Seven games.
That’s all that’s left for the Spartans before the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Spartans must win the WAC Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament.
If Adrian Oliver and co. want to be dancing, they must come together and start winning now.
On Jan. 28, the Spartan faithful were in a state of euphoria. Winners of three consecutive games, including wins against New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech, the Spartans were 5-3 in the conference and off to their best start this century.
But a three-game road losing streak against Utah State, Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State put doubt back into my mind that the Spartans (12-11, 5-6) can make a run in the WAC Tournament.
The only way I could see the Spartans propelling themselves into contenders is if CJ Webster becomes a force in the paint.
He is essentially the only variable left on this team. The Spartans are who they are. Adrian Oliver can’t play any better, and the bench simply is not going to provide any miracles.
SJSU has proven in stretches that it can compete with a four-guard lineup featuring Oliver, Justin Graham, Mac Peterson and Robert Owens, to along with center Chris Oakes.
In fact, the Spartans pulled off upsets over Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State without Webster.
But to win the WAC Tournament, the Spartans will need to win three games in the span of four days. If they do win their first game, they can’t afford to have players with tired legs in the semis and finals.
They will need Webster to play more than 25 minutes per night and average a double-double to take some of the load off of Oliver and Oakes.
I’ll admit that’s a tall order for a player coming off an eye injury and probably numerous other pains.
Webster has struggled since returning against Hawaii on Jan. 28. And that’s why the last seven games have such an important meaning.
If Webster could play like one of the WAC’s most dominant big men, then the Spartans could have something special brewing.
Maybe a ticket to March Madness.
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