Dec. 14, 2000
SAN DIEGO -
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ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (5-1/0-0 PAC-10) at SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS (4-3/0-0 MWC)
AZTEC HEADLINES
Having opened the season at 4-3, San Diego State is off to its best start since the 1996-97 season.
San Diego State is ninth nationally in field goal percentage defense with its opponents shooting 35.7 percent.
The Sagarin ratings show San Diego State as the 11th-most improved team in the country, jumping from a preseason rating of No. 262 to No. 150 as of Dec. 12.
The Aztecs are 4-1 at Cox Arena this season and have posted a 9-4 record against non-conference foes in the building since Steve Fisher's arrival prior to the 1999-2000 season.
Aztecs Continue Six-Game Homestand Against Pacific-10 Foe Arizona State San Diego State, which despite losing its last two games is still off to its best start in four seasons, focuses on final exams before continuing a six-game homestand against Arizona State on Saturday night at Cox Arena. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports-Arizona and will be broadcast live on KPOP-AM 1360 (San Diego) and can be heard via the internet at www.goaztecs.com. The Aztecs suffered a pair of heartbreaking losses last week, losing at UC Santa Barbara 80-77 in triple overtime on Wednesday and falling 55-52 to San Diego on Saturday night. The Aztecs' three losses this season have been by a combined 14 points, which is one point less than their closest margin of victory this season. Arizona State has not played since an 80-52 victory over Brigham Young on Dec. 2. The Sun Devils are off to a 5-1 start, their best since the 1994-95 Sweet 16 squad. Arizona State leads the series 14-9, with the Sun Devils winning four straight between the teams, including a 99-85 decision last season in Tempe, Ariz.
Aztecs Suffer Second Consecutive Three-Point Loss, 55-52 to USD Matt Dezell broke a 48-48 tie with a three-point basket with just over three minutes remaining and then sank two free throws with less than 10 second left, as San Diego defeated San Diego State 55-52, Saturday night in Cox Arena. The Aztecs, playing in front of 8,186 fans -?the 11th largest crowd in school history and the second largest in Cox Arena history, led the entire first half, and by as many as 10 points. San Diego opened the second half with an 11-3 run to take a six-point lead. The Aztecs pulled even at 48 on a three-point play by junior guard Al Faux. Dezell responded with a three-pointer to give the Toreros the lead. San Diego State pulled within one point twice in the final three minutes, but was unable to tie the contest. San Diego State held the Toreros to 33.9 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers but was unable to overcome a 50-30 San Diego rebound advantage. Junior forward Randy Holcomb and Faux paced the Aztecs with 13 points apiece. Senior center Marcelo Correa added a game-high nine rebounds and five blocked shots. Cliff Notes: The Aztecs Under second-year coach Steve Fisher, the Aztecs continue to show remarkable progress from last season. At 4-3, the Aztecs are one win shy of matching last season's total of five victories. The Aztecs have shown improvement in every statistical category. San Diego State has started two line-ups thus far, with nine players seeing action in all seven games. Junior forwards Randy Holcomb and Myron Epps lead a scoring punch which has seen the Aztecs' points per game rise from 62.3 last season to 75.6 this year. Holcomb, a transfer from L.A. City College, leads the team with a 15.6 scoring average and 5.0 rebounds per contest. Epps, a two-year starter, has scored in double-figures in nine of 10 games and has shot 50 percent or better from the field in six of seven contests this season. The Tulare, Calif., native is averaging 13.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg, while connecting on 56.3 percent of his field goal attempts. A pair of new guards have helped breathe life into the Aztec backcourt. Sophomore guard Deandre Moore and junior Al Faux have paid immediate dividends. Moore, a transfer from Vanderbilt, is averaging 7.4 points and 6.4 assists while Shoreline Junior College transfer Al Faux is fourth on the team in scoring despite average playing time of only 19.8 minutes. Against Sacramento State, Faux poured in a career-high 19 points, going 6-of-7 from the field. Senior center Marcelo Correa has connected on 13 of his 23 field goal attempts this season (56.5 percent), while averaging 5.6 points and 6.0 rebounds. He has a team-high 15 blocked shots. Off the bench, the Aztecs bring experience and scoring punch to the backcourt in juniors David Abramowitz and Karlo Kovacic. Abramowitz, a two-year letterwinner, is averaging less than a turnover a game this season, while Kovacic, a transfer from Modesto Junior College, has hit on 14-of-40 three-point attempts for 35.0 percent. He is averaging 7.9 points per contest. Freshmen Chris Walton and Aerick Sanders have provided valuable assistance in the post positions off the bench. Sanders, a native of Carson, Calif., is averaging 4.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. The freshman already has recorded 12 blocked shots this season. Walton, a San Diego product, has chipped in 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.
