SJSU basketball offered glimpses of greatness
SJSU basketball nearly upsets No. 19 San Diego State
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Was SJSU’s near upset a sign better times lay ahead?
Following a 81-78 near upset over No. 19 San Diego State, SJSU head coach Tim Miles opined on the concept of “frustration.”
“A situation like this, it really comes down to frustration. Like, ‘how do you handle frustration? Do you let it suck the life out of you?’” Miles reflected. “ … Or use it to make yourself stronger and more resilient.”
This is why when looking back at the SDSU (14-2, 3-0) loss, Spartan fans should be encouraged. SJSU was dealt several frustrating moments. And yet, despite playing a team far more talented, it ended up being one blocked lay up at the end of regulation away by Trey Anderson from going to overtime.
Furthermore, this came in a game where SJSU (7-9, 0-3) was fresh off two frustrating losses. Still, it never let a couple poor possessions turn into an avalanche of disappointment against an SDSU on pace to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Crazy finish @AmeyMyron!
SDSU 62 SJSU 61
📺 @CBSSportsNet#AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/uETRN4lj0s— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) January 10, 2024
Following Miles’ press conference, SJSU guards MJ Amey (20 points) and Alvaro Cardenas (21 points) sat side-by-side and voiced a disdain for using Tuesday as a moral victory.
“We feel like we are capable of winning every game,” Cardenas said.
And to a certain extent, Cardenas is right.
Prior to the SDSU loss, SJSU squandered a 17-point lead to Wyoming and a nine-point lead to Boise State. Both losses to BSU and SDSU came in similar fashion: the inability to stop a power forward.
Last Saturday, it was the Broncos’ O’mar Stanley who went for 30 points and 11 rebounds and Tuesday it was SDSU’s Jaedon Ledee, who went for 31 points and 10 rebounds.
This why it’s essential for SJSU to make strides in the NIL space. It appears the Spartans are a dominant frontcourt away from winning games against the upper echelon of the conference.
The Spartans were outrebounded 37-28, outscored in the paint 38-24 and outscored on second chance opportunities 18-9.
SJSU center Adrame Diongue and power forwards Diogo “DJ” Seixas and William Humer are all in a transitional phase and just aren’t ready to take that next leap to compete with elite big men.
“We are mismatched inside,” Miles said.
Now, considering the several departures from last year’s Final Four squad, some may be surprised at SDSU’s continued domination.
That’s where Ledee comes in.
From last season to this one, he has nearly tripled his points total – from 7.9 points to 21.4 – and lifted his rebound total from 5.3 to 8.7. Earlier this year, SDSU head coach Brian Ducher told the San Diego Union Tribune that “He could have probably gotten a lot more NIL (money) somewhere else.”
.@jae_ledee with the putback dunk! pic.twitter.com/yjdjgzaHD5
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 10, 2024
So why did he choose to stay? It’s simple. He’d flourish at SDSU in ways he wouldn’t at any other school. SDSU’s culture and system is just that stellar. So now Ledee can leverage that into premier post-career opportunities.
With Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy in attendance, Ledee illustrated his prowess.
Unlike Ducher in this NIL era, Miles has to establish his own system and culture. If SJSU plays like it did against SDSU that era is coming sooner than later.
Which is why it’s imperative for SJSU to not waste the momentum from Tuesday. Cardenas, Amey, Anderson (11 points) and Tibet Gorener (15 points) all finished in double figures. Plus, it turned the ball over just 10 times. There’s unquestionable evidence that SJSU is capable of doing much more than its record indicates.
Although, that does hinge upon SJSU capitalizing on the momentum from Thursday in its next two games – this Saturday at Air Force and next Tuesday at Fresno State. Back-to-back wins could give the Spartans the momentum they need to have a legitimate shot at reaching that prized .500 overall record which would give them eligibility for the CBI.
“I mean you just gotta finish games – that’s it,” chuckled Amey.
