By Haddy Barghouti (HB_SportsBeat) – Senior Staff Writer | Sophomore forward Adrian Myers battles for the ball against three Wyoming defenders during SJSU’s 88–78 loss on March 7. (Photo by Marilyn-Bride Anye — The Spear)
The San Jose State men’s basketball team (8-23, 3-17 MW) opens the Mountain West tournament against Boise State (20-11, 13-7) at 8:30 p.m. PT, Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Spartans enter as the No. 11 seed and face the sixth-seeded Broncos, who swept the regular-season series. The Broncos defeated the Spartans 84-69 on Feb. 21. The Spartans shot just 4-for-23 from 3-point range.
If SJSU hopes to extend its season, it must control the glass and dictate the tempo.
With senior forward Yaphet Moundi still sidelined after averaging 7.6 rebounds per game when healthy this season, senior forward Sadraque NgaNga, junior forward Marcus Overstreet and freshman forwardDouglas Langford must control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities.
Boise State is anchored by junior forward Drew Fielder, who leads the team with 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Fielder stretches the floor, shooting 41.1% from beyond the arc and forces SJSU to defend him inside and on the perimeter.
Sophomore forward Adrian Myers said the Spartans’ focus starts with controlling the fundamentals.
“First win the rebound battle, stop them on defense, let us play in the half court, slow that transition down just a little bit and just work hard, hit shots and play together,” Myers said.
The Broncos present additional matchup challenges. Junior forward Andrew Meadow averages 11.9 points per game while shooting 51% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range.
Senior forward Javen Buchanan adds 12.1 points per game and shoots 33% from beyond the arc, giving Boise State multiple scoring options in the frontcourt.
Offensively, SJSU will continue to rely on junior guard Colby Garland, who averages a team-high 20.3 points per game. Myers has emerged as a steady secondary scorer, reaching double figures in seven consecutive games.
Since Moundi’s injury, Myers has averaged 4.6 rebounds and attacked the rim when his outside shot isn’t falling. Despite shooting 0-for-6 and 1-for-3 from deep in his last two games, he scored 17 points in each.
“We just have a slow start to every game,” Myers said. “We just need to start fast. If we start fast, we’ll be in the game the whole time.”
Perimeter shooting could play a decisive role. The Spartans have struggled from beyond the arc during their three-game losing streak. Boise State ranks eighth in the Mountain West in 3-point defense.
SJSU ranks 11th in 3-point defense.
Free throws may also factor into the outcome. The Spartans are shooting 73.6% from the line this season, while the Broncos lead the conference at 78.4%.
In a single-elimination setting, capitalizing at the stripe and avoiding empty possessions could be the difference.
SJSU will need a fast start, sustained defensive effort and timely shot-making to pull off the upset.
Garland emphasized the importance of offensive execution translating to defensive stability.
“We gotta come out with the intensity, we gotta come out rebound hard, get good shots on offense,” Garland said. “It leads to bad defense if we don’t get good shots.”
