San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball explained

For information on all San Diego State University sports, see San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State Aztecs
men's basketball
Current:2023–24 San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team
University:San Diego State University
Conference:Mountain West
Location:San Diego, California
Firstseason:1921–22
Record:1,485–1,125
Coach:Brian Dutcher
Tenure:7th
Arena:Viejas Arena
Capacity:12,414
Studentsection:The Show
Nickname:Aztecs
Ncaarunnerup:2023
Ncaafinalfour:2023
Ncaaeliteeight:1957*, 1967*, 2023
Ncaasweetsixteen:1957*, 1967*, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024
Ncaaroundof32:1957*, 1967*, 1968*, 1975, 1976, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023, 2024
Ncaatourneys:1957*, 1967*, 1968*, 1975, 1976, 1985, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
*at Division II level
Conference Tournament:Mountain West

2002, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023
WAC: 1985
PCAA: 1976

Conference Season:Mountain West

2006, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023
PCAA: 1977, 1978

H Body:000000
H Pattern B:_thinsidesonwhite
H Shorts:000000
H Pattern S:_blanksides2
A Body:000000
A Pattern B:_redsides
A Shorts:000000
A Pattern S:_redsides
3 Body:D41736
3 Pattern B:_blacksides
3 Shorts:D41736
3 Pattern S:_blacksides

The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team is the men's college basketball program that represents San Diego State University. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW). The team plays its home games at Viejas Arena.

The Aztecs have been to sixteen NCAA Division I tournaments since joining NCAA Division I in 1969, last appearing in the tournament in 2024. In the 2023 NCAA tournament, they reached the Final Four for the first time in program history, losing to UConn in the championship game. In the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs have won seven tournament championships and nine regular season titles.

Notable alumni include NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, who played both basketball and baseball for the Aztecs.

Team history

See also: List of San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball seasons.

The Aztecs first began play during the 1921–22 basketball season. The team played that season, as well as the next three, as part of the Southern California Junior College Conference due to proximity to other schools, despite the fact that that SDSU (then known as San Diego Normal School) was not a junior college itself.[1] The Aztecs joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 1926 following a season as an independent, and competed in the NAIA until 1956, when they transitioned to the newly founded NCAA Division II. They competed in six NAIA Men's Basketball Championships. Finishing as runners up in 1939 and in 1940, the Aztecs finally prevailed and won the 1941 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament.[2] After competing in NCAA Division II from 1956 until 1969 they became an NCAA Division I school in the fall of 1969. The Aztecs moved from the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), which is now known as the Big West Conference, to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1978.[3] In 1999, the Aztecs left the WAC and became a charter member of the Mountain West Conference.[4] Prior to entering the Mountain West, the team had been to three NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. During their time in the MWC, the Aztecs have won several conference championships and have been to nine NCAA tournaments and four NIT tournaments.[4] In the 2010–11 season, the Aztecs were ranked as high as 4th in the nation and won their first ever games in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen.[5] Following the 2013–14 season, the team reached its second Sweet Sixteen. In the 2019–20 season, the Aztecs finished with a 30–2 record for their best winning percentage in team history. The team spent seven straight weeks in the top 5 of both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, finishing the season at #6 in both polls. The 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was cancelled at the end of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022–2023 season, the Aztecs reached their third Sweet Sixteen, first Elite Eight with a win over #1 Alabama, and first Final Four. The win over Creighton on March 26 in the South Region Final gave them their first Region championship in program history. On April 1, they became the first team from the Mountain West Conference to reach the National Championship after defeating FAU 72–71 on a buzzer-beating shot by point guard Lamont Butler. In the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game, the Aztecs were defeated by the University of Connecticut Huskies by a score of 59–76.[6]

Rivalries

The Aztecs have three rivalries, the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. The rivalry with the Rebels was especially fierce between the years 2010–2013, however the rivalry has cooled down significantly due to the one-sided nature of the affair. San Diego State has won 22 of 24 games against UNLV from 2014 to 2024. The USD Toreros are the Aztecs' crosstown rivals and play them near-annually in the City Championship. The Aztecs' rivalry with the BYU Cougars has been partially dormant since 2011, when the Cougars left the MWC for the WCC. The teams still play occasionally in non-conference games.

