22-7 Spartan scoring run pushed the matchup into overtime. Then, the game remained tied, forcing a second OT. A last-second San Jose State trey produced a third overtime. Then, a too late BSU shot went in but was disqualified, creating a fourth extra period.

In that fourth five minutes, Boise missed its first shot attempt and SJSU rebounded but also misfired. BSU again was inaccurate but the Spartans committed a turnover. Fatigue was beyond setting in. Finally, La'Shard Anderson scored on a step back jumper. Calvin Douglas countered with an and/1 three-point play, edging the Spartan ahead by one.

Justin Graham missed on a trey attempt but Robert Arnold did likewise. SJSU missed next and Anderson was subsequently fouled. He went to the foul line with his team behind by two, 101-100. Anderson sank the first to tie the game and nailed the second to put the Broncos up by one. The Spartans played to win it with the last possession but BSU nabbed a steal and ran out the clock, winning 102-101.

Anderson scored first in overtime #3, making it 92-90. San Jose State then missed but so did the Broncos. Douglas was fouled and tied up the score. Subsequently, Tre Nichols was fouled on a shot and hit one of two free throws.

Graham was fouled and put in both free throws

Anderson then sank a three-pointer.

Graham drew another foul, hit the first but missed the second -- the score 96-95.

Paul Noonan hit a runner, pushing Boise up by three but Douglas countered with a trey to tie the game.

Anderson then nailed a three-pointer right around the buzzer but did it count? Meaning, was it attempted before the shot clock expired? There was a .9 differential between the shot and game clock.

No.

Come the second five minutes, SJSU missed a shot after winning the jump and Boise then did the same.

Aalim Moor nailed a 10-foot jumper (he didn't play until the second overtime) and Anderson followed with a basket, making it 82 apiece. BSU got a steal and Anderson was fouled on a dribble-drive shot. He was good on both, pushing the Broncos up by two at the 2:19 mark.

Douglas then drained a trey, pushing the Spartans back ahead, 85-84.

On the clock was 1:44.

Nichols hit a 10-foot baseline jumper to make it 86-85 Broncos.

After a missed shot by Anderson, he got his own rebound and then was fouled with 28 seconds remaining. He was good on the first and the second, putting the Broncos up by three.

Graham then blew by everyone and scored on a layup with 21 seconds remaining, making it 88-87.

Noonan was fouled with 12 seconds left.

The senior drained the first and then the second. BSU led by three, 90-87.

With just a second remaining, Douglas fired up a trey out of the corner and it found net, tieing the game.

In the first overtime, Brylle Kamen scored inside to give SJSU a long-sought, hard fought lead. Wil Carter then made one of two free throws.

Nichols countered with a trey to tie.

Graham nailed an in-the-paint jumper to make the lead two. After a steal, Kamen went to the foul line with 56 seconds remaining. He missed the first but made the second to make it 80-77.

Boise's Anderson was then fouled with 36 seconds left. He nailed both to cut the Spartan lead to one.

26.9 seconds remained.

But Westly Perryman stole an inbounds pass and was fouled on a drive to the basket. He put in the first, missed the second and the game was tied.

Kamen missed down low, leaving the score 80-80. and another five minutes

It was 45-39 at the 15:44 mark but the Broncos stretched it to 50-39 with 14 minutes remaining.

Then Boise State went up 55-40 on an 18-8 after halftime Bronco run based on 7-14 shooting -- while the Spartans went 3-14.

Graham's pair of free throws cut the deficit to 59-51 but BSU countered with two from the charity stripe. Carter then nailed two from the foul line but the Broncos Nichols countered with a driving layup. Carter returned to the charity stripe, missed the first and made the second to cut the lead to nine. Noonan's set of free throws pushed it back to 11 with six minutes remaining.

A short Anderson jumper made the lead 13 but Douglas countered with a trey to reduce it to 10 at 67-57.

Nichols hit a second driving jumper making the lead 12.

With 3:59 showing, Daequon Montreal settled in for two free throws. He missed the first and nailed the second, making it 70-57.

Adrian Oliver scored on a layup but was called for an offensive foul -- his fifth -- putting him out of the game. Carter promptly scored on a rebound putback, was fouled, and put in the free throw, making the point difference just eight.

3:59 showed on the clock.

Boise's Noonan missed a jumper and Graham was fouled. He made the first, missed the second and the deficit was seven.

Anderson made a nifty dribble-drive but charged on the play, negating the basket.

Keith Shamburger missed on a long jumper as did Nichols. Then Graham misfired from three-point range.

Anderson was fouled and made one of two from the charity stripe, making it 71-63.

Graham missed on a drive but tipped in his own shot.

Montreal was fouled with 1:05 remaining, missed his first attempt but made the second.

Trailing 72-65 and 0:58 on the clock, Calvin Douglas barely missed his shot attempt but was fouled. He was accurate on both putting the Spartans down by just five, 72-67.

Ryan Watkins then missed both his free throws and Graham nailed a driving layup, making it 72-69.

Anderson was fouled, missed his initial attempt but nailed the second.

With 29 seconds left, Carter nailed a three out of the corner. The score: 73-72

Noonan was fouled, he missed badly on his first but nailed the second, making it 74-72..

27 seconds remained.

On a clearout, Graham nailed an 18-footer to tie the game with 2.9 seconds showing.

It was 37-31 in Boise's favor at the half -- the Broncos shot 54% to 39% for SJSU. Adrian Oliver missed time in the initial 20 minutes after picking up his second foul with 15:54 remaining. The Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead on three-pointers by Oliver and Graham but Leon Rice's squad then scored nine straight points. It was 23 all but then BSU began edging ahead.

Leon Rice's Starting Five

Count on Anderson, Arnold and Montreal as sure-fire starters against the Spartans. The other two spots will depend on what the BSU coaching staff deems the best matchups.

* La'Shard Anderson 6-1 170 senior -- he's gaining some recognition for MVP status and was just named the WAC Player of the Week, he is next to impossible to stop on the dribble drive, is scoring 16.7 points while passing for 4.5 assists a game, he must play well for the Broncos to win and he certainly has been doing so

* Jeff Eliorraga 6-2 180 freshman -- he started the last five games despite his frosh and walk-on status, Rice like his steadiness and hustle

* Robert Arnold 6-6 176 senior -- has the ability to go en fuego but is shooting just 37% and 30% respectively in WAC action, averaging 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds a game, is very athletic, will he be the matchup for AO?

* Darquon Montreal 6-8 230 senior -- very athletic, he's averaging 11.5 points and a team-leading 4.9 rebounds a contest, an inside the paint player

* Ryan Watkins 6-8 247 freshman -- he doesn't play that many minutes but has 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds a game averages, is an inside scorer

Off The Bench

* Paul Noonan 6-7 210 senior -- the best catch-and-shoot distance shooter on the team, 77 of 111 shot attempts have been treys, averaging 10.2 ppg.

* Westly Perryman 6-1 180 junior -- he's not shooting all that well this season

* Zack Moritz 6-10 239 senior -- shooting 50%, more than half his rebounds have been offensive

* Sean Imadiyi 6-7 215 senior -- athletic but with limited skills and shooting range

* Thomas Bropleh 6-5 203 freshman -- not a big minutes guy but he has been earning more and more PT, shooting 45% overall and 43% from long distance

* Tre Nichols 5-11, 168 junior -- a backup at the point,

The BSU WAC schedule

Dec 29 Louisiana Tech 71 - 60 (W)
Dec 31 New Mexico State 81 - 78 (W)
Jan 06 @ San Jose State 102 - 101 (W) 4OT
Jan 08 @ Hawai'i 79 - 55 (W)
Jan 13 Utah State 59 - 68 (L)
Jan 15 Nevada 67 - 69 (L)
Jan 22 @ Idaho 70 - 67 (W)
Jan 27 @ New Mexico State 87 - 96 (L)
Jan 29 @ Louisiana Tech 60 - 70 (L)
Feb 03 Hawai'i 66 - 73 (L)
Feb 05 @ Utah State 49 - 77 (L)
Feb 10 Fresno State 75 - 61 (W)
Feb 12 Idaho 69 - 63 (W)
Feb 19 @ UC Santa Barbara 78 - 76 (W) OT
Feb 24 @ Fresno State 70 - 56 (W)
Feb 26 @ Nevada 72 - 66 (W)
Mar 02 Cal State Bakersfield (W) 95-59

The Bronco roster (alphabetized & by position)

La'Shard Anderson G 6-1 170 Sr.
Jeff Elorriaga G 6-2 180 Fr. (walk-on)
G.A. Hill G 5-9 150 Fr. (walk-on)
Tre Nichols G 5-11 168 Jr.
Westly Perryman G 6-1 180 Jr.
Justin Salzwedel G 6-2 182 Sr. (walk-on)
Drew Wiley G 6-7 215 Jr. (is redshirting)

Robert Arnold F 6-6 176 Sr.
Thomas Bropleh F 6-5 203 Fr.
Sam Hicks F 6-9 248 Fr.
Sean Imadiyi F 6-7 215 Sr.
Daequon Montreal F 6-8 230 Sr.
Paul Noonan F 6-7 210 Sr.
Isaac Oeltjen F 7-0 224 Fr. (walk-on)
Ryan Watkins F 6-8 247 Fr.

Zach Moritz C 6-10 239 Sr.

Spartans fall 77-71

2011-03-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

Back and forth. Forth and back. The SJSU - Hawaii matchup was a veritable teeter-totter as neither team could sink the dagger and pull away from the other. One would go up followed by the other regaining ground and taking the lead. Eventually, a critical call took place, changing ball possession and offering UH a pair of free throws and that ultimately determined the outcome.

The final 77-71. Adrian Oliver led the way for San Jose State with 18 points. Justin Graham scored15 and Kieth Shamburger 14. At the forefront of the Hawaii offensive attack was Zane Johnson with 26 points and Bill Amis contributed 18.

Here's how it played out:

A Johnson trey cut the San Jose State lead to one.

Following that, Shamburger missed on a pair of free throws with 2:37 remaining.

Then at the shot clock buzzer, Amis caught net with a 17-foot fadeaway.

At the 1:46 mark and Hawaii ahead by one, UH freshman backcourter Bobby Miles was struck by an elbow went down. The referees checked the video to determine the consequences, if any. It was judged an intentional foul based on the rules established prior to this season.

In a no-brainer, Coach Gib Arnold inserted Bo Barnes for Miles. The sharpshooting frosh sank both free throws, putting the Rainbow Warriors up by three. UH also retained possession. The scoreboard: 71-68

Amis then fouled Wil Carter who sank the first but missed the second, with just over a minute left.

Johnson subsequently buried a long trey to make it 74-69 with 35 ticks showing on the clock.

Oliver was fouled and was good on both his attempts at the line. The scoreboard: 74-71

Amis proved to be a thorn again with a layup that put the Rainbow Warriors up by five.

Subsequently, Shamburger missed a trey attempt which Oliver rebounded but he missed the followup. Barnes rebounded and was fouled.

He was good on the first but erred on the second. Hawaii led by six and the remaining seconds didn't matter.

At the half, it was San Jose State with a one point lead at 37-36. Graham had 12 points and Amis 11 at that point.

Aalim Moor and Wil Carter taking it to the moon

2011-03-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

Aalim Moor and Wil Carter appear more than a little fired up here while Sammy Spartan looks like he's witnessing a Cape Canaveral takeoff. The pre-game introduction athleticism on display puts Buzz "to infinity ... and beyond!) Lightyear to shame while this evident fiery spirit is just what is needed to get the team ready and focused.

Okay, it's Hawaii on Thursday and then a road game Saturday up in Boise.

Guys, keep bringing this passion and intensity.

Let's hula Hawaii

2011-02-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

Hawaii is here Thursday night for a 7:30 p.m. game with San Jose State. It's a UH victorious in eight of its last 10 games as Coach Gib Arnold's group of newcomers has melded together well. Arnold has praised the defensive effort of his players and deservedly so as the Rainbow Warriors have held three straight WAC opponents to less than 40% overall shooting (Nevada and Louisiana Tech both to 37% and, most recently, New Mexico State to 36%.

Another factor figuring prominently in Hawaii's success is the emergence of football player Jeremiah Ostowski as the starting point. Former starter Hiram Thompson went out with an arm injury a few games back and this provided the opening for the 5-foot-9 Ostrowski, who is a defensive back on the gridiron and came over in December. His play has certainly aided the UH hoops fortunes but improvement from others on the team is just as significant.

Junior college transfer and sophomore Vander Joaquim is rebounding, defending and now even scoring well. Senior Bill Amis has been a steady contributor of double-doubles, along with some shotblocking.

Something to watch for is that it should be the Warrior starters doing the damage as the Hawaii bench is lean and not contributing all that much. Two guards departed from the squad at the break in December and that has lessened the available depth in the backcourt.

Here is our game report from the earlier matchup of these two teams:

Spartans fall to Hawaii 67-61

The Spartans wore blue and felt that way after giving Hawaii a run on the road before falling 67-61. Elvis was obviously not in the building. Otherwise, it would have been blue Hawaii.

With 11:25 remaining, the score was 47-42, with SJSU down by five.

Later, Justin Graham's jumper at the 6:33 mark cut the deficit to 53-52.

But UH then went on a mini-run, boosting the margin to 61-54 with 4:50 showing.

At that point, Adrian Oliver made one of two free throws but UH's Joston Thomas countered with a pair at the foul line. Hiram Thompson connected on 1 of 2 at the charity line to make it 64-55. An Oliver runner cut the lead to seven.

Bill "Famous" Amis then got free for a dunk and the contest was over minus additional trips to the foul line.

It was inconsistent free-throw shooting hindered SJSU.

Amis totaled 20 points and nine boards. Fellow frontcourter Joston Thomas put up a 14/14 double-double.

Justin Graham led the Spartans with 20 points. He also notched six rebounds and four assists with nary a turnover. Keith Shamburger totaled 12 points with Oliver and Wil Carter contributing 10 apiece. Matt Ballard led in rebounding, corralling 10 boards. SJSU shot 31% overall.

At the half, it was 31-24.

Adrian Oliver returned to the starting lineup tonight. He picked up a pair of somewhat early fouls, thereby missing some of his usual playing time early on. Rebounding totals were fairly even, it seemed like UH big Vander Joaquim was having a block-athon.and the teams went back and forth. Late in the initial 20 minutes, a 9-0 run pushed Hawaii to a 10-point lead until Graham's trey cut it to seven.

The Rainbow Warrior Starting Five (numbers are for WAC games)

* 6-foot-10 sophomore Vander Joaquim -- 12.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest, 23 blocked shots, his numbers are improving as the season progresses

* 6-foot-9 senior Bill Amis -- averaging 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game with 26 shotblocks in 12 games

* 6-foot-7 freshman Trevor Wiseman -- label him the Energizer Bunny as he averages but 3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game but brings a franticness to the court

* 6-foot-6 junior Zane Johnson -- 14.7 ppg., the long distance marksman on the team, shooting 39% on trey attempts, 101 of his 154 shots have been three-pointers

* 5-foot-9 junior Jeremiah Ostrowski -- 38/23 assist-to-turnover ratio, can pop from three but is more of a dribble-driver penetrator

Again, 6-foot-3 senior Hiram Thompson, the normal starter at the point, is sidelined with an arm injury

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-7 sophomore Joston Thomas -- he enjoyed a brief 'vacation' recently when concerns erupted about his dwindling PT, is best inside the paint, very athletic, tries to do too much and goes outside his skills zone which led to his benching which then prompted his hiatus

6-foot-1 freshman Bobby Miles -- he's now the backup at the point despite his freshman status

* 7-foot-0 senior Doug Kurtz -- the back-up in the middle, he can score inside

* 6-foot-4 freshman Bo Barnes -- he started out on fire from long distance this season but has since enjoyed less and less PT, 54 of his 64 shots have been three-pointers

As a team, the Rainbow Warriors are shooting 44% in WAC play to 41% for opposing teams. UH is underwater in assist-to-turnover ratio as a team at 147/213.

If Zane Johnson doesn't shoot well from outside, then UH suffers because his teammates, Bo Barnes excepted, don't possess that kind of range.

Hawaii's WAC schedule to date

12/29/2010 @ Utah State L 66-74
12/31/2010 @ Nevada L 69-86
1/6/2011 Idaho L 44-59
1/8/2011 Boise State L 55-79
1/13/2011 @ New Mexico State L 64-82
1/15/2011 @ Louisiana Tech W 56-48
1/20/2011 Fresno State W 62-52
1/22/2011 San Jose State W 67-61
1/29/2011 Utah State L 84-89 (2OT)
2/03/2011 @ Boise State W 73-66
2/05/2011 @ Idaho L 61-75
2/14/2011 Nevada W 69-67 (OT)
Wolf Pack big Dario Hunt totaled just seven points and six rebounds.

2/24/2011 Louisiana Tech W 71-58
Tech's big man Olu Ashaolu was held to just nine points and four boards.

2/26/2011 New Mexico State W 76-70
In the above game against the Aggies, Zane Johnson led the way, scoring 22 points, including 6-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. Center Vander Joaquim also came up big, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. He shot 7 for 10 from the field, and 4 of 4 on free throws. Bill Amis contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds. He also played a key defensive role, helping limit New Mexico State forward Troy Gillenwater to six points on 2-of-10 shooting.

The UH Roster

Bo Barnes G 6-4 190 Fr.Bobby Miles G 6-1 190 Fr.
Zane Johnson G 6-6 210 Jr.
Bobby MIles, G, 6-1 190 Fr.
Pi`i Minns G 6-4 180 So. (walk-on)
Jeremiah Ostrowski G 5-9 175 Jr. (walk-on)
Hiram Thompson G 6-3 175 Sr.

Bill Amis F 6-9 235 Sr.
Dominick Brumfield F 6-8 215 So.
Joston Thomas F 6-7 235 So.
Trevor Wiseman F 6-7 210 Fr.

Vander Joaquim C 6-10 245 So. (Angola)
Douglas Kurtz C 7-0 265 Sr. (Brazil)
Davis Rozitis C 7-0 230 So. (Latvia) (redshirting)

Meet Stephon Smith (again)

2011-02-27T12:56:00.000-08:00

Stephon Smith is featured in the above three photos

Darryl Harris is the BOCCA head coach

Stephon Smith reached out to SpartanHoops recently and at 6-foot-8 and 253 pounds, when he speaks, we certainly listen.

For memory refreshment, Stephon signed a letter-of-intent with San Jose State University back in November.

We learned that he is attending a new school, Body of Christ Christian Academy (BOCCA) in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In a handful of games so far, Smith is averaging a double-double in scoring and rebounding against "good competition" -- his description. He added, "I've definitely improved my ballhandling and shooting and there is a trainer here, Lorenzo Odom, who I am working out with." Smith also trains with BOCCA Lead Assistant Coach Warrick Scott.

He is also doing body work and is up to the aforementioned 253 pounds so to answer the late Clara Peller: the beef is coming.

As for the future, Smith will be arriving in San Jose "as early as the coaches can get me there."

He certainly has plans.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to come in and help the program," Smith said. "I'm hoping to get on campus, learn my way around, introduce myself and interact with the fans."

There is also an coincidental item that makes it appear it was Smith's destiny to be at SJSU. Recruited by SJSU Assistant Coach Talvin Hester, Smith explained, "I was born on October 24 and Coach Hester's new daughter has the exact same birthdate."

Darryl Harris is the head coach at BOCCA and he is effusive in his praise of Smith.

"Stephon is just a beast in the paint and he's just scratching the surface. He's also good on the perimeter and can knock down the three if need be. Steph plays with poise, is a good athlete with a great ceiling and is very coachable. He is college ready with that body."

Harris also likes what he sees off the court from Smith. "He's done a really good job in the classroom and is a leader. Steph is a blessing to us."

Being in Raleigh, Smith is in college basketball heaven, surrounded by North Carolina State, Duke, North Carolina, with Wake Forest the most distant. at 100 miles away. May he bring some of that aura with him when he heads west.

SJSU wins 72-60

2011-02-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

Really, it was never in doubt. Louisiana Tech was plucky, loaded with youngsters and newcomers who competed but the talent gap differential couldn't be squared. So it was San Jose State University eventually sending the Ruston-ites packing 72-60 and thereby eliminating ninth-place LT from the upcoming WAC tourney.

The game was not to be confused with high art -- as broadcaster Mike Chisholm put it "it wasn't a Rembrandt" -- but there are plenty of Thomas Kinkades in living rooms around the country (that ought to rile up the TK aficionados) and it counts as a conference W.

Adrian Oliver paced the Spartans with 23 points. Justin Graham totaled 17 with Wil Carter adding 10 points and eight boards. Olu Ashaolu led Louisiana Tech with 18 points.

SJSU shot a very solid 46% on the night.

At the half, it was 38-29 in favor of SJSU.

Thursday night, it's Hawaii coming to Walt McPherson Court for a 7:30 start and Senior Night for Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham.

It's Louisiana Tech here on Saturday

2011-02-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

*** Please do note that the men's game begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Oh how Louisiana Tech Coach Kerry Rupp wishes for a do-over this season. If such was possible, he possibly would have the availability of wings and most likely starters Darius Redding (out due to academic ineligibility) and Brandon Gibson (out with an injury), plus possibly the services of his most talented backcourter, DeAndre Brown (out due to a recent suspension).

But that's all pixie dust at the present although one report indicated that Redding, if his academics are now in order, would be eligible again as of Saturday's game.

Rupp is currently having to make do with a bevy of newcomers, a number of freshman, plus mainstay in the middle, Olu Ashaolu. The positive of such a situation: newcomers are gaining major experience but this is a team badly in need of greater basketball talent.

