Spartans Set to Clash with Lobos in Albuquerque Showdown
As the San Jose State Spartans gear up for their next encounter against the New Mexico Lobos at The Pit, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Spartans have shown a pattern of resilience and strategic play that could very well tip the scales in their favor come game day.
Looking back at their recent performance on December 18 against Cal State Northridge Matadors, SJSU displayed a commendable offensive strategy, racking up 70 points with an impressive 38 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Their defense was equally noteworthy, managing to snag 11 steals and block four shots. This level of defensive prowess could be a significant factor when they face UNM.
The Spartans' ability to capitalize on turnovers is another aspect that cannot be overlooked. With 26 points off turnovers against CSN, they've demonstrated that they can effectively turn defense into offense—a skill that will undoubtedly come in handy against the Lobos.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for SJSU; their December 4 game against Hawai'i's Rainbow Wahine highlighted some areas for improvement. Despite putting up a valiant effort, they were outplayed by Hawai'i's sharpshooting which boasted a field goal percentage of nearly half (49 percent) and an even more impressive three-point percentage (44 percent). The Spartans will need to tighten their perimeter defense if they hope to contain UNM's shooters.
Moreover, consistency has been an issue for SJSU as seen in their November 30 matchup with Cal State Fullerton Titans where despite scoring more points in paint (34), they fell short due to Fullerton’s higher overall field goal percentage (47 percent) and better performance from downtown (44 percent three-point percentage).
The upcoming game presents an opportunity for redemption and showcases how adaptable the Spartans can be under pressure. They must leverage their strong suits: aggressive defense leading to turnovers and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities while also maintaining focus on improving shooting accuracy under duress.
Spartan fans should mark February 14th on their calendars as this pivotal match-up kicks off at The Pit in Albuquerque at 7:00 PM local time. For those who can't make it to New Mexico, you'll find all the action broadcasted live—don't miss what promises to be a thrilling contest as SJSU seeks victory over UNM!