Brian Dutcher and the San Diego State Aztecs are making a strong statement in their final season in the Mountain West Conference, currently holding an impressive 8-1 record in league play after an 11-point victory over UNLV. The Aztecs will face another significant challenge on Wednesday when they host Colorado State, marking just the second matchup against a team that will transition to the new-look Pac-12 alongside them next season.
While San Diego State secured a remarkable win in a triple-overtime battle against Boise State earlier this month, they will enter this game against a struggling Colorado State team, which currently sits tied for eighth in the league with a 3-6 record. Colorado State’s non-conference performance was strong, boasting a 9-2 record with notable victories against teams such as Colorado, South Florida, and Wichita State. However, they have had a rocky start to conference play under first-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh.
The Rams experienced recent success with prior coach Niko Medved, who guided them to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years, including a memorable win over fifth-seeded Memphis last year. With Medved now at Minnesota, Farokhmanesh aims to build on that legacy but has encountered difficulties in the current season.
The Aztecs are favored to win this upcoming home game, with projections from KenPom predicting a final score of 77-68 in favor of SDSU. For this to materialize, Dutcher’s squad will need to focus on three key areas.
Firstly, they must strengthen their perimeter defense. Colorado State excels at three-point shooting, ranking as the top team in the nation with a 41.5% success rate. Their four leading scorers, including Kyle Jorgensen, who boasts a remarkable average of 53.5% from beyond the arc, make the Rams a formidable offensive threat. The Aztecs have shown resilience in defending the perimeter, but they must be vigilant after recent slip-ups that have allowed opponents to shoot above their season averages.
Secondly, San Diego State needs to win the turnover battle. Colorado State struggles with ball security, turning the ball over 21% of the time in conference play. The Aztecs, on the other hand, are well-equipped to capitalize on this weakness, forcing turnovers at a similar rate. By minimizing their own turnover issues, the Aztecs can increase their offensive opportunities and mitigate Colorado State’s shooting capabilities.
Lastly, the Aztecs will rely on Miles Byrd to deliver a standout performance. After considering the NBA draft last season, Byrd returned to school with heightened expectations. Although his scoring output has fluctuated, he has shown impressive efficiency and is currently riding a wave of momentum, recently scoring over 20 points in two out of his last three games. His all-around skill set will be critical against a Rams squad that is potent offensively but has struggled defensively.
The highly anticipated matchup is set to tip off on Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM PT and will be broadcast on FS1. As San Diego State continues to position itself for a successful finish in their final season in the Mountain West, the outcome against Colorado State could play a vital role in their championship hopes.