These two teams met back on January 13 -- here is our game report:

San Jose State tops LT 79-74

Minus Adrian Oliver, out with concussion-like symptoms suffered in practice during the week, it was 'a babe shall lead them' situation

Freshman Keith Shamburger's streak of nine straight points --a pair of free throws, a dribble-drive basket, a top of the key trey and two more from the foul line -- brought San Jose State University from behind in the second half and it was close until the wire before the Spartans prevailed over Louisiana Tech 79-74. He finished with 21 points.

LT endured a veritable offensive no-show by star Olu Ashaolu who managed just four points on 2-4 shooting. He did grab 11 boards however. DeAndre Brown and Tevin Hall, with 17 points apiece, led the Bulldogs, who collectively made just 4-11 from the foul line, content with firing away from long distance (12-27).

SJSU was paced by Shamburger's point total and also Justin Graham's 21 points. Wil Carter contributed 14 and Calvin Douglas 13 (6-8 shooting). The team shot 57% on the evening.

The score was 38-37 in favor of the Bulldogs at the half, an ever-evolving 20 minutes of play. SJSU took a 12 point lead at one point but an LT 17-4 run, powered by seven treys, closed out the play and put Coach Kerry Rupp's team ahead. Carter had 12 points at the half aided by a trio of dunks, Graham 11 and Douglas 10.

For the game, the Spartans shot 57% to the Bulldogs' 52% but LT was successful on 44% of 27 trey attempts.

The (expected) Louisiana Tech Starting Five (using WAC stats)

* 6-10 junior college transfer Romario Souza -- prefers facing the basket over playing in the paint, not much of a factor besides being a catch-and-shoot player

* 6-7 junior Olu Ashaolu -- coming off an 18/11 double-double, he's averaging 13.5 points and 10.1 rebounds a game, uses bulk and athleticism well inside

* 6-foot-5 freshman Cedarius Johnson -- 6.5 points per game, shooting 36% overall, 29% from distance, 49 of his 80 shots have been treys

* 6-5 freshman Lonnie Smith -- 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, shooting 32% overall, 32% from beyond the stripe, 30 or his 50 shots have been treys

* 6-1 freshman Kenyon McNeaill -- 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds a game, 33% and 32% respectively, 41 of his 85 shots have been treys

Off The Bench

* 6-7 freshman James Johnson -- an inside-the-paint player, not a factor thus far this season

* 6-9 junior Antwond Roshell -- 3.3 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, has played little but has the size and bulk to have an effect against SJSU

* 6-foot-8 sophomore J.L. Lewis -- another reserve who has played a miniscule amount

* 5-foot-10 sophomore Tevin Hall -- 3.3 points per game, shooting 50% on 28 attempts, 3-7 on treys

The Bulldogs are in the minus in steals, blocked shots, assists, ahead in turnovers (not the position Coach Rupp wishes) plus shooting 40% overall to 45% for opposing teams.

LT's schedule to date

12/29/10 at Boise State L, 71-60
12/31/10 at Idaho L, 77-47
01/06/11 vs. Fresno State L, 63-56
01/13/11 San Jose State L, 79-74
01/15/11 Hawai'i L, 56-48
01/20/11 at Utah State L, 74-57
01/22/11 at Nevada L, 66-58
01/27/11 Idaho W, 71-56
01/29/11 Boise State W, 70-60
02/05/11 at Fresno State L, 72-64
02/07/11 at New Mexico State L, 75-57
02/12/11 New Mexico State L, 50-49

The Louisiana Tech Roster (alphabetized, by position)

DeAndre Brown 5-11/160 G SR(suspended)
Brandon Gibson 6-5/225 G SO (injured)
Tevin Hall 5-10/155 PG SO
Cordarius Johnson 6-5/215 G FR
Kenyon McNeaill 6-1/185 G FR
C.J. Scott 6-1/225 G JR
Lonnie Smith 6-5/185 G FR

Olu Ashaolu 6-7/220 G/F JR
Stojan Gjuroski 6-7/195 FR HS (redshirting)
James Johnson 6-7/250 F/C FR
J.L. Lewis 6-8/240 F/C SO
Darius Redding 6-4/205 F SO (ineligible)

Romario Souza 6-10/245 F/C JR

Antwond Roshell 6-9/250 C JR

Spartans win in OT

2011-02-23T22:39:00.000-08:00

There's a reason why basketball is played by the young. Because we're too old for this. San Jose State and New Mexico State were tied at 66 after 40 minutes, the Spartans then scored six points, the Aggies four in the extra period and SJSU claimed a 72-70 victory.

After a Troy Gillenwater trey put NMSU up one with around 30 seconds left in the second half, Adrian Oliver missed on a shot, Wil Carter's tip was too strong but Matt Ballard collected the rebound and was fouled on his putback attempt.

0.7 seconds remained.

Ballard missed the first free throw and Coach Marvin Menzies called a time out to ice the junior. His second attempt nestled into the net, forcing the extra five minutes.

In the OT, Oliver buried an acrobatic fadeaway jumper in the lane to put the Spartans up by two. A Hernst Laroche dribble-drive and shot tied the game.

After a Ballard miss, Carter tipped the ball in to again edge SJSU ahead. Laroche penetrated and passed to West who dunked, knotting the game once again.

Keith Shamburger then hit what turned out to be the eventual game winner with an in-the-key seven-footer with 1:56 showing.

Both teams eventually traded missed shots until New Mexico State fouled with 19.5 seconds on the clock. SJSU inbounded but the ball went off Oliver's hands and the Aggies were awarded possession.

Laroche dribbled down the clock, then went left, followed by a pair of Spartan defenders. He sent the ball to Gillenwater who missed on a wide open top-of-the-key three attempt. Laroche grabbed the rebound, his shot in the lane also was errant and the horn sounded.

Oliver led with 36 points and Carter posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards

A major congrats to Justin Graham for becoming the all-time Spartan assist leader tonight.

More tomorrow.

The rescheduled Junior-Senior dinner

2011-02-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest from Gayle:

Dear Rebounders,

Let's get together with our junior class and our wonderful seniors, Adrian and Justin, next Thurday, February 24th at 6:00 at the Bold Knight Bistro, 840 North First Street. We'll meet upstairs in the lounge by the fireplace for friendship and beverages and then adjourn downstairs to the cellar to hold our meeting when the players arrive about 6:30. Cost of dinner is $25.00 inclusive which means including tax and tip and as you all know, I am always looking for players' sponsorships. Of course, we have raffle tickets and prizes for the wonderful people who sponsor a player and the player will sit with their sponsor for the dinner. Also attending with be Coach Nessman and our assistants. So let's get together one last time with our seniors as we head to the WAC tournament.

Please RSVP to me at either sjsubabe@cwnet.com or 408 531 1063. If you would like me to return your call, please leave a number on my answering machine.

Looking forward to seeing you and GO SPARTANS!!

Gayle K.

Attending the dinner will be:

Adrian Oliver
Justin Graham
Garrett Ton
Will Carter
Matt Ballard
Billy Dick
Calvin Douglas
Coach Nessman and assistants

New Mexico State is in the house Wednesday night

2011-02-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

Coach Marvin Menzies and his band of New Mexico Staters (14-13 overall, 8-4 in the WAC, 2-4 in league away games) arrive at Walt McPherson Court on Wednesday evening.

The Aggies are coming off a surprising 82-80 BrackBuster loss to Northern Colorado and this at home. The Las Cruces Sun-News beat reporter offered this about NC in a post-game blog: "They have seniors and they can shoot the 3 which can help you win games, but they scored 82 points at the Pan Am against a second place team in a better league." Northern Colorado was hot from long distance early but missed all 11 trey attempts in the second half. However, they made up for that by taking to the offensive boards in the second 20 minutes for 11 caroms.

Yes, backcourter Jonathan Gibson has departed and wing Jahmar Young left to open up a string of mini-mart franchises (just joking -- don't fret if you don't get it). Oakland native and former Richmond High star Wendell McKines won't play as he is officially redshirting this season but it will be interesting if he travels anyway because his presence will bring out a number of friends and family.

It's applying a very broad brush stroke but we're calling this matchup the backcourt (SJSU) versus the frontcourt (NMSU) as the strengths of each respective program lies in those areas. However, forward Wil Carter has come on of late for the Spartans and sharpshooting guard Gordo Castillo plus point Hernst Laroche are no slouches as Aggies.

Here's our game report from the earlier Spartan - Aggie matchup in Las Cruces, one minus Adrian Oliver:

Spartans fall 78-53
January 15, 2011

It's a super secret program, appropriate for a state featuring Los Alamos and The Manhattan Project.

Regardless, SpartanHoops has stealthingly uncovered the fact that New Mexico State University engineers have developed an invisible lid for placement on the basketball hoop. The evidence? San Jose State went 0-12 from beyond the arc, shooting 23% in the first half against the Aggies tonight. Furthermore, witnesses have told us that a male in his forties, wearing sunglasses, Crocs, a fedora and a leather overcoat was seen furiously working what looked like a blackberry device whenever the Spartans attempted a shot. We are told a YouTube video will soon be available.

Strictly on the court, the final score was 78-53.

It was this kind of night: Aggie freshman backcourter Christian Kabongo, entering the game shooting 6-42 on treys overall, 1-7 in WAC play, made all three of his long distance attempts.

But SJSU did fight back, closing the margin to 12 midway through the second 20 minutes but a trio of Aggie treys boosted the lead back to 18 and that was that.

Leading 35-18 at the half, it was a case of New Mexico State unable to miss, San Jose State unable to make early on and the Aggies cantered to an early 20-point lead. But it was gradual elongation -- NMSU led 8-6 at the 15:58 mark, 17-9 with 13:33 showing but boosted it to 27-11 and then 33-13.

On the game, San Jose State shot 33% to 48% for New Mexico State. The Aggies went 11-27 on three-pointers to just 2-17 for the Spartans. In rebounding, NMSU won by 11, 42-31.

Troy Gillenwater led the Aggies with 18 points, plus six boards. Backcourter Gordo Castillo totaled 17 and Kabongo 13.

Wil Carter's 14 points and seven rebounds topped the Spartans. Justin Graham added 11.

Spartan leading scorer Adrian Oliver again missed the game with concussion-like symptoms. Coach George Nessman started Brylle Kamen, Carter, Calvin Douglas, Keith Shamburger and Graham.

NMSU's Starting Five (stats are for league play)

One of the two bigs will start at center -- each played 18 minutes against Northern Colorado with Rahman starting.

* 6-11 junior Hamidu Rahman -- 7.2 ppg. (shooting 57%), 4.3 rpg., not real mobile, has missed some games with a calf injury -- should be available but for probably less than 20 minutes

or

* 6-10 freshman Tshilidzi (Chili) Nephawe -- 6.7 ppg. (shooting 57%), 4.8 rpg., a better shotblocker and shooter

* 6-8 junior Troy Gillenwater -- 21.8 ppg. (shooting 51%) likes and will take the three,, 6.7 rpg., 9/27 assist-to-turnover ratio so the ball ain't coming back often

* 6-5 sophomore Tyrone Watson -- 8.6 ppg. (shooting 61%), 4.7 rpg., not a creator but a blue collar guy

* 6-8 sophomore Bandja Sy -- 4.7 ppg., not shooting all that well, half his shots are threes, is long and can make the spectacular play but needs to work on consistency

* 6-1 junior Hernst Laroche -- 11.6 ppg., 62-38 assist-to-turnover ratio, the Aggie leader on the court

Off The Bench

* 6-4 freshman Christian Kabongo -- 5.3 ppg., 37/24 assist-to-turnover ratio, likes an up-and-down game

* 6-5 senior Gordo Castillo -- 8.0 ppg., easily the best catch-and-shoot distance marksman on the team, 61 of his 75 shots have been three-pointers

* 6-foot-9 freshman Renaldo Dixon -- a young fill-in upfront

* 6-foot-11 B.J. West -- ditto

The Aggie WAC schedule so far

Dec 29 @ Idaho 74 - 69 (W)
Dec 31 @ Boise State 78 - 81 (L)
Jan 08 Fresno State 80 - 68 (W)
Jan 13 Hawai'i 82-64 (W)
Jan 15 San Jose State 78 - 53 (W)
Jan 20 @ Nevada 71 - 90 (L)
Jan 22 @ Utah State 49 - 59 (L)
Jan 27 Boise State 96 - 87 (W) OT
Jan 29 Idaho 73 - 65 (W)
Feb 03 @ Fresno State 83 - 88 (L) OT
Feb 07 Louisiana Tech 75 - 57 (W)
Feb 12 @ Louisiana Tech 50 - 49 (W)
Feb 19 Northern Colorado 82-80 (L)

The New Mexico State roster (by position, alphabetized)

Gordo Castillo G 6-5 190 Sr.
Makhtar Diop G 6-6 195 Jr.
Drew Herig 6-0 183 Fr.
Christian Kabongo G 6-4 199 Fr.
Hernst Laroche G 6-1 170 Jr.

Renaldo Dixon F 6-10 210 Fr.
Troy Gillenwater F 6-8 238 Jr.
Wendell McKines F 6-6 230 Sr. (redshirting)
Bandja Sy F 6-8 214 So.
Tyrone Watson F 6-5 225 So.
B.J. West F 6-11 240 So.

Abdoulaye N'doye C 7-0 215 So.
Tshilidzi Nephawe C 6-10 268 Fr.
Hamidu Rahman C 6-11 245 Jr.

Spartans win 62-46 over Weber State

2011-02-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

When you're bleeding, the doctor will sometimes have to cauterize the wound in order to staunch the flow. Weber State Coach must have left his medical instruments elsewhere Friday night because he had no answer for Spartan junior frontcourter Wil Carter whose inside play instead kept Carter-izing and Carter-izing the Wildcats unimpeded all night.

The 6-foot-8 Carter's play, as well as that of others, prompted a 62-46 San Jose State victory.

Weber State came into the contest riding a six-game winning streak but poor shooting all night and more turnovers than usual produced a brick wall with a sign bearing the word Loss. The Wildcats looked out of synch from the beginning.

Keith Shamburger, boosted by five treys, led SJSU with 22 points. Carter posted a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds while Justin Graham finished with 14 points. Adrian Oliver, burdened by foul trouble, played just 20 minutes and had nine points.

It was Graham who began with a bang, opening the scoring with a trey and then a deuce. SJSU led 23-14 with 6:10 remaining. Eventually, it was 27-14.

At the half, San Jose State was up 30-22 but came out in the second period with a scoring run to put the game away.

After that initial 20 minutes, Weber was at 32% shooting (missing their first six attempts) while the Spartans were at 42%. Graham had 12 points and Carter was credited with nine boards halfway through.

We have no idea if Weber State ever had recruiting interest in Carter but he certainly caught their attention tonight but usually after a score or a rebound.

It's Weber State on FRIDAY night

2011-02-16T16:45:00.000-08:00

*** Make sure that Friday night registers in la cabeza because season tickets may list the game for Saturday.

The Weber State Wildcats come to Walt McPherson Court on Friday night for a BracketBuster matchup. Led by Randy Rahe, a former Stew Morrill coaching protege, this is another team where the whole performs greater than the sum of its parts, especially now that star backcourter Damian Lillard -- a former Oakland area basketballer -- is out for the season with a foot injury. Prior to Lillard's mid-December ailment, he was averaging 19.7 points per game and easily the most creative of the Wildcat guards.

Still, WSU is on a five game conference winning streak, a stretch of foes that included Montana and Northern Colorado, the top two squads in their league. The Wildcats reside is third place in the Big Sky with an 8-4 conference record, 14-9 overall and 4-7 with away games.

Weber employs similarities to the style utilized by Utah State -- not a lot of flash but screens and cuts and more screens, solid outside-shooting -- and it's most apparent outcome are the shooting percentages of Wildcats. The lowest among the starters is at 44% and even the young reserves off the bench aim, fire and connect on a solid basis.

Comparative games

Sat, Nov 13 @ Utah State 65 - 77 (L)

Sat, Dec 04 Seattle 65 - 61 (W)

Wed, Dec 29 @ Montana State 72 - 75 (L)

Sat, Feb 05 Montana State 78 - 58 (W)

The Weber State Starting Five

* 6-foot-9 Trevor Morris SR - 10.2 ppg. (shooting 56%), 4.3 rpg., 20 blocked shots in 23 games

* 6-foot-8 Darrin Mahoney JR - 4.4 ppg. (shooting 49%), 4.8 rpg.

* 6-foot-6 Kyle Bullinger JR - 10.1.ppg. (shooting 46% overall, 42% in treys), one half of his shot attempts have been from behind the line, 6.3 rpg.

* 6-foot-3 Scott Bamforth SO - 12.4 ppg. (shooting 50% overall and 54% from long distance), 107 of his 169 shots have been treys, 63/40 assist-to-turnover ratio

* 6-foot-2 Lindsey Hughey SR - 12.4 ppg. (shooting 44% overall, 40% from three), 5.0 rpg., a team-leading 26 steals, 67/61 assist-to-turnover ratio

Bullinger was just named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week after averaging 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and five assists in wins over Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington.

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-7 Byron Fulton FR - 8.0 ppg. (shooting 49% and 53% respectively), 3.3 rpg.

* 6-foot-1 Jordan Richardson FR - 5.0 ppg. (shooting 33% and 48% respectively), one half of his shots have been threes, 39/24 assist-to-turnover ratio, out of West High in Tracy so count on family and friends to be in attendance

* 6-foot-10 Kyle Tresnak FR - 3.7 ppg. (shooting 49%), 2.4 rpg.

*** It's a very youthful bench with all three freshman contributing significantly.

*** As a team, WSU is shooting 47% while allowing just 41% of opponents shots to be successful -- plus a remarkable 46% to 39% on three-point attempts.

*** The overall scoring by halves has the Wildcats winning both segments -- 777 to 737 in the initial 20 minutes and then 897 to 813 in round two.

The Wildcat Roster (by position and alphabetized)

James Hajek C 6-10 250 Fr
Trevor Morris C 6-9 240 Sr.
Kyle Tresnak C 6-10 250 Fr.

Kyle Bullinger F 6-6 215 Jr.
Blake Davis F 6-5 210 Fr.
Byron Fulton F 6-7 220 Fr.
Darin Mahoney F 6-8 225 Jr.
Frank Otis F 6-6 230 Jr. (redshirting)

Scott Bamforth G/F 6-2 190 So.
Lindsey Hughey G 6-3 200 Sr.
Damian Lillard G 6-2 185 Jr. (injured)
B.J. Porter F/G 6-3 190 So.
Jordan Richardson G 6-1 180 Fr.

Spartans win 77-73

2011-02-15T21:22:00.000-08:00

Shooter. Waylon Jennings named a his only child just that (actually it's a nickname but has morphed into the only name he answers to). Said son didn't matriculate at Montana State nor has he ever set foot in Bozeman to the best of our knowledge but he missed his match if he ever wanted to play college hoops. That's because the Bobcats fire away with abandon, as if the ball is afire in their hands, connecting at times, missing others.

Montana State is also a team scoring better in the first half than the second this season but the Bobcats reversed that tonight. They started out whatever the opposite of en fuego is, as if at home at an outside court in the snow but made it a "Tale of Two Cities" contest with much sharper shooting in period two.

In the end, Coach Don Huse's squad came close but fell short to San Jose State University 77-73.

For SJSU, Adrian Oliver earned a double-double with 35 points and 10 boards as did Wil Carter with 13 and 10.

Milpitas High grad Erik Rush paced the visitors with 20 points.

Montana State kept closing the point differential after the break. It was 53-41, then 54-44 with 12:07 remaining.

At the 7:13 mark, the score was 60-53.

With 5:15 showing, the lead was five, 60-55.

A Rush dunk made it 69-67.

Then, Oliver sank both ends of a one and one to make it 71-67.

After getting the ball back, Rush was called for a charge on a fingeroll layup.

Justin Graham eventually put in a bankshot but Rod Singleton followed with a basket of his own.

Later, Calvin Douglas connected on one of two free throws to make it 74-69.

Rush came down and scored on another dunk to reduce the margin to three.

Keith Shanburger then also sank one of a pair at the charity stripe, Montana State followed with an air ball and the outcome was essentially set.

At the half, the Spartans led 46-25, with Oliver totaling 20 points and five rebounds. SJSU shot 51% to MSU's 33% with the Bobcats going 3-19 in attempts at one point. The half also featured a five point play when Oliver buried a trey while Carter was being fouled and the junior forward sank a pair of free throws to add five digits to the lead all at once.

It's Montana State here on Tuesday night

2011-02-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

Brad Huse is the head coach of the Bobcats, has been since April 2006. His squad is currently 11-13 overall, 5-8 in conference play but an ominous 1-11 in away games. MSU is a member of the Big Sky Conference and currently in sixth place.

Shooting numbers tell the tale of Montana State's season:

* This is a team shooting 41% on the season while allowing opponents to connect at a 46% clip.

* The Bobcats have also attempted 182 more three pointers than opposing teams, shooting 33% versus 39% for opponents. So expect a barrage of long range shots from Huse's team.

* In cumulative scoring, it's 799 to 790 in MSU's favor in first half point production. But the second 20 minutes is somewhat different with the Bobcats at 878 points to 938 for opposing teams -- not a large differential but worth noting that the team's scoring proficiency drops as games goes on.

* Turnovers are fairly close with Montana State having a +45 differential.

* The rebounding numbers are also similar.

