By Richy Zajic — Content Editor
The same old, same old is likely on the horizon for San Jose State men’s basketball heading into the new season.
However, there may be a shimmer of light for the Spartans because of their off-season additions and another year of experience under their belts.
With forward Michael Steadman (13.2 ppg last season) and guard Noah Baumann (10.8 ppg last season) transferring to the University of Montana and USC respectively, there are some major holes to fill.
Coming off a 4-27 season that included just one Mountain West victory, it seems difficult to produce a worse season this time around.
The Spartans added some talented players in the off-season that should be able to help them scrape together a few more wins.
One of the most notable additions is junior guard Richard Washington.
Washington started his collegiate career at Wake Forest University before transferring to Tallahassee Community College and averaging 16.6 points last season.
Redshirt junior center Samuel Japhet-Mathias is another promising prospect coming from WFU. Japhet-Mathias was ranked 90th out of all high school players in the class of 2016 by 247 Sports and was a four-star recruit so he certainly has the potential to produce.
Normally players are transferring out of SJSU, so the Spartans will need to make the best of having it the other way around.
Another year of experience should prove to be beneficial for everyone involved in the men’s basketball program.
Head coach Jean Prioleau is heading into his third season with the Spartans and frankly needs to produce a better product for Spartan fans this year.
With a total record of 8-53 in his tenure here at SJSU, his third season will need to show some signs of life.
Prioleau shouldn’t be the only one benefitting from experience this year, as a couple of second-year Spartans should take significant jumps in their development.
Sophomore forward Seneca Knight looked like part of SJSU’s future last season, averaging 6.2 ppg in just 20 minutes a game.
Knight should be given more opportunities this season, and will likely produce at a much higher clip.
Sophomore guard Zach Chappell is another promising talent for the Spartans.
Chappell started the final nine games of last season, averaging 8.4 points and 4.4 assists in that stretch.
With a rigorous schedule including matchups with No. 21 Arizona, UCLA and two games with No. 17 Utah State, the Spartans will need to take advantage of their weaker opponents and show some urgency to win games.
While this may not be a complete turnaround season full of success this year, there is potential for the Spartans to keep making small strides.
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