Boise State at Aztecs
Records: BSU 14-4, 5-0; SDSU 10-3, 2-0
Series history: SDSU leads 17-7 and has won six straight, including both meetings last season at Viejas Arena. The last Aztecs’ home loss was in 2016.
Broncos update: They have won 11 in a row, although none against a top 50 Kenpom team (SDSU is currently 33rd). The turning point came after back-to-back losses in late November and the dismissal of Arizona transfer Devonaire Doutrive. They haven’t lost since. The second of those losses was somewhat excusable (86-82 against Saint Louis). The first was not (46-39 against Bakersfield). The downside of dumping Doutrive is the bench is almost nonexistent past Max Rice, the son of coach Leon Rice. The Broncos rank 268th nationally in average bench minutes. The starting five is legit, though, and big: 6-2 Portland transfer Marcus Shaver (13.2 points); 6-7 Oregon transfer Abu Kigab (13.5 points); 6-7 Tyson Degenhart; 6-8 Arizona transfer Emmanuel Akot (11.7 points); and 6-10 East Tennessee State transfer Mladen Armus (9.3 rebounds). All are seniors except Degenhart, who is a true freshman. They’ve won with defense (14 in Kenpom) and rebounding, outboarding 15 of 18 opponents this season and 14 of the last 15. They had 16 offensive boards in Thursday’s 62-59 win at Utah State that they converted into 23 points. Armus had 22 points and 19 rebounds, 10 on offensive glass.
Aztecs update: Just when they thought they had the entire roster healthy for the first time all season, Chad Baker-Mazara missed the last two practices with an undisclosed non-COVID medical issue and will be a game-time decision. Baker-Mazara was coming off his two best performances of the season, 11 points against UNLV and 14 in the 79-49 win against Colorado State on a combined 9 of 14 shooting. Everyone else appears ready to go, including guard Lamont Butler, who practiced with tape (and without a brace) on the left wrist he fractured Nov. 30. A victory today would be the 300th by the SDSU men’s team since Viejas Arena opened in 1997. The Aztecs have won 16 straight at home and 16 straight at any venue against Mountain West opponents. Since Dec. 4, they have been statistically the best defensive team in Div. I, allowing just 54.0 points and 34.5 percent shooting. They are 0-3 when outrebounded. New COVID-19 entrance protocols are in place for Viejas Arena, requiring either proof of booster shot or negative test within 24 hours. Rapid testing is available across the street at Peterson Gym for $35 starting 90 minutes before tip-off. Pre-registration is available online.
Next up: vs. UNLV on Monday (6 p.m., CBSSN)