San Jose State Loses To Wyoming 80-75

San Jose State Spartans guard Latrell Davis takes a jump shot against the Wyoming Cowboys at the Provident Credit Event Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 17, 2024 (San Jose Spartans photo image)

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The Wyoming Cowboys come to the Golden State for a matchup with the San Jose State Spartans in the Provident Credit Union Event Center. For Wyoming it’s the first of a two-game road trip. In these two teams’ first meeting of the season and the first conference game for the Spartans, SJSU lost at the buzzer, despite leading for most of the contest.

Wyoming heads into this game with a 12-12 record and a 5-6 conference record, while the Spartans are 9-16 with a 2-10 conference record. San Jose State comes into this game shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.2% from behind the arc and after a win against Air Force last game, SJSU looks to keep the fire burning against the Cowboys. The Spartans just couldn’t hold their own dropping the contest to the Cowboys 80-75 on Saturday night.

The first half was primarily dominated by Wyoming as three pointers were falling for the Cowboys. Wyoming hit 9-18, going 50% from behind the arc keeping a wide distance between them and the Spartans.

Wyoming’s guard Sam Griffin led the Cowboys in the first half in points (11), rebounds (4), and assists (3), while MJ Amey Jr. led the Spartans in points with eight. At halftime Wyoming had a clear cut lead 43-29 and if the Spartans needed to get any type of momentum to win this game, shots needed to fall both in the paint and behind the arc. 

SJSU started the second half generating a comeback, but it was halted when they went on a three minute scoring drought. Akuel Kot of Wyoming dropped 20 points before going to the bench with what appears to be an ankle injury.

The game went within five points for San Jose State  with five minutes left after Latrell Davis got a basket by goaltending. The game got closer and closer for the Spartans all the way to a one point game, but Wyoming pulled away and ended up winning the game 80-75. 

The Spartans lose another conference game making their record in the Mountain West record 2-11. San Jose State’s next game will be in Boise, Idaho against Boise State on February 20th.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cougars take out Cardinal 72-59; Wells and Jones leads WSU in scoring

The Stanford Cardinal forward Isaac Jones was tied for first in scoring on Sat Feb 17, 2024 against the Washington State Cougars at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman (Stanford Cardinal file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (12-13) lost their fourth out of their last six games today in Pullman against the Washington State Cougars (20-6) 72-59.

#2 The Cougars had two players tied for scoring at 15 points Jaylen Wells and Isaac Jones. The Cougars have relied on Jones and Wells for the bulk of their scoring and wins.

#3 The Cardinal high scorers forward Brandon Angel with 15 points and tied for second in scoring guards Kanaan Carlyle and Michael Jones both with 12 points.

#4 Michael, how surprised were you that the Cougars were able to hold the Cardinal’s guard Maxime Raynaud to just eight points. How crucial was that for the Cougars as Raynaud has had some lights out games this season?

#5 The Cardinal host the Oregon Ducks (16-8) Thu Feb 22nd at Maples Pavilion. The Ducks have been playing just below .500 in their last seven games, they are fourth in the Pac 12 and have lost four of their last seven games.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Barracuda and Condors conclude their 8 game meeting for the season tonight in Bakersfield

San Jose Barracuda goaltender Magnus Chrona stopped 28 out of 30 shots he faced against the Bakersfield Condors on Sat Feb 10, 2024 at Acrisure Arena in Bakersfield (photo from NHL.com)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Titus Wilkinson:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (16-23-8-0) end their three game road trip tonight against Bakersfield Condors and this will be the final meeting between the Barracuda and Condors for the 2023-24 season.

#2 The Barracuda defeated the Condors last week Saturday at Tech CU 4-2. Magnus Chrona returned to work between the pipes in goal for the Barracuda stopping 28 of 30 shots against the Condors.

#3 The tough trip on Thursday against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena at Coachella Valley saw the Barracuda get shutout 4-0. The Firebirds got goals from Kole Lind in the first period at 15:24 and Max McCormick at 1:25 of the third period.

#4 Before Thursday’s loss to the Firebirds the Barracuda had held the opposition to three of fewer goals in their last eight games and were 5-2-1-0 during that run.

#5 The last time the Barracuda met the Condors they split a two game series Fri Feb 9 in Bakersfield in a 3-2 overtime loss and defeated the Condors on Sat Feb 10 4-2 at Tech CU the following night. These two teams match up again in Bakersfield tonight how do you see the match up in their final season meeting?