Comparative games of note

11/12/2010 @ Hawai'i L 59-77

11/24/2010 San Francisco W 76-59

11/29/2010 Seattle L 70-72

12/19/2010 UC Riverside L 67-78

1/16/2011 Eastern Washington W 71-59

2/13/2011 Sacramento State L 74-71

Sultan Toles-Bey and Alpha N'Diaye each scored 18 points and Sacramento State held off a late Montana State rally, boosting the Hornets to a 74-71 win in Bozeman on Sunday. Bobby Howard led the Bobcats with a career-high 28 points (9-26 shooting).

Sacramento State took control of the game shortly after halftime, scoring 10 points on its first four possessions to turn a two-point edge into a 10-point cushion. The Hornets eventually led by 15, 47-32 with 13:46 to play, before the Bobcats chipped away at the lead.

Trailing 65-55 with just over three minutes remaining, MSU used a 13-5 run to trim the lead to two points in the last 30 seconds. But Rod Singleton missed a contested layup with six seconds left and a three-quarter court three-pointer as time expired missed the mark, allowing Sacramento State to snap a six-game losing streak to the Bobcats, and a four-game streak in Worthington Arena.

Montana State will also host Idaho on February 19.

The Bobcat Starting Five

There is no Dario Hunt -- an athletic and inside power player here.

* 6-foot-10 Cody Anderson - 4.4 ppg., shooting 49% overall3.4 rpg.

* 6-foot-7 Bobby Howard - 14.3 ppg., shooting 39% overall, 31% on a team-leading 122 trey attempts, 7.2 rpg.

* 6-foot-7 Danny Piepoli - 6.8 ppg., shooting 34% overall, 32% on 100 threes (second on the team)

* 6-foot-5 Erik Rush - 15.2 ppg., shooting 43% and 33% respectively (the latter on 98 long distance attempts) , 4.3 rpg., team-leading 37 steals - this young man is from the South Bay (Milpitas High) so expect his family and friends to be out in full force

* 5-foot-10 Rod Singleton - 7.7 ppg., the QB of the team with 77 assist to 53 turnovers

That's a trio of seniors in Howard, Piepoli and Rush plus the junior Anderson and a junior college transfer (Singleton) in his first year.

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-7 Jourdan Allou - 3.9 ppg., shooting 57% but only 32% from the foul line, 3.4 rpg., second on team with 13 blocks

* 6-foot-5 Shawn Reid - 6.3 ppg., shooting 39% overall but 43% on threes

* 5-foot-9 Casey Trujeque - shooting 30% overall, 31% from long distance and 32 of his 43 shot attempts have been treys

* 6-foot-7 Tre Johnson - leads the team in blocked shots with

* 6-foot-10 Jeff Budinich - 42 of his 59 shot attempts have been three-pointers, he's making 36% despite topping out at 6-foot-10

The Montana State Roster (alphabetized and by position)

Cody Anderson C 6-10 270 Jr.
Blake Brumwell C 6-7 240 Fr.

Jordan Allou F/C 6-7 200 Jr.

Jeff Budinich F 6-10 235 Fr.
Steven Davis F 6-7 235 Fr.
Bobby Howard F 6-7 230 Sr.
Tre Johnson F 6-7 200 Fr.
Danny Piepoli F 6-6 205 Sr.
Shawn Reid F 6-5 195 Fr.

Tor Anderson G 6-2 200 Fr.
Chris McCall G 6-3 180 Fr.
Ryan McIntyre G 6-2 160 Fr.
Erik Rush G 6-5 210 Sr.
Rod Singleton G 5-10 185 Jr.
Casey Trujeque G 5-9 175 Fr.

Nevada wins in overtime 84-76

2011-02-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

There was no "Groundhog Day" Saturday evening at Walt McPherson Court. In this one, San Jose State University was very successful early on, owning a 26-10 lead but Nevada persevered, came back and ultimately triumphed 84-76 in overtime.

It was freshman Jerry Evans putting himself in the right place at the right times as the 6-foot-8 wing nabbed a steal early in OT, was fouled and put down both free throws. Late in the same extra period, he rebounded a missed shot, turned and tossed in a layup. That made the score 78-75 in favor of Nevada. After that, it was mostly a parade to the foul line as SJSU needed to foul.

Adrian Oliver led the Spartans with 30 points.

Closing out the last minutes of regular play, Oliver nailed a layup and subsequent free throw to make it 70-68 SJSU with 1:18 remaining.

A Malik Story lob to Dario Hunt couldn't have been grabbed by Spiderman on one of his best days and went out of bounds. Keith Shamburger then made one of two free throws after being fouled.

Coming back down, Nevada's Olek Czyz missed an open trey attempt from the top of the key and back down the court Justin Graham was fouled and put in one of his two free throws.

San Jose State led 72-68.

The Wolf Pack's Deonte Burton then scored on a dribble-drive to make it 72-70.

Oliver was double teamed in the backcourt next the right boundary line, slipped and his pass was intercepted. Czyz was eventually fouled by Oliver -- the fifth foul for the Spartan senior -- taking it to the hoop with 2+ seconds on the clock.

The first shot from the sophomore out of Reno hit the back rim, went up 3-4 feet but came down through the net. He also buried the second, forcing overtime.

Story led Coach David Carter's squad with a career-high 29 points.

The Spartans shot 39% on the night, 50% on treys and 22-27 from the foul line. Graham led in rebounding with eight, grabbed four steals but shot just 4-21.

Nevada shot 41% overall, 28% from long distance and went 25-31 at the charity stripe.

Marquin Chandler located again

2011-02-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

Marquin is now playing basketball in Bahrain. We just located an article in which he is mentioned very near the end as playing for the Al Ahli club. Here is the Facebook site for the team where a photo of Marquin can be found. Here is another mention of Marquin in an article that also notes he scored 43 points in one game.

Bahrain is an island country of approximately 800,000 inhabitants, located near the western shores of the Persian Gulf.

Nevada here on Saturday evening

2011-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

It's rematch time Saturday evening with SJSU hosting Nevada and minus the elevation.

Here's a combination of analysis from Reno Gazette-Journal reporter Chris Murray plus quotes from Coach David Carter on both last Saturday's game and the overall Wolf Pack season:

"...and most important, has been the knowledge that comes with experience.

Carter said the fact that Nevada pulled away from San Jose State in its last game rather than let the Spartans creep back in was the latest symbol of maturation.

"It's a big sign," Carter said after the 89-69 victory. "I think the team has grown a lot from four weeks ago until now. We're much more confident, we're playing better, we know what we're doing."

The most notable difference has been the Wolf Pack offense.

Nevada is averaging six points more per game in WAC play than non-conference play (67.1 ppg to 73.2 pgg). Its field-goal percentage has risen from 39.9 percent to 45.6 percent.

Still, there are lessons to be learned. The Pack has twice folded down the stretch against Utah State this season after trying to play as individuals rather than trusting the system and playing as a team...

...Carter said that mistake was fixed in the win over SJSU.

"We were sharing the ball really well," Carter said. "We were moving the ball against their zone. They played zone and man and kind of mixed it up, and we learned from that Utah State game. Whatever sets we call, you have to execute it. I thought against Utah State we were thinking too much -- 'They're in zone; they're in man' -- and the offense wasn't crisp. Against San Jose State, we were moving the ball and running our stuff no matter what defense they were in."

Freshman Deonte Burton has led Nevada five times in scoring since WAC play began, compared to once in non-league action. He's the #6 scorer in the league (15.2) with Dario Hunt coming in at #12 (14.0). Hunt is shooting 63% which is second in the conference while grabbing 9.5 rebounds (3.1 offensively) and rejecting 2.3 shots a contest. Olek Czyz is shooting 61% and a threat from outside at 47%.

In the previous contest against the Spartans, starters Malik Story shot 6-11 and Jerry Evans 4-8, this after entering the game shooting 37% and 38% respectively.

Our February 5 game report:

There was no Miracle in Moscow -- if you will -- this time. In fact, Jerry Evans, who entered the game averaging 4.1 points per game for Nevada, scored 11 in the first half. Patrick Nyeko, who hadn't nailed a three-pointer all season (0-6), claimed his first one.

At the conclusion, it was Nevada 89-69 over SJSU.

The Spartans kept within 10 or so points for much of the second half but just couldn't cut further into the deficit.

Adrian Oliver led the scoring with 25 points. Keith Shamburger added 16 and Justin Graham contributed 14.

The shooting numbers tell a tale. The Wolf Packers shot 52%, went 8-18 from long distance and 23-29 at the foul line. San Jose State shot 39%, going 3-14 from beyond the three-point line and 16-25 at the charity stripe.

It was 40-31 Nevada after the initial 20 minutes. In that period, the largest Spartan deficit was 18.

The Wolf Pack WAC schedule to date

Dec 31 Hawai'i 86 - 69 (W)
Jan 03 @ Fresno State 74 - 80 (L)
Jan 08 Utah State 67 - 81 (L)
Jan 12 @ Idaho 67 - 72 (L)
Jan 15 @ Boise State 69 - 67 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 20 points and Malik Story added 16 to lead Nevada to a 69-67 victory over Boise State on Saturday night. Dario Hunt had 12 points and eight rebounds as Nevada (5-13, 2-3 Western Athletic) snapped a three-game losing streak. Nevada trailed 56-52 with less than six minutes remaining before Story staged a personal 8-0 run, scoring on a layup and two high-arching 3-pointers from the left corner. The second gave the Wolf Pack a 60-56 advantage with 3:34 left.

Jan 20 New Mexico State 90 - 71 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 22 points to lead five Nevada players in double digits as part of a 90-71 win over New Mexico State on Thursday night. The Wolf Pack (6-13, 3-3 WAC) led 43-36 at halftime and never trailed after that. Dario Hunt picked up a double-double for Nevada with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Olek Czyz added 15 points, Malik Story 10 and Derrell Conner 10 for the Wolf Pack.

Jan 22 Louisiana Tech 66 - 58 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 18 points and Dario Hunt had 16 as Nevada rallied to beat Louisiana Tech 66-58 on Saturday night. Malik Story added 10 points for the Wolf Pack (7-13, 4-3 WAC). Louisiana Tech led by as many as eight points in the first half and led 33-28 at halftime. Nevada opened the second half with a 16-6 run to go up 44-39 with 14:16 left and stretched the lead to 57-45 on a jumper by Jordan Burris with 7:33 to play.

Jan 27 Fresno State 79 - 76 (W)

Dario Hunt had 24 points and 11 rebounds Thursday night as Nevada held on to beat Fresno State 79-76. Deonte Burton added 17 points and Malik Story 13 for the Wolf Pack (8-13, 5-3 Western Athletic), who won their fourth consecutive game.

Feb 2 @ Utah State 67-45 (L)

Brockeith Pane scored 18 points to lead No. 22 Utah State to a 67-45 win over Nevada on Wednesday night for the Aggies' 16th straight victory. The Aggies led 29-28 at the half before beginning the second half with a 21-6 run to take control of the game. Jardine sparked the team during the spurt. Deonte Burton scored 11 points and Dario Hunt grabbed 10 rebounds for Nevada (8-14, 5-4), which was held to its lowest offensive output in 10 years - shooting just 25 percent from the field in the second half.

Feb 5 San Jose State 89-69 (W)

Dario Hunt had 16 points and a career-best 19 rebounds to lead Nevada past San Jose State 89-69 on Saturday night. Malik Story had 16 points, Jerry Evans Jr. 11 and Olek Czyz 10 for the Wolf Pack (9-14 overall, 6-4 WAC). Nevada controlled the game from the start, making 10 of its first 13 shots from the field and building a 35-17 lead with 7:36 to play in the first half.

Coach David Carter's Starting Five (stats are for the season)

* 6-foot-1 Deonte Burton - 13.5 ppg., shooting 42% overall and 30% from long distance respectively, a team-leading 77 assists, team-leading 26 steals

*6-foot-5 Malik Story - 13.4 ppg., shooting 38% and 42% respectively (figure that one out), 3.4 rpg., he more of a streaky shooter

* 6-foot-8 Jerry Evans - 4.1 ppg., 3.8 rpg., shooting 37%, is long and lanky, starting because of his defensive prowess

* 6-foot-7 Olek Czyz - 13.4 ppg., shooting 56% and 42% respectively, 5.7 rpg., the quickest jumper on the team, not a creator as yet with the ball

* 6-foot-8 Dario Hunt - 13.7 points per game, shooting 54% overall, 72% at the line (he was at 47% last season), 9.4 rebounds a contest, 34 blocked shots but foul trouble in the last few games has limited his playing time

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-6 Patrick Nyeko - like Evans, he's a + defender so he may be used against Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham

* 6-foot-10 Devonte Elliott - has a world of promise, needs to add weight and develop an offensive repertoire

* 6-foot-9 Kevin Panzer - best known as a face-the-basket shooter in high school, he's still adjusting to D-1 basketball

* 6-foot-0 Derrell Conner - the backup at the point, he has been playing better of late, more than half of his shots have been treys, has a 33/33 A-to-TO ratio

* 6-foot-7 Jordan Burris - playing better of late but still rushing his shooting stroke, is more of a shooter than anything else at this point

*** Key stat to remember: Nevada is 1-11 away from Reno (combining away and neutral site games).

The Nevada Roster (alphabetized and by position)

Jordan Burris G 6-7 205 Fr
Deonte Burton G 6-1 185 Fr
Derrell Conner G 6-0 165 Jr
Jerry Evans G 6-8 188 Fr
Jordan Finn G 6-4 190 Fr.
Keith Fuetsch G 6-0 170 So
Patrick Nyeko G 6-6 180 So
Malik Story G 6-5 225 So

Adam Carp F 6-7 215 Sr
Marko Cukic F 6-9 250 So
Olek Czyz F 6-7 240 Jr
Devonte Elliott F 6-10 220 Fr
Dario Hunt F 6-8 230 Jr
Keith Olson F 6-10 270 Jr
Kevin Panzer F 6-9 205 Fr

Nevada tops San Jose State 89-69

2011-02-05T21:54:00.000-08:00

There was no Miracle in Moscow -- if you will -- this time. In fact, Jerry Evans, who entered the game averaging 4.1 points per game for Nevada, scored 11 in the first half. Patrick Nyeko, who hadn't nailed a three-pointer all season (0-6), claimed his first one.

At the conclusion, it was Nevada 89-69 over SJSU.

The Spartans kept within 10 or so points for much of the second half but just couldn't cut further into the deficit.

Adrian Oliver led the scoring with 25 points. Keith Shamburger added 16 and Justin Graham contributed 14.

The shooting numbers tell a tale. The Wolf Packers shot 52%, went 8-18 from long distance and 23-29 at the foul line. San Jose State shot 39%, going 3-14 from beyond the three-point line and 16-25 at the charity stripe.

It was 40-31 Nevada after the initial 20 minutes. In that period, the largest Spartan deficit was 18.

Kudos to the San Jose State cheerleader squad for making the trip to Reno and offering support during the game.

It's on the road at Nevada on Saturday night

2011-02-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

The Nevada roster is chock full of newcomers -- seven or eight depending on the definition -- but Coach Davis Carter recently labeled his freshman as sophomores at this point in the season. As expected, the Wolf Pack stumbled out of the proverbial gate but has put together a 5-4 WAC record (8-14 overall). Maybe more importantly, Nevada is 4-1 in conference play at home. Also, the non-league schedule included toughies Pacific, at George Washington, UNLV, at Houston, Arizona State, at Washington and at Portland.

The emergence of freshman Deonte Burton has led this turnaround. Known as a crafty penetrator, his outside-shooting of late has emerged as an equal talent. Besides that development, big man Dario Hunt has expanded his offensive game to where he has doubled his points per game total from last season. But also remember that the now departed Armon Johnson and Luke Babbitt took the majority of shots last season.

The Wolf Pack WAC schedule to date

Dec 31 Hawai'i 86 - 69 (W)

Jan 03 @ Fresno State 74 - 80 (L)

Jan 08 Utah State 67 - 81 (L)

Jan 12 @ Idaho 67 - 72 (L)

Jan 15 @ Boise State 69 - 67 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 20 points and Malik Story added 16 to lead Nevada to a 69-67 victory over Boise State on Saturday night. Dario Hunt had 12 points and eight rebounds as Nevada (5-13, 2-3 Western Athletic) snapped a three-game losing streak. Nevada trailed 56-52 with less than six minutes remaining before Story staged a personal 8-0 run, scoring on a layup and two high-arching 3-pointers from the left corner. The second gave the Wolf Pack a 60-56 advantage with 3:34 left.

Jan 20 New Mexico State 90 - 71 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 22 points to lead five Nevada players in double digits as part of a 90-71 win over New Mexico State on Thursday night. The Wolf Pack (6-13, 3-3 WAC) led 43-36 at halftime and never trailed after that. Dario Hunt picked up a double-double for Nevada with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Olek Czyz added 15 points, Malik Story 10 and Derrell Conner 10 for the Wolf Pack.

Jan 22 Louisiana Tech 66 - 58 (W)

Deonte Burton scored 18 points and Dario Hunt had 16 as Nevada rallied to beat Louisiana Tech 66-58 on Saturday night. Malik Story added 10 points for the Wolf Pack (7-13, 4-3 WAC). Louisiana Tech led by as many as eight points in the first half and led 33-28 at halftime. Nevada opened the second half with a 16-6 run to go up 44-39 with 14:16 left and stretched the lead to 57-45 on a jumper by Jordan Burris with 7:33 to play.

Jan 27 Fresno State 79 - 76 (W)

Dario Hunt had 24 points and 11 rebounds Thursday night as Nevada held on to beat Fresno State 79-76. Deonte Burton added 17 points and Malik Story 13 for the Wolf Pack (8-13, 5-3 Western Athletic), who won their fourth consecutive game.

Feb 2 @ Utah State 67-45 (L)

Brockeith Pane scored 18 points to lead No. 22 Utah State to a 67-45 win over Nevada on Wednesday night for the Aggies' 16th straight victory. The Aggies led 29-28 at the half before beginning the second half with a 21-6 run to take control of the game. Jardine sparked the team during the spurt. Deonte Burton scored 11 points and Dario Hunt grabbed 10 rebounds for Nevada (8-14, 5-4), which was held to its lowest offensive output in 10 years - shooting just 25 percent from the field in the second half.

David Carter's Starting Five

* 6-foot-1 Deonte Burton - 13.5 ppg., shooting 42% overall and 30% from long distance respectively, a team-leading 77 assists, team-leading 26 steals

*6-foot-5 Malik Story - 13.4 ppg., shooting 38% and 42% respectively (figure that one out), 3.4 rpg., he more of a streaky shooter

* 6-foot-8 Jerry Evans - 4.1 ppg., 3.8 rpg., shooting 37%, is long and lanky, starting because of his defensive prowess

* 6-foot-7 Olek Czyz - 13.4 ppg., shooting 56% and 42% respectively, 5.7 rpg., the quickest jumper on the team, not a creator as yet with the ball

* 6-foot-8 Dario Hunt - 13.7 points per game, shooting 54% overall, 72% at the line (he was at 47% last season), 9.4 rebounds a contest, 34 blocked shots but foul trouble in the last few games has limited his playing time

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-6 Patrick Nyeko - like Evans, he's a + defender so he may be used against Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham

* 6-foot-10 Devonte Elliott - has a world of promise, needs to add weight and develop an offensive repertoire

* 6-foot-9 Kevin Panzer - best known as a face-the-basket shooter in high school, he's still adjusting to D-1 basketball

* 6-foot-0 Derrell Conner - the backup at the point, he has been playing better of late, more than half of his shots have been treys, has a 33/33 A-to-TO ratio

* 6-foot-7 Jordan Burris - playing better of late but still rushing his shooting stroke, is more of a shooter than anything else at this point

As a team, Nevada is shooting 43% overall, allowing opponents to make 42%. minus 65 in turnovers, minus 55 in steals.

The Nevada Roster (alphabetized and by position)

Jordan Burris G 6-7 205 Fr
Deonte Burton G 6-1 185 Fr
Derrell Conner G 6-0 165 Jr
Jerry Evans G 6-8 188 Fr
Jordan Finn G 6-4 190 Fr.
Keith Fuetsch G 6-0 170 So
Patrick Nyeko G 6-6 180 So
Malik Story G 6-5 225 So

Adam Carp F 6-7 215 Sr
Marko Cukic F 6-9 250 So
Olek Czyz F 6-7 240 Jr
Devonte Elliott F 6-10 220 Fr
Dario Hunt F 6-8 230 Jr
Keith Olson F 6-10 270 Jr
Kevin Panzer F 6-9 205 Fr

SJSU wins in double overtime 92-89

2011-02-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

What quickly became apparent is that neither team was going to run away from the other -- the Idaho and San Jose State squads were very evenly matched on the 30 degree night in Moscow. That was outside, thankfully not inside the Cowan Spectrum, for the literal-minded.

At the half, the score was 29-28. Adrian Oliver led SJSU with 12 points (5-9 shooting) and Justin Graham contributed nine.

At the 15:53 mark of the second 20 minutes, it was the Spartans ahead 33-32. SJSU upped the margin to two, 42-40, with 12:59 showing.

San Jose State was down by four at the 7:45 mark but an Oliver and1 three-point play cut it to one.

Eventually, a Jeff Ledbetter trey upped the Vandal margin to six, 55-49. Brandon Wiley put back in an offensive rebound to make it eight.

With 3:55 on the clock, Graham followed with his own and1 three-point effort to reduce the deficit to five.

Kyle Barone scored inside, was fouled and nailed the free throw, boosting the point differential back to eight.

Oliver then tickled the twine with a hook shot.

With 2:31 showing, Shawn Henderson sank two free throws to make it 62-54.

Barone's jumphook in the paint made it 10.

Graham followed with a jumper from the foul line.

After a steal by Wil Carter, Keith Shamburger was fouled in the act of shooting. He sank both, making it 64-58 at the 1:58 mark.