Facilities

Viejas Arena

Viejas Arena (officially Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl) is a multi-purpose arena located in San Diego, California on the campus of San Diego State University. The arena opened in 1997 and seats 12,414 for basketball and up to 12,845 for concerts.

Viejas Arena is the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams. The arena also hosts the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation. The arena features an "open-air" concourse design that allows fans to experience breaks, concessions, and event activities for games, concerts, and other events outdoors.

Prior to the opening of the arena, men's basketball played its home games primarily at Peterson Gymnasium (located across the street from Viejas Arena and the current home to the Aztec women's volleyball team), and, for more than 30 years, played on-and-off at the San Diego Sports Arena.[7] [8] [9]

Jeff Jacobs JAM Center

In 2015, the San Diego State Athletics Department opened an on-campus state-of-the-art practice facility, The Jeff Jacobs JAM Center, for the Aztec men's basketball and women's basketball teams.[10]

Head coaches

As of the 2022 Media Guide

NameSeasonsRecordPercentage
C.E. Peterson 1921–1926 70–30 .700
Tom McMullen 1926–1929 23–17 .575
Morris Gross1929–1942 190–85 .690
Don DeLauer 1942–1943 14–9 .609
Alex Alexander 1943–1945 17–26 .395
Charlie Smith1945–1948 45–36 .563
1948–1969 316–229 .580
Dick Davis 1969–1974 65–67 .492
Tim Vezie 1974–1979 77–62 .554
1979–1987 112–117 .489
1987–1991 52–87 .356
Jim Harrick Jr. (Interim coach)1992 0–7 .000
Tony Fuller1992–1994 20–37 .351
Fred Trenkle 1994–1999 55–83 .399
1999–2017 386–209 .648
2017–Present 151–46 .766

Through April 2nd 2023.

Postseason

NCAA Division I tournament results

The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 16 times, with a combined record of 13–16. They have reached the Sweet Sixteen four times, in 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024; in 2023 they reached the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the National Championship, all for the first time. Additionally, at 30–2 and ranked in the Top 10 they were considered a virtual lock for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

N/ARound of 32 L 80–90
N/ARound of 32 L 64–74
13 Round of 64 L 80–85
13 First Round L 64–93
11 First Round L 83–87
11 First Round L 59–62
2 First Round
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen 		W 68–50
W 71–64 2OT
L 67–74
6 First Round L 65–79
7 First Round
Round of 32 		W 70–55
L 71–81
4 First Round
Round of 32
Sweet Sixteen 		W 73–69 OT
W 63–44
L 64–70
8 First Round
Round of 32 		W 76–64
L 49–68
11 First Round L 65–67
6 First Round L 62–78
8 First Round L 69–72 OT
5 W 63–57
W 75–52
W 71–64
W 57–56
W 72–71
L 59–76
5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen 		W 69–65
W 85–57
L 52–82

NCAA Tournament seeding history

The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1978 edition with the present seeding format beginning the following year.

NIT results

The Aztecs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times, with a combined record of 8–6.

First round L 69–70
First round
Second Round 		W 67–62
L 57–48
First round
Second Round 		W 74–70
L 64–80
First round L 49–73
First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		W 65–49
W 70–52
W 70–66
L 62–76
First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		W 79–55
W 93–78
W 72–56
L 46–65

NCAA Division II tournament results

The Aztecs appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament three times, with a combined record of 5–3.

Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight

W 75–56
W 81–78
L 55–57
Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight

W 101–73
W 88–71
L 76–77 3OT
Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd-place game 		UC Irvine
L 69–78
W 79–72

NAIA tournament results

The Aztecs have appeared in the NAIA tournament five times. Their combined record is 15–4. They were NAIA national champions in 1941.

