Ranked within the AP Prime 25 final week for the primary time this season, San Diego State celebrated by profitable its Mountain West Convention opener, then incomes metropolis bragging rights.
Extra in-state challenges await.
Up one spot to No. 23 within the rankings, the Aztecs (6-2) will play host to California Baptist on Wednesday earlier than taking an prolonged break upfront of a Dec. 21 sport in opposition to Cal in San Jose.
Earlier than incomes an 84-62 Mountain West victory at Fresno State on Dec. 4 and a 74-57 residence win over San Diego on Saturday, San Diego State went 2-2 in a rugged stretch in opposition to then-No. 3 Gonzaga (loss), then-No. 21 Creighton (win), Oregon (loss) and then-No. 6 Houston (win).
On Saturday, Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher improved to 100-12 in residence video games, nevertheless it was removed from easy. San Diego State had a 33-31 lead at halftime earlier than pulling away behind 17 factors and 6 assists from Nick Boyd, who reached double figures in scoring for the sixth time this season.
San Diego State 7-footer Magoon Gwath, one sport after he compiled 25 factors and 10 rebounds at Fresno State, didn’t rating and had one rebound in 13 minutes in opposition to the Toreros. The standout freshman took a tough fall within the first half and performed only one minute after halftime.
Afterward, Dutcher stated Gwath was “worn out” and “could not get in a rhythm,” however the Aztecs nonetheless had a lot in reserve to get previous San Diego.
“The depth of this staff is absolutely harmful for individuals. You’ll be able to take one man away, however the different man steps up,” Dutcher stated. “Jared Coleman-Jones in opposition to Houston had (16), after which was quiet for a sport or two. I like this staff, the depth and the offensive capabilities it has.”
Coleman-Jones had 13 factors and 6 rebounds in opposition to San Diego, whereas Miles Byrd added 13 factors. Boyd scores a team-best 12.6 factors a sport, whereas Byrd and BJ Davis every contribute 12.3.
“We’ve so many guys who can have an enormous night time, and that is a particular half about this staff,” Boyd stated. “When you concentrate on groups that make deep runs in March, each night time is not going to be your night time, and so they have deep groups. We’ve a deep staff right here.”
Cal Baptist (5-4) recorded a promising 86-81 double-overtime victory over Fresno State at Palm Desert, Calif., on Nov. 27, however then dropped a 74-59 resolution at UCF on Dec. 1. Dominique Daniels Jr. had a season-high 33 factors for the Lancers in Orlando, however none of his teammates scored greater than six.
Daniels was 11 of 25 (44 p.c) from the ground, whereas the remainder of the staff was 9 of 32 (28.1 p.c). Cal Baptist additionally dedicated a season-high 19 turnovers.
Daniels, a senior, places up 21.7 factors per sport, which ranked twelfth within the nation by means of the weekend.
“Earlier than you even get into his sport, you need to speak about his character and his management as a result of it is actual,” Cal Baptist coach Rick Croy stated of Daniels. “… He is an improved participant. Clearly he can rating the basketball, however he is an improved passer and has grown as a defensive participant.”
Cal Baptist can be dealing with a ranked staff for the primary time since falling at No. 8 Arizona in December 2021.
–Discipline Degree Media