Wiley was fouled in the lane with 1:16 showing and made both -- score 66-58.

Carter grabbed a loose ball and scored with 58 seconds left.

Shamburger tipped the ball away from his opponent, Graham got it and hit Shamburger with a pass. The freshman backcourter scored, was fouled by Wiley and made the free throw. making it 66-63 at the 45 second mark.

Carter was then elbowed by Wiley who was called for an intentional foul. Carter was awarded a pair of free throws -- he missed the first and then the second. SJSU then was awarded possession with 23 seconds left.

Graham quickly nailed a top of the key trey with 18 second showing.

Idaho got the last shot attempt but it wasn't close, creating an overtime period.

Oliver was fouled and missed both free throws. Carter rebounded the second miss and scored on the putback.

Barone was fouled by Matt Ballard and made both.

Oliver entered the lane with the ball, lifted and scored. He also was fouled and he notched a three-point play. SJSU led 71-68.

But Jeff Ledbetter came down and sank his own trey attempt,. making it 71 all.

London Tatum was fouled on a driving layup attempt, sending him to the foul line. He missed the first but made the second.

Oliver put in a leftside trey but Matt Ballard was called for an intentional foul, sending Barone to the charity stripe. He made both and Idaho also retained possession of the ball.

Luiz Toledo buried a jumper to put Idaho ahead 76-74.

Henderson then buried a leftside three-pointer after stealing a pass.

Graham was fouled on a dribble-drive, sank both and cut the margin to 79-76.

1:40 shone on the clock.

Idaho missed a shot and Oliver rebounded.

With 37 seconds remaining, Carter put back a miss by Shamburger.

The Vandals led by one.

Tatum, a 61% free throw shooter, was fouled with 27 second sleft.

He made the first, then the second and Idaho was up three.

At the eight second mark, Keith Shamburger scored on a three-pointer, evening up the game.

Idaho called timeout with six seconds.

But Kyle Barone missed a turnaround jumper, sending the game into a second overtime.

Carter won the tip, Shamburger missed but Carter rebounded. Another trey attempt by Shamburger was good.

Ledbetter missed his own trey attempt but Idaho rebounded. Shamburger was called for a reach in foul on Luiz Toledo. The latter sank the first but missed the second.

Graham hit Shamburger with a pass and the frosh nailed another trey, making it 87-82.

Idaho missed a three-pointer but SJSU committed a turnover. It was 87-84 after Toledo hit another jumper.

A couple of missed shots later, Idaho got the ball. Ledbetter rebounded a miss and was fouled. He made both -- the score 87-86 with 1:42 showing.

Graham scored on a jumper, boosting the lead back to three.

But Ledbetter scored on a leftside trey, evening up the game.

Shamburger was fouled with 23 seconds left. He missed the first and sank the second.

SJSU led by one, 90-89.

Ledbetter then missed on a drive, Ballard rebounded and Carter scored on a dunk to finally close out the marathon.

Justin Graham paced the Spartans with 28 points. Adrian Oliver contributed 25, Keith Shamburger 20 and Wil Carter 17.

Let's not be Vandel-ized Thursday night

2011-01-31T21:35:00.000-08:00

Idaho is current sagging with a three-game losing streak, this after earlier winning five consecutive WAC games. So as Willy Shakes might have put it had he been a WAC hoops fan: to Vandal-ize or not to Vandal-ize, that is the question. Of course, SJSU faces the same query, to Spartan-ize or not to Spartan-ize.

Vandal Coach Don Verlin is a Stew Morrill protégé, coming over from USU after 15 years in March 2008 and he utilizes the same flip card system offensively that Utah State employs.

So which and what is Idaho this season? Indications are it's a team still feeling its way and developing an identity -- one that must play together as a team in order to perform well as none of Verlin's players will be earning all-WAC post-season honors.

This is not a team that has players who can create for themselves -- Deremy Geiger can to a degree but most of the outside talent needs screens in order to get clean looks.

In matchups with teams that San Jose State has also played, the Vandals beat host Eastern Washington 70-60, lost to host Seattle 66-56, won at Oregon 69-65 and also beat host Cal State Bakersfield 78-77.

Here's our game report Walt McPherson Court from January 8:

Spartans fall to Idaho 75-67 It was 'Famous Potatoes' times two this week for San Jose State but neither game left a pleasant aftertaste as Idaho also topped the Spartans tonight 75-67. SJSU led 35-27 after the initial 20 minutes, looking in a degree of command if not control, but the Vandals lived up to their forebearers namesake in the second half with a 48-32 rampage. The last eight minutes of the matchup was an Idaho scoring blitz. Adrian Oliver led with 25 points. Justin Graham passed for nine assists while Brylle Kamen topped the Spartans in rebounding with 11, his second straight double figures outing. He played 29 minutes, making his first appearance as a starter. Calvin Douglas contributed 12 on 5-7 shooting from the floor, 2-4 on trey attempts. Deremy Geiger led Don Verlin's squad with 17 points but four other Vandals finished in double figures: Luiz Toledo and Jeff Ledbetter with 13 apiece and Shawn Herson and Kyle Barone each totaling 11. Toledo led the board effort with nine rebounds. Idaho shot 50% for the game to SJSU's 37%. Each of the other statistical categories were either a wash or close to it.

The Vandal Starting Five

These are overall, not WAC, statistics.

* Deremy Geiger 5-11 (on a long day) -- 10.0 ppg., 112 of his 175 shots have been three-pointers, is shooting 34% overall, 35% on treys, has a 52/39 A-to-TO ratio

* Jeff Ledbetter 6-2 -- 11.0 ppg., shooting 47% overall, 46% from long distance, 125 of his 160 shots have been three-pointers, typically needs screens to shoot

* Shawn Henderson 6-3 -- 8.9 ppg., shooting 41% overall, 27% on treys, a very solid 5.1 rpg., 60 assists to 47 turnovers

* Luiz Toledo 6-8 -- 9.6 ppg., shooting 53%, 4.8 rpg., the one big body upfront who plays major minutes

* Kyle Barone 6-10 -- 11.1 ppg., 5.8 rpg., shooting 62% from the floor -- he's slim but long and needs to be kept out of any sort of shooting rhythm in the paint

Barone and Toledo may start upfront or Verlin may go with one or the other plus Brandon Wiley -- all dependent on his desire for certain matchups

Off The Bench

* Brandon Wiley 6-5 -- 7.0 ppg., shooting 50%, 5.3 rpg., team-leading 24blocked shots

* Landon Tatum 5-11 -- 5.2 ppg., shooting 44%, hasn't attempted a three-pointer, his 66-30 assist to turnover numbers is best on the team

* Stephen Madison 6-5 -- a freshman reserve, not shooting particularly well

6-8 junior college transfer Djim Bandoumel, who was the most athletic frontcourter on the squad, was declared academically ineligible a while back. Plus, two players have departed since the beginning of the school year -- forward Renado Parker and guard Gary Winston both departed for Portland State. -- leaving the Vandals a bit shorthanded, especially upfront.

* As a team, the Vandals are shooting 46% to 41% for opposing teams, 37% to 32% from long distance but with 97 less attempts. The rebounding differential is 34-32 per game in favor of Idaho. Verlin's team has 60 more turnovers than opponents and 38 less steals.

The Idaho WAC schedule to date

Dec 29 New Mexico State 69 - 74 (L)

Dec 31 Louisiana Tech 77 - 47 (W)

Jan 6 @ Hawaii 59-44 (W)

Jan 08 @ San Jose State 75 - 67 (W)

Jan 12 Nevada 72 - 67 (W)

Jan 17 @ Fresno State 67 - 57 (W)

Jan 22 Boise State 67 - 70 (L)

Defense was Idaho's calling card during its six-game winning streak, but on Saturday, the Vandal men's basketball team couldn't make the plays it needed to late and fell by a 70-67 score to Boise State at the Cowan Spectrum. Idaho slipped into a second-place tie with the Broncos after the loss, and saw their program-best, five-game WAC winning streak come to an end in front of a crowd of 5,017 - the third-largest in Cowan Spectrum history. "Those are tough ones to swallow, no matter who you play, Idaho head coach Don Verlin said. "You lose to your in-state rival at home, it hurts." The Vandals raced out to a 12-point first-half lead and held the Broncos to just 30 percent shooting overall and 15.4 percent from 3-point range, but Idaho couldn't make the same stops in the second period, where BSU hit 51.7 percent of its attempts and 44.4 percent of its 3-pointers. "We didn't lose this game offensively," Verlin said. "You look at the stat sheet and we shot 51 percent - we had 18 assists, 13 turnovers. We didn't get our job done defensively, and that's what we've been hanging our hat on."

Jan 27 @ Louisiana Tech 56 - 71 (L)

In its previous five-game road win streak, the Idaho men's basketball team made the hustle plays, rebounded well and played efficient offensively - but that wasn't the case on Thursday at Louisiana Tech. Idaho lost its second in a row after giving up 16 second-chance points and sending Louisiana Tech to the free throw line 24 times in a 71-56 loss at Thomas Assembly Center. "For whatever reason, we weren't mentally on our game like we should have been," Idaho head coach Don Verlin said after the game. "I thought we got completely dominated in the post, and when you do that, you're going to lose by 15 on the road, and that's what happened to tonight." The Vandals shot just 38.2 percent for the game, turned the ball over 15 times and shot a season-low 46.2 percent from the free-throw line. Senior guard Jeff Ledbetter went for a career-high-tying 20 points, mostly from a 6-of-10 effort from 3-point range, but no other Idaho player cracked double digits. Aside from Ledbetter's 7-of-12 shooting performance, Idaho went just 14-of-43 (.326) from the floor. The Vandals also tied a season low with just six made free throws on 13 attempts.

Jan 29 @ New Mexico State 65 - 73 (L)

The energy and intensity was there, but the University of Idaho men's basketball team couldn't protect the ball in a 73-65 loss at New Mexico State on Saturday at the Pan American Center. Idaho lost its third in a row and slipped to 12-9 overall and 5-4 in the Western Athletic Conference after turning the ball over a season-high 24 times, which led to 25 points for New Mexico State. "Tonight, we were ready to go, and we played extremely hard," Idaho head coach Don Verlin said. "We did a lot of really, really good things, we just didn't play smart. We got a little sloppy with the ball a few times and had a few defensive lapses." Both teams shot 49 percent from the field and both made six 3-pointers, but the real advantage came at the free throw line, where the Aggies went 19-of-27, while Idaho was just 9-of-11. Rebounds were also identical at 29 each. NMSU turned the ball over 19 times, but Idaho turned those opportunities into just 13 points. "Basically, they win this game at the free throw line, scoring 10 more points than us and that's the difference in the game," Verlin said.

The Vandal roster (alphabetized, by position)

Matt Borton G 6-5 180 Fr
Deremy Geiger G 5-11 170 Jr.
Shawn Henderson G 6-3 178 Sr.
Jeff Ledbetter G 6-2 195 Sr.
Shayne Sheridan G 6-0 170 Jr. (walk-on)
Landon Tatum G 5-11 196 Jr.

Brandon Wiley F 6-5 218 Sr.
Paul Jorg F 6-8 200 Fr. (walk-on)
Stephen Madison F 6-5 215 Fr.
Luiz Toledo F 6-8 225 Jr.

Kyle Barone C 6-10 220 So.
Joe Kammerer C 6-9 241 Fr. (redshirted last year)

The upcoming Rebounder seniors/juniors dinner

2011-01-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Rebounders,

It's time for the second of our annual meet-the-team dinners with the juniors and seniors showing up this time on February 7th at the Bold Knight Bistro at 840 North First Street at 6:00 p.m.

Please note that this is a change from the previously scheduled date.

We'll meet upstairs for refreshments then adjourn to the cozy wine cellar when the student/athletes arrive.

The meal is $25.00 inclusive, which means including tax and tip, for Rebounders and $35.00 for non-members.

As always, we are asking for player sponsors. Players will be seated with their sponsors and sponsors will also receive a ticket for our ever popular raffle.

Be advised, credit cards will not be accepted and that cash is preferred.

This will be our last chance to see seniors Adrian Oliver and Justin Graham during the season.

Please RSVP to me at either 408 531-1063 or sjsubabe@cwnet.com by February 3rd. We look forward to seeing you there.

Gayle Kludt

San Jose State neuters the Dogs 78-66

2011-01-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

In reference to the 78-66 San Jose State University victory over Fresno State tonight, it's not quite but let's still call it AO versus KO for literary purposes

That's Adrian Oliver versus Kevin Olekaibe.

AO put together a line of 25 points (five of seven on treys), 10 boards and eight assists. KO, just a freshman, netted 29 markers.

But Oliver had much more help tonight than Olekaibe. Example: nobody other than the latter was able to nail a trey for the Bulldogs. 6-foot-10 Greg Smith was negated in the paint for the most part (just 10 points) and wing Tim Steed just couldn't get started.

Will Carter came back from a disappearance against Utah State with a strong double-double consisting of 11 points and 12 boards. Calvin Douglas was dialed in, sinking 4-6 three-point attempts.(6-10 overall) and finishing with 18 points. Justin Graham added 16 points and seven assists.

SJSU jumped out to an early lead. It was 31-16 at the 7:07 mark. At that point, the Spartans were shooting 60%, 5-6 on trey attempts. In contrast, Fresno State was 1-8 from long distance.

In the second half, an Oliver trey made it 53-34 with 17:45 showing.

But a Tyler Johnson dribble-drive basket made it 59-49 with 13:20 on the clock.

However, a Graham three from the left side upped it to 68-54 and the Spartans maintained enough of a margin to keep matters comfortable.

On the night, SJSU shot 46%, going 10-18 on three-pointers. The Bulldogs tallied a 35% shooting number overall, a paltry 6-28 from long distance.

It was 46-32 at the half. Oliver had 18 points after the initial 20 minutes, with Graham contributing eight.

It's Fresno State here on Saturday night

2011-01-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

Fresno State comes to town Saturday evening to battle San Jose State University. Steve Cleveland's squad is coming off a close 79-76 loss in Reno to Nevada and now burdened by a conference game losing streak numbering five.

Here is our game report from the December 29 matchup between Fresno and San Jose:

It was yet another grinder as both teams tossed jab after jab but with neither squad able to sustain a pullaway lead until late and that turned out to be Fresno State. The host Bulldogs topped SJSU 75-62.

With the score 61-56, freshman Kevin Olekaibe hit a floater to make it 63-56 in favor of the Dogs.

Then came a Tim Steed dunk.

Keith Shamburger and Jonathan Wills traded nailing one of two free throws and Steed then flushed his second one.

Subsequently a march to the foul line ensued until the buzzer.

Fresno State's Mr. (Greg) Smith didn't go to Washington but rather to the basket for 16 points. But it was his late second half steal and later a block with resulting passes to Tim Steed for the aforementioned dunks.

The Spartans couldn't get the needed stops in the last five minutes.

For SJSU, Adrian Oliver led with 15 points (6-19 shooting) as the Bulldogs defended he and Justin Graham extremely well. Shamburger totaled 13 points, Wil Carter 11 and Calvin Douglas 10.

Two important figures: the Bulldogs went 14-29 from the foul line and still won by 13, plus Steve Cleveland's squad won the battle of the boards 52-41.

Noteworthy was the effort of Chris Jones. Players want touches which usually means passes to them. In Jones' case, he gets his hand on more basketballs than Mr. Spalding.

At the half, it was Fresno State ahead 33-29.

At that point, the Bulldogs out-boarded San Jose State 26-18 and the Fresno State color announcer (we couldn't pick up the KSJS broadcast) labeled it the hardest working first half for the Bulldogs this season. Oliver totaled 11 points on 13 shot attempts and generated five assists in the initial 20 minutes with Carter scoring 10 points and grabbing nine boards.

Neither team shot well in the first half -- San Jose State at 36% but with 10 turnovers to 35% for the Bulldogs.

Tyler Smith, who may or may not play due to a concussion, is out of St. Francis High in Mountain View. Jerry Brown, who might accompany the team even though redshirting, played high school ball in San Francisco and his family resides in the East Bay. So both players should have family and friends in the stands on Saturday.

Fresno WAC Season-To-Date

12/29/10 vs San Jose State W, 75-62
01/03/11 vs Nevada W, 80-74
01/06/11 at Louisiana Tech W, 63-56
01/08/11 at New Mexico State L, 80-68
01/15/11 vs Utah State L, 52-39
01/17/11 vs Idaho L, 67-57
01/20/11 at Hawai'i L, 62-52
01/24/11 vs Seattle University W, 86-56
01/27/11 at Nevada L, 79-76

The Bulldog Starting Five (stats are for conference play)

* Greg Smith 6-foot-10 sophomore -- 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, shooting 60%, his maneuverability still hampered by inconsistent team outside-shooting (coming off 18 points and 12 boards versus Nevada)

* Nedeljko Golubovic 6-foot-8 senior -- 6.4 ppg. and 4.1 rpg. while shooting 31% and 19% respectively, is tops in steals with 14

* Tim Steed 6-foot-4 junior -- 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting 53% overall and 69% from long distance, a real sparkplug of late (26 points and nine rebounds versus Nevada, 5-6 on three pointers)

* Kevin Olekaibe 6-foot-1 freshman -- 11.3 ppg., shooting 37% overall, 33% from long distance (shot 6-11 versus Nevada so we have him moving into the starting lineup)

* Steven Shepp 6-foot-2 junior -- he is only shooting 29% overall yet 42% on threes, averaging 3.5 ppg. but his assist-to-turnover ratio is 30/10 and he is easily the best ballhandler on the team, especially on any sort of break opportunity (six assists against one turnover at Nevada)

Key Reserves

* Garrett Johnson 6-foot-4 sophomore -- shooting 35% and 33% respectively and 9 ppg. (he started up in Nevada, shot poorly but has the size and strength to better take on Justin Graham or Adrian Oliver)

* Tyler Johnson 6-foot-2 freshman -- suffered a concussion last game so he may be out

* Bracken Funk 6-foot-8 freshman -- not shooting well but is averaging 3.4 rebounds a contest and provides a physical presence inside

* Jonathan Wills 6-foot-6 junior -- is shooting poorly, playing 10 minutes a game

* Bennie Rhodes 6-foot-6 junior -- we're unsure if he is still on the roster

As a team, the Bulldogs are at 39% shooting overall and 29% from three-point range while allowing 46% and 36% to opponents. Something to also keep in mind: Cleveland's squad has attempted 70 more treys than opposing teams. Fresno State was out-rebounded 38-25 in Reno.

On the plus side, Fresno State has a WAC play 64-36 edge in steals

The Fresno State roster (alphabetized, by position)

(Steve Cleveland can't call out the name Johnson during practice since he has three of them)

Garrett Johnson Guard 6-4 195 SO
Justin Johnson Forward 6-6 205 SO
Tyler Johnson Guard 6-2 170 FR
Kevin Olekaibe Guard 6-1 165 FR
Bennie Rhodes Guard 6-6 190 JR
Steven Shepp Guard 6-2 175 JR
Tim Steed Guard 6-4 215 JR
Jonathan Wills Guard 6-6 185 JR

Jerry Brown Forward 6-7 205 SO (redshirting)
Givon Crump Forward 6-7 210 RS SO (redshirting)
Bracken Funk Forward 6-7 240 FR
Nedeljko Golubovic Forward 6-8 240 SR

John Ryan Center 6-10 270 FR
Greg Smith Center 6-10 250 SO

Spartans fall 84-65

2011-01-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

Utah State comes to town Thursday night

2011-01-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

What's new with 18-2/7-0 Utah State besides 13 consecutive wins? Try an entrance into the latest ESPN/USA TODAY Coaches poll at #25.

The Aggies are headed to San Jose for a Thursday night matchup with the Spartans.

Regarding significant numbers, Stew Morrill's team currently leads the WAC with a +11.4 scoring margin and are shooting 49% in conference play while holding collective opponents to 40%. Utah State also is tops in rebounding differential at +11.1. If it is any consolation, USU is last in the conference at 4.3 steals a game and just plus -1.71 in turnover margin.

SJSU and Utah State met December 31 in Logan -- it was 80-71 Aggies -- here's our game report from back then:

"A tug of war? Can that actually be used to describe a basketball game?

We're running with it, plus that point Brockeith Pane with 21 points hurt the Spartans (as he has done to each WAC opponent) all evening via dribble-drive penetration in a Utah State 80-71 victory.

A strong second half by frontcourter Tai Wesley -- because he wasn't burdened by foul trouble -- also aided the Aggie victory. He finished with 16 points, eight boards and just one second half foul. Tyler Newbold just missed a double-double with 11/9.

An under-the-weather Adrian Oliver totaled 18 points. Justin Graham added 15 and Brylle Kamen 13.

Utah State went up 56-50 with 11:03 left. Then Pooh Williams got called for an elbow, subsequently used a variation of the King's English in conversing with the referee and was slapped with a T. Two Oliver free throws and a Graham bucket brought the difference back to two.

The Aggies eventually stretched the lead to seven -- 61 to 54 -- with 8:45 remaining, then 63-54 until Graham nailed a jumper. Stew Morrill's squad then advanced it to 11. It was cut to nine a couple of times but San Jose State couldn't get closer.

Utah State remained relatively foul free in the second half and forced the Spartans into double figure whistles.

Rebounding was even at the half but the Aggies broke out to earn a 14 carom lead in that category come game's end.

Wil Carter fouled out with 8:20 remaining in the game, limited all night by foul difficulties.

It was a most surreal first half, highlighted by 28 foul calls, 15 on USU. For the Aggies, Wesley (both offensive, one an intentional elbow), Morgan Grim, Matt Formisano and Nate Bendall each were whistled for two fouls, with Brady Jardine totaling three.

Oliver had 10 points after the initial 20 minutes (on just six shots), Brylle Kamen nine and Calvin Douglas seven.

Pane owned the first half with 15 points, five boards and a trio of assists.

Utah State rolled out to a 7-0 lead but SJSU came back to tie it at nine apiece on a pair of Oliver free throws. It went back and forth until the Aggies led 39-38 when the clock expired."
___________

As began our December 31 game preview, Utah State is Utah State, year-in and year-out -- Stew Morrill has his offensive system (screen, screen, screen and then screen) until an open shot is accessed or Tai Wesley can muscle inside. It's almost as if who issues the most bruises, wins. Defenders, wishing to escape another collision, start taking shortcuts but the Aggies pick up on this and take advantage when such an opportunity presents.

Defensively, the Aggies play just as physical and boast Pooh Williams, the returning WAC Defensive Player of the Year and Tyler Newbold who is another persistent defender.

It's a squad of talents who play to their strengths, understand their individual and team boundaries and minimize weaknesses.

The closest games this season have taken place when USU doesn't shoot well from outside. Lert's see what happens Thursday.

The WAC coaches selected Tai Wesley as the Pre-Season Player of the year, with Tyler Newbold and Pooh Williams as second-teamers -- almost exclusively for their defensive play. Stew Morrill's squad received eight votes as the top team -- New Mexico State received the other.

In their last game, situated in Logan, Utah State downed New Mexico State. From USU athletics:

A 17-0 first-half run propelled Utah State to a 59-49 win over New Mexico State in a battle of the Aggies Saturday night...

...Senior forward Tai Wesley was the lone USU player in double-digits with 18 points....

...All nine USU players got in the scoring column, as senior guards Brian Green and Pooh Williams tallied nine and eight points, respectively. Senior forward Nate Bendall pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds while junior forward Brady Jardine snared 10, guiding the home Aggies to a 45-30 rebounding advantage, including 15 on the offensive glass which led to a 16-6 second-chance points edge.

NMSU was led by Troy Gillenwater's game-best 20 points while Hernst Laroche added 11 points...

The USU Starting Five

* Nate Bendall 6-foot-9 -- 6.7 ppg., shooting 47% overall, 6.9 rpg., he's coming off a foot injury and now playing about 30 minutes a game

* Tai Wesley 6-foot-7 -- 16.3 ppg., shooting 60% overall, 7.1 rpg., only foul trouble limits his productivity

* Pooh Williams 6-foot-4 -- 7.8 ppg., shooting 40% overall and 40% from three, half of his shot attempts have been treys

* Tyler Newbold 6-foot-5 -- 6.7 ppg., 6.7 rpg., shooting 45% overall, 42% from long distance and these are improved numbers from an earlier,slump

* Brockeith Pane 6-foot-1 & 195-- 12.7 ppg., shooting 54%, 23% from three, is best at driving and penetrating and very hard to stop due to his strength

Off The Bench

* Brady Jardine -- 7.0 ppg., shooting 59% from the floor (and in the paint), 7.1 rpg. leads the team

* Brian Green 6-foot-1 -- 8.7 ppg., shooting 43% overall, 40% on treys, 33 of his 53 shooting attempts have been treys

* Morgan Grim 6-foot-8 -- more inside muscle with limited athletic prowess

* E.J. Farris 6-foot-2 -- He is a walk-on as the backup point and the son of former Spartan Ward Farris, he from back in the Bill Berry-era teams

WAC Schedule to date

In the two games that Utah State has lost this season (each on the road), Tai Wesley went 1-6 from the foul line in the 78-72 loss to BYU plus Nate Bendall didn't play. In the 68-51 loss to Georgetown, Wesley fouled out with 10+ minutes remaining and GT led just 33-29 at the half.

12/29/10 vs. Hawai'i W 74-66
12/31/10 vs. San Jose State W, 80-71
01/08/11 at Nevada W, 81-67
01/13/11 at Boise State W, 68-59
01/15/11 at Fresno State W, 52-39
01/20/11 vs. Louisiana Tech W, 74-57
01/22/11 vs. New Mexico State W, 59-49

The Aggie roster (alphabetized, by position)

Antonio Bumpus 6-3/185 Guard JR (redshirting)
Leon Cooper Jr. 6-1/170 Guard FR
E.J. Farris 6-2/185 Guard SO (walk-on)
Brian Green 6-1/200 Guard SR
Preston Medlin 6-4/175 Guard SO
Tyler Newbold 6-5/210 Guard SR
Brockeith Pane 6-1/195 Guard JR
Steve Thornton 6-5 200 Guard Fr (grayshirting)
James Walker 6-2/180 Guard FR

Pooh Williams 6-4/190 Guard/Forward SR

Nate Bendall 6-9/250 Forward SR
Brad Brown 6-6/190 Forward RS FR
Ben Clifford 6-7/220 Forward FR
Matt Formisano 6-8/240 Forward SR (walk-on)
Morgan Grim 6-8/230 Forward RS JR
Brady Jardine 6-7/220 Forward JR
Tai Wesley 6-7/240 Forward SR

Spartans fall to Hawaii 67-61

2011-01-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

The Spartans wore blue and felt that way after giving Hawaii a run on the road before falling 67-61. Elvis was obviously not in the building. Otherwise, it would have been blue Hawaii.

With 11:25 remaining, the score was 47-42, with SJSU down by five.

Later, Justin Graham's jumper at the 6:33 mark cut the deficit to 53-52.

But UH then went on a mini-run, boosting the margin to 61-54 with 4:50 showing.

At that point, Adrian Oliver made one of two free throws but UH's Joston Thomas countered with a pair at the foul line. Hiram Thompson connected on 1 of 2 at the charity line to make it 64-55. An Oliver runner cut the lead to seven.

Bill "Famous" Amis then got free for a dunk and the contest was over minus additional trips to the foul line.

It was inconsistent free-throw shooting hindered SJSU.

Amis totaled 20 points and nine boards. Fellow frontcourter Joston Thomas put up a 14/14 double-double.

Justin Graham led the Spartans with 20 points. He also notched six rebounds and four assists with nary a turnover. Keith Shamburger totaled 12 points with Oliver and Wil Carter contributing 10 apiece. Matt Ballard led in rebounding, corralling 10 boards. SJSU shot 31% overall.

At the half, it was 31-24.

Adrian Oliver returned to the starting lineup tonight. He picked up a pair of somewhat early fouls, thereby missing some of his usual playing time early on. Rebounding totals were fairly even, it seemed like UH big Vander Joaquim was having a block-athon.and the teams went back and forth. Late in the initial 20 minutes, a 9-0 run pushed Hawaii to a 10-point lead until Graham's trey cut it to seven.

C.J. Webster to Australia

2011-01-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

Just saw this:

Pioneers signing bigger than Texas
The Border Watch
January 19, 2011

The Mount Gambier Pioneers are taking a punt on American import “CJ” Webster for the 2011 South East Australian Basketball League season.

Webster is somewhat of a man mountain, standing 206cm (6’9”) and weighing 115kg, but will arrive at the Pioneers with strong credentials.

Born in Houston, Texas, the 24-year-old Webster has enjoyed basketball experience with Thurgood Marshall High in Missouri City, a brief stint at Arkansas Fort Smith, then with Texas State (San Marcos) in the National College of America Association and from 2007-10 with San Jose State in the NCAA...

Go here for the remainder.

* Mount Gambier is located in south Australia.

It's Hawaii in Honolulu on Saturday

2011-01-18T16:06:00.000-08:00

So who or what is Hawaii basketball this season?

Is it the squad 9-3 in non-conference contests (albeit with but two road games) or the team currently 1-5 in the WAC? (albeit with but two home games).

The answer depends on your perspective, your bias, whatever you wish to label it.

Coming over from an assistant coach spot at USC, Gib Arnold has taken over the reigns and quickly undertook a dramatic roster makeover -- by necessity. Greater talent was needed and there were quite the number of openings to fill. But two newcomers, freshman guard Jordan Coleman and junior college transfer backcourter Anthony Salters, have since departed, leaving the Rainbow Warrior guard depth quite lean. This is also a young and relatively inexperienced Hawaii squad.

Arnold hired one assistant with strong ties to Brazilian basketball so it will be interesting to watch if that connection pays off. He also hired a former D-1 head coach from the Chicago area to beef up the UH recruiting reach in the Midwest.

+++++

A key stat

Do keep in mind that in the last four WAC games, UH is shooting very poorly from three-point range:

* 29% against Nevada
* 17% in the Boise State matchup
* 20% versus New Mexico State
*21% in the Louisiana Tech contest

Will the trend continue, or not?

Plus, in conference play, the Rainbow Warriors are shooting 41% while allowing 43% overall to opponents, 25% to 36% from long range.

Another key numbers ratio in WAC action to date: Arnold's team is scoring 59 points a game but giving up 71.

The Rainbow Warrior Starting Five (numbers are for WAC games)

* 6-foot-10 Vander Joaquim -- progressing as the season goes on, he is scoring and rebounding more at 7.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, he is shooting 50% and has six blocked shots in the same number of games

* 6-foot-9 Bill Amis -- he missed a long stretch of games with a broken foot, came back rusty but put up a 22/12 double-double last game versus Louisiana Tech, averaging 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds a game, can face the hoop and play with his back to it

* 6-foot-6 Zane Johnson -- primarily a long-distance shooter, his 15.2 ppg. is tops on the team, shooting 44% and 35% respectively, 40 of his 65 shooting attempts have been three-pointers

* 6-foot-3 Hiram Thompson -- he began the season performing spectacularly but a back injury and major minutes on the court have lessened his numbers, scoring 8.3 ppg., shooting 39% and 29% respectively, he scored10.9 ppg., shooting 45% and 33% respectively in non-conference play, has 16 assists and 16 turnovers in WAC action

* 6-foot-1 Bobby Miles -- The freshman Miles wasn't expected to be playing all that much, let alone be in a starting role, scoring 2.3 ppg., on 43% shooting, with 6 assists to 11 turnovers, posted a 45 assists to 41 turnovers ration in non-conference action

Off The Bench

* 6-foot-7 Joston Thomas -- he has been a starter most of the season and may start on Saturday depending on how Arnold wants to play it, he's strong, physical and athletic plus he loves to attempt dunks, averaging 7.5 ppg. versus 10.7 ppg. in non-league games, shooting 38%, grabbing 5.2 rebounds a WAC contest

* 6-foot-7 Trevor Wiseman -- the freshman very athletic, an energy-type guy whose numbers have reduced of late

* 7-foot-0 Doug Kurtz -- the back-up in the middle, he can score inside, shooting 42% in WAC play versus 55% in non-league action

* 6-foot-4 Bo Barnes -- Another freshman who was banging in treys in the early going but his proficiency has really slowed, shooting 4-21 overall in WAC minutes with 19 of those attempts coming from long distance

Hawaii's bench has not been all that helpful since WAC games began -- is this a trend or an anomaly?

Hawaii's WAC schedule to date

12/29/2010 @ Utah State L 66-74

12/31/2010 @ Nevada L 69-86

1/6/2011 Idaho L 44-59

1/8/2011 Boise State L 55-79

1/13/2011 @ New Mexico State L 64-82

1/15/2011 @ Louisiana Tech W 56-48

1/20/2011 Fresno State

The UH Roster

Bo Barnes G 6-4 190 Fr.Bobby Miles G 6-1 190 Fr.
Zane Johnson G 6-6 210 Jr.
Bobby MIles, G, 6-1 190 Fr.
Pi`i Minns G 6-4 180 So. (walk-on)
Jeremiah Ostrowski G 5-9 175 Jr. (walk-on)
Hiram Thompson G 6-3 175 Sr.

Bill Amis F 6-9 235 Sr.
Dominick Brumfield F 6-8 215 So.
Joston Thomas F 6-7 235 So.
Trevor Wiseman F 6-7 210 Fr.

Vander Joaquim C 6-10 245 So. (Angola)
Douglas Kurtz C 7-0 265 Sr. (Brazil)
Davis Rozitis C 7-0 230 So. (Latvia) (redshirting)

Spartans fall 78-53

2011-01-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

It's a super secret program, appropriate for a state featuring Los Alamos and The Manhattan Project.

Regardless, SpartanHoops has stealthingly uncovered the fact that New Mexico State University engineers have developed an invisible lid for placement on the basketball hoop. The evidence? San Jose State went 0-12 from beyond the arc, shooting 23% in the first half against the Aggies tonight. Furthermore, witnesses have told us that a male in his forties, wearing sunglasses, Crocs, a fedora and a leather overcoat was seen furiously working what looked like a blackberry device whenever the Spartans attempted a shot. We are told a YouTube video will soon be available.

Strictly on the court, the final score was 78-53.

It was this kind of night: Aggie freshman backcourter Christian Kabongo, entering the game shooting 6-42 on treys overall, 1-7 in WAC play, made all three of his long distance attempts.

But SJSU did fight back, closing the margin to 12 midway through the second 20 minutes but a trio of Aggie treys boosted the lead back to 18 and that was that.

Leading 35-18 at the half, it was a case of New Mexico State unable to miss, San Jose State unable to make early on and the Aggies cantered to an early 20-point lead. But it was gradual elongation -- NMSU led 8-6 at the 15:58 mark, 17-9 with 13:33 showing but boosted it to 27-11 and then 33-13.

On the game, San Jose State shot 33% to 48% for New Mexico State. The Aggies went 11-27 on three-pointers to just 2-17 for the Spartans. In rebounding, NMSU won by 11, 42-31.

Troy Gillenwater led the Aggies with 18 points, plus six boards. Backcourter Gordo Castillo totaled 17 and Kabongo 13.

Wil Carter's 14 points and seven rebounds topped the Spartans. Justin Graham added 11.

Spartan leading scorer Adrian Oliver again missed the game with concussion-like symptoms. Coach George Nessman started Brylle Kamen, Carter, Calvin Douglas, Keith Shamburger and Graham.

At New Mexico State on Saturday night

2011-01-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

Coach Marvin Menzies is operating a mini-United Nations down in Las Cruces what with players from Canada (3), Senegal (2), South Africa (1) and France (1). Recruiting to Las Cruces is never an easy task so his reaching out to foreign players makes great sense.

The Aggies lost backcourter Jahmar Young a year early and Jonathan Gibson graduated so the focus this season is on the frontcourt -- but Menzies' bigs have endured a slew of injuries.

Normal starters 6-foot-11 Hamidu Rahman (calf injury) and 6-foot-8 Troy Gillenwater both played but came off the bench in the latest Aggie game against Hawaii. Gillenwater supposedly re-injured his ankle but to what degree is unknown.

Against Fresno State it was 6-foot-10 Tshilidzi Nephawe, Troy Gillenwater, 6-foot-5 Tyrone Watson, 6-foot-8 Bandja Sy and H6-foot-1 ernst Laroche as the starters. Against Boise State, Troy Gillenwater was still out injured and 6-foot-4 Christian Kabongo started in his place.

The Aggies are 9-9 overall, this season 3-1 in conference action and 7-3 at home.

Oakland native and former Richmond High star Wendell McKines won't play as he is officially redshirting this season.

What may or may not be a key stat: the Aggies are currently 6-0 when they hold opponents to 70 points or less.

As for a critical number, New Mexico State is currently shooting 51% in league play, holding opponents to 44%.

NMSU's Starting Five (stats are in league play)

One of the two bigs will start at center and if Watson starts in place of Gillenwater look for Christian Kabongo to start in the backcourt opposite Laroche.

* 6-11 Hamidu Rahman -- has missed some games with a calf injury -- should be available but for probably less than 20 minutes

or

* 6-10 Tshilidzi Nephawe -- 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds a game, shooting 63%, is 14-16 at the foul line, has been starting in place of Rahman

* 6-8 Troy Gillenwater -- 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds a game, shooting 55% overall, 36% from three, missed some games with an ankle injury

or

* 6-5 Tyrone Watson -- 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds a game, shooting 58% overall

* * 6-8 Bandja Sy -- 9.0 points per game, shooting 60% overall, 71% on threes, has been playing much better of late and starting

* 6-1 Hernst Laroche -- 11.0 points per game, shooting 48% overall, 37% from three, 18/6 assist-to-turnover ratio

Off The Bench

* 6-4 Christian Kabongo -- he's not shooting or scoring well but leads the team in steals and like an up-and-down game

* 6-5 Gordo Castillo -- the best catch-and-shoot distance marksman on the team

The Aggie schedule so far

Nov 12 @ Louisiana Lafayette 92 - 76 (W)
Nov 15 Western New Mexico 95 - 62 (W)
Nov 18 @ Arizona 57 - 83 (L)
Nov 20 @ UMass 57 - 71 (L)
Nov 21 Southern California at Springfield, MA 61 - 80 (L)
Nov 23 @ UTEP 56 - 73 (L)
Nov 30 UTEP 72 - 74 (L)
Dec 04 New Mexico 78 - 84 (L)
Dec 11 @ New Mexico 62 - 78 (L)
Dec 13 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 83 - 49 (W)
Dec 16 Oklahoma Panhandle State 78 - 46 (W)
Dec 18 Pacific 69 - 64 (W)
Dec 21 Louisiana Lafayette 82 - 76 (W)
Dec 23 Saint Mary's 53 - 73 (L)

Dec 29 @ Idaho 74 - 69 (W)

The New Mexico State men’s basketball team opened 2010-11 WAC play with a 74-69 win at Idaho. Junior forward Troy Gillenwater led the Aggies with 22 points after missing the last five games due to an injury. NM State improves to 6-0 in WAC openers. Sophomore forward Tyrone Watson and junior guard Hernst Laroche added 12 points while freshman center Tshilidzi Nephawe scored 10.

Dec 31 @ Boise State 78 - 81 (L)

The New Mexico State men’s basketball team said goodbye to 2010 with its second WAC game of the season at Boise State, but the Aggies fell to the Broncos, 81-78, in the New Year’s Eve game. The Aggies moved to 7-9 and 1-1 in the WAC while Boise State is 9-5 and 2-0. NM State had four players in double-figures with junior forward Troy Gillenwater scoring a game-high 24 points. Senior guard Gordo Castillo had 14 points, while sophomore forward Bandja Sy and junior guard Hernst Laroche supplied 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Jan 08 Fresno State 80 - 68 (W)

Troy Gillenwater scored 19 points to go with 10 rebounds to lead New Mexico State to an 80-68 victory over Fresno State on Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M. The Aggies (8-9, 2-1 Western Athletic) outscored Fresno State 43-37 in the second half and shot 58 percent for the game. Hernst Laroche and Hamidu Rahman each scored 11 points and Tshilidzi Nephawe added 10.

Jan 13 Hawai'i 82-64 (W)

Troy Gillenwater scored 13 points in 18 minutes to help New Mexico State to an 82-64 victory over Hawaii on Thursday at the Pan American Center.

Junior point guard Hernst Laroche added 14 points and five assists, Christian Kabongo scored 12 and Gordo Castillo scored 10 for the Aggies, (9-9, 3-1 Western Athletic) who won their second straight game and the seventh in the last nine. The Aggies finished 49 percent from the floor and scored 20 points off 20 Hawaii turnovers. The Rainbow Warriors finished 38.1 percent from the floor and were 4-of-19 from the 3-point line.

The New Mexico State roster (by position, alphabetized)

Gordo Castillo G 6-5 190 Sr.
Makhtar Diop G 6-6 195 Jr.
Drew Herig 6-0 183 Fr.
Christian Kabongo G 6-4 199 Fr.
Hernst Laroche G 6-1 170 Jr.

Renaldo Dixon F 6-10 210 Fr.
Troy Gillenwater F 6-8 238 Jr.
Wendell McKines F 6-6 230 Sr. (redshirting)
Bandja Sy F 6-8 214 So.
Tyrone Watson F 6-5 225 So.
B.J. West F 6-11 240 So.

Abdoulaye N'doye C 7-0 215 So.
Tshilidzi Nephawe C 6-10 268 Fr.
Hamidu Rahman C 6-11 245 Jr.

San Jose State tops LT 79-74

2011-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Minus Adrian Oliver, out with concussion-like symptoms suffered in practice during the week, it was 'a babe shall lead them' situation

Freshman Keith Shamburger's streak of nine straight points --a pair of free throws, a dribble-drive basket, a top of the key trey and two more from the foul line -- brought San Jose State University from behind in the second half and it was close until the wire before the Spartans prevailed over Louisiana Tech 79-74. He finished with 21 points.

LT endured a veritable offensive no-show by star Olu Ashaolu who managed just four points on 2-4 shooting. He did grab 11 boards however. DeAndre Brown and Tevin Hall, with 17 points apiece, led the Bulldogs, who collectively made just 4-11 from the foul line, content with firing away from long distance (12-27).

SJSU was paced by Shamburger'spoint total and also Justin Graham's 21 points. Wil Carter contributed 14 and Calvin Douglas 13 (6-8 shooting). The team shot 57% on the evening.

The score was 38-37 in favor of the Bulldogs at the half, an ever-evolving 20 minutes of play. SJSU took a 12 point lead at one point but an LT 17-4 run, powered by seven treys, closed out the play and put Coach Kerry Rupp's team ahead. Carter had 12 points at the half aided by a trio of dunks, Graham 11 and Douglas 10.

We don't know the actual attendance but let's say the crowd was sparse and quiet.

Justin Graham: marathon man

2011-01-13T18:01:00.000-08:00

Ripon High product is Spartans' marathon man
Jason Anderson
Stockton Record
January 13, 2011

San Jose State senior Justin Graham certainly can't complain about playing time.

