SAN JOSE STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
Last season: 9-23, 2-16 (tied for 10th in Mountain West Conference).
Coach: Tim Miles, fourth season, 38-60
Season opener: Monday vs. Western Illinois, 7 p.m.
Projected starters: Sophomore guard Latrell Davis (5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds), graduate senior guard Donavan Yap (9.0 points, 1.8 assists), senior guard Josh Uduje (8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds), junior center Robert Vaihola (7.6 points, 6.5 rebounds), center Adrame Diongue (4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds)
Key reserves: Junior guard Will McClendon (4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds), graduate senior forward Sadaidriene Hall (10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds), graduate senior center Chol Marial (2.3 points, 2.4 rebounds),
Strengths: The Spartans won’t lack size with four players 6-foot-8 or above on the roster. Yap, Uduje and Hall are key transfers that are slated to be some of San Jose State’s top scorers this season along with Davis. SJSU struggled defensively last season but Miles looks to have made it a point to recruit long, athletic players that could make an impact stopping opposing offenses.
Weaknesses: Outside of Uduje, who won the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year last season with Utah State, scoring is a big question mark. Davis showed flashes of being a guard who can put pressure on the rim, but struggled with consistency. Yap and McClendon thrived in catch-and-shoot roles at Fresno State and UCLA, respectively, but there is no clear No. 2 scoring option on this team.
Outlook: Miles and SJSU struggled last year after leading the Spartans on a magical run in 2022. This year will likely be another rebuilding season as the Spartans don’t have the offensive punch they need to compete in a conference that includes offensive juggernauts like San Diego State, Utah State and Boise State.
