Aztecs vs. Saint Mary’s
Records: SDSU 6-3, SMC 10-2
Series history: Tied 6-6. SDSU has won the last two, 74-49 last year on a neutral floor at Cal Poly and 69-55 at Viejas Arena in 2010.
Aztecs update: The game matches two top 10 defenses according to the Kenpom metric. Saint Mary’s is eighth nationally, SDSU is 10th. “Points are going to be at a premium,” coach Brian Dutcher said, “so we have to make sure we take care of the ball, guard at a high level and be grateful for any good look we get, then step up and make them.” The Aztecs have been excellent in neutral court events. Since 2019-20, they rank ninth nationally at 25-9. The only western teams better are Gonzaga (41-12) and Colorado State (25-7). SDSU is 21-6 in its last 27 games against the West Coast Conference and has won eight of 11. Matt Bradley continues to find his offensive rhythm, finishing with 22 points in each of his last two outings and making half his field-goal attempts in his last three games after shooting 38.8 percent in his first six. Trey Pulliam has played 73 of a possible 80 minutes in the two games without fellow point guard Lamont Butler (wrist). He responded in the 66-56 win against Cal State Fullerton with 15 points, a career-high seven rebounds, three assists and four steals. Last year’s win broke a seven-game win streak by Saint Mary’s against the Mountain West.
Gaels update: The nine wins include Notre Dame and Oregon in the Maui Invitational (that was played in Las Vegas). UC Riverside is their only common opponent with SDSU so far. Both games were played on their home floors, SMC winning by 17, the Aztecs by 13. The 60-58 win at Utah State was controversial, hinging on a foul whistled with .9 seconds left in a tie game that gave the Gaels two free throws. The losses are against Wisconsin (61-55 in the Maui final) and at No. 23 Colorado State (74-58) after shooting 4 of 21 from 3. The scoring is incredibly balanced, with five players averaging between 9.3 and 11.8 points. Six players average between 3.6 and 6.5 rebounds, and four have at least 25 assists. If there’s one thing they don’t do well, it is getting to the line. Only 13.8 percent of their points come from free throws, which ranks near the bottom of Div. I. (SDSU is at 20.8 percent, which ranks 52nd). All five starters return from last season plus leading scorer Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench now. Alex Ducas had a sprained ankle and didn’t play in last year’s game against the Aztecs. Averaging 18 minutes is freshman Augustas Marciulionis, the son of Naismith Hall of Famer Sarunas Marciulionis from Lithuania.
Next up: UCSD, Wednesday at Viejas Arena (6 p.m., Stadium)