The 6-foot-4 point guard from Ripon High tied a school record when he played all 60 minutes in a 102-101 quadruple-overtime loss to Boise State on Jan. 6, and he'll have another rare statistical feat within reach tonight when the Spartans visit Louisiana Tech.

San Jose State coach George Nessman made 45 substitutions against Boise State but never replaced Graham, who was twice named to The Record's All-Area Team...

Go here for the remainder.

Frosh-Soph Dinner Recap

2011-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Frosh-Soph Dinner Recap

A very enthusiastic Rebounders group greeted our seven frosh-soph players and three coaches at Wednesday's players' dinner held at San Jose's Bold Knight Bistro. After meeting for adult beverages by the newly installed fireplace in the upstairs lounge, the group adjourned to the cozy downstairs wine cellar for dinner and the program.

After a delicious dinner of salad, pasta and garlic chicken, the players were subjected to a interview form detailing their name, position, number, home town and college major. Additional questions focused on what is the most difficult away venue, what is a typical SJSU day for them, and what is their favorite thing about SJSU. The "bonus" question asked each player the name of their roommate and to share a funny story about them. Both Joe Henson and redshirt freshman DJ Brown were mentioned as having the most interesting sleeping habits; Joe for his ability to snore so loudly as to be heard through solid walls, and BJ for his sudden zombie-like awakenings in which he bolts straight upward from a seemingly dead slumber! Aalim Moor definitely was the team comic, detailing Joe Henson's ability to wake not only the dead but his SJSU teammates as well!

Many thanks to our generous sponsors including:

* Anne and John Hopkirk
* Jerry Hukee
* Rich Hemmerling and Marj Mancuso
* Don Funk
* Gayle Kludt
* Donna and Gordon Rooney
* Audrey Unruh
* Dave and Cherie Donahue
* Tony Robinson
* James LeCompte

Of course generosity has its rewards and so the following Rebounders won our sponsors' raffle:

* Don Funk won the SJSU Ping sweatshirt,
* Tony Robinson won the autographed SJSU tee,
* Rich Hemmerling won the SJSU carry-on and,
* Marj Mancuso won the team autographed ball.

We hope you all can join us February 8th as we all welcome our juniors and seniors to our next players' dinner, same time, same venue. We will have the chance to express our appreciation for seniors Justin Graham and Adrian Oliver and offer our best wishes to our current juniors and soon to be upcoming seniors for 2012!

A reminder, we are still looking for TV sponsors as SJSU basketball needs a new flat screen to help with recruiting and team preparation. This has been identified as the number one need by the basketball staff. If you can help, please contact Gayle Kludt at 408 531-1063 or sjsubabe@cwnet.com.

So mark those calendars and save the date, February 8th, to join us for the next players' dinner; meeting these fine young men will not only make you happy to be a Spartan but even happier to know them.

Please come!

Spartan hoops on the road Thursday at Louisiana Tech

2011-01-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

It's a showdown in Ruston, Louisiana (sort of like the one in that area involving authorities and Bonnie and Clyde that resulted in the demise of B and C back in 1934). But this one involves San Jose State University and host Louisiana Tech, with both teams needing to get off the schneid in WAC play.

The game will begin at 5 p.m. Pacific time.

Kerry Rupp heads the Bulldog program, one minus graduated stars Magnum Rolle and Kyle Gibson from last season. Olu Ashaolu, the WAC leader in rebounding, remains a bulwark upfront and it's DeAndre Brown leading the backcourt but it primarily newcomers trying to coalesce.

As for personnel, here's Ethan Conley of The News Star in a recent article:

"An inexperienced Louisiana Tech men's basketball team is suddenly looking even younger.

Sophomore swingman Brandon Gibson, one of just four Bulldogs who entered the season with any previous experience in Division 1 basketball, will miss the remainder of the team's 2010-11 campaign after undergoing surgery on Thursday to repair a torn left ACL...

...Gibson had started 12 games for the Bulldogs (9-8 overall, 0-3 WAC) and was one of their most productive players. He was third on the team in scoring (9.2 points per game), second in rebounding (5.1 per game) and first in blocks (14 on the season)...

...Darius Redding was one of Tech's four returnees at the start of the season. In early December, Tech announced that Redding, a sophomore forward, had been ruled academically ineligible for the winter quarter, and he will not be eligible to return until the team visits San Jose State on Feb. 26...

...Tech averages 68.3 points per game this season but just 54.3 points in its three games against Western Athletic Conference competition, and Brown and Ashaolu have scored 60 percent of the team's points in those games."

LT managed an 8-5 non-conference record but it's been tough going comes WAC play -- losing by 11 at Boise, by 30 at Idaho and seven after hosting Fresno State.

But at home, the Bulldogs do own a 5-1 record.

Louisiana Tech Starting Five

* 6-7 junior Olu Ashaolu -- 15.3 ppg., shooting 55% overall, 112 foul shots in 17 games, 9.2 rpg., very good offensive rebounder

* 6-1 freshman Kenyon McNeaill -- 6.9 ppg., shooting 35% overall, 33% from three, 44/44 assist-to-turnover ratio

* 5-11 senior DeAndre Brown --16.4 ppg., shooting 41% overall, 39% on threes, 47/59 assist-to-turnover ratio, a team-leading 21 steals

after this trio, it's anyone's guess who will start

Off The Bench

* 6-10 junior Romario Souza -- shooting 53% but prefers facing the basket and not necessarily playing in the paint

* 6-7 freshman James Johnson -- also shooting 53% and an inside-the-paint player

* 6-5 freshman Lonnie Smith -- 6.3 ppg., shooting 38% overall, 39% from three and 49 of his 80 shot attempts have been treys

* 6-9 junior Antwond Roshell -- has played little but has size and bulk, shooting 56%

The Bulldogs are -32 in steals on the season and -52 in turnovers.

LT's schedule to date

11/10/10 at Texas L, 89-58

11/17/10 vs. Houston W, 60-54

11/19/10 vs. Seattle University (Irvine, CA) W, 85-72
11/20/10 vs. Navy (Irvine, CA) W, 80-65
11/21/10 at UC Irvine W, 76-72

11/26/10 at UALR L, 74-65

12/01/10 vs. SMU W, 69-64

12/04/10 vs. Louisiana-Monroe W, 67-58

12/07/10 at Northwestern State L, 85-78

12/11/10 at McNeese State L, 80-70

12/14/10 at Houston Baptist W, 80-57

12/18/10 vs. UT Arlington W, 62-61

12/21/10 at Iowa L, 77-58

12/29/10 at Boise State L, 71-60
12/31/10 at Idaho L, 77-47
01/06/11 vs. Fresno State L, 63-56

The Louisiana Tech Roster (alphabetized, by position)

DeAndre Brown 5-11/160 G SR
Brandon Gibson 6-5/225 G SO (injured)
Tevin Hall 5-10/155 PG SO
Cordarius Johnson 6-5/215 G FR
Kenyon McNeaill 6-1/185 G FR
C.J. Scott 6-1/225 G JR
Lonnie Smith 6-5/185 G FR

Olu Ashaolu 6-7/220 G/F JR

Stojan Gjuroski 6-7/195 FR HS (redshirting)
James Johnson 6-7/250 F/C FR
J.L. Lewis 6-8/240 F/C SO
Darius Redding 6-4/205 F SO (ineligible)

Romario Souza 6-10/245 F/C JR

Antwond Roshell 6-9/250 C JR

Spartans fall to Idaho 75-67

2011-01-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

It was 'Famous Potatoes' times two this week for San Jose State but neither game left a pleasant aftertaste as Idaho also topped the Spartans tonight 75-67.

SJSU led 35-27 after the initial 20 minutes, looking in a degree of command if not control, but the Vandals lived up to their forebearers namesake in the second half with a 48-32 rampage. The last eight minutes of the matchup was an Idaho scoring blitz.

Adrian Oliver led with 25 points. Justin Graham passed for nine assists while Brylle Kamen topped the Spartans in rebounding with 11, his second straight double figures outing. He played 29 minutes, making his first appearance as a starter. Calvin Douglas contributed 12 on 5-7 shooting from the floor, 2-4 on trey attempts.

Deremy Geiger led Don Verlin's squad with 17 points but four other Vandals finished in double figures: Luiz Toledo and Jeff Ledbetter with 13 apiece and Shawn Herson and Kyle Barone each totaling 11. Toledo led the board effort with nine rebounds.

Idaho shot 50% for the game to SJSU's 37%. Each of the other statistical categories were either a wash or close to it.

Idaho -- Saturday 7:30 p.m. -- Walt McPherson Court

2011-01-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

Idaho Coach Don Verlin is a Stew Morrill protégé, coming over from USU after 15 years in March 2008 and he utilizes the same flip card system offensively that Utah State employs. By the way, Verlin has a brother Ron who is a longtime assistant at Pacific.

The nadir of the Vandal season to date was a inexplicable 75-33 lost at Montana on November 22. But that was followed with four straight wins plus a return game at home against Montana was much closer, a 64-63 loss.

In matchups with teams that San Jose State has also played, the Vandals beat host Eastern Washington 70-60, lost to host Seattle 66-56 but then won at Oregon 69-65.

Idaho has also shut two WAC opponents down offensively, holding LA TECH to 47 points and Hawaii to 44.

The Vandal Starting Five

There is only one double-digit scorer at this point on the squad.

* Deremy Geiger 5-11 (if stretched out on the rack) -- 10.5 ppg., 71 of his 107 shots have been three-pointers, shooting 35% overall, 40% on treys

* Jeff Ledbetter 6-2 -- 8.8 ppg., shooting 45% overall, 44% from long distance, 68 of his 84 shots have been three-pointers

* Shawn Henderson 6-3 -- 9.2 ppg., shooting 41%, only 8-30 from three-point range, a team-leading 5.8 rpg., 41 assists to 30 turnovers

* Brandon Wiley 6-5 -- 8.1 ppg., shooting 59%, 5.5 rpg., team-leading 19 blocked shots

* Luiz Toledo 6-8 -- 9.9 ppg., shooting 48%, 5.3 rpg.

Off The Bench

* Kyle Barone 6-10 -- 9.3 ppg., 5.4 rpg., shooting 59% from the floor, 12 shotblocks in 13 games

* Landon Tatum 5-11 -- 5.1 ppg., shooting 37% with no three-point attempts, 38-17 assist to turnover numbers which is best on the team

* Stephen Madison 6-5 -- a reserve, not shooting particularly well

6-8 junior college transfer Djim Bandoumel, who was the most athletic frontcourter on the squad, was declared academically ineligible about a week ago.

* As a team, the Vandals are shooting 45% to 41% for opposing teams, 39% to 33% from long distance but with 77 less attempts. The rebounding differential is 35-31 per game in favor of Idaho. Verlin's team has 34 more turnovers than opponents and 25 less steals.

The Idaho schedule to date

Nov 13 Eastern Oregon 86 - 74 (W)

Nov 16 @ Washington State 71 - 88 (L)

Nov 20 Portland 53 - 66 (L)

Nov 22 @ Montana 33 - 75 (L)

Nov 27 @ Eastern Washington 70 - 60 (W)

Dec 03 North Dakota 63 - 42 (W)

Dec 04 Monmouth 69 - 66 (W)

Dec 05 Eastern Michigan 75 - 60 (W)

Dec 11 @ Seattle University 56 - 66 (L)

Dec 18 Montana 63 - 64 (L)

Dec 21 @ Oregon 69 - 65 (W)

Dec 29 New Mexico State 69 - 74 (L)

It was another tightly-contested game for the University of Idaho men's basketball team on Wednesday, but miscues by the Vandals gave New Mexico State a 74-69 victory in both teams' Western Athletic Conference opener. Idaho (6-6, 0-1 WAC) committed 11 first-half turnovers and saw the Aggies (7-8, 1-0 WAC) turn 16 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points in the loss. After playing solid first-half defense, the Vandals allowed NMSU to shoot 63 percent from the field in the second.

Dec 31 Louisiana Tech 77 - 47 (W)

The University of Idaho men's basketball team put an exclamation point on the year 2010 with its biggest conference win in 12 years in a 77-47 victory over Louisiana Tech on Friday at the Cowan Spectrum. Idaho (7-6, 1-1 Western Athletic Conference) started the game on a 9-0 run and never looked back in holding Louisiana Tech (9-7, 0-2 WAC) to just 28.8 percent shooting and converting 13 Bulldog turnovers into 20 points.

Jan 6 @ Hawaii 59-44 (W)

Leading by five at halftime, the University of Idaho men's basketball team put on the clamps and held Hawai'i to just 15 second-half points in a 59-44 win at the Stan Sheriff Center Thursday night. Idaho (8-6, 2-1 Western Athletic Conference) shot 43.8 percent from the field and held the WAC's top 3-point shooting team to just 13.6 percent from beyond the arc. Hawai'i (9-6, 0-3 WAC) was 8-1 at their home arena going into the game. Two of Idaho head coach Don Verlin's main keys to victory on Thursday were to limit the potent Warrior 3-point attack and to be strong on the boards. Done and done. UH entered the game making a WAC-high 7.29 3-pointers on a conference-best .397 clip from beyond the arc, but they went just 3-of-22 (.136) on Thursday. Idaho also out-rebounded the Warriors 40-28 overall and 21-11 in the second half.

The Vandal roster (alphabetized, by position)

Two players have departed since the beginning of the school year -- forward Renado Parker and guard Gary Winston both departed for Portland State.

Matt Borton G 6-5 180 Fr
Deremy Geiger G 5-11 170 Jr.
Shawn Henderson G 6-3 178 Sr.
Jeff Ledbetter G 6-2 195 Sr.
Shayne Sheridan G 6-0 170 Jr. (walk-on)
Landon Tatum G 5-11 196 Jr.

Brandon Wiley F 6-5 218 Sr. (out of Pinole, so some of his fans will be at the game)
Paul Jorg F 6-8 200 Fr. (walk-on)
Stephen Madison F 6-5 215 Fr.
Luiz Toledo F 6-8 225 Jr.

Kyle Barone C 6-10 220 So.
Joe Kammerer C 6-9 241 Fr. (redshirted last year)

Spartans fall 102-101 in four overtimes

2011-01-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Boise State - Thursday 7:30 - Walt McPherson Court

2011-01-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

The Broncos currently sport a 2-0 mark with wins at home against Louisiana Tech and then New Mexico State. BSU is 9-5 overall, 3-4 on the road (victories against San Diego, Davis and Northern Illinois). It's no longer Greg Graham in charge but former Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice as Boise is making the move to the Mountain West Conference and Rice's task is to get the Bronco hoops program at least in the same universe if not necessarily the same zip code -- as the BSU football squad.

It's an experienced squad, generally starting four seniors with at least two more coming off the bench for solid minutes.

Leon Rice's Starting Five

Count on Anderson, Arnold and Montreal as sure-fire starters against the Spartans. The other two spots will depend on what the BSU coaching staff deems the best matchups.

* La'Shard Anderson 6-1 170 -- 13.6 points & 3.4 rebounds per game, team-leading 71 assists, team-leading 32 st5eals

* Westly Perryman 6-1 180 -- 7.4 points & 3 rebounds per game, second on team in steals with 30, shooting 42% and 29%

* Robert Arnold 6-6 176 -- 15.6 points & 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 41% and 33%, leads team in blocked shots with 13, 17/32 assist-to-turnover ratio, most free throw attempts with 82

* Paul Noonan 6-7 210 -- the best catch-and-shoot distance shooter on the team, 10.4 ppg., 52% and 45% shooting, half his attempts have been threes

* Darquon Montreal 6-8 230 -- 9.5 points & 6.1 rebounds a game, shooting 45%,

Off The Bench

* Zack Moritz 6-10 239 -- shooting 50%, more than half his rebounds have been offensive

* Sean Imadiyi 6-7 215 -- shooting 54% but inside the paint

* Ryan Watkins 6-8 247 -- 5.8 points & 3.2 rebounds per game, shooting 55%

The Broncos are shooting 45% to 39% for SJSU while conversely the Spartans are holding opponents to 42% shooting with BSU at 45%.

The Broncos have earned 58 more free throw attempts than opponents, are out-rebounding foes by six a game despite not being big, plus have pilfered 63 more steals.

Boise State schedule to date

Nov 13 Western State, Taco Bell Arena 78 - 52 (W)

Nov 19 San Diego, at San Diego 65 - 60 (W)

Nov 21 UC Davis at Davis 67 - 47 (W)

Nov 24 Eastern Washington Taco Bell Arena 83 - 54 (W)

Nov 27 Denver Taco Bell Arena 65 - 52 (W)

Nov 29 Northern Illinois at DeKalb, IL 80 - 51 (W)

Dec 05 Long Beach State Taco Bell Arena 66 - 69 (L)

Dec 08 UNLV at Las Vegas 72 - 75 (L)

Dec 12 Drake at Des Moines, Iowa 69 - 72 (L)

Dec 17 Utah at Salt Lake City 84 - 86 (L)

Dec 19 Texas-Pan American Taco Bell Arena 91 - 62 (W)

Dec 22 Portland at Portland 79 - 88 (L)

Dec 29 Louisiana Tech Taco Bell Arena 71 - 60 (W)

Paul Noonan scored a season-high 23 points to lead Boise State to a 71-60 victory over Louisiana Tech.

The Broncos opened the game with a 20-2 run and maintained control the rest of the way.

Boise State went into intermission up 36-14, holding Louisiana Tech to its lowest point total in a half this season. The 22-point halftime lead was also the Broncos' largest margin in a WAC game since Jan. 24, 2008, when the Broncos led Hawai'i by 25 (47-22).

In the second half, Louisiana Tech shot 55.6 percent but didn't get closer than 14 until less than three minutes remained.

Noonan tied his career high with six 3-pointers en route to his second 20-point game of the season.

La'Shard Anderson had 11 points and eight assists for Boise State, and tied his career high with seven rebounds.

Dec 31 New Mexico State Taco Bell Arena 81 - 78 (W)

Daequon Montreal had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boise State to a 81-78 comeback victory over New Mexico State

Boise State trailed the entire game until Robert Arnold's 3-pointer gave them a 68-67 lead with 4:09 remaining.

La'Shard Anderson scored 17 points for the Broncos while Arnold and Paul Noonan added 13 apiece.

New Mexico State shot 69.6 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 45-39 halftime lead, but Boise State held the Aggies to just 37.5 percent shooting in the second period, outscoring the visitors 42-33 in the stanza.

The Bronco roster (alphabetized & by position)

La'Shard Anderson G 6-1 170 Sr.
Jeff Elorriaga G 6-2 180 Fr. (walk-on)
G.A. Hill G 5-9 150 Fr. (walk-on)
Tre Nichols G 5-11 168 Jr.
Westly Perryman G 6-1 180 Jr.
Justin Salzwedel G 6-2 182 Sr. (walk-on)
Drew Wiley G 6-7 215 Jr. (is redshirting)

Robert Arnold F 6-6 176 Sr.
Thomas Bropleh F 6-5 203 Fr.
Sam Hicks F 6-9 248 Fr.
Sean Imadiyi F 6-7 215 Sr.
Daequon Montreal F 6-8 230 Sr.
Paul Noonan F 6-7 210 Sr.
Isaac Oeltjen F 7-0 224 Fr. (walk-on)
Ryan Watkins F 6-8 247 Fr.

Zach Moritz C 6-10 239 Sr.

Utah State wins 80-71

2010-12-31T20:20:00.000-08:00

A tug of war? Can that actually be used to describe a basketball game?

We're running with it, plus that point Brockeith Pane with 21 points hurt the Spartans all evening via dribble-drive penetration in a Utah State 80-71 victory.

A strong second half by frontcourter Tai Wesley -- because he wasn't burdened by foul trouble -- also aided the Aggie victory. He finished with 16 points, eight boards and just one second half foul. Tyler Newbold just missed a double-double with 11/9.

An under-the-weather Adrian Oliver totaled 18 points. Justin Graham added 15 and Brylle Kamen 13.

Utah State went up 56-50 with 11:03 left. Then Pooh Williams got called for an elbow, subsequently used a variation of the King's English in conversing with the referee and was slapped with a T. Two Oliver free throws and a Graham bucket brought the difference back to two.

The Aggies eventually stretched the lead to seven -- 61 to 54 -- with 8:45 remaining, then 63-54 until Graham nailed a jumper. Stew Morrill's squad then advanced it to 11. It was cut to nine a couple of times but San Jose State couldn't get closer.

Utah State remained relatively foul free in the second half and forced the Spartans into double figure whistles.

Rebounding was even at the half but the Aggies broke out to earn a 14 carom lead in that category come game's end.

Wil Carter fouled out with 8:20 remaining in the game, limited all night by foul difficulties.

It was a most surreal first half, highlighted by 28 foul calls, 15 on USU. For the Aggies, Wesley (both offensive, one an intentional elbow), Morgan Grim, Matt Formisano and Nate Bendall each were whistled for two fouls, with Brady Jardine totaling three.

Oliver had 10 points after the initial 20 minutes (on just six shots), Brylle Kamen nine and Calvin Douglas seven.

Pane owned the first half with 15 points, five boards and a trio of assists.

Utah State rolled out to a 7-0 lead but SJSU came back to tie it at nine apiece on a pair of Oliver free throws. It went back and forth until the Aggies led 39-38 when the clock expired.

By the way, Wild Bill Sproat was sporting wings tonight.

Spartans @ Utah State Friday, 6 p.m.

2010-12-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Utah State is Utah State, year-in and year-out. Stew Morrill has his system (screen, screen, screen and then screen) until an open shot is accessed or Tai Wesley can muscle inside. Defensively, the Aggies play physical and boast Pooh Williams, the returning WAC Defensive Player of the Year who will probably be the prikmary matchup against Adrian Oliver. It's a style and squad of talents who play to their strengths, understand their individual and team boundaries and minimize weaknesses.

