For some, San Diego State is an acquired taste.
Whether you like the style of play or not, the Aztecs (15-3, 4-1) have the making of another Final Four run.
Playing in one of the toughest conferences in the country, San Diego State responded from an 18-point loss at New Mexico with an impressive 71-59 win over Nevada.
The win came without guard Darrion Trammell, who was out sick.
If you’re familiar with the Aztecs, you know the formula. Opponents will face a hard, physical man-to-man defense that can switch 1-5 or fight through screens.
The effectiveness relies on dictating the ball-handler’s first dribble when they are in a scoring area.
When the Aztecs force the first dribble to go side-to-side or stationary, attacking the aggressive weakside defense becomes difficult.
The defense wears its opponent down as the game goes on, even though Nevada made a push in the second half before the offense disappeared down the stretch.
Nevada’s success came when they gained real estate on the first dribble, allowing them to attack the help-side defense head-on. That let the Wolfpack throw block-to-block passes or kick it to a three-point shooter.
San Diego State’s offense isn’t going to break any records, but it does have talent.
Jaedon Ledee leads the team in scoring with 21.6 points per game.
Ledee’s versatility gives the Aztecs versatility. In an era that doesn’t have man 6’9″ back-to-the-basket bigs, Ledee provides San Diego State with that weapon and can post at the free throw line and hit the mid-range jumper. Like many bigs in today’s game, Ledee is a perfect screen and roll big that gets to the basket with force.
Ledee is a certified menace on the boards. He’s averaging 8.8 rebounds per game, but his activity provides problems for opponents. Even when he doesn’t get the rebound, he creates opportunities for his teammates because the defense must account for his presence.
Senior Lamont Butler is the orchestrator of the offense. Butler is the only player to hit a game-winning shot in the Final Four when a team has been trailing.
Butler’s presence was felt against Nevada when he wasn’t on the floor.
It’s when the Wolfpack made its run as the Aztecs’ offense struggled.
Add Reese Waters and lefty Micah Parrish to that group, and it’s easy to see why San Diego State has another Final Four run in them.
What could hold them back is the stretches of offensive ineptitude. Will that be enough in an NCAA tournament game to eliminate them?
The second concern is the officiating.
If the Aztecs get an officiating crew that calls the game tight, they’ll be in foul trouble, which could jeopardize another Final Four run, especially if they struggle offensively.
But, as of now, count on San Diego State as a popular pick in March.
