Preview: San Jose State at Colorado State

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — Two Mountain West teams looking to halt slides will meet Saturday when the San Jose State Spartans visit the Colorado State Rams at Moby Arena.

The Spartans (6-16, 2-7 MW) enter on a seven-game losing streak, most recently an 80-90 home loss to New Mexico on Jan. 31. Their last win was a 70-62 victory over Air Force on Jan. 13. San Jose State has struggled defensively during the skid, allowing an average of 82.1 points per game.

Colorado State (12-10, 4-5) has lost four of its last five, including a 57-68 defeat at Wyoming last Saturday. The Rams have been inconsistent at home in conference play, posting a 2-3 record at Moby Arena against Mountain West opponents.

A key matchup will feature the teams’ lead guards. San Jose State’s Colby Garland is coming off a 24-point, six-assist performance against New Mexico and has averaged 14.7 points over his last three games. He will be challenged by Colorado State’s Jevin Muniz, who is averaging 9.0 points and 4.9 assists per game. Muniz tallied 14 points and seven assists in the loss to Wyoming.

For San Jose State to snap its streak, it must find scoring support beyond Garland and Jermaine Washington, who had 18 points against New Mexico. The Spartans have been held under 65 points in four of their last seven games.

Colorado State will aim to leverage its home court and a significant height advantage in the frontcourt. The Rams’ offense, which has sputtered recently, will look to exploit a San Jose State defense that ranks near the bottom of the conference in scoring defense.

The Rams won the first meeting last season, 78-67, in San Jose. These teams are scheduled for a rematch in California on Feb. 28.

Saturday’s contest is critical for both sides as they reach the midpoint of the conference schedule. Colorado State seeks to stabilize its season and climb the league standings, while San Jose State desperately searches for a spark to turn its season around.

Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. MST Saturday at Moby Arena.