AZTECS PLAY SCOUT TEAM FOR GAME FEEL
Butler works on his own with a brace while waiting for medical clearance
San Diego State didn’t play NAIA San Diego Christian on Tuesday at Viejas Arena as planned.
It did play a game, however, or at least half of one.
The Aztecs played 20 minutes against themselves Tuesday morning, having eight healthy regulars face the scout team running UNLV sets and defenses ahead of Saturday’s conference opener against the Rebels in Las Vegas. The regulars won 39-27.
“There was some good and some bad,” coach Brian Dutcher said. “I just wanted to get some game timing back, to have a game feel. There are things to work on. You always see something you need to get better at.”
The good: The offense scored with more efficiency, and it wasn’t like the players were facing 5foot-10 walk-ons fresh off the intramural court. SDSU’s scout team features three players who have or had Division I scholarships, three who are 6-9 or taller, and three others who are 6-4 or taller.
The bad: Not scrimmaging was sophomore guard Lamont Butler, who is still awaiting full medical clearance after fracturing his left wrist on Nov. 30 against Long Beach State.
The initial prognosis was four weeks, and Tuesday was exactly four weeks. Butler was scheduled for an X-ray later in the day that will determine his status for UNLV. He spent Tuesday on the other court at the JAM Center doing fitness drills, out of his cast but wearing a brace that extended to his elbow and preventing him from using his left hand.
“If doctors think he’s ready to go, we’ll get him in a brace and start practicing him,” Dutcher said.