By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Senior Staff Writer
Diogo Seixas talks to Alvaro Cardenas after a play | Photo by Christian Vieyra – The Spear
All season, San Jose State has lacked the inside presence to compete with the top big men in the Mountain West and Wednesday’s game against Utah State was another example of that.
Dealing with Utah State junior forward Great Osobor has proven a challenge in both matchups this season.
“You have to commit to (Osobor),” head coach Tim Miles said. “But there are some things that come at a cost of it, close out a bit too short to a 3-point shooter and they were hot.”
The Spartans would triple-team Osobor limiting his production in the first half but, all the man-power in the paint left the 3-point shot wide open for the Aggies. This unfortunately has been the case all season.
Junior forward Robert Vaihola being out for the year with an injury has been the most noticeable flaw in the team’s makeup.
If the Spartans had Vaihola or more D-1 ready big-men, they could have easily been at least in the middle of the road in the Mountain West.
“This season was like a horror movie where the good guy gets killed over and over,” Miles said. “We got a great bunch of guys, really high-quality people.”
Sophomore Adrame Diongue was the starting center at the beginning of the year. A raw prospect who has the athletic intangibles but not enough experience to be an immediate threat.
Freshman forward Diogo Seixas has been getting the starts at the center spot recently with Diongue out with an injury, further hindering the Spartans’ production.
Seixas has struggled to be physical enough on defense leading to Miles opting to use a rotating cast.
Freshman forward Christian Wise has been forced out of his natural position to play the five. Wise has provided some high energy plays and solid rebounding but would be a much larger contributor if he was able to matchup against threes or fours.
Christian Wise awaits a free throw attempt. I Photo by Christian Vieyra – The Spear
“We lacked physicality,” Miles said. “We struggled with our athleticism and size but those guys fought and battled.”
More players that have had to spend time at the five out of desperation include senior forwards Tibet Goerner and Trey Anderson. More players not playing to their strong suits defensively.
In order to not get eaten alive in the paint by players like Osobor and San Diego State’s senior forward Jaedon LeDee, dropping the extra man in the paint has been only way to slow them down.
San Jose State has allowed opposing teams to shoot 38% from 3-point range, 359th in the nation. This has resulted from having to over-help in the paint, leaving shooters open from 3.
SJSU has been outrebounded 1,115-957 on the season.
When I spoke to Miles about his goals for recruiting this offseason, he addressed the elephant in the room.
“We want to add the 3, 4 & 5,” Miles said. “We want to keep the guys we have but we need an upgrade on size.”
It has been even more frustrating to see this team being exploited like this because the Spartans have shown they have the guard talent to be competitive in the Mountain West.
Junior guard Myron Amey Jr. had a breakout season averaging 15.5 points per game and junior guard Alvaro Cardenas having a career year averaging 12.9 points per game shooting 45% from the field.
The Spartans have played with passion this season and this offseason recruiting a big man should be the team’s number one priority.
If the Spartans are able to retain Amey Jr., Cardenas and get Vaihola back for next year, I believe this team is talented enough to reach the middle of the pack in the Mountain West.