Men's Basketball

Aