SDSU Basketball Aims for Revenge Against UNLV After Successful Season Recovery

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego State‘s basketball team has secured a top-five finish in the Mountain West Conference, avoiding the Wednesday play-in game for the upcoming tournament in Las Vegas. While they cannot achieve the number one seed and are mathematically eliminated from the regular-season title with a win from New Mexico in their remaining games, the Aztecs have other ambitions as they prepare to face UNLV at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. PST.

One of those ambitions is revenge. The Rebels defeated the Aztecs 76-68 at Viejas Arena on January 18, marking only their second win there in the past 11 visits. This loss stands as the only blemish on an otherwise strong NCAA Tournament resume for SDSU.

“We want to go into their building and take one from them,” said senior forward Jared Coleman-Jones. The upcoming game represents a critical moment for the Aztecs as they aim for a solid position heading into March Madness.

A loss at the Mack would not completely derail SDSU’s NCAA Tournament aspirations; however, a victory would bolster their chances for an at-large berth if they do not secure an automatic entry by winning the conference tournament. The Aztecs have struggled to do so, missing out on the title in 10 of the past 13 years.

Moreover, a win against the Rebels could set up a rematch with Utah State, a team the Aztecs lost to twice this season. “They’re a good team,” Coleman-Jones acknowledged. “We want to get them back when it’s all said and done. We’ve got an eye on them a little bit.”

Currently, New Mexico leads the conference with a record of 15-3, followed closely by Colorado State at 14-4, and then three teams with five losses: Utah State, Boise State, and San Diego State, all tied with 13-5 records. The Lobos’ closing schedule includes games against Nevada and UNLV. A win in either game would solidify their position as the number one seed for the tournament.

In a potential tiebreaker scenario, if SDSU, Utah State, and Colorado State finish with records of 15-5 or 14-6, the Mountain West’s tiebreaker rules favor Utah State for the second seed, while SDSU would likely face Utah State in the semifinals as the third seed. This setup could force the Aztecs to face the Rebels for a second time within a short span.

“Playing afternoon games is obviously easier,” Coach Brian Dutcher noted, citing the benefits of recovery time when attempting to make a deep run in the tournament. “Those who play in late semifinals often have to fight fatigue for the final.”

Meanwhile, the MESA Foundation, SDSU’s basketball NIL collective, has launched a campaign to raise $1 million before the transfer portal opens on March 24. They are aiming for $500,000, which a generous donor has promised to match. The foundation currently has over $2 million in contributions and seeks to retain players as the roster evolves.

“Aztec basketball doesn’t rebuild; we reload,” read a statement from the MESA Foundation on social media, highlighting the team’s commitment to maintaining a competitive roster.

The Aztecs recently achieved a win against Wyoming despite facing challenges in elevation, securing a 72-69 victory last Saturday. Coleman-Jones reflected on the struggles of playing at the high altitude, confirming the impact it has on performance.

“I see why they say it’s the worst. You don’t feel it until later when your body starts moving slow,” said Coleman-Jones. “It’s a tough experience, but it teaches us resilience.”

Ahead of facing UNLV, the Aztecs’ roster may see the return of Magoon Gwath, who is recovering from a knee injury, though his availability is still uncertain for the matchup. “He’s doubtful for UNLV, but we hope he can contribute in the conference tournament,” Dutcher said.