San José State Men’s Basketball Hosts Lincoln
Spartans Seek Fourth Win in Five Games Against Lincoln
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San José State men’s basketball team returns home to the Provident Credit Union Event Center on monday, looking to bounce back from a tough conference opener. Tip-off against Lincoln is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and the game will be broadcast on Mountain West Network and KTRB 860 AM.
The Spartans (6-4) are aiming for their fourth victory in their last five games. After sweeping the Ball Dawgs Classic with wins over UTEP, UNCG, and Long Beach State, San José State fell to New Mexico 83-77 in their Mountain West Conference debut.
this marks the first time the Spartans have swept an in-season tournament since the 2011 Elgin Baylor Classic.
“We’re looking forward to getting back on our home court,” said Head Coach Tim Miles. “Lincoln presents a new challenge, and we need to be ready to compete from start to finish.”
San José State boasts a stingy offense,averaging the fewest turnovers per game in the Mountain West (10.2). The Spartans are also second in the conference in free throw percentage (.766), with four players – Donavan Yap, Will McClendon, Sadaidriene Hall, and Josh Uduje – shooting above 80 percent from the line.
Uduje, the reigning Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year, leads the Spartans in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. He erupted for 22 points against New Mexico, marking the fourth time this season he’s scored 20 or more points. Earlier this season, Uduje went 5-5 from three-point range and scored a season-high 25 points against USC, becoming the only player in the Mountain West to make five threes on 100 percent shooting in a single game this season.
McClendon is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game and has scored in double figures in seven of ten games this season.the duo combined for 20 or more points for the second time this season against New Mexico.
off the bench, Sadraque NgaNga has been a spark plug for the Spartans, recording 35 points and 11 rebounds in his last four games. Robert Vaihola notched his first double-double of the season against New Mexico, adding three assists and a career-high four blocks.
The Spartans are looking to build momentum as they continue their Mountain West Conference schedule. Monday’s game against Lincoln is a chance for San José State to showcase their talent and secure another victory.
Spartans Seek Fourth Win in Five Games Against Lincoln: AConversation with Coach Tim Miles
by: Newsdicrectory3.com Staff
Fresh off a challenging Mountain West conference opener against New Mexico, San José State Spartans Men’s Basketball Head Coach tim Miles sat down with us to discuss the upcoming game against Lincoln and the team’s recent successes.
Newsdicrectory3.com: Coach, the team just wrapped up a successful run in the Ball Dawgs classic, sweeping the tournament.What were some of the key takeaways from those victories?
Coach Miles: That tournament was a great prospect for us to test ourselves against some strong competition. We saw solid contributions from different players, and I was especially pleased with our composure and resilience in close games.
Newsdicrectory3.com: The team fell short against New Mexico, but showed strong offensive stretches. What are some of the areas you’re focusing on heading into the Lincoln game?
Coach Miles: Every game in the Mountain West is a battle, and New Mexico presented a tough matchup.
We need to be more consistent on both ends of the floor. Offensively, we need to continue to share the ball and move without it. Defensively, we need to be more disciplined and limit second-chance opportunities.
Newsdicrectory3.com: Josh Uduje continues to be a scoring force for the Spartans. How significant is his leadership on the court?
Coach Miles:Josh is a dynamic scorer who can take over a game. He’s also grown into a great leader. He sets a great example with his work ethic and competitive spirit.
Newsdicrectory3.com: Look ahead to Monday night. What are your expectations for the matchup with Lincoln?
Coach Miles: Lincoln will be a tough opponent. They’re a well-coached team with a lot of talent. We’re looking forward to getting back on our home court and putting on a good show for our fans. We need to be ready to compete from start to finish.