Upcoming games:    Northern Colorado, Saturday, December 20, 2008, San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, Calif., 3:00 p.m. (PST)

            University of San Francisco, Monday, December 22, 2008, Walt McPherson Court, San Jose, Calif., 7:00 p.m. (PST)

San Jose State record: 3-3. The Spartans defeated the University of San Diego (56-52) on December 8 to end a two-game losing streak.

Northern Colorado record: 2-5 before the December 16 game against the University of Portland. The Bears also face Fresno State on December 18 prior to taking on San Jose State. Northern Colorado has a three-game losing streak after losing to Creighton (85-66) on December 13 in Las Vegas.

USF record: 7-4. The Dons have won two of their last three games including a December 13 win at Boise State (79-76).

Radio Coverage: KSJS (90.5 FM, San Jose) originates San Jose State University basketball broadcasts. Mike Chisholm calls the play-by-play. Air time is 2:30 p.m. for the   Northern Coloroado broadcast and 6:30 p.m. for the USF game. Games also are available on a subscription basis on www.sjsuspartans.com and Yahoo!Broadcast.

San Jose State-Northern Colorado series: The two teams are meeting for the first time.

San Jose State-USF series: The Dons lead the series, 40-18. The two teams are meeting for the first time since November 25, 1997 when USF posted a 84-52 win at Memorial Gym on the USF campus. The Spartans’ last win in the series was a 65-53 decision on December 11, 1996 at The Event Center. San Jose State has won four of the last five meetings between these teams dating back to the 1985-86 season. The Spartans and the Dons faced each other at least twice a season from the 1950 through 1969 seasons.

Returning to the San Jose Civic Auditorium: For the first time since January 22, 1995 against UC Irvine, San Jose State will play a men’s basketball game in the San Jose Civic Auditorium. The Anteaters topped the Spartans, 85-74. From the 1979 through 1989 and the 1971 through 1977 seasons, the Civic Auditorium was the primary home for the Spartans. Prior to 1970, San Jose State played home games at the Civic Auditorium and the on-campus Spartan Gym.

Back to .500: San Jose State’s 56-52 win at the University of San Diego on December 8 drew the Spartans back to the .500 mark for the third time this season and ended a two-game losing streak.

Topping a 2008 NCAA Tournament team: The San Diego win marked the first time in seven seasons that San Jose State picked up a win against a team that appeared in the previous season’s NCAA Tournament. San Diego advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Prior to beating San Diego, the 2001 win at Iowa State was the last time the Spartans defeated a team competed in the previous season’s NCAA Tournament.

Early road success: San Jose State improved to 2-2 on the road with its win at the University of San Diego. This season’s Spartans are one of four Western Athletic Conference teams with two road victories in the first month of non-conference play. Last season, San Jose State was 4-3 on the road in non-conference action.

First close win for the Spartans: San Jose State’s last three games were decided by four points or less on the scoreboard. The Spartans are 1-2 in these games with the San Diego win following a three-point loss to Santa Clara and a one-point decision at Presbyterian. Last season, San Jose State was the most successful team in the Western Athletic Conference in games decided by four or fewer points. The Spartans were 9-4. 
 
Best free throw shooting at San Diego: San Jose State had its best free throw shooting game of the season in its 56-52 win at San Diego. The Spartans made 11-of-15 tries including 6-of-6 in the second half for the win. For the season, San Jose State is shooting 60.6 from the free throw line. Mac Peterson (90.0 percent) is the only Spartan with at least 75 minutes played who is shooting at least 70 percent from the free throw line.
 

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