The Aggies, owning 11 straight 23-win plus seasons, are 12-2 overall this go-around, 9-0 in the vaunted Spectrum, where Wild Bill Sproat is enthroned. That's Bill up at the top in a game last season versus Hawaii -- let's see what he drapes over himself versus the Spartans.

Hawaii preceded San Jose State into The Spectrum, falling 74-66. UH lost the rebounding battle 32-13, was doubled up in free throw attempts 15/30 but did shoot 62% against the Aggies. Wesley posted a double-double of 27/13 and will be a very difficult matchup on Friday.

Utah State is allowing but 57.4 points per game, a number primarily due to their style of play but also the quality of opponents faced this season. Minus Hawaii, the last six opponents have totalled 58 or less points come the final buzzer.

The Aggies are shooting 46% so far this season -- down a bit or them -- while allowing opponents to be successful just 38% of the time.

Getting personal, the WAC coaches selected Tai Wesley as the Pre-Season Player of the year , with Tyler Newbold and Pooh Williams as second-teamers -- almost exclusively for their defensive play. Stew Morrill's squad received eight votes as the top team -- New Mexico State received the other. However, the media chose Adrian Oliver as Pre-Season Player of the Year, with Tai Wesley a first-teamer and junior college transfer at the point Brockeith Pane awarded Newcomer of the Year honors.

The USU Starting Five

* Nate Bendall 6-foot-9 -- 5.4 ppg., shooting 52% overall, 4.5 rpg., he's coming off a foot injury and playing about 20 minutes a game

* Tai Wesley 6-foot-7 -- 13.8 ppg., shooting 64% overall, 8.2 rpg., only foul trouble limits his productivity

* Pooh Williams 6-foot-4 -- 9.5 ppg., shooting 40% overall 37% from three, half of his shot attempts have been treys

* Tyler Newbold 6-foot-5 -- shooting 40% overall, 28% from long distance but these are improved numbers from earlier, 40 assists to nine TOs

* Brockeith Pane 6-foot-1 -- 9.7 ppg., shooting 35%, 28% from three, has 27 assists to 30 TOs, 54 free throw attempts is second on the team

Off The Bench

* Brady Jardine -- 8.3 ppg., shooting 56% from the floor, 8.6 rpg. leads the team

* Brian Green 6-foot-1 -- 11.6 ppg., shooting 48% from three-point range, 71 of his 106 shot attempts have been three-pointers

* Morgan Grim 6-foot-8 -- inside muscle, more offensive than defensive rebounds

* James Walker 6-foot-2 -- a freshman learning the ropes, 16 assists to nine TOs. shooting 30%

The Schedule so far

In the games that Utah State has lost, Tai Wesley went 1-6 from the foul line in the 78-72 road loss to BYU plus Nate Bendall didn't play. In the 68-51 loss in D.C. to Georgetown, Wesley fouled out with 10+ minutes remaining and GT led just 33-29 at the half.

11/13/10 vs. Weber State W, 77-65
11/17/10 at BYU L, 78-72
11/20/10 at Southern Utah W, 66-53
11/24/10 vs. Utah W, 79-62
11/27/10 vs. Northeastern W, 56-54
12/01/10 at Denver W, 61-53
12/04/10 at Georgetown L, 68-51
12/07/10 vs. Long Beach State W, 81-53
12/11/10 vs. Cal State Bakersfield W, 77-58
12/18/10 at Utah Valley W, 76-58

World Vision Invitational Tournament, Logan, Utah
12/21/10 vs. Idaho State W, 71-48
12/22/10 vs. Western Michigan W, 78-57
12/23/10 vs. Troy W, 80-39
12/29/10 vs. Hawai'i W 74-66

The Aggie roster (alphabetized, by position)

Antonio Bumpus 6-3/185 Guard JR (redshirting)
Leon Cooper Jr. 6-1/170 Guard FR
E.J. Farris 6-2/185 Guard SO (walk-on)
Brian Green 6-1/200 Guard SR
Preston Medlin 6-4/175 Guard SO
Tyler Newbold 6-5/210 Guard SR
Brockeith Pane 6-1/195 Guard JR
Steve Thornton 6-5 200 Guard Fr (grayshirting)
James Walker 6-2/180 Guard FR

Pooh Williams 6-4/190 Guard/Forward SR

Nate Bendall 6-9/250 Forward SR
Brad Brown 6-6/190 Forward RS FR
Ben Clifford 6-7/220 Forward FR
Matt Formisano 6-8/240 Forward SR (walk-on)
Morgan Grim 6-8/230 Forward RS JR
Brady Jardine 6-7/220 Forward JR
Tai Wesley 6-7/240 Forward SR

Leland Miller 7-1/230 Center SO (walk-on)

Spartans fall 75-62

2010-12-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

It was yet another grinder as both teams tossed jab after jab but with neither squad able to sustain a pullaway lead until late and that turned out to be Fresno State. The host Bulldogs topped SJSU 75-62.

With the score 61-56, freshman Kevin Olekaibe hit a floater to make it 63-56 in favor of the Dogs.

Then came a Tim Steed dunk.

Keith Shamburger and Jonathan Wills traded nailing one of two free throws and Steed then flushed his second one.

Subsequently a march to the foul line ensued until the buzzer.

Fresno State's Mr. (Greg) Smith didn't go to Washington but rather to the basket for16 points. But it was his late second half steal and later a block with resulting passes to Tim Steed for the aforementioned dunks.

The Spartans couldn't get the needed stops in the last five minutes.

For SJSU, Adrian Oliver led with 15 points (6-19 shooting) as the Bulldogs defended he and Justin Graham extremely well. Shamburger totaled 13 points, Wil Carter 11 and Calvin Douglas 10.

Two important figures: the Bulldogs went 14-29 from the foul line and still won by 13, plus Steve Cleveland's squad won the battle of the boards 52-41.

Noteworthy was the effort of Chris Jones. Players want touches which usually means passes to them. In Jones' case, he gets his hand on more basketballs than Mr. Spalding.

At the half, it was Fresno State ahead 33-29.

At that point, the Bulldogs out-boarded San Jose State 26-18 and the Fresno State color announcer (we couldn't pick up the KSJS broadcast) labeled it the hardest working first half for the Bulldogs this season. Oliver totaled 11 points on 13 shot attempts and generated five assists in the initial 20 minutes with Carter scoring 10 points and grabbing nine boards.

Neither team shot well in the first half -- San Jose State at 36% but with 10 turnovers to 35% for the Bulldogs.

At Fresno State, Wednesday night, 7 p.m.

2010-12-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, they are departing for the Mountain West Conference plus the Fresno State - San Jose State basketball matchups don't carry the juice of yesteryear but it's still nice to top the Raisin-towners anytime and anywhere. Next up on the schedule is a December 29 evening get-together in the Save Mart Center.

So who does Coach Steve Cleveland (yes, it's lame but shouldn't he be leading Cleveland State?) have and how are the Bulldogs doing?

As for the latter, uh, not that well.

Disregarding the game against Vanguard, the Bulldog squad started out 0-4 but has won three of its last four games, albeit the latter against lesser competition than initially faced this season.

6-foot-7 sophomore wing Jerry Brown is redshirting due to injury but junior point Steven Shepp just re-gained his eligibility after missing the first nine games due to academics. He started last season, averaging 5.5 points and 4.6 assists. Against North Dakota State in his first game, Shepp totaled three points, three assists and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action.

The key personnel issue emanating out of Fresno is the subpar numbers being put up by sophomore center Greg Smith. He's been in what seems like a season-long funk -- 9.7 points & 6.0 rebounds a contest when a nightly double-double was the expectation -- and Cleveland recently offered this on his NBA prospect:

"Greg Smith has to play hard all the time -- that's the bottom line...When he plays hard, he'll be a part of this. When he doesn't play hard, someone else is going to play...There are no chosen ones here. Promise you that."

Part of the Smith equation is the inconsistent outside shooting displayed to date by the Bulldog smalls which had led to little room for Smith to maneuver.

In a new category, here's what we see so far:

Highlights: the play of Kevin Olekaibe who was more a shooter/scorer in high school but is playing the point for now -- he's a tremendous athlete who gets up and down the floor quickly

Lowlights: The regression of Greg Smith.

Fresno Season-To-Date

11/12/10 at BYU L, 83-56
11/17/10 vs. Vanguard W, 74-42
11/20/10 at UCSB L, 69-54
11/26/10 vs. Washington State L, 66-55
11/30/10 at Utah L, 76-63
12/04/10 at Colorado State L, 87-74
12/07/10 at San Diego W, 74-70
12/11/10 vs. Pepperdine W, 64-51
12/18/10 vs. North Dakota State W, 82-69
12/21/10 vs. Pacific L, 65-55

The Bulldog Starting Five

* Greg Smith 6-foot-10 sophomore -- 9.7 points, 6 rebounds a game, shooting 58% overall, 48% from the foul line, 17 blocks in 10 games, will the NBA prospect 'show up' or display more disinterest?

* Nedeljko Golubovic 6-foot-8 senior -- he was hurt last season yet continued playing, he's averaging 6.1 points & 5.0 boards a game, shooting just 32% overall, plus a third of his shots have been three-pointers and he is making just 22%

* Garrett Johnson 6-foot-4 sophomore -- 8.1 ppg., 40 of 66 shots have been three-pointers, shooting 41% overall, 35% from long distance

* Tim Steed 6-foot-4 junior -- 8.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg., shooting 45% overall, only nine three-point attempts, an inexplicable 47% at the foul line

* Kevin Olekaibe 6-foot-1 freshman -- 10.3 ppg., 61 of his 109 shots have been threes, shooting 37% overall, 31% from beyond the stripe, leads team with 17 steals and 24 assists

As a team, the Bulldogs are at 41% shooting overall while holding opponents to 43%. From three, it's a meager 27% -- very unlike previous Fresno State squads.

Key Reserves

* Steven Shepp 6-foot-2 junior -- just eligible, he's not a penetrator but passes well on the perimeter

* Tyler Johnson 6-foot-2 freshman -- out of St. Francis in Mountain View

* Bracken Funk 6-foot-8 freshman -- 7.7 points & 4.7 rebounds a game, an LDS mission returnee

* Jonathan Wills 6-foot-6 junior -- a transfer from New Mexico, he's not shooting or passing as well as expected

* Bennie Rhodes 6-foot-6 junior -- a City College of San Francisco walk-on who is more a slasher than shooter

The Fresno State roster (alphabetized, by position)

(Steve Cleveland can't call out the name Johnson during practice since he has three of them)

Garrett Johnson Guard 6-4 195 SO
Justin Johnson Forward 6-6 205 SO
Tyler Johnson Guard 6-2 170 FR
Kevin Olekaibe Guard 6-1 165 FR
Bennie Rhodes Guard 6-6 190 JR
Steven Shepp Guard 6-2 175 JR
Tim Steed Guard 6-4 215 JR
Jonathan Wills Guard 6-6 185 JR

Jerry Brown Forward 6-7 205 SO
Givon Crump Forward 6-7 210 RS SO
Bracken Funk Forward 6-7 240 FR
Nedeljko Golubovic Forward 6-8 240 SR

John Ryan Center 6-10 270 FR
Greg Smith Center 6-10 250 SO

Photos from the SJSU - Puget Sound game

2010-12-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

Alex Baranda of the Examiner has a ton of game photos from the SJSU - Puget Sound game -- go here.

A Justin Graham For a PhD Marching and Chowder Society

2010-12-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

We haven't checked with him but we're seriously thinking about forming a Justin Graham For a PhD Marching and Chowder Society.

He will have a Master's degree by the end of the school year but maybe, just maybe, he'll consent to obtaining a PhD before finally departing SJSU. And since the NCAA professes to be all about the student-athletes and education, maybe, just maybe, the suits in Indianapolis will grant another year or two of athletic eligibility.

So what are we basing our group on? Try 16.1 points per contest, a 51% shooting average, 58% on three-point attempts, 4.5 rebounds a game, 45 assists and 31 steals -- all in 11 games.

Who's with us?

An ESPN Adrian Oliver feature

2010-12-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

ESPN is getting into the AO act...about time.

Adrian Oliver's 42-point Christmas present
Diamond Leung
ESPN
December, 23, 2010

San Jose State guard Adrian Oliver set school records with 42 points in a game and 30 points in a half, as the Spartans won 95-62 against Puget Sound.

"Told my family I'd score 40-plus for Christmas for them ... so merry Christmas fam," Oliver tweeted...

Go here for the remainder.

Former San Jose State basketballer Jack Avina's wife passes

2010-12-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

The author does a tremendous job at telling the story here -- getting at what we call the story behind the story.

‘It’s tough living without her’
Kerry Eggers
The Portland Tribune
Dec 23, 2010

It has been nearly three months now, but he still finds himself sitting in the easy chair in his family room, staring into space.

It is going to be a tough holiday season for Jack Avina.

All of the six children, 13 grandchildren and three great-children will be in Portland to spend Christmas with the patriarch of the family.

But not his beloved Clare.

Clare Avina died on Sept. 21, leaving her husband of 57 years alone for the first time since he was a student at San Jose State.

“I don’t care if I live or die,” Jack Avina says, fighting back tears as he rides the wave of despair and reality. “But I’m going to live.”

Avina, the legendary former University of Portland basketball coach, has always been the baddest hombre around. He has been devastated by the loss of his life partner.

“This is the toughest thing Dad’s been through in his life,” says Joel Avina, the oldest of Jack’s three sons. “You sit him down in front of a picture of my mom … he’s broken.”

At 81, after three hip and shoulder replacement surgeries and a continuing battle with diabetes, the safe bet was that Jack – who coached the Pilots from 1970-87 – would meet his maker before Clare, who was in relatively good health.

“This is not the way we thought it would happen,” Joel Avina says...

Go here for the remainder.

Spartans romp 95-62

2010-12-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

It took a while to shout 'timber' but eventually San Jose State did so as the Spartans shellacked Puget Sound 95-62.

Here's the game report and box from SJSU athletics:

Oliver Pours In School Record 42; 95-62 Win Over Puget Sound
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
12/22/2010

It was a record-setting night for guard Adrian Oliver as San Jose State won its third game in a row defeating Puget Sound, 95-62, in a non-conference men's basketball game.

Oliver, a 6-foot-4 senior, set school records for most points scored in a game with 42 points, most points scored in a half with 30 and most three-point baskets made in a game without a miss as San Jose State (8-3) moved five games above .500 for the first time since the 2001 season.

The nation's sixth leading scorer going into the game was 12-of-15 from the field and 7-of-9 shooting three-pointers. After missing his first 3-point basket try early in the first half, he made seven in a row, his last five to end the first 20 minutes and two at the start of the second half. His three-point production also tied the San Jose State record for most 3-point baskets in a game.

"Tonight, I was playing ball. The shots were falling. I was in rhythm," said Oliver, who played just 25 minutes and notched his 13th game of 30 or points in a San Jose State uniform. "Every spot on the floor was a good spot the way I was feeling it. The guys recognized that and put a little more emphasis on getting me open. I was just connecting on my shots."

"That's the best performance I've ever seen," said Puget Sound's fourth-year coach Justin Lunt.

Oliver outscored Puget Sound (5-5) in the first 20 minutes as San Jose State went into halftime with a 55-29 lead. The Spartans led by as many as 37 points, 84-47, with 6:42 left in the game.

"I was glad to see Adrian do it (set the school record). I think he is capable of some more games like that and I wouldn't be surprised if the record is temporary. It's always nice for a player to set a record and have your team successful on the same night," said San Jose State coach George Nessman about Oliver breaking the old record of 40 points scored by Wally Rank in a 1980 game against Sacramento State. "He took 15 shots for 42 points. That's pretty good production."

Guard Justin Graham scored 19 points and 8 assists and reserve forward Brylle Kamen added 15 points for San Jose State in its highest scoring game of the season.

"Brylle is a hard worker. That phrase gets a little over used, but he just brings it and that really helps us. Brylle makes a difference for us. We've been saying that all along and we're glad to see that play out," added the Spartans' coach about the 6-foot-7 Kamen, who played just his third game of the season since becoming eligible on December 12 and scored in double figures for the first time.

Forward Kaleb Shelton led the Loggers, an NCAA Division III program, with 20 points. Guard Edric Egberaure was Puget Sound's only other double-figure scorer with 17.

San Jose State shot 45.5 percent from the field as a team, outrebounded Puget Sound, 45-31, and had a season-high 23 assists.

"We were able to get into good spots on the floor and make good decisions and good plays," added Justin Graham, whose eight assists were his season-high.

Graham added that the team's defense helped San Jose State overcome a sluggish start that saw the Spartans trail by as many as five points on three occasions in the first six minutes of the game.

"We started to get some stops and started to get some easy fast-break lay-ups. Once you start getting shots to fall, it just keeps going on and on and on," said Graham. San Jose State outscored Puget Sound, 30-4, the final seven minutes of the first half.

The Spartans have a week off before opening Western Athletic Conference play at Fresno State, December 29.

San Jose State (8-3)

Graham 8-11 3-5 19
Carter 1-4 0-0 2
Ballard 0-1 0-0 0
Shamburger 1-9 2-2 4
Oliver 12-15 11-13 42
Moor 1-3 0-2 2
Douglas 2-6 2-3 8
Dick 0-0 0-0 0
Jones 0-3 2-2 2
Kamen 5-11 5-5 15
Henson 0-2 1-2 1
Casey 0-1 0-0 0
Ton 0-0 0-0

Totals 30-66 23-29 95

Halftime score - San Jose State 55, Puget Sound 29
Three-point field goals - San Jose State 12-27 (Shamburger 0-6, Oliver 7-9, Graham 3-5, Douglas 2-5, Jones 0-1, Kamen 0-1)
Rebounds - San Jose State 45 (Ballard, Graham 8)
Assists - San Jose State 23 (Graham 8)
Total fouls - Puget Sound - 27, San Jose State 14
Attendance - 1,377

The Rebounder frosh dinner

2010-12-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

Dear SJSU Rebounders and Basketball Fans

Time to once again have the opportunity to meet our freshman and sophomore players at the first of our two players' dinners. The first dinner will be held at the Bold Knight Bistro in the cozy downstairs wine cellar on January 11th with the social hour starting at 6:00 followed by dinner at 7:00.

The dinner, featuring baked garlic breast of chicken with pasta and side salad, is $25.00 inclusive for Rebounders and $30.00 for non-members, payable at the door.

No-host beverages will be offered.

Players and coaches sponsorships are available and ONLY sponsors will receive tickets to the ever popular Rebounders raffle featuring wonderful SJSU prizes. Cost of sponsorships are $25.00 for players and $50.00 for coaches with player's sponsors receiving one ticket and coaches' sponsors receiving three.

Additionally sponsored players will sit at the sponsor's table!

Want to sponsor a player but unable to attend the event? Just contact Gayle Kludt at sjsubabe@cwnet.com for details. If you win a prize it with be delivered to you either at the next game or by mail!

So support your Spartans and have fun too but RSVPs to the event are required by January 5th. RSVP to Gayle at the above email or at 408 531-1063 to reserve your spot. Please, no credit cards will be accepted; cash and checks only.

Puget Sound here on Wednesday

2010-12-21T11:32:00.001-08:00

It's D-3 Puget Sound coming to town on Wednesday evening, 7 p.m., for a matchup with San Jose State. The Loggers are 2-0 in Northwest Conference play, 5-4 overall.

In 2008-09, Coach Keith Lunt led the Loggers to an overall record of 25-4, including 16-0 in the NWC and Lunt's first conference championship and first NWC Coach of the Year award. The Loggers advanced to the NCAA Division III national tournament Sweet 16 and a final ranking of ninth in the country. Last season was not so successful at (9-16, 5-11).

The Logger Starting Five

* Julian Fernandez, 6-foot-3 -- 8.4 ppg., shooting 31% overall

* Edric Egberuare, 6-foot-2 -- 10.0 ppg., 4.3 rpg , shooting 34% overall -- attended Milpitas High, so expect a sizeable numbers of locals coming out to cheer him on

* Aaron Edwards 6-foot-4 -- 8.0 ppg., 3.4 rpg., shooting 32% overall

* Kaleb Shelton 6-foot-5 -- 15.9 ppg., 8.3 rpg., shooting 38%

* Riggs Yarbro 6-foot-7 -- 6.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg., shooting 47%

Off The Bench, (playing 10 or more minutes a game)

* Gabe Borboa 6-foot-7

* Matt Geverola 5-10

* Ryan Hoff 6-foot-2

* Caleb Gauff 6-foot-4 -- he's a Sacramento native so some family and friends may make it to the game

* Erick Evans 6-foot-3

*** As a team, Puget Sound is shooting a lowly 36% while opposing team to make 49% of shot attempts. But part of the Loggers low percentage is due to 188 three-point attempts (out of 516 overall) being made at a 27% rate of effectiveness.

*** Plus, PG is earning only 9.3 assists per game (that shooting percentage again) versus committing 17.4 turnovers a contest.

The PG schedule so far

12/08/10 Evergreen State 87, Puget Sound 73
12/04/10 Puget Sound 66, Pacific (Ore.) 63
12/03/10 Puget Sound 74, Willamette 66
11/26/10 @ Occidental -- Puget Sound 77, Occidental 75
11/27/10 @ Chapman -- Chapman University 77, Puget Sound 70
11/20/10 St. Thomas 69, Puget Sound 49
11/19/10 Puget Sound 74, UC Santa Cruz 71
11/16/10 @ Northwest University -- Northwest University 110, Puget Sound 58
11/20/10 @ Bethany -- Puget Sound 86, Bethany College 73

From that last game:

Gabe Borboa had a perfect 9-for-9 shooting night to lead the Loggers to an 86-73 victory over Bethany on Monday. Borboa became the fourth Logger to ever have a perfect shooting night with over eight attempts.