Titus Wilkinson is a San Jose Barracuda beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Commissioner Manfred says Bay Area needs only one team; How much influence do the Giants play in keeping an Oakland team out?

Does San Francisco Giants and team CEO Larry Baer play a influential role in encouraging MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to make sure Oakland never gets an expansion team so the Giants will have the East Bay as their territory as well? (AP News file photo)

On Oakland A’s relocation podcast:

#1 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s Chief of Staff Leigh Hanson said on Friday after meeting with Oakland A’s team president David Kaval that in order for the A’s to get a three year lease at the Coliseum MLB has to agree that Oakland will get an expansion team. That decision rests with baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.

#2 Manfred said of any expansion team or any idea of another MLB team coming to Oakland “First of all we do have a major league team in the Bay Area.” Manfred was referring to the San Francisco Giants it’s been everyone’s understanding that Giants team CEO Larry Baer and the Giants who voted to have the A’s moved out of Oakland to Las Vegas during the owners vote on Dec 16th that the Giants would like to have the Bay Area including the East Bay as Giants territory and their market. Do they want the Commissioner not to allow any team to expand or move to Oakland and Oakland would become Giants territory.

#3 After the A’s announced and got confirmation from the Nevada State Legislature to the tune of $380 million for the Tropicana ballpark the A’s and MLB were confident that this was going to be smooth transition but the offering was rushed they left out where John Fisher A’s owner was going to get his share of the $1.5 billion for the construction costs and also where the A’s were going to play between 2025-27. Now Manfred is under pressure to find a place for the A’s to play for those remaining three years and Fisher doesn’t want to walk away from $70 million in TV money for those three years.

#4 Who will blink first. The City of Oakland and the Coliseum Joint Authority will lease out the Coliseum to the A’s only if Oakland is guaranteed an expansion team this boxes in Manfred who wants to get out of Oakland all together and is being counted on by the Giants to make sure that happens. The A’s must have a place to play decided by July. The Players Association will not sign off on playing in a minor league park and the Coliseum is the only practical viable place to go.

#5 Sharing a ballpark with another MLB team won’t especially if the A’s leave the Bay Area to play their home games and they lose the $70 million TV money.

Jerry Fetielberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks open four game homestand starting with Columbus tonight at SAP Center

The San Jose Sharks Justin Bailey is dazzled after scoring a second period goal against the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome in Calgary on Thu Feb 15, 2024 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast:

#1 The San Jose Sharks Filip Zadina scored two goals and had two assists and scored a career high four points in the Sharks 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night a contrast from their loss to the Winnipeg Jets the night before on Wednesday night 1-0.

#2 Zadina did point out that his line hadn’t scored in awhile but was glad to get the points and help the team, “We haven’t scored as a line in a little bit but we got rewarded for the work we’ve done recently.”

#3 Zadina did have a break out game on Thursday he had only one goal and two assists in his previous 18 games before facing off against the Flames.

#4 The Sharks did have a good offensive night against the Flames with Luke Kunin scoring twice and Justin Bailey with a goal and two assists it was Bailey’s first multi point game. Mikael Granlund also contributed with a goal.

#5 The Sharks have a go with the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center in San Jose tonight for a 7:30pm PT face off. The Jackets are last in the Metropolitan Division at 16-26-10 with 42 points. They oppose the Sharks who are 15-33-5 and have 35 points. The Sharks are opening a four game homestand.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings playing .500 ball look to moving up in second half of season

The Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (top) and the Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (bottom) are both not giving up the basketball that easy in the second half Wed Feb 14, 2024 at Ball Arena in Denver (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (31-23) had a tough task going into Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night and they came away winners in surprising fashion after losing five of their last six games before the game against the Denver Nuggets (36-19) they opened up the offense on the Nuggets.

#2 Talking about the offense for the Kings in the third quarter they outscored Denver 30-21 it was an impact quarter that helped the outcome of the game.

#3 The Kings guard De’Aaron Fox led with 30 points and Harrison Baines and Domantas Sabonis both finished second in scoring with 20 points.

#4 One of the key players that the Kings kept his numbers was center Nikola Jokic who scored 15 points and the Kings defended him well and sometimes double teaming him.

#5 The Kings return home next Thu Feb 22nd at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have suffered under head coach Gregg Poppovich this season. The Spurs are in dead last (15th place) in the NBA Western Conference and have lost eight of the last ten games. In spite of this do you see this being a battle or a landslide for the Kings.