First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship



W 49–25
W 41–36
W 49–41
W 49–39
L 31–32
First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship



W 36–35
W 48–46
W 32–30
W 30–28
L 42–52
First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship



W 46–29
W 46–41 OT
W 44–42
W 43–40
W 36–34
First round
Second Round
W 36–29
L 32–41
First round
Second Round
W 77–64
L 60–69

Retired jerseys

See main article: List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers. On January 16, 2020, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring former small forward Kawhi Leonard's number 15 jersey on February 1, 2020. Following Leonard's jersey retirement, some confusion circulated regarding statements that Leonard was the first player in Aztecs history to have his jersey retired, as the school ceremoniously retired former power forward and center Michael Cage's number 44 jersey in 1984.[11]

On December 29, 2023, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring three more jerseys in a "Return to the Rafters" ceremony on January 17, 2024.[12] The players honored were Milton "Milky" Phelps, Judy Porter, and Michael Cage. This ceremony resolved the prior confusion regarding Cage's jersey retirement.

San Diego State Aztecs retired numbers
No.PlayerPos.CareerYear ret.Ref.
15 2009–2011 2020 [13]
22Milton PhelpsC/PF1937-19412024
44Michael CageC/PF1980–19842024[14]

Team records

All-time record vs. current MWC teams

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MWC opponents as of the completion of the 2022–2023 season:

OpponentGames PlayedWonLostPercentageStreakFirst Meeting
8864 24 Won 8 1973–74
Boise State2918 11 Lost 1 1976–77
Colorado State9451 43 Won 4 1961–62
Fresno State12670 56 Won 81939–40
Nevada3225 7 Lost 1 1956–57
New Mexico9344 49 Won 1 1975–76
San Jose State8247 35 Won 11 1936–37
UNLV8043 37 Won 6 1965–66
Utah State2618 9 Won 4 1962–63
Wyoming9150 41 Won 101978–79
Totals741430311

Through March 14th, 2023.[15] [16] [17]

Career Leaders (DI Era)

See also: San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball statistical leaders.

As of the 2022-23 Media Guide https://goaztecs.com/documents/2022/11/17/San_Diego_State_2022-23_Media_Guide.pdf

Career Scoring Leaders
SeasonsPlayerPoints
2004–07 2,189
1981–84 1,846
1983–86 1,735
2009–13 Chase Tapley1,526
2017-21 Matt Mitchell1,471
2015–18 Trey Kell1,403
2012–16 Winston Shepard1,403
2016–19 Jeremy Hemsley 1,392
1973–76 Steve Copp 1,307
2008–11 Billy White1,294
Career Rebound Leaders
SeasonsPlayerRebounds
1981–84 1317
2018-23 Nathan Mensah899
2004–06 775
1973–76 Steve Copp 737
1982–85 Leonard Allen 724
2009–11 716
1974, 1976–79 711
2012–16 Winston Shepard708
2000–04 Aerick Sanders 686
2013–16 Skylar Spencer 652
Career Assist Leaders
SeasonsPlayerAssists
1978–81 590
2006–09 Richie Williams479
1994–97 Chad Nelson 412
2004–07 394
1974–77 Mark Delsman 376
1983–86 356
1982–83 Keith Smith 349
2008–11 D.J. Gay344
2001–03 Deandre Moore 339
2015–18 Trey Kell320
Career Steals Leaders
SeasonsPlayerSteals
2006–09 Richie Williams246
2004–07 217
1983–86 192
2009–13 Chase Tapley197
1994–97 Chad Nelson 175
2007–11 Billy White149
1978–81 141
2006–09 Kyle Spain 137
1980–83 Eddie Morris 131
2017–21 Matt Mitchell129
Career Games played Leaders
SeasonsPlayerGames
2018-23Adam Seiko154
2018-23Nathan Mensah146
2012–16 Skylar Spencer 144
2007–11 140
2012–16 Winston Shepard139
2018-23Aguek Arop135
2016–19 Jeremy Hemsley 134
2015–18 Trey Kell134
2009–13 Chase Tapley134
2007–11 Billy White134
Career Minutes played Leaders
SeasonsPlayerMinutes
2004–07 4,275
1981–84 Michael Cage4,262
2007–11 4,222
2009–13 Chase Tapley3,813
2006–09 Richie Williams3,780
1994–97 Chad Nelson 3,692
2015–18 Trey Kell3,640
2016–19 Jeremy Hemsley 3,632
2012–16 Winston Shepard3,583
2007–11 Billy White3,532
Career Blocks Leaders
SeasonsPlayerBlocks
2012–16 Skylar Spencer 303
2018–23Nathan Mensah235
1982–85 Leonard Allen 214
2009–11 Malcolm Thomas127
1981–84 Michael Cage118
1991–93 Joe McNaull 114
2015–18 Malik Pope113
2000–04 Aerick Sanders 105
2007–11 Billy White102
1997-01 Marcelo Correa 100
Career Wins Leaders
SeasonsPlayerWins
2018–23 Adam Seiko 120
2018–23Nathan Mensah112
2012–16 Skylar Spencer 109
2007–11 D.J. Gay105
2012-16 Winston Shepard104
2009–13 Chase Tapley103
2018-23Aguek Arop102
2007–11 Billy White101
2013–17 Dakarai Allen99
2017–21 Matt Mitchell96

