SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San José State men's basketball team will face UTSA on Monday, November 2, at 12 p.m. at the Provident Credit Union Event Center to open the 2026-27 season. The game will be shown live on MW+.
All students, faculty and staff will get free entry and pizza with a Tower ID.
GAME INFO
Matchup: San José State vs. UTSA
Date/Time: November 2 at 12 p.m.
Location: Provident Credit Union Event Center
Stream: MW+
Listen: SJSU Spartans Sports Media Network
Tickets: Here
Live Stats: Here
Promotion: Lunch with the Spartans
SPARTAN NOTES
- The Spartans are looking to make postseason play for the third time in their last five seasons which would be the best stretch in program history
- The Spartans were picked seventh in the Mountain West preseason poll
- The Spartans are looking to win their season opener for the first time since the 2023-24 season
- The Spartans are 3-2 in season openers under Head Coach Tim Miles
- The Spartans are 2-1 all-time against UTSA
- This game will be the first meeting between the Spartans and the Roadrunners since March, 2013
- SJSU and UTSA were conference foes for just one season, that being in 2012-13 as members of the WAC. Both schools would depart the WAC the following season
- The Spartans and Roadrunners competed against each other twice in 2012-13, with the Spartans winning in the regular season and the Roadrunners winning in their WAC Tournament matchup. Their second regular season game that season was canceled due to a water leak
A “NEW ERA” OF SPARTAN BASKETBALL
- SJSU men's basketball received a $4 million philanthropic commitment over the summer, representing the most significant donation in program history
- The donation went directly towards player retention, talent acquisition and critical operational needs
- The donation signaled a defining moment for San José State men’s basketball, one that strengthens the foundation for long-term competitiveness, enhances the student-athlete experience, and reinforces the program’s commitment to excellence on and off the court
- As part of the "New Era" campaign, some changes for this upcoming season include:
- Upgraded Arena Atmosphere: Specialized sports DJ and supplemental speaker system to keep the energy going all game long
- Brand-New Custom Court: A newly designed court inside Provident Credit Union Event Center, providing a modern, sleek stage for Mountain West action
- National-Caliber Halftime Acts & Giveaways: High-profile entertainment, including world-class halftime acts like The Amazing Sladek (Jan. 9), Aim High Canines (Feb. 20) and premium collectibles for both SJSU students and fans such as replica jerseys (Jan. 23), drawstring backpacks, t-shirts and more
- Unmatched Fan & Community Access: Interactive opportunities including postgame court access for kids, meet-and-greets, and student-athlete community engagement across campus and the South Bay
ROBERT VAIHOLA RETURNS
- Robert Vaihola, who was a key player to two of SJSU's most successful seasons ever, returns to the Spartans in 2026-27
- Vaihola previously played at SJSU in 2022-23 and 2024-25, both seasons in which the Spartans made postseason play
- Vaihola is the first Spartan men's basketball player to transfer back to SJSU after transferring out since the introduction of the transfer portal in 2018
- Currently ranks 10th in SJSU history in career blocks
- Appeared and started in 31 games for the Spartans in 2024-25, averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting .536 percent from the field, helping the team make the NIT for the first time since 1981
- Averaged the fourth most rebounds per game and the second most offensive rebounds per game in the Mountain West in 2024-25
- In 2022-23, averaged 7.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and shot .712 from the field, helping the Spartans win 20-plus games in a season for the first time since 1981
2026-27 ROSTER CONSTRUCTION
- The Spartans return two players from last season, equating to 7.2 percent of their scoring (Pasha Goodarzi - 8.2 ppg & JaVaughn Hannah - 7.5 ppg), the least in the Mountain West
- SJSU added seven new players from the transfer portal. They include:
Mookie Cook - San Francisco
Luke Howard - Simon Fraser
Mekhi Mason - Wake Forest
KJ Martin Jr. - Tulsa
Joey Chammaa - Arkansas State
Robert Vaihola - Minnesota
Zine Eddine Bedri - Columbia
- The Spartans added five freshmen to the squad, including Cade Krueger, Rokiem Green, Brayden Barrett, Oliver Kullamäe & Moses Dau
SCOUTING UTSA
- The Roadrunners went 4-25 and 1-17 in AAC conference play in 2025-26
- UTSA was picked to finish last in the American preseason poll out of 13 teams
- The Roadrunners feature 14 new players to their roster
- Dorian Hayes is the only Roadrunner from 2025-26 to return for this season
- Assistant Coach Nick Bowman is the acting Head Coach for the Roadrunners
#AllSpartans