Aggies Look To Spoil Aztecs’ Undefeated Season
Jan 31, 2020, 4:18 PM
Justin Bean #12 of the Utah State Aggies defends Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Utah State men’s basketball team travels to Southern California looking to upset San Diego State and ruin the Aztecs’ perfect season.
The Aggies and Aztecs square off at Viejas Arena in San Diego on Saturday, February 1.
San Diego State enters the second meeting between the two schools this season with a No. 4 ranking and a perfect 22-0 record.
MAP.
For the first time in program history, the Aztecs are the last standing undefeated team in the nation. #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/q0Y6UxVLVs
— Aztec M. Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 16, 2020
The Aztecs are also 11-0 in Mountain West Conference games.
When the schools met for their first matchup of the season on January 4, San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn scored 22 points to lead the Aztecs to a 77-68 victory in Logan.
Final.#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/YWWLGtY0eH
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 5, 2020
The Aztecs outshot the Aggies 50.9 percent to 42.6 percent overall and 45.0 percent to 26.1 percent from behind the arc.
Utah State guard Sam Merrill led the Aggies with 26 points on 8-21 shooting.
USU center Neemias Queta posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Dunk you very much‼️
🔥🔥 @nemi1599 pic.twitter.com/a8Sl9CAc1o
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 5, 2020
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Aggies a 17.3 percent chance to win the game.
Kawhi Leonard Day
The Aztecs are celebrating “Kawhi Leonard Day” on Saturday, February 2.
Tomorrow has been proclaimed @kawhileonard Day in the City of San Diego! It's going to be an epic day here @SDSU! pic.twitter.com/L36RhIt1El
— GoAztecs (@GoAztecs) January 31, 2020
San Diego State fans are encouraged to wear white to the game. Free t-shirts will be handed out to all fans in attendance.
The Aztecs will retire Leonard’s No. 15 jersey during a halftime ceremony.
Leonard, who is currently a member of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, played at SDSU from 2009-11. During his 70 career college games, Leonard recorded 40 double-doubles.
As sophomore in 2011, Leonard led the Aztecs to a 32-2 (14-2 Mountain West) record and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Aztecs were defeated by Connecticut 74-67 in the Sweet Sixteen. Connecticut would go on to win the national championship.
After the season, Leonard decided to forgo his final years of collegiate eligibility to pursue the NBA. He was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He was traded on draft night to the San Antonio Spurs.
Leonard was won two NBA championships during his nine seasons.
The former SDSU forward won NBA Finals MVP after winning the title with the Spurs in 2014 and with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
He is a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Just two days until your undefeated @Aztec_MBB team hosts Utah State and honors @kawhileonard! Remember to…
1. Wear WHITE
2. Arrive EARLY
3. Be LOUD
4. Stay in your seats at halftime pic.twitter.com/3xkusMAso1— GoAztecs (@GoAztecs) January 30, 2020
Utah State and San Diego State are scheduled to tip-off on Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m. (MDT). Tickets for the game start at $127. The game is televised on CBS Sports Network.
