SAN JOSE STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Last season: 7-24, 2-16 (Tied for 10th in Mountain West Conference).
Coach: April Phillips, third season, 13-49
Season opener: Tuesday at Xavier, 2 p.m.
Projected starters: Sophomore guard Sydni Summers (7.8 points, 2.1 assists), senior guard Amiah Simmons (15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds), sophomore guard/forward Maya Anderson (5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds), senior forward Marisa Davis-Jones (10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds), junior center Finau Tonga (5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds)
Key reserves: Jasmine Singleton (1.4 points, 3.4 assists), Nailea Nicholas (2.7 points, 2.5 rebounds), Sofia Kelemeni (5.5 points, 3.8 rebounds)
Strengths: There’s no shortage of scoring on this team with Summers, Simmons, Anderson and Davis-Jones capable of putting up double-digit point totals on any given night. Simmons, a transfer from Alabama A&M, was a 1,000-point career scorer in just two seasons and will add a scoring punch with Summers in the backcourt. Anderson and Kelemeni are sharpshooters who can stretch the floor with any lineup.
Weaknesses: As much as the Spartans can score, their big question mark is on the defensive end. San Jose State was 220th in the nation last season in defensive rankings, surrendering 66.2 points per game.
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Outlook: Despite losing star freshman guard Jyah LoVett to Arizona State, the Spartans have reloaded and will have a much deeper team than last season. Phillips has won just 13 games in two seasons as head coach, but the Spartans could surprise some teams in Year 3 if their defense improves.
– Nathan Canilao