SAN JOSE, Calif. - For the first time in the 2020-21 season, San Jose State men's basketball is set to host games at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Spartans will welcome UNLV to the Bay for a two-game series beginning on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT with game two slated for a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday. Both games will be televised with the opener being carried by Stadium and the finale on CBS Sports Network.
UNLV (8-11, 5-7 MW) at San Jose State (5-13, 3-11 MW)
Game 1 | Friday, Feb. 19 - 6:30 p.m. | Stadium
Game 2 | Sunday, Feb. 21 - 1:00 p.m. | CBSSN
Provident Credit Union Event Center | San Jose, Calif.
TV AND RADIO INFORMATION
Fans will have the opportunity to watch both games live. Game one will be available on Stadium with JB Long (play-by-play) and Doug Gottlieb (analyst) on the call. Game two will be on the CBS Sports Network with Alex Del Barrio (play-by-play) and Tim Doyle (analyst) in the booth. Fans can also catch Justin Allegri's Spartan Radio call for both games on the TuneIn app or on TuneIn.com.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
» UNLV is looking to bounce back from a two-game sweep at Boise State. The series prior, the Runnin' Rebels swept Air Force in Vegas.
» UNLV is in their second season under head coach T.J. Oztzelberger. They have one of the premier scorers in the league in Bryce Hamilton (18.3 ppg).
SMITH CONTINUES TO SHINE
» Junior guard Trey Smith has been outstanding as of late. He has started the last five games and is averaging 17.2 points and 3.6 3-pointers per game in that span.
» After breaking onto the scene with 16 points in the win over New Mexico, Smith has twice reached the 20-point plateau for the first times of his career. He put down 21 points in game two against Air Force to help the Spartans complete the sweep over the Falcons.
» Smith is coming off a career-best game against UNLV that saw him score personal bests of 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
» The junior from Cypress, California is averaging 8.0 points per game, an increase of 5.7 ppg from the previous season.
DEFENDING THE DEEP SHOTS
» San Jose State ranks second in the conference and top-70 nationally in 3-point defense, holding opponents to a .311 clip, second only to Colorado State (.298).
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
» Due to restrictions set in place by Santa Clara County in response to COVID-19, the Spartans were forced to relocate in order to continue playing basketball this season. From Dec. 20 until Jan. 31, SJSU was based out of Phoenix, Arizona at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. Those restrictions have since been lifted and the Spartans are poised to play their first games inside of the Provident Credit Union Even Center since Feb. 29, 2020.
MENDOZA MAKES AN IMPACT
» Freshman Sebastian Mendoza ranks third on the team in the last five games with an average of 11.4 points per game. He has knocked down 51.7 percent of his 3-point attempts over the stretch (15-29).
» Mendoza has been most impressive in the second game of series. Dating back to the Colorado State series, he is averaging 14.5 points per game in game twos.
SPARTAN ATHLETICS FUND FAN CUTOUTS:
Spartan Nation, don't miss your chance to be represented in the stands in Provident Credit Union Event Center this season. If interested in a cardboard cutout, follow this link to register!