By Andrew Talamantes (@DrewTooSavvy)
After four consecutive losses on the road, San Jose State (2-7) looks to get its third win of the season against South Dakota (9-3) Sunday at 3 p.m. inside the Event Center.
Three of the last four losses were decided by 10 points or less, urging head coach Jean Prioleau and his staff to put emphasis on not just starting fast, but finishing strong.
The Spartans’ most recent loss came against University of Portland, 64-55.
The Spartans shot a dreadful 17-for-54 (34.7 percent) from the floor against the Pilots.
Additionally, SJSU as a team only had nine assists against Portland — something that needs to be stressed in order to get back to playing team basketball. But when the shots aren’t falling, nine assists seem about right.
Another problem for this team is tournovers, as the Spartans are giving up 16 free possessions a game.
Whether it was fatigue or not to cap off a four-game road trip, SJSU returns home after an eight-day break.
Junior forward Ryan Welage has led the team in scoring in seven of the nine games this season and is averaging 18.6 points per game. No other player on the roster is averaging double figures in scoring.
A key for the Spartans against the Coyotes will be how much they take care of the basketball, as well as Welage finding a sidekick.
South Dakota faced then-No. 1 Duke two weeks ago in North Carolina and fell 96-80, so it does have experience against tough teams.
In that contest, the Coyotes outscored the Blue Devils by 10 points in the second half — a half that continues to haunt the Spartans this season.
South Dakota is coming off a 75-73 win against Eastern Washington at home and a two-game win streak after that loss to Duke. The Coyotes’ duo of 6-foot-6 junior forward Trey Burch-Manning and 6-foot-3 junior guard Matt Mooney combined for 38 points, 11 rebounds and four assist in the win.
Expect Burch-Manning and Welage to be a great matchup to watch as they try to lock each other down on the defensive end.