By Michael West, Contributing Writer
Your surging SDSU Aztecs are entering March with battles against two conference foes, each competing for the Mountain West Regular Season Title. With a solid 21-7 record, 10-4 in Conference play, the Aztecs are playing well enough to return to the NCAA Men’s Tournament they played so well in last year.
The games feature the UNLV Running Rebels (16-10 overall and a 9-5 Conference Record) hosting the Aztecs, followed by the Aztecs hosting Boise State (19-8 overall with a 10-4 Conference Record), who shares the Conference lead with Utah State. Both matchups will decide a tight race for the regular season crown-an important milestone in the push to reach the Men’s Tournament.
The Aztecs closed last week with an important win to remain a slim half-game behind the conference leaders. After dropping a close 68-63 loss to conference leading Utah State in Logan, Utah, the Aztecs dominated Fresno State in a lopsided 73-41 affair on Saturday. Jaedon LeDee once again led the charge, as he posted a solid 22 points while grabbing 11 rebounds on the night. LeDee earned his 10th double-double of the season (at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in the same game). Darrion Trammell added 11 points and dished out 5 assists as well.
The Aztecs dominated from start to finish-a mantra coach Brian Dutcher has emphasized since the middle of the month. Although the team has posted solid wins, they usually start slow before assuming control of games. Saturday night’s 42 point first half mimicked their 39 point first half performance against New Mexico a week earlier. The Aztecs are an experienced team led by Seniors LeDee, Trammell, LaMont Butler and Micah Parrish. LeDee averages 21 points per game, while Junior Reese Dixon-Waters averages 11 points per game.
San Diego State’s push for an NCAA Men’s Tournament bid is strong. They have faced the 33rd strongest schedule in the nation, with a 2-1 record against the Top 25. They defeated 22nd ranked Colorado State on February 13th, and toppled 18th ranked Mount Saint Mary’s in December at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Aztecs earned a solid 72-61 at home versus UNLV in early January. Boise State hosted the Aztecs in late January, and stole a 67-61 thriller. The 19th ranked Aztecs have their work cut out for them if they are to claim the regular season crown, but the defensive minded SDSU team is poised for their final run.
