FSM Essential Preview: UNLV vs San Jose State - Game 20

Photo Credit: UNLV Basketball

FSM Essential Preview: UNLV vs. San Jose State – Game 20

UNLV (8-11) vs. San Jose State (5-13)

The Runnin’ Rebels travel to San Jose State to battle the Spartans.

Both UNLV and San Jose State come into this game on two-game losing streaks. UNLV lost twice at Boise State with the latest game being a nail-biter. Caleb Grill had a last-second shot but missed, resulting in the Runnin’ Rebels falling 61-59 to the Broncos. San Jose State is on a two-game losing streak after getting blown out by San Diego State in two games. Losing by 31 and 22 points, and being completely outplayed by the Aztecs. After those losses, the Spartans are sit at 5-13 on the season, and 3-11 in conference play.

San Jose State’s 3 conference wins were all on a 3 game winning streak before the two losses to San Diego State. All three conference victories came against the two teams below them in the standings, Air Force and New Mexico. UNLV has been hovering around .500 all year, but they have not been able to play consistently over the course of the season. They have a record of 8-11 and 5-7 in conference play.

Two winnable games for UNLV in which they will be heavy favorites.

UNLV vs New Mexico — *Photo Credit: UNLV Basketball*

The Runnin’ Rebels have two big wins ahead of them as the Spartans are at the bottom of the standings in the Mountain West while UNLV sits in the middle of the table trying to climb up spots with the season quickly coming to an end.

Bryce Hamilton is the Runnin’ Rebels leading scorer with 18 points per game. David Jenkins Jr., who has been coming off the bench the last few games, is averaging 15 points. Jenkins led the team in scoring last game, scoring 19 points shooting 4 for 6 from three-point range. UNLV scores through shooting the three. That is where a big chunk of their offense is generated from. They shoot 25 times from beyond the arc a game, ranking them 42^nd in the entire country.

San Jose State is coming off a 77-55 loss to the Aztecs. The one bright spot for the Spartans, Trey Smith, scored a career-high 22 points and 8 rebounds. They will be without their leading scorer and rebounder as Richard Washington, averaging 20 points a game for the Spartans, is out with a head injury. Seneca Knight, the teams leading rebounder, is also out on Friday. Ralph Agee and Jalen Dalcourt are the only other SJSU players to have scoring averages over 10 ppg (both at 10.8).

The Spartans are below UNLV in about every statistical category and will need to step up their game if they want a chance at a victory this weekend.

San Jose State are weak defensively and UNLV has a chance to expose them on Friday.

The Spartans allow 80 points per game to their opponent, giving UNLV a chance to really explode on the offensive side of the ball. UNLV is scoring 70 points a game, and this game should provide them with a chance to get some players more minutes than their accustomed to.

UNLV has defeated San Jose State 8 out of the last 10 meetings and has won 6 straight. Barring an upset, the win streak for the Runnin’ Rebels should continue as they are, overall, a much better team.

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels will look to end their two game losing skid as they will battle it out with the San Jose State Spartans for two games starting tonight at 6:30. Friday’s Stadium broadcast will be called by JB Long and Doug Gottlieb, while Sunday’s announcers will be Alex Del Barrio and Tim Doyle. Jon Sandler and former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100.

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-Jarret Thompson – Franchise Sports Media

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