San Jose State guard’s stats high, profile low

The great ones always seem to find a way.

Adrian Oliver was hounded, jostled, shadowed and even knocked to the floor Thursday at Orleans Arena -- the sort of treatment the nation's third-leading scorer regards as a compliment.

The senior guard from San Jose State shrugged off the physical treatment and scored 28 points to carry the eighth-seeded Spartans to a 74-68 victory over third-seeded Idaho and into today's semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

San Jose State (17-14) will play top-seeded and 23rd-ranked Utah State (28-3) at 6 p.m., followed by third-seeded New Mexico State (16-16) facing second-seeded Boise State (19-11).

Oliver boosted his scoring average to 24.6 points with Thursday's output, which included six 3-pointers in 10 attempts, though he shot 9-for-21 overall.

"I'm surprised when I get an open look," Oliver said.

The extra attention from opponents is about the extent of Oliver's celebrity. The 6-foot-4-inch Californian doesn't have the name recognition of the nation's leading scorer, Brigham Young's Jimmer Fredette, who was doing his thing a few miles down Tropicana Avenue. Fredette, who averages 27.8 points, scored 24 to lead the Cougars past Texas Christian in the Mountain West tournament.

Oliver said he doesn't know Fredette, but likes his game and doesn't mind that Fredette is getting national publicity while he's stuck in virtual obscurity.

"I have no control over it," said Oliver, who finished fourth in the nation last season with 22.5 points per game. "He plays on a winning team and he's had a great season. I'm happy for him. I'm just trying to be the best player I can be."

Oliver certainly has been that for San Jose State. Largely because of him, the traditionally bottom-feeding program has been able to attract other talented players and finally appears headed upward. The Spartans are guaranteed the team's first winning season since 1994.

"It wouldn't have been possible without him," coach George Nessman said. "Great players want to play with other great players and Adrian is without question a great player. I've been saying it for the past three years but nobody wants to listen to me."

Oliver said he plans to play professionally, hopefully in the NBA. One Western Division scout who watched him Thursday, said he wouldn't be surprised to see Oliver on an NBA roster next year.

"He's got talent," the scout said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He can play two (guard) positions, which is always a plus. He's not just a scorer either. He can rebound and pass.

"He and Fredette are different types of players. But (Oliver) will get a chance."

Oliver's 24.6 scoring average is the Spartans' highest since Ricky Berry averaged 24.2 in 1988. His 1,710 points are second to Berry's 1,767 on the school's career scoring list.

Helping to lead the program out of the wilderness has been more meaningful to Oliver.

"I came here with the idea of helping the program reach the next level," he said. "We're winning now. We're in the semis of the conference tournament. We've reached that next level. To be part of that makes me very proud."

Oliver began his college career at Washington, but left in the middle of his sophomore year to be closer to his family in Modesto, Calif. He has no regrets on his decision to initially leave home.

"Not at all," he said. "At the time I thought (going away) was the best thing for me. But coming back and sitting out a year made me realize how much I loved the game. The year I couldn't play, the team would be on the road and I'd be in the gym at 2 in the morning shooting. It re-energized me."

■ New Mexico State 66, UNR 60 -- Troy Gillenwater scored 18 points and Gordo Castillo 14 to help the Aggies advance.

Castillo made all 10 of his free throws, and New Mexico State finished 28 of 34 at the foul line (82 percent). The Aggies outscored UNR 12-4 in the final 3:51.

The sixth-seeded Wolf Pack (13-19) struggled at the line, going 15-for-25. Malik Story scored 22 points.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter @stevecarprj.