AZTECS MOVE UP TO NO. 24

Whether it was Sunday’s 16point comeback win against a solid Pepperdine team or losses by other teams, San Diego State was deemed worthy of a place in the Top 25 by voters in The Associated Press college basketball poll.

The Aztecs are now No. 24 in the poll released Monday morning.

It has been a quick rise for SDSU, from appearing on only three ballots for six total points in the preseason poll … to second among others receiving votes last week with 86 points … to 24th with 123.

That was one more than Louisville at No. 25, the only other team that climbed into the Top 25.

Dropping out were Kentucky, which was 20th and lost for the third time this season; and Oregon, which was 21st and lost to unranked Missouri.

Gonzaga, Baylor and Iowa remained unchanged in the top three spots. Michigan State moved up four spots to No. 4, followed by Kansas, Illinois, Houston, Creighton, Villanova and Duke.

Arizona State, SDSU’s opponent on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz., climbed two spots to 23rd. Gonzaga, ASU and SDSU are the only three ranked teams from the Pacific or Mountain time zones.

For the Aztecs, it means they have now been ranked in 16 of the last 18 polls. They also began last season unranked, moved into the Top 25 in week six and never left — landing at No. 6 in the final poll.

SDSU appeared on 31 of the 51 ballots submitted this week, ranging from 17 to 25.

Coach Brian Dutcher has said repeatedly this season that his team deserves to be ranked but doesn’t command the national respect it should.