Single Season Leaders (DI Era)

(*) Lead conference

Season Scoring Leaders
SeasonPlayerPointsPPG
1983–84 686 24.5
2006–07 637 19.3
2013–14 Xavier Thames633 17.5
1985–86 630* 22.5
2005–06 Brandon Heath607* 18.4
2019–20 Malachi Flynn564 17.6
2012–13 Jamaal Franklin560 17.0
2001–02 Randy Holcomb558 16.9
2011–12 Jamaal Franklin557 17.4
2010–11 557 15.5
Season Rebound Leaders
SeasonPlayerReboundsRPG
2010–11 380* 10.6
1980–81 355* 13.1
1982–83 Michael Cage354* 12.6
1983–84 Michael Cage352* 12.6
1971–72 Chris McMurray 350 12.5
2013–14 Josh Davis342 10
2009–10 336* 9.9
2005–06 329* 11
2012–13 Jamaal Franklin312 9.4
2010–11 Malcom Thomas301 8.1
Season Assists Leaders
SeasonPlayerAssistsAPG
1979–80 221* 8.2
1981–82 Keith Smith 212* 7.3
1977–78 Dean Decker 176 6.3
2003–04 Wesley Stokes 175 5.8
1984–85 Creon Dorsey 171* 5.5
1980–81 Tony Gwynn164 6.3
1975–76 Ray Leary 163 5.6
2019–20 Malachi Flynn163 5.1
1978–79 Tony Gwynn153* 5.7
2006–07 Richie Williams151 4.6
Season Steals Leaders
SeasonPlayerStealsSPG
2008–09 Richie Williams77* 2.1
1984–85 74 2.4
2006–07 Richie Williams69* 2.1
1998–99 Matt Watts 65* 2.6
1989–90 Michael Best 65 2.2
2006–07 Brandon Heath64 1.9
2004–05 Brandon Heath63* 2.2
1995–96 Raymond King 63 2.2
1984–85 Creon Dorsey 63 2.0
2006–07 Lorrenzo Wade 62 1.9
Season Blocks Leaders
SeasonPlayerBlocks
2014–15 Skylar Spencer 91
2013–14 Skylar Spencer 89
1984–85 Leonard Allen 82
2010–11 75
2015–16 Skylar Spencer 72
2021-22 Nathan Mensah 71
2022-23 Nathan Mensah 64
2016–17 Valentine Izundu 53
2009–10 Malcolm Thomas52*
2012–13 Skylar Spencer 51

Single Game Leaders (DI Era)