"He just couldn't miss," added head coach Justin Lunt. He ran the floor and finished very well around the rim."

The Loggers (5-4) controlled most of the game with a 47-37 halftime lead and shot a season-high 50.9 percent. As a team, the Loggers also shot 43.5 percent from three-point range while holding the Bruins to a 38.3 percent field goal percentage.

Kaleb Shelton led the Loggers with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year. Borboa's perfect night translated into a 21-point performance as he shot 3-for-3 from the free throw line as well. He also added five rebounds.

"We just did a really good job executing the game plan," said Lunt. I thought we shot well and moved the ball well. The biggest factor tonight was our execution offensively and defensively."

The Puget Sound roster (by position, alphabetized)

Malcolm Colbert G Fr 6-0 180
Edric Egberuare G Jr 6-2 190
Erik Evans G Jr 6-3 185
Julian Fernandez G Jr 6-3 175
Matt Geverola G Jr 5-10 165
Drew Harrison G Fr 6-4 200
Ryan Hoff G Fr 6-2 195
Nate Prohaska G Fr 6-0 165
Ryan Rogers G So 6-1 170
Phillip Thomas G So 6-3 180

Daniel Berendsen F Fr 6-4 180
Gabe Borboa F So 6-7 200
Caleb Gauff F So 6-4 205
Aaron Edwards F Sr 6-4 200
Spenser McDonald F Fr 6-6 180
Kaleb Shelton F Jr 6-5 210
Riggs Yarbro F So 6-7 215

Spartans win 86-70

2010-12-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

So physical at times some thought they had stumbled into a mixed martial arts event plus with more starts and stops than a beater sporting a sand clogged fuel injecter, the matchup between San Jose State and Seattle concluded minus any tap outs but an 86-70 Spartan victory.

It was the fourth road success so far this season for SJSU, now 7-3.

Justin Graham and Keith Shamburger paced the Spartan point production with 24 and 22 points apiece. Adrian Oliver, Wil Carter and Chris Jones added 13, 12 and 12 respectively. Oliver struggled with his shot all evening going 3-13.

Some basketball games are ballet, or at least offer stretches of such -- not this one. Best described as a grinder, still SJSU had this one in the books early on in the second half even though the Redhawks never lowered their intensity.

Frontcourter Alex Jones, battling foul trouble primarily caused by his illegal movement on screens, led Seattle with 21 points. On recollection, none of his fouls were as a result of him defending his matchup.

At the half, it was 45-34 San Jose State, behind 17 points from Graham. The Redhawks hung tough on the scoreboard for a while but San Jose State kept adding to its lead.

A new San Jose site

2010-12-17T15:42:00.000-08:00

A new site has recently been set up titled "Best of Blogs San Jose" and a Spartan Hoops article has been selected for featuring on the site. Do check it out.

Just caught this

2010-12-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

Saw this on the 'net today about Seattle's previous game and it may play out in San Jose State's favor on Saturday night:

"...They helped make up for the loss of junior guard Cervante Burrell, who was out with a knee injury suffered Saturday against Idaho. His status for Saturday's game against San Jose State is questionable..."

Burrell is the starting point for the Redhawks, averaging 12.6 points per game and leading the team in assists.

A fascinating read into mid-major (or lower) recruiting

2010-12-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

It's not necessarily San Jose State or WAC-related but read on if you wish to gain some degree of insight into the college basketball recruiting process for the non-Dukes:

Recruiting an emotional, physical roller coaster for UNCW coaches
Brian Mull
Star News
December 4, 2010

On a steamy morning in mid-July, UNC-Wilmington men's basketball coach Buzz Peterson and his staff met in the office of assistant Jamie Kachmarik.

Like practically every other Division I coach in the country, the four men entrusted with rescuing the Seahawks from CAA oblivion had spent the 10 previous days on the road. They sat on hard bleachers in hot gyms for up to 14 hours a day evaluating high school seniors-to-be playing in games that often deteriorated into rec-center pickup ball, sans skins.

Unlike 95 percent of their peers though, the new UNCW staff had to restock more than half its roster. They entered the July recruiting period with a lone verbal commitment and a half-dozen scholarships to hand out.

The Seahawks' coaches were in need of every essential – skill, speed, guards, big men.

Peterson and assistants Kachmarik and Matt McMahon arrived at UNCW in April from Southern Conference member Appalachian State. However, players of a higher talent level would be required to return the Seahawks to elite status in the CAA. The Southern had an average RPI of 19.6 (out of 31 Division I conferences) over the past five seasons. The CAA had an average RPI of 12.4 in that same period and three member programs won an NCAA tournament game.

The coaches were already evaluating potential Seahawks through a specific lens. They sought fundamentally sound, skilled players possessing a high basketball IQ, 3-point shooters, prospects with wide wingspans and the versatility to play multiple positions. All of these qualities must be inside a coachable package that includes high character and sound academics.

This was non-negotiable...

Go here for the remainder.

San Jose State - Seattle game preview

2010-12-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

It's Seattle up next for the Spartans on Saturday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the Emerald City. Thinking of the geographical locations, let's also call it at least in some ways the unofficial PC versus Mac matchup.

The Redhawks aren't big and like to run and press. Hey, what else should be expected from a team in a city with expresso machines pulsating on every corner. Jittery is also an apt description for a team that topped Oregon State and Idaho but also lost at home to Cal Poly by 16 and on the road to San Francisco by 21 and UC Davis by 22 points. In that December 11 contest with Idaho, Seattle forced the Vandals into 20 turnovers and also won the battle of the boards 35-27.

Let's see if Seattle is effective or not in producing TOs against SJSU. Their defense is improving in points allowed as the season continues.

Cam Dollar, the ex-UCLA guard and assistant to Lorenzo Romar at UW, is the Redhawk head coach. He has enjoyed success in garnering talent leaving the nearby Husky program (Charles Garcia - who actually never made it to UW - and now Clarence Trent, who is redshirting). Having had a hand in originally recruiting both helped in those moves.

The Redhawk Starting Five

* Cervante Burrell 5-foot-10 -- 12.6 ppg., 39% overall shooting, 0-7 on three-point attempts, 39/45 assist-to-turnover ratio

* Sterling Carter 6-foot-0 -- 12.0 ppg., 41 % overall shooting, 41% on three-point attempts, 73 of his 127 shots have been from long distance, 42 TOs in 12 games

* Garrett Lever 6-foot-0 -- 3.6 ppg., 36% overall shooting, second in rebounding at 6.3, a (team-leading) 29 steals

* Aaron Broussard 6-foot-5 -- (team-leading) 15.1 ppg., (team-leading) 52% overall shooting, (team-leading) 8.4 rpg., second in steals with 20

* Alex Jones 6-foot-8 -- 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game,

Off The Bench

* Gavin Gilmore 6-foot-8

* Brandon Durham 6-foot-7 -- a low post threat currently shooting 62%

* Mark McLaughlin 6-foot-6 -- originally committed to Washington State, then signed with Nevada and finally Baylor before coming home, he's averaging 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds a game with 34% overall shooting and 29% from long distance (he's taken the second most trey attempts on the team)

As A Team

Seattle is shooting 40% on the season while allowing opponents to make 45% of shot attempts, 29% to 345 on threes. The Redhawks are trailing in most stats but the closest is 105 steals to 106 for opposing teams.

Seattle schedule to date

12/11/10 Seattle University 66, University of Idaho 56

12/04/10 @ Weber State 65, Seattle 61

12/01/10 @ Portland State 83, Seattle 76

11/29/10 Seattle University 72, Montana State 70

11/27/10 UC Davis 80, Seattle 58

11-21-10 @ Irvine, CA Seattle University 75, Navy 70

11/20/10 @ Irvine, CA UC Irvine 85, Seattle University 77

11/19/10 @ Irvine, CA Louisiana Tech 85, Seattle University 72

11/17/10 Seattle University 83, Oregon State Univers 80

11/14/10 Cal Poly 76, Seattle University 60

11/12/10 @ San Francisco 97, Seattle 76

11/08/10 @ Maryland 105, Seattle Univ. 76

The Redhawk roster (by position, alphabetized)

Cervante Burrell G 5-10 170 Jr.
Sterling Carter G 6-0 200 Fr.
Jarell Flora G 6-3 180 Fr.
Garrett Lever G 6-0 180 Sr. (the son of former NBA player Fat Lever)
Mark McLaughlin G 6-6 195 Fr.
Fred Wilson G 6-2 197 Fr.

Aaron Broussard F 6-5 205 Jr.
Brandon Durham F 6-7 220 So
Gavin Gilmore F 6-8 220 Jr.
Alex Jones F 6-8 215 Sr.
Chad Rasmussen F 6-7 200 So.
Taylor Stevens F 6-7 230 Jr.
Clarence Trent F 6-6 225 So.

Time for another edition of Let's Make A Case

2010-12-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

We noticed that San Jose State's Justin Graham was not listed among the players in contention for the recently announced WAC Player of the Week.

Tai Wesley won that honor and here were the runners-up:

* Boise State senior guard La'Shard Anderson

* Fresno State junior guard/forward Tim Steed

* Hawai'i junior guard Zane Johnson

* Idaho senior guard Shawn Henderson

* Louisiana Tech senior guard DeAndre Brown

* Nevada junior forward Dario Hunt

* New Mexico State freshman guard Christian Kabongo

For the sake of brevity, we offer the following examples/matchups:

Accumulated at home, Graham totaled 16 points, six steals, five assists and three rebounds versus Santa Clara and then hit the game-winning shot with San Jose State down by one against Eastern Washington while scoring 13 points along with two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

La'Shard Anderson, in a loss at UNLV, totaled:18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. But he committed nine turnovers. On the road against Drake, Anderson put up 15 points, seven assists and three steals. He shot 5-16 overall, 0-5 from three-point range.

Fresno States's Tim Steed enjoyed 12 points and five rebounds in a home win over San Diego plus broke out for 17 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals against visiting Pepperdine.

We're not arguing the fact of Justin not winning the award but missing out for consideration is beyond belief.

Spartans win 70-69

2010-12-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

In "A League of Their Own" it was Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan who proclaimed there is no crying in baseball. In basketball, there's supposed to be no wetting of one's pants but that just what is happening to opposing players when San Jose State's Justin Graham is handling the ball with 10 or less seconds remaining in a game and the Spartans tied, down by one or even two.

Because just like against Oregon on November 20 when he nailed an and1 three-point play on a last second dribble-drive to beat the Ducks, Graham took it to the Eagles of Eastern Washington and put in the game winner with six seconds remaining to give SJSU a 70-69 win Sunday afternoon. It's becoming apparent he must have something against our supposed fine feathered friends.

Graham finished with 13 points while Adrian Oliver led via a game-high 29.

To their credit, the Eagles shot a remarkable 10-21 from long distance and overall out-boarded the Spartans by a margin of four, 35-31.

The Spartans enjoyed a 37-32 lead after the initial 20 minutes. At that time, Oliver had 14 points, four assists and a pair of steals.

Opening up the second half, Keith Shamburger nailed a deuce and then a trey, giving the SJSU a 42-35 lead.

San Jose State then went up by 10 -- 47-37 -- at the 15:58 mark.

But Eastern Washington kept battling and connected on a bevy of threes.

The game was tied at 57 with 7:12 showing.

A Cliff Dean trey tied it again at 64.

Oliver nailed a pair of free throws to make it 66-64, then EW's Tremayne Johnson made good on one of two foul shots.

At the 1:56 mark, Wil Carter was fouled but was errant on both his attempts.

Dean was then fouled and the sophomore sank both free throws to give Eastern Washington a one point lead at 67-66.

Oliver misfired on a baseline jumper and San Jose Stater Matt Ballard was called for a foul on Dean in the backcourt.

The underclassman was perfect on both his attempts, pushing the Eagle lead to three, 69-66.

With 56 seconds on the clock, Graham was fouled and netted both his foul shots, making it a one point game.

Eagle Coach Kirk Earlywine called time at the 42 second mark, with 22 seconds showing on the shot clock. After inbounding the ball, Eastern Washington quickly committed a turnover on a fumbled pass.

Spartan Coach George Nessman called a 30-second timeout, with 23 seconds remaining.

Then Graham closed it out with his 11-foot jumper and sent the Eagles scurrying for a supply of Depends.

SJSU donned the usual -- before this season -- white jerseys for this game. The gray ones were probably burned late Friday evening but we've been unable to confirm such a report.

It['s Eastern Washington early Sunday afternoon

2010-12-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

So the Big Sky Conference member Eagles want a rematch? The Spartans took down Eastern Washington 67-60 on November 12 in Cheney, WA and now face Coach Kirk Earlywine's squad once more Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Walt McPherson Court.

In the earlier game, an Adrian Oliver torrid stretch proved the difference. From our game report:: "He [AO] made one of two free throws, then a deuce from the corner. Another AO corner shot -- a trey -- made it 58- 50. Eastern Washington managed a tip-in but Oliver put in two more at the charity stripe followed by a top of the key two. He closed the barrage out with a bank shot and the Eagles were plucked."

Oliver finished with 34 points.

Here's Coach Earlywine on the previous game:

"I thought there two things that decided that game, we played the game without Cliff or Glen, and we had 12 turnovers in the second half -- that was huge. And we fouled too much and put them on the line 37 times. That was a little bit of a problem for us early in the year, but not fouling has been a big point of emphasis in practice and we're doing better with that as of late. We are keeping our hands off people and learning how not to get tangled up with players. Oliver is fifth-year senior, so he is pretty crafty. He knows how to get himself to the free throw line and we have to do a better job of keeping him from getting there."

The absent points, Glen Dean and Cliff Colimon, will both be playing. to some degree, on Sunday.

Here's the lead on the EW athletics SJSU game preview:

"Returning starting point guard Glen Dean, out for two months with a stress fracture in his foot, has finally been cleared to practice with the Eastern Washington University men's basketball team. That, plus the return of a pair of players recently out with injuries, gives the Eagles some needed momentum heading into a Sunday (Dec. 12) rematch with San Jose State..."

...Dean was the Freshman of the Year in the Big Sky Conference last season when he averaged 12.2 points and 4.4 assists per game. Because he's missed two months already, Earlywine says his return will be slow and gradual...

"The bone is his foot has healed sufficiently to resume practicing on kind of a limited basis," he explained. "So it's going to be a gradual process of working him back into full-speed practices and then the games...

...Plus, Eastern will welcome back this week point guard Cliff Colimon, who has missed the past two games and four total games with a sprained ankle. Plus, forward Rashano McRae has missed the last three games and valuable practice time with a concussion.

"While he's not completely 100 percent, his ankle is significantly better after holding him out for two weeks," said Earlywine of Colimon, who is averaging 12.0 points and 2.3 assists per game in the three games he's played..."

EW's starting five -- a pickem among three frontcourters and three guards

* Cliff Edaraine 6-7 9.3 ppg., 8.1 rpg., shooting 53% overall

* Laron Griffin 6-8 7.3 ppg., 7.1 rpg.

* Tremayne Johnson 6-7 12.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg. (he'll be the best athlete on the floor)

* Cliff Coliman 6-0 12.0 ppg. , 41% on three-point shots

* Jeffrey Forbes 5-10 13.7 ppg. , 42% on three-point shots

* Kevin Winford 5-11 15.3 ppg., 44% on three-point shots (he hit eight treys in a loss to Idaho)

One difference worth noting is Sunday marks the eligibility of Brylle Kamen for San Jose State. Our exposure to the 6-foot-7, 230 frontcourter in the pre-season scrimmage indicated a real aggressiveness with the ball and that will be most welcomed. We also want to be seeing some in-the-paint scoring prowess, rebounding and defensive effectiveness -- a lot to ask of one player but needed attributes.

Plus, will the Spartans come out angry about the late loss to Santa Clara? And, if so, can they maintain it for 40 minutes?

Here's the EWU roster (by position and alphabetized)

* Glen Dean G 5-10 170 So.
* Cliff Colimon G 6-0 170 Jr.
* Sean Fischer G 6-0 170 Fr.
* Willie Hankins G 6-3 190 Fr.
* Jeffrey Forbes G 5-10 170 So.
* Kevin Winford G 5-11 170 So.

*Geoffrey Allen G/F 6-5 170 Fr.

* Rocky Brown F 6-6 200 Fr.
* Cliff Ederaine F 6-7 205 Jr.
* Laron Griffin F 6-8 220 Jr.
* Jaylen Henry F 6-7 230 Fr.
* Morgan Hyslop F 6-7 200 Jr.
* Tremayne Johnson F 6-7 200 Jr.
* Rashano McRae F 6-7 230 Jr.
* Carter Warnock F 6-9 220 Fr.

Santa Clara pulls it out 67-63

2010-12-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

Santa Clara Coach Kerry Keating inserted different players into his usual starting lineup and the move initially worked. But San Jose State took back the lead, courtesy in part to Bronco ballhandling generosity. It eventually became a battle back and forth until Keating's squad hit late shots and nabbed a 67-63 win at Walt McPherson Court.

Adrian Oliver led all with 26 points but didn't shoot well. Kevin Foster led the Broncos with 25 points, after scoring six in the first half. Justin Graham totaled 16 points and nabbed six steals.

SJSU shot 33% overall on the game, 2-12 from three-point range. SC shot 39%, 7-18 on treys.

A Keith Shamburger deuce put San Jose up 33-26 early in the second half but Santa Clara kept at it. The Spartans were strong early in half two but the momentum stalled and the Broncos, to their credit, took advantage.

It was 51-50 with SJSU leading when a Matt Ballard and1 three-point play boosted the margin to 54-50. Later, a Graham steal and feed to Shamburger led to a layup and a 58-55 Spartan margin.

But with 1:44 on the clock, Foster hit a driving layup to put his team ahead 59-58.

Oliver then missed a tough jumper but SC's Evan Roquemore came down and he also misfired.

Oliver was subsequently fouled, missed the first but made the second to tie the game at 59.

Then came THE BIG (SANTA CLARA) PLAY.

Coming off two screens, Foster nailed a trey with 26.1 seconds showing.

Then came THE BIG (SAN JOSE STATE) PLAY.

Oliver attempted a shot which was blocked by Roquemore, who recovered the ball and was fouled. Did a foul occur on the attempt? Not according to those who count, the referees.

Roquemore was then fouled, nailed a pair of free throws to put Santa Clara ahead by five and decide the outcome.

Graham was fouled, missed his first free throw (back rim), intentionally missed the second and Wil Carter grabbed the rebound but was errant with his shot attempt.

After 20 minutes, San Jose State led 27-26. Oliver had 16, Graham 10 and Ballard his free throw to achieve the total.

With 11:47 remaining, the Broncos were ahead 12-8. The Spartans were successful of just four of 15 shots at that point.

It was 22-21 in Santa Clara's favor when Ballard hit a free throw to tie the game. Oliver's jumper gave the Spartans a 24-22 lead. Broncos turnovers, forced and unforced, led to the first half lead loss.

SF Chronicle features AO

2010-12-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

Adrian Oliver thinks, therefore he scores
Steve Kroner, Chronicle Staff Writer
December 10, 2010

Meet Adrian Oliver, the thinking man's scorer.

The San Jose State guard is averaging 24.9 points per game this season. He has 12 career games of at least 30 points.

Oliver comes from a basketball family; he has two cousins who played college basketball, and his uncle, Allen Oliver, coached him at Modesto Christian High.

Given that background, it's easy to understand how well Adrian Oliver understands the game.

"People would say I have a high basketball IQ," Oliver said, "and I ... just tried to further nurture that by looking up to players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan - not because they're gifted with the game physically, but the way they go about watching film, the minor details.

"I'm big on attention to detail..."

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The latest AOL

2010-12-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

A.O.L. - Home Again & A Call To Action
Spartan Athletics
12/10/2010

Spartans, it's time.
The school that is less than twenty minutes away from us is making the short drive over to play in our house, Friday night (December 10) at 7:00 p.m. You should absolutely positively know that I am talking about Santa Clara.

We all know what playing Santa Clara means to our school, and, more importantly, to our alumni. I expect to see and feel each and every one of you there ready to engage in the battle with us.

We are off to a good start and have to continue flourishing in this early season. Your participation from the stands is vital for our success being that we finally get to play at home for these next two games (Santa Clara and Eastern Washington on December 12).
It all starts on Friday. I want this game to be a momentous occasion with crowd energy. I promise you that we will give back the same effort that you all put in for us. This season has the potential to be one of the most special seasons in San Jose State basketball history and I sense that a lot of people around the city of San Jose can sense that.

Instead of running away from that thought, I want to embrace it with open arms and take the challenge personally and deliver. This is what I tell my teammates - have high expectations rather than have none at all.

The time is now Spartans! And, the special thing about it is we all can experience it together!
Get your pre-game workout, or your pre-game meal, whatever it may be and meet us at The Event Center rocking your blue & gold with your vocal chords fresh and ready to yell. Let's get to it Spartans!

You already know, AOL signing out...

Mark Emmons on Adrian Oliver

2010-12-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

San Jose State basketball: Adrian Oliver can deliver stats, but can he produce wins?
Mark Emmons
Mercury News
12/08/2010

There has never been a doubt about his scoring ability, his penchant for taking over games or his will to have the ball in hand as the clock winds down.

But when Adrian Oliver returned to San Jose State for his senior season, he knew there was a lingering question on the minds of NBA scouts:

Can he win?

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