By Andrew Talamantes (@DrewTooSavvy)
A little over a month into the season, junior forward Ryan Welage has shown followers of San Jose State basketball that this is his team.
Being the only player for the Spartans who is averaging above double digits in scoring so far, it’s safe to say Welage is carrying a bigger workload than he needs to be.
Through nine games, he has scored 164 points while averaging 18.2 per game. With 20 more games left on the schedule, he’s on track to score 429 points for the season, almost 30 more than he did last year.
Welage is averaging the most points per game total for SJSU since James Kinney, who averaged 20.6 points in 14 games during the 2012-2013 season.
If we’re taking durability in account, then this would be the highest average in seven years since Adrian Oliver. The former Spartan averaged 24 points a game in 31 games played in the 2010-2011 season.
Welage is not just a scoring threat, but he’s also third on the team in total rebounds with 40 — only behind sophomore guard Isaiah Nichols with 50 and freshman forward Keith Fisher III with 43.
He is also playing 30.5 minutes a game, eight more minutes than anyone else on the team. He’s someone head coach Jean Prioleau definitely looks to as his go-to scoring option.
Junior forward Jaycee Hillsman has served as a reliable second option this season averaging 8.6 points per game, but his inability to shoot the three ball has hurt the Spartans offense. Hillsman has only made 2-of-20 threes for a meek 10 percent shooting average.
Overall, the Spartans need someone to step up with only four players averaging 7 to 8 points a game. It shows that there are players willing to contribute on the offensive side, but in words of a sprinter, they need to “hit their second stride.”
SJSU has yet to face a conference opponent, but when it goes up against teams like San Diego State and reigning Mountain West champ Nevada, players are going to need to step up. If they can’t, then it’s going to be a disappointing season for the Spartans.