Tony Renteria filled in Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Asian Connection MLB Open 2024 Season in South Korea

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is bringing a lot of excitement to the Giants for the 2024 season at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

The Asian Connection -MLB Open 2024 Season in South Korea

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

For the first time, Major League Baseball’s regular season will open its 2024 season in Seoul, South Korea, as the Los Angeles Dodgers will face during a two-game series on March 20 and 21, where each team will play once as the home team. “There are a lot of baseball fans in Seoul, and it’s a beautiful city, so the MLB proposed that it would like to hold the opening games here, and of course, we agreed,” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, 63, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

The series will be played at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, the home of the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO. It was also the host site of first-round games in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The domed stadium was built in 2015 and has a capacity of 16,744

Although only 4% of all Major League players are Asian, fans in Seoul, South Korea, are hoping to see Dodgers players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both from Japan as well as San Diego Padres Yu Darvish, from Japan and also a nice homecoming for South Korean Ha-Seong Kim.

Chan Ho Park, the pitcher, was the first South Korean former professional baseball player to play in the major leagues and was the first South Korean player to be named an MLB All-Star. But there is little doubt that the most significant baseball star that fans want to see, Shohei Ohtani, has become the most well-known international figure of American Major League Baseball; Ohtani has excellent global traction.

Talking about this two-game season opener in South Korea, Commissioner Rob Manfred, “We’re going to get off quick. We’re opening in Korea, and it’ll be Ohtani’s first game (with the Dodgers),” he said, before adding with a smile, “every once in a while, you get lucky in terms of the way things shake out.”

Baseball is the most popular professional sport in South Korea, with around 6.4 million spectators during the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) in 2022.

American missionaries introduced baseball to Korea in the 19th century. South Korea played baseball under Japanese colonial rule under the Joseon name. Lee Young-min hit South Korea’s first-ever home run in 1921.

Local interest: Are there any South Korean players in the Bay Area? Last December, the San Francisco Giants signed signed 25 year old South Korean star outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.

ESPN will carry the Dodgers-Padres two-game opener of the 2024 MLB season from South Korea. “Why do people sing Take Me Out to The Ballgame when they’re already there? -Alex Rodríguez.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast Augie Mesenburg: Sacramento is A’s first choice for 2025 season; City of Oakland wants guarantee of expansion team

Oakland A’s team president David Kaval has met with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Powers regarding a lease extension beyond 2024. The A’s could play the remaining three years at the Coliseum 2025-27 before the Tropicana ballpark is ready in Las Vegas (photo by ABC Sky7 still photo)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Augie:

#1 The Oakland A’s brass met with the Oakland Coliseum Joynt Powers. Seeing that players’ union most likely will not sign off to play in a minor league ballpark and most importantly the A’s don’t want to miss out on that $67 million annual television money from NBC Bay Area Sports California contract.

#2 There has been no disclosure to how much a year and how long the A’s will be staying at the Coliseum as the new park in Las Vegas is supposed to be ready by 2028. It’s sounding like it might be the three years 2025-27 to finish up in Oakland similar to what the Raiders did before they left Oakland for Las Vegas.

#3 Some are asking could this lead to something being worked out with the Mayor of Oakland and the City of Oakland for a chance that the A’s brass could re-visit Howard Terminal again? It doesn’t seem likely on the surface but there are two law suits coming from Strong Public Schools and Schools over Stadiums that will challenge the Nevada public funding of the Tropicana ballpark and the A’s might be looking at a back up plan.

#4 Augie, the A’s try hard as they may have not nailed down a location to play their games after 2024. A’s owner John Fisher and team president David Kaval have looked at numerous sites Las Vegas Ballpark (home of the A’s minor league triple A team), Sutter Health Park (home of the Sacramento Rivercats), Salt Lake City (home of the minor league Bees), and Oracle Park in San Francisco. All of the parks didn’t work out either it was a minor league park or at Oracle Park they would have to share it with the Giants and the Giants were concerned about the turf being torn up. The latest from Thursday’s news is Sacramento’s Sutter Health Ballpark is a front runner for the A’s in 2025.

#5 This might be more than just a kick the tires meeting to see if it’s worth to come back to the Coliseum after 2024 the A’s who were rumored at one point considering just shutting down operations between 2025-28 have not much choice and no where to go but the Coliseum until the new park in Vegas is ready that is if the Vegas ballpark can withstand the lawsuits by Schools over Stadiums and Strong Public Schools in Las Vegas.

Augie Mesenburg filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s relocation podcasts heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Augie is also a reporter for KHAI FM 104.5 and AM 950 Honolulu.

