Colorado State

2015-2016 record: 16-15 (8-10)

Injury Report: Gian Clavell (out for season)

Projected Starters:

John Gillon, Redshirt Junior, Point Guard, 6-foot: 13.1 ppg, 3.8 apg in 31.4 mpg

Antwan Scott, Redshirt Senior, Guard, 6-foot-2: 16.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 42 3fg% in 30.2 mpg

Joe De Ciman, Senior, Wing, 6-foot-6: 9.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 38 3fg% in 32.8 mpg

Emmanuel Omogbo, Junior, Post, 6-foot-8: 11.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg in 24.7 mpg

Tiel Daniels, Redshirt Senior, Post, 6-foot-5: 9.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 63 fg% in 28.1 mpg

San Jose State

2015-2016 record: 9-21 (4-14)

Injury Report: N/A

Projected Starters:

Isaac Thornton, Junior, Point Guard, 6-foot-3: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg in 19.4 mpg

Jaycee Hillsman, Freshman, Wing, 6-foot-6: 4.6 ppg, 1.5 apg in 17.8 mpg

Cody Schwartz, Freshman, Post, 6-foot-8: 7.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 35 3fg% in 24.1 mpg

Ryan Welage, Freshman, Post, 6-foot-9: 10.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 36 3fg% in 26.6 mpg

Frank Rogers; Redshirt Senior; Post, 6-foot-9: 12.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 36 3fg% in 28.8 mpg

Analysis

Sixth-seeded Colorado State tips off the Mountain West Tournament against #11 seed San Jose State today in Las Vegas. CSU defeated San Jose State twice this season, at home and on the road. San Jose State is much improved this season, winning four conference games after going winless in conference play last season. The Spartans are coming off a win at home against Boise State, and did take CSU to overtime when they at San Jose. Here are CSU’s keys to a victory:

Hone In On Rogers

Frank Rogers is San Jose State’s leading scorer, CSU needs to prepare accordingly. He’s a solid scorer in the paint and a capable shooter from beyond the arc. Tiel Daniels and Emmanuel Omogbo will garner the assignment, they’ll need to be active and ready to move around all over the court.

Protect Against The Three

In addition to Rogers, San Jose State has two other shooters from deep: freshmen Cody Schwartz and Ryan Welage. They’re all lengthy shooters who are capable of shooting over the top of defenses. CSU will need to be prepared for pick-and-pop situations, where either Rogers, Schwartz and Welage will set screens and fade to a spot beyond the arc.

Attack The Paint

Since San Jose State plays three bigs in the starting lineup, CSU needs to emphasize attacking the paint in hopes of getting the bigs in foul trouble. The Rams needs to be aggressive getting paint touches, and that starts with point guard John Gillon. He’s CSU’s best penetrator, and can get to the line or pass out to open shooters. Gillon will be the key to CSU’s offense.