Navin Sunjay Krishnan (@NavinKthespear) – Spear Opinion Columnist
San Jose State has a plethora of successful teams. The three teams ranked and analyzed here are based on their potential, effort and perspective. In other words, these teams best represent Spartan Nation.
These teams are not dependent on the hope or chance of winning games, but rather have shown in their contests that they are capable of taking fate into their own hands and bringing the intensity.
One – Women’s basketball
SJSU women’s basketball is a team on the rise. They are coming off of a lackluster season, but newly installed head coach April Phillips will definitely take a role as an engine in the 2022-2023 season. Honestly, this team has a lot of potential but also remains rather distant from living up to their expectations.
Strengths:
Toughness:
While their record does not suggest it, this Spartan team digs deep into their pocket to win games. They usually don’t win by blowouts, but this team has the heart and focus to determine games in their favor. Their culture is built on defense and pride.
The team does not have great size. The tallest player is graduate student and center Semaj Smith at 6-foot-6. Aside from Smith, nobody else on the team measures above 6-foot-1. Size doesn’t automatically win games, but toughness can pay dividends in terms of building a culture and boosting confidence. This year, SJSU will lack size, an obstacle that isn’t undefeatable but can make for a need for consistent effort. Toughness is an element that is gained from camaraderie and heart.
Leadership:
Cydni Lewis had a historic career prior to her senior season last year. But the mark she left on the team is unmistakable. She played and started in all 30 games in the season following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. She shot over 32 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
More importantly, she gave the Spartans something to believe in that year. Lewis played in 123 games in her career at SJSU, a mark that is in the women’s basketball record books in SJSU history. This energy made her teammates play harder and made her teammates better simply with her presence.
While it may be difficult to spotlight one individual player who will fill Lewis’ shoes, basketball requires leadership but is also a team game. The Spartans took quite a blow losing some of their main leaders since last season. As of right now, the only definite leader to intensify the team is head coach April Phillips. With Phillips as their main leader, the Spartans look to be in good shape. However, the more leaders they have the more dominant they can become, which speaks even more to Phillips’ positive effect on the team.
Must adjust/improve:
Consistency: The Spartans may have had instances when the ball just didn’t find the hoop or times when they battled through shooting slumps. The SJSU faithful must understand failure is a part of success.
SJSU shot a decent 36.3 percent from the field but only 28.7 percent from behind the 3-point line. The Spartans, however, are extremely underrated. SJSU ranks 323rd out of all 356 Division I teams. If SJSU wants to burst onto the map during the 2022-2023 season, its overall consistency must be addressed.
Two – Football
Despite the team’s recent success, the SJSU football team ends up number two because they have room to improve. This isn’t a knock on the incredible games this team has shown up for or the thrills they gave Spartan Nation.
Strengths:
Winning culture:
This team probably has the closest-knit form of unity you can find on any Division I NCAA team. In 2020, the Spartans went 6-0 in their conference and 7-1 overall. In addition, they accumulated their first-ever Mountain West title against Boise State. SJSU would lose a thriller to Ball State University in the Arizona Bowl. Head coach Brent Brennan has been a key part of San Jose State football since he was a wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator 2005-2006 season.
Brennan eventually worked his way up the ranks as a Division I coach and in 2017 was promoted to SJSU’s head coaching position for football. Brennan even had a 1-11 season record in 2018, but since then they have recompensed. Getting over the hump is a process that every team should embrace. The Spartans now have a winning culture to believe in.
Must adjust/improve:
Defense:
The Spartans must get better at coverage. The team allowed 2,833 passing yards and 1,607 rushing yards last season. In addition, SJSU’s opponents managed to earn 247 first downs to 201.
The Spartan defense was not bad, but this is an element the team needs to work on if they want to continue their dominance. If this team is to compete with the powerhouses of the Mountain West, they must key in on the defensive side of the ball.
Three – Baseball
SJSU baseball had a surprisingly great season in 2022, going 30-29 overall, 19-10 at home and 16-14 in the Mountain West. This is a major improvement since their 6-30 stint the prior year. The ultimate goal for this team is to win games and grow together.
Strengths:
Togetherness:
The Spartans boasted a 30-win season for the first time since 2011. They finished the season with a school record of 66 home runs. SJSU participated in its first-ever Mountain West Championship game against Air Force but lost 8-3. As redshirt sophomore pitcher, Cade Van Allen said, this team is all about the “next man up.”
Must adjust/improve:
Mental toughness:
This isn’t a knock on the team’s maturity or their level of competitiveness. Instead, a major angle to improve on is the Spartans’ mental mistakes on the mound. The Spartans allowed a whopping 317 walks last season.
Maybe it’s nit-picking because the pitchers for SJSU do have incredible talent and potential. It’s not uncommon to make mistakes but learning from them will pay dividends for a team that has already tasted success.
While SJSU’s future isn’t written in stone, but these three teams are in the clear for a hell of a takeoff in an incredible journey — and sky’s the limit.