Warriors Squeak Past Jazz 140-137; Golden State wins sixth out of last seven games

The Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) defends against the Utah Jazz Keynote George (3) in second half action at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thu Feb 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (27-26) took on the Utah Jazz (26-30) in Utah in a close contest. The Warriors had beaten the Jazz last Monday night 129-107 but this game was far closer. Klay Thompson was the hero in this win willing his team to the victory shooting for 35 points for the final of 140-137.

Wednesday night the Warriors lost a heartbreaker to the Clippers 130-125 after leading for most of the game. They had little time to mull over the loss. After the game the Warriors had to immediately hop on a plane heading back to Utah for the second time this week to take on the Jazz (26-30). Thursday’s game was the makeup game that had originally been scheduled for January 17.

There had been talk of Thompson taking a bench role and Thursday that talk became to be. For the first time since his rookie season Thompson came off the bench. He not only came off the bench, he came to his team’s rescue scoring 35 points and knocking down 7 3-pointers.

In a three point difference, every last point that he scored was critical. In fact the entire starting lineup had double digits. The Jazz came into this game on a mission and came very close to winning the whole thing.

Before this game Thompson was asked how he felt about coming off the bench. The truth is that he was ok with it. He has suffered a few pretty serious injuries and he has struggled throughout this season.

Thompson was fine with his new role and he just wanted to help the team in whatever capacity he was assigned. He was lights out and just maybe this was the change that would work for him. He decided that instead of pout he would just go out there and make a difference and that is just what he did.

Game recap: The first quarter was a close one with the Jazz prevailing 39-36 but the Warriors came roaring back in the second quarter 48-32 and leading at the half 84-71.

Despite the 13 point deficit, the Jazz continued to fight but Golden State won the third quarter as well taking a 120-102 lead. By the looks of it, Golden State was aiming to wrap up this final game before the break.

This game took on a whole new look in the fourth quarter as the Jazz went to town outscoring the Warriors in the fourth quarter 35-20. It was a valiant effort by Utah who came up just short; and Golden State had survived partially in thanks to Thompson who had one of his best offensive efforts all season.

Thompson had the team high with 35 points. Draymond Green had a terrific showing with 23 points, a season-high, and Andrew Wiggins finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Stephen Curry had 16 points and 10 assists. The Warriors did have 13 turnovers that turned into 29 Jazz points.

This was a disappointment for Utah coming so close and coming up short. The Jazz’s Collin Sexton missed a 3-pointer allowing the Warriors to hold on winning their eighth game in their last 10 games. Sexton had the high for Utah with 35 points and Keyonte George finished with 33 points. The was Utah’s third straight loss at home and their fourth straight loss overall.

The Warriors will now have a nice stretch before they continue the season taking on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday February 22. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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Barracuda shut out by Coachella Valley 4-0

Tried as hard as they could the San Jose Barracuda were just blitzed by the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert on Thu Feb 15, 2024 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The Barracuda on a roll looked to keep the good times going as they took on Coachella Valley.

For San Jose Magnus Chrona was in goal while for the Firebirds Chris Driedger got the start.

It was a slow start offensively for both teams as a goal wasn’t put on the board until 15:24 in when Kole Lind got Coachella Valley the lead.

Right after the goal San Jose found themselves down a man as Artem Guryev was given a match penalty for a hit to the head. Ozzy Wiesblatt would sit in the box to serve the penalty.

Heading into the middle frame the Firebirds were on the power play but were unable to capitalize.

There was no scoring in the second though San Jose would take two penalties and the Firebirds one.

After an extended period of no goals the third period got the offense going quickly as Max McCormick scored his 20th of the season less than two minutes in.

Later in the period the Barracuda pulled their goalie while on the power play but the Firebirds scored two empty net goals to put the game fully away. The two goal scorers were Ryan Winterton and Marian Studenic.

There were some extra circulars after the goals as Scott Sabourin and and McCormick got into it. Overall on the night San Jose took 37 penalty minutes.

With the loss San Jose falls to 16-23-8 while the Firebirds continue their dominance improving to 28-12-4.

The shots at the end of this game favored the Firebirds 32-25 while both teams failed to score on the power play going a combined 0/6.

The playmaker of the night was Andrew Poturalski who racked up two assists bringing his total assists up to 22.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Chris Driedger 2nd: Kole Lind 3rd: Max McCormick

The Barracuda will look to bounce back against the Condors as they continue their road trip on Saturday at 7 p.m.