In a recent eight-day span that roiled with emotion, San Jose State coach Dave Wojcik guided the Spartans to their first win over UNLV in two decades and their first victory over New Mexico, ever.

Related Articles Brandon Clarke hot as San Jose State downs San Diego State In between, Wojcik buried his father.

“It still hasn’t sunk in,’’ he said Tuesday, hours before the Spartans were scheduled to face San Diego State at the Event Center.

“He calls me every game day. I’ve saved every message.’’

Wojcik, 48, paused as his voice broke.

“I’m waiting for him to call.”

With that, Wojcik composed himself and began to recount the exhilarating bookend victories and the intervening heartbreak.

It began Jan. 28, a Saturday afternoon. The Spartans had just rallied from 13 points down in the second half to beat UNLV for the first time since 1996. Wojcik spoke to his team, handled his postgame media responsibilities, then got a call from his sister, Denise.

Fred Wojcik, 79, was losing his fight with pneumonia. The family was preparing for last rites.

Dave and his wife, Heather, booked a red-eye from SFO to Pittsburgh. Before heading to the airport, they watched their son, Jake, play for Bellarmine College Prep against rival Archbishop Mitty.

The Wojciks landed in Pittsburgh on Sunday morning, then made the hour-long drive to Fred’s home in Wheeling, West Virginia.

They were too late.

On Thursday morning, Fred was laid to rest.

On Friday, now sick with the flu, Wojcik joined his team in Albuquerque. He had exchanged text messages with the players during his five-day absence, but seeing them in person, on the eve of a visit to The Pit, was energizing.

“They have given me comfort,” he said. “They make me laugh. I feel good being around them.”

How the Spartans feel about Wojcik was on display Saturday afternoon. SJSU took command in the second half and powered to a 78-68 victory — the first for the Spartans over New Mexico in 13 attempts. (The Spartans ran their winning streak to three against San Diego State on Tuesday night.)

The roar in the visitor’s lockerroom, Wojcik learned later, was the loudest anyone could remember.

“Things were very clear to me,” said Wojcik, who coached the game wearing his father’s tie. “One of my assistants was yelling at the officials, ‘That’s a walk!’ I just told him to sit down.

“It’s a weird calmness. I can’t explain it.

“But I know he’s with me.”

*** On the court, the Spartans are flourishing – at least in comparison to their historical standards.

Picked last in the Mountain West preseason poll, they’re tied for sixth place and over .500 (12-10) this late in the season for the first time since 2011, when SJSU was a member of the WAC.

Their 76-71 victory over SDSU on Tuesday night extended the Spartans’ first three-game winning streak in conference play since the university joined the Mountain West in 2013-14.

Given the remaining schedule and the efficient play of all-conference candidate Brandon Clarke (19 points per game), it’s not a stretch to think SJSU could finish with eight or nine conference wins.

The Spartans won a total of five in Wojcik’s first three seasons.

“It takes time, and we’re a year older,’’ he said. “They understand what they have to do.’’

*** The Bay Area is two wins away from hosting one of the most anticipated games of the season.

If Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga handle their weeknight business, the West Coast Conference powers will collide in Moraga on Saturday with the college basketball world watching.

The 20th-ranked Gaels (21-2) host floundering Portland on Thursday, while the top-ranked Zags (24-0) visit mildly dangerous Loyola Marymount.

Not since 1955 has a No. 1 team played in Moraga. Back then, it was Bill Russell and USF.

The festivities Saturday include a visit from ESPN’s Game Day.

*** Cal has won seven of its last eight games and quietly built a resume worthy of consideration for the NCAA tournament.

The Bears (17-6) have a chance to collect a first-class win this weekend when they visit Arizona (RPI: 12).

Equally important: Avoiding a bad loss Wednesday at Arizona State (RPI: 123).

The Sun Devils, who took Oregon to the wire last week, will use their perimeter-oriented attack to test Cal’s defense, which ranks 14th nationally in adjusted efficiency.

“They can stretch you out,’’ Bears coach Cuonzo Martin said. “When you have five guys who can make 3-point shots, five guys who can dribble-penetrate and make plays, it’s extremely tough to defend.’’

*** Her 1,000th career win secure, Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer can take clear aim at the queen: Pat Summitt.

Which got us thinking:

At her current pace, how long would it take VanDerveer to surpass the Tennessee legend, who has more wins (1,098) than any coach, man or woman, in major college history?

Stanford has averaged 28.6 wins over the past three seasons.

If VanDerveer hits that mark in 2016-17 and maintains the pace, she would overtake Summitt early in the 2020-21 season.

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