By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
It has been a head-scratching start conference play for San Jose State (3-13, 0-5 MW) men’s basketball, but it will be back home this afternoon taking on the Air Force Falcons (6-10, 0-4 MW).
The Spartans have come in losing five straight and 10 of their last 11 overall, but Air Force is the only other conference team with a significant losing streak, as its dopped its last four and seven of its last eight.
There’s no doubt the Spartans are happy to be home, especially considering what occurred last week. Earlier this season, SJSU was in the middle of the league when it came to shooting the basketball.
Last week however, the Spartans shot a horrific 31.8 percent in New Mexico and followed that up with a 30.8 percent outing in San Diego. The Spartans shoot 45.2 percent at home, but that dips to 40.6 percent as visitors.
The Spartans should be worried about one guard in particular this afternoon. Trevor Lyons feasts everytime he faces SJSU, as he has dropped career-highs in points in back-to-back seasons against the Spartans.
The senior comes in averaging 9.1 points per game and is shooting the ball at a rate that parallels his freshman season. If the Spartans can limit Lyons, especially from deep and force him to make careless decisions, it will be a plus.
Tuesday night’s game against San Diego State was the first time in six games the Spartans did not reach the 20 turnover mark, instead, they had 18, which is still horrible.
Don’t expect the Spartans to have single digit turnovers today, but do expect some stout, physical, glue-type defense all game.
An SJSU player to watch is Jaycee Hillsman who has struggled as of late and is shooting just 39.6 percent from the floor, but is due for a turn around.
Tip off from The Event Center is at 2 p.m.