Noting the Sun Devils Arizona State has enjoyed some well deserved time off, after running its record to 5-1 with an 80-52 victory over Brigham Young on Dec. 2. Junior center Chad Prewitt scored a game-high 20 points and added a team-high eight rebounds while junior forward Awvee Storey had 14 points and eight boards in the victory over the Cougars. The Sun Devils held Brigham Young to 25.4 percent field goal shooting, including 6-of-28 (21.4 percent) in the first half. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Sun Devils following a 69-67 loss against Tulsa in the opening game of the season. Since that time, Arizona State has recorded victories over Winthrop (76-68), Southern Utah (94-72), Colgate (64-50), Kent State (76-61) and Brigham Young. For the season, five Sun Devil players average in double figures, led by Storey at 15.0 ppg. Sophomore forward Donnell Knight, with 14.5 ppg and Prewitt averages 12.7 ppg and a team-high 7.8 rpg. Mason (11.3 ppg) and sophomore forward Shawn Redhange (11.0 ppg) also average in double figures. As previously noted, the Sun Devils are off to their best start since the 1994-95 team, which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Arizona State has held five of its first six opponents to less than 70 points and are holding opponents to 35.8 percent field goal shooting. This is the first true road game for the Sun Devils this season, having played two neutral site games to open the season, and it will be the last road contest for Arizona State until Jan. 11. In its last two games, Arizona State held Kent State and Brigham Young to 30-of-114 (26.3 percent) from the field.
Know Thy Enemy: About Arizona State Location: Tempe, Ariz. Founded: 1885 Enrollment: 43,732 President: Dr. Lattie F. Coor Athletic Director: Gene Smith Nickname: Sun Devils Colors: Maroon and Gold Arena (Capacity): Wells Fargo Arena (14,198) Conference: Pacific-10
SDSU-Arizona State Series History Saturday marks the 24th meeting between San Diego State and Arizona State, with the Sun Devils owning a 14-9 series advantage. The series dates back to the 1937-38 season, with the teams meeting only twice in the 80s and twice in the 90s. Last year, the teams met on Dec. 18 in Tempe with the Sun Devils claiming a 99-85 victory. Eddie House scored 37 of his 46 points in the first half as Arizona State built a 55-35 halftime lead. San Diego State was led by Vincent Okotie with 17 points. Arizona State has claimed four consecutive games in the series, with all four of the wins coming in Tempe, Ariz. San Diego State owns a 10-3 series edge in games played in San Diego and won the last time the Sun Devils visited San Diego. On Jan. 22, 1979, the Aztecs defeated Arizona State 80-73. That is the only time in the last eight games of the series that the contest has been played in San Diego. San Diego State is 25-56 (30.9 percent) against current members of the Pacific-10 Conference. Steve Fisher is 0-2 lifetime against the Sun Devils and 4-8 against members of the Pacific-10
Talkin' Bout A Revolution Most experts thought Steve Fisher would turn around the Aztecs basketball fortunes, but even they could not have predicted San Diego State's early season success thus far. Off to a 4-3 start for the first time in four seasons, only begins to scratch the surface of what the Aztecs have accomplished through their first seven games. Below is a look at some of the impressive numbers the Aztecs have posted this season. Snapped a 17-game losing streak with a 32-point victory in the season opener for the Aztecs' largest margin of victory since Dec. 2, 1998. Defeated New Mexico State, a team with three starters returning off a 2000 postseason NIT participant, by 15 points after losing to the Aggies by 17 points less than a year ago. Outscored its opponents by 94 points in the first five games, the best scoring margin for any five consecutive games in 33 seasons and 900 games at the Division I level. Recorded consecutive double-digit victories for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign (a span of 90 games). Won their second game of the season on Nov. 21st, their third game on Nov. 30 and fourth game on Dec. 2, all of which are the earliest in school history. Held their first seven opponents to 441 points (63.0 ppg), the lowest seven-game total to open a season since allowing 435 points in a seven-game stretch during Jan. of 1991. Won four consecutive home games to open the season, the longest winning streak in the history of Cox Arena and the longest home win streak since Feb. 24, 1996-Jan. 16, 1997, when San Diego State won nine consecutive games.
The Most Dominating Five Games of the Division I Era In a Division I history that spans 33 seasons and 901 games, the five games San Diego State put together to open the 2000 campaign are the most dominating in school history. By outscoring their foes by 94 points (400-306) in the first five games this season, the Aztecs broke the previous mark of 90 points (417-327) set by the 1984-85 Western Athletic Conference champions and NCAA Tournament team. That season, San Diego State opened with wins at UC Irvine (86-77), vs. Morgan State (128-68), vs. San Diego (57-53), vs. UC Santa Barbara (84-69), at Long Beach State (62-60). This year, the Aztecs have won four games by 15 points or more, three by 22 points or more and two by 32 points or more, to break the record.
The Nation's Most Improved Team? Not many people would argue that San Diego State is vastly improved over the squad that went 5-23 last season, but is San Diego State one of the most improved team in the country? According to the Sagarin ratings, yes. The Aztecs opened the season as the 262nd team with a 63.66 rating. After a 4-3 start, the Tuesday edition of the ratings had San Diego State with a 72.99 rating for 150th place. San Diego State is one of just 15 schools that is currently 100 spots higher than their preseason ranking, and has made the 11th biggest jump among all Division I schools in the rankings. Below is a look at the biggest jumps from the preseason Sagarin rating as compared to ratings released on Dec. 12. Rk. Team Preseason As of 12/12 +/- 1. Arkansas-LR 257 70 +187 2. Jacksonville 278 95 +183 Holy Cross 291 108 +183 4. Georgia State 198 28 +170 5. Md.-Baltimore Co. 280 133 +147 6. Monmouth 271 127 +144 7. Cal St. Northridge 205 64 +141 8. Richmond 132 12 +120 9. Liberty 290 173 +117 10. Boston College 137 24 +113 11. San Diego State 262 150 +112
Making Strides Thus far, San Diego State has played three opponents that were on last season's schedule, making margin improvements of more than 25 points against two of those schools. Last season, the Aztecs suffered a 17-point loss at New Mexico State. San Diego State turned the tables on the Aggies this season posting a 15-point victory for a 32-point difference in margin. Last Saturday, the Aztecs showed marked progress again, dropping a three-point game to San Diego one year after losing to the Toreros by 28 points, for a 25-point improvement. In the three games between repeat opponents, San Diego State has shown 51 points of improvement or 17 points per game. Below is a look at opponents that San Diego State has played in each of Fisher's two seasons with the Aztecs. Opponent '99-00 '00-01 +/- New Mexico State L, 49-66 W, 77-62 +32 UC Santa Barbara W, 60-57 L, 77-80 -6 San Diego L, 45-73 L, 52-55 +25 Arizona State L, 85-99
Fast Starts Through seven games, San Diego State has fans trying to recall the last time the Aztecs opened a campaign as dominant as the 2000 squad has. The last time San Diego State was 4-3 through seven games was the 1996-97 season (four years ago). The last time San Diego State scored at least 529 points (75.6 ppg) through seven games was the 1996-97 squad (four years ago). That season the Aztecs had 585 points through seven contests. The last time San Diego State allowed fewer than 441 points (63.0 ppg) through seven games was the 1989-90 team (11 years ago). That season the Aztecs allowed 430 points through seven games. The last time the San Diego State team had a +78-point margin through the first seven games of the season was in 1984-85 (16 years ago). That year, the Aztecs opened 7-0 with a +109 margin.
Making A Defensive Stand Through seven games, Aztecs are holding opponents to 35.7 percent field goal shooting and 63.0 points per contest. The field goal percentage mark of 35.7 percent ranks ninth nationally through games of Dec. 11. Below is a list of the national leaders. Pl. Team FG FGA Pct. 1. Georgetown 135 424 31.8 2. Baylor 79 242 32.6 3. Ark.-Little Rock 133 386 34.5 4. Ohio St 134 388 34.5 5. William & Mary 119 342 34.8 6. Santa Clara 140 401 34.9 7. Arkansas St. 154 440 35.0 8. Wake Forest 137 390 35.1 9. San Diego St. 155 434 35.7 10. Arizona St. 113 316 35.8
Best Opening Six-Packs Win or lose on Saturday night, this will still continue the best start to an Aztec season since the 1996-97 campaign. That season the Aztecs were 6-2 after eight games. Since that season, San Diego State posted eight-game records of 3-5, 1-7 and 3-5.
Comparing the Numbers Through seven games, the improvement in San Diego State from last season and this season is apparent. In the season opener against UC San Diego, San Diego State shot 55.0 percent from the field, the highest total during the Fisher era. Through seven games the Aztecs are nearly shooting better from three-point range (33.9 percent) than their opponents' overall field goal percentage (35.7 percent). Below is a look at how other numbers from the first seven games stack up against last season. 1999-2000 2000-2001 Record 5-23 4-3 PPG 62.3 75.6 Opp. PPG 74.9 63.0 Scoring Margin -11.6 +12.6 FG Percentage 40.9 44.4 3FG Percentage 29.9 33.9 Free Throw Percentage 68.0 63.3 Opponent FG Percentage 45.6 35.7 Rebound Margin -6.3 +0.7 Turnover Margin -1.6 +3.1
Wired For Cox San Diego State has posted a 9-4 record in non-conference home games during the Steve Fisher era. A marked improvement over the 2-6 mark the Aztecs posted during the 1998-99 campaign, the year prior to Fisher's arrival. This season the Aztecs are 4-1 in Cox Arena, with the one setback being a three-point loss to San Diego.
Playing the Field One area in which the 1999-2000 Aztecs struggled was shooting. San Diego State shot just 40.9 percent from the floor last season. In addition the squad was 29.9 percent from behind the arc. This season, the Aztecs are shooting 44.4 percent from the field, including 33.9 percent from three-point range. Individually, senior center Marcelo Correa has hit on 13-of-23 field goal attempts, for 56.5 percent. In addition to connecting on his first nine field goal attempts of the season, he is 13-for-15 from the free throw line for 86.7 percent. Junior guard Al Faux has given the Aztec backcourt a spark. In addition to dishing out 15 assists, Faux is 22-of-46 from the floor for 47.8 percent, including 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) from three-point range. Junior forward Myron Epps has made 50 percent or more of his field goal attempts in six of seven games this season. Epps is shooting 56.3 percent from the field (36-of-64) while averaging 13.6 points per contest.
It Feels Like the First Time Senior guard Jim Roban, who missed all of preseason recovering from back surgery, was cleared for full-contact practice work on Wednesday, Nov. 29, but missed practice because he was ill. On Thursday, Nov. 30, despite not participating in a full practice this season, Roban made his long awaited debut as he played four minutes in San Diego State's 90-57 victory over Florida Atlantic. Roban connected on his first shot, a three-point field goal attempt from the right wing, and ended with three points and three rebounds. The senior followed that up with eight points in four minutes of action against Sacramento State and three points in eight minutes at UC Santa Barbara. Roban was the first player signed at San Diego State by coach Steve Fisher.
Fisher in Lidlifters Steve Fisher is 9-1 in season openers, including a 7-1 record while at Michigan. Fisher has claimed nine consecutive season opening games dating back to an 82-75 loss to Arizona in the Tip-Off Classic in the opening contest of the 1989-90 campaign.
The Future Two more newcomers who will not play this season are transfers Tony Bland (a junior from Syracuse) and Brandon Smith (a senior-to-be from Michigan). Both players will be eligible for the 2001-02 season.
Fishing in November Steve Fisher's teams have been known for their fast starts, and no place is that better demonstrated than in his record in the month of November. Steve Fisher has coached teams to a 17-7 record (70.8 percent) in the month of November, including a perfect 9-0 record in November home games. In home contests, the veteran coach posted a 5-0 record in the month while with the Wolverines and then helped the Aztecs snap a six-game November slide with a 73-57 victory over UC Riverside last season. His victories over UC San Diego, New Mexico State and Florida Atlantic this season have kept his home November record perfect. The seven games Fisher's teams have lost have come to some of the nation's premier programs: Arizona (three times: '89, '94 and '95), Arizona State ('95), Georgia Tech ('95), New Mexico State ('99) and Fresno State ('00). Beating a Fisher-coached team in the opening month is a good way to assure yourself a spot in postseason play. Of the six teams to defeat a Fisher coached squad in the month of Nov. prior to this season, five have advanced to NCAA tournament play and one (New Mexico State) to postseason NIT competition. All five of the teams to advance to the NCAA tournament had a seed of five or higher. Oddly enough, due to tough competition in early-season tournaments, Fisher's teams have a better November record on the road (3-2), than at neutral sites (5-5).
Noting the Aztecs San Diego State split a pair of exhibition games this preseason, falling to Branch West 83-82 on Nov. 1 and defeating L.A. Stars 90-71 on Nov. 8. The Aztecs took advantage of the two games to use different player combinations. Nine different players recorded at least 15 minutes of action. The balance carried over into the scoring column as only junior forward Randy Holcomb (24.5 ppg) and junior guard Karlo Kovacic (12.5 ppg) averaged in double figures. Four Aztec players -?Deandre Moore, Chris Walton, Myron Epps and Al Faux - averaged between 8.0 and 9.0 ppg while seven players scored between 3.5 and 9.0 ppg.