When most people come across San Jose State basketball, it’s been a Spartan two-step forward, one-step back dosey-doe.
But as seasoned investors often say, “When in doubt, zoom out,” especially of late
for San Jose State.
And also, as the often overused adage goes, “He’s changed the culture around here,” fifth-year head coach Tim Miles certainly has done that for Spartan basketball.
It could be on pure energy and adrenaline alone.
It could be a unique combination of grit and personality.
It’s basically all of the above, plus 30-years of dynamic coaching experience.
Miles’ second year in the Silicon Valley (2022-2023) saw 21 wins; the most since 1980 for San Jose. Miles was also selected the Mountain West coach of the year that same season. The 2025 NIT appearance was the second post-season appearance in three years. Before Miles, SJSU only ever played in five post-season games.
With a record of 53-80 going into year five at San Jose State, the battle has been excruciatingly uphill in the near-constant, year-to-year changing college basketball environment (consider the recent example that some G-league players may be college eligible under specific conditions).
“We’ve had two to three key guys come and go each of the last three years and we’re getting six, seven, eight new guys each of the last few years,”said Miles at the Mountain West Media Day this week. “I think I’m built for all of this now.”
“But do I love it?….no,” said Miles in his typical optimistic, pragmatic self.
The reality is more stark
If we look at things from the true outside world inward, the lush entertainment and media market in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley is crowded with a plenitude of diverse, high-quality options for its demanding, coddled audiences.
Add in the degree of difficulty of limited NIL offerings, San Jose State is handcuffed.
Then add in the antiquated look-and-feel of the Spartans’ home court, it’s a work in progress at best.
It would take a golden benefactor and/or some key basketball athletes to complete the puzzle with Miles.
Imagine a modernized home court that could match the chutzpah of Miles. And a player or two who see the Cinderella-effect in the caldera of the San Jose market.
Best we can probably do in the here-and-now is to develop an organic, energetic, passionate and gritty winning product. If that’s the case, it’s all on Miles and his staff to continue to sell and implement the vision. Think of it similar to the lone mad chef who makes tremendous food in some hole-in-the-wall spot with loyal patrons who swear by the food.
“We are looking for that continuity, because we do spend a lot of time teaching the entry level things,” said Miles on the roster changes, “We can’t get to our second or third level game plan stuff.”
“It’s also a little frustrating because we’ve got games starting soon,” added Miles. “But at the same time, this group’s buy-in is really good, and they really want to learn. So, I think that’s really important.”
While noting the acclimation time, Miles does still does have a decent level of carry-over and continuity.
With the likes of returners like guards Pasha Goodarzi, Jermaine Washington and Ben Roseborough with forward Sadraque Nganga there is a core culture and ethic that Miles’ latest recruits align with.
“You have to be able adapt to new teammates,” said Goodarzi. “People have different beliefs and different styles, so we have to adjust quickly to be able to play with them on the court.”
“This team’s also got a chance to do something historical here,” added Miles. “We got a chance to go to our third post season in four years, which I don’t believe has ever been done at San Jose State.”
This Miles’ team will also have some left-handedness to it.
First-year Spartan and transfer guard Colby Garland expects to add new breadth and spice to San Jose’s attack.
“Having the ability to flip the offense sometimes plays to my strengths, basically,” said Garland.
“I think it’s a unique situation that gives me some advantages, when the opposition knows I can do the complete opposite or just go right,” added Garland. “I feel the coaches are incorporating me into the offense and making sure that I can get to my spots too.”
Garland average 12.1 points and 4.4 assists at Longwood University in Virginia.
“It’s interesting to have a left-handed kid and be able to change the game in a little bit of a different way,” said Miles with a wry smile.“
When asked the emphasis and identity of the team, Miles was quick to say, ‘Defense.“
“My defensive recipe is the same. I think that we’ll be able to pressure some teams for a while,” said Miles. “But we have to also be sound in rebounding, so we can do the other stuff on the other side.”
That other “stuff” is to the team’s three-point shooting ability. Last season, the Spartans hoisted up 818; making 284 (35%).
”If we can’t shoot the three, we’ll need to be on the rim or in transition,“ said Miles. ”It takes a little bit of everything, and you can’t do any of this without sound defense.“
At the defensive focal point, Miles does have at least one ace card.
“Jermaine is one of the best disruptors in the Mountain West on the ball. He is a menace,” said Miles.
“Ultimately, we’re going to be have to be a good defensive team and a good pressure team.”
As it goes — when the pedal hits the metal, all we’ll see is how or if the new mix of players are gelling.
Goodarzi puts it in a layman’s perspective, “It was a kind of a ground zero feel earlier on, but with all the work we put in in the summer, we’ve put it together nicely. We’re not yet at 100, because there’s a lot of room to get better.”
San Jose State kicks off 2025 with an exhibition game this Monday vs. Cal State East Bay at home.