Most Points in a game
DatePlayer Points Opponent
February 20, 1986 54 USIU
March 3, 1979 44 Utah
February 9, 1979 42 Colorado State
February 5, 1980 Eddie Morris 41 UNLV
February 6, 1984 40 Wyoming
Most Rebounds in a game
DatePlayer ReboundsOpponent
December 29, 198026 LaSalle
February 24, 1979 23 New Mexico State
December 21, 1971 Chris McMurray 23 Chapman University
March 13, 2010 21 UNLV
February 6, 198421 Wyoming
Most Assists in a game
DatePlayer Assists Opponent
February 5, 1980 Tony Gwynn18 UNLV
March 7, 1981 16 New Mexico State
February 14, 1980 14 New Mexico State
December 11, 1976 Dean Decker 14 UNLV
February 12, 1985Creon Doresy 13 LBSU

Notable former players

Several former Aztec men's basketball players have gone on to play in the NBA, play in other professional basketball leagues, or achieve significant notability outside of basketball.

National Basketball Association (NBA)
PlayerPositionNBA DebutTeam (s)
SF 1979 Phoenix Suns
PF 1980 Washington Bullets, San Diego Clippers, Detroit Pistons
Rock LeeC 1982 San Diego Clippers
PF/C 1985Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets
PF 1987 Los Angeles Clippers
SF 2006 Chicago Bulls
SF 2012 San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers
PF 2012 San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers
SG 2014 Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets
SF 2016Utah Jazz
PF 2019 New Orleans Pelicans
SF 2019 Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors
Malachi FlynnPG2020Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons
SG/SF 2021 Washington Wizards
C 2023 Charlotte Hornets
Overseas Professional Leagues
PlayerPosition LeagueTeam (s)
G BC Levski Sofia
C Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Haifa, Rishon LeZion
C/PFReal Madrid Baloncesto
SG Zhejiang Lions
PF/C South East Melbourne Phoenix, New Zealand Breakers
PF Halifax Hurricanes, Moncton Magic, Windsor Express
G BC Jonava
Other sports
PlayerKnown forTeam (s)
Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder San Diego Padres (MLB)
Tony ClarkBaseball first baseman and MLBPA union leaderDetroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres (MLB)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Fontius, David Howard A History of Basketball at San Diego State University From 1921 to 1971 San Diego, 1976
  2. Web site: NAIA Division I Men's Basketball . 2023-06-10 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20090325091349/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/mensd1champhistory.pdf . March 25, 2009 .
  3. SDSU add may herald better days Long Beach Press-Telegram Wednesday, December 21, 2011
  4. Web site: San Diego State Official Athletic Site – San Diego State University . Goaztecs.cstv.com . 2016-02-20.
  5. Web site: Zeigler . Mark . SDSU tries to crash the party | SanDiegoUnionTribune.com . Signonsandiego.com . 2011-03-23 . 2016-02-20.
  6. Forde . Pat . 2023-04-02 . A Buzzer-Beater For Teammates, Family and a Fallen Sister . 2023-11-13 . Sports Illustrated . en-us.
  7. News: John . Maffei . . . MLIM Holdings . Sports site No. 3: San Diego Sports Arena . July 6, 2013 . July 8, 2013.
  8. Web site: The Reno Report: Sdsu Basketball Re-Enters The Arena . East County Magazine . 2010-06-13 . 2016-02-20.
  9. Web site: San Diego State Official Athletic Site – Men's Basketball . Goaztecs.cstv.com . 1999-03-26 . 2016-02-20.
  10. Web site: 2015-11-06. SDSU spent $4.7 million on JAM Center. 2020-12-05. San Diego Union-Tribune. en-US.
  11. San Diego State to Retire Kawhi's Jersey. Associated Press. Sports Illustrated. en-us. 2020-01-17.
  12. Web site: 2023-12-29 . SDSU to Return Three Jerseys to the Rafters at Viejas . 2024-01-19 . SDSU Athletics . en.
  13. Web site: 2020-01-25 . When is a number not retired? Ask SDSU's administration . San Diego Union-Tribune . en-US.
  14. Web site: Michael Cage to Join Thunder Broadcast Team . www.nba.com . en.
  15. Web site: MBB MG 2019 20 web.
  16. [2016–17 San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team]
  17. Web site: San Diego St Aztecs Basketball 2017-18 Schedule - Aztecs Home and Away - ESPN. ESPN.com.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.