By Mohamed Bafakih(@MohamedABafa ):
Coming off its loss to Mountain West leader Nevada, San Jose State faces the conference’s second-best team Boise State tonight in Boise.
With hopes of getting back into the win column, the Spartans (3-15, 0-7 MW) had a week off from game action while it’s been four days for the Broncos (16-4, 6-2 MW).
Though distant in the standings, both teams share the same flaw: turning the ball over.
Boise State is -2.20 in the turnover margin which is second-to-last in the 11 Mountain West teams while SJSU is last at -6.22. Additionally, the Spartans are also at the bottom in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.71) with the Broncos just ahead in ninth (0.95).
It hasn’t slowed Boise State much this season, however, as it’s averaging 79.5 points per game during conference play (2nd in MW) and is outscoring teams by 8.1 points, the second-best margin.
Led by 6-foot-7 senior Chandler Hutchison, his 26.9PPG through eight conference games tops the Mountain West.
Hutchison returned for his senior season after declaring for the NBA Draft following a junior campaign which he averaged 17.4PPG on 49.5 percent shooting and 7.8 rebounds.
It has probably helped his draft stock as Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer praised his abilities — calling him the “NBA Draft’s hidden gem” last month.
Though the Broncos have three other double-figure scorers, the Spartans must make it difficult for Hutchison to get in the open court where he is most dangerous.
SJSU’s defense hasn’t fared well on the road as it has given up 83.6PPG in the last three games away from the Event Center.
To top it off, Boise State has won by an average of 27.3 at Taco Bell Arena in the last three meetings against the Spartans and control the series lead, 30-3.
SJSU’s last win against Boise State was on March 5, 2016.
Tip off is at 7 p.m.