By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Managing Editor | The Spartans gather during a timeout in SJSU’s 67-58 win over Wyoming on Jan. 25. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Freelance Photographer)
The last time (8) San Jose State (15-18, 7-13 MW) played (1) New Mexico (25-6, 17-3 MW) it ended in a 71-70 victory on a game-winning shot from sophomore guard Latrell Davis.
After their 66-61 victory over Wyoming in the first round of the Mountain West tournament, the Spartans are scheduled to play the Lobos for the third time. They have split the season series 1-1 with the home team coming out on top each time.
This time around it will be more challenging for the Spartans as they will be without junior guard Will McClendon. In the last matchup with New Mexico McClendon contributed 12 points and five assists.
But, the Spartans have proven they are capable of taking down this New Mexico team. Here are some keys to the game for it to bounce in the Spartans favor one more time.
Get Nelly Junior Joseph in foul trouble
Junior center Robert Vaihola goes up for a dunk during pre-game warmups before SJSU’s 67-58 win over Wyoming on Jan. 25. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Freelance Photographer)
Lobos senior center Nelly Junior Joseph is leading the Mountain West in rebounds per game with 11.1 and is eleventh in points per game with 15.6.
Needless to say he is one of the best players in the whole conference.
Last time these two teams met Junior Joseph got into foul trouble and only played 20 minutes finishing the game with four personal fouls. This allowed the Spartans to work around him and for Junior Joseph to play less physical and more reserved to try not to pick up his fifth personal foul.
On top of that the Spartans will need a big day from junior center Robert Vaihola.
In the Spartans 71-70 win, their leading scorer wasn’t senior guard Josh Uduje, McClendon or Davis.
It was Vaihola.
Vaihola led the team in points with 18 and rebounds with nine. The battle in the paint will be a big one and even with Junior Joseph’s limited time, he still was the highest scorer for the Lobos with 20 points.
Keep the hot streak going from Donovan Yap Jr.
Graduate student guard Donovan Yap Jr. is fouled on a layup attempt during SJSU’s SJSU’s 67-58 win over Wyoming on Jan. 25. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Freelance Photographer)
Graduate student guard Donovan Yap Jr. has now been the highest scorer on the Spartans for back-to-back games. He scored a career-high 30 points in a 92-68 win over Fresno State on Mar. 8 and scored 19 in SJSU’s 66-61 win over Wyoming in the Mountain West tournament.
But, Yap had one of, if not his worst game of the season the last time these two teams met.
Yap scored zero points, had four turnovers and was benched in the second half playing only 10 minutes in the game.
The Spartans are now without McClendon which is cause for concern, however they essentially played without one of their starters the last time they defeated New Mexico.
If Yap can stay hot he can replace McClendon’s scoring output.
Get Latrell Davis going
Sophomore guard Latrell Davis goes up for a layup during SJSU’s SJSU’s 67-58 win over Wyoming on Jan. 25. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Freelance Photographer)
Davis has had a breakout season this year and is the third leading scorer (11.2 ppg) for the Spartans despite primarily coming off the bench this season.
In conference play Davis has averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting 45% from the field. When he’s hot, Davis is one of the most consistent 3-point shooters on the team.
However, Davis has cooled off offensively in the last three games for the Spartans. He scored eight in a loss to Colorado State, three in the win against Fresno State and five in the Mountain West tourney win over Wyoming.
When Wyoming had its big second half and almost came back against SJSU, no one else on the offense could get going outside of Yap.
If Davis was able to score like he’s capable of, SJSU could have put the dagger in Wyoming instead of having them creep back.
Final Thoughts
This next part is easier said than done but it’s the truth. SJSU needs to play two good halves of basketball and limit turnovers.
We’ve seen it time and time again this season, SJSU will compete against the best teams in the conference, even hold big leads, but will get sloppy and let the other team come roaring back.
Even though they came out on top, we saw that happen in round one of the Mountain West tournament.
If the Spartans can do this, they are capable of upsetting the Lobos. They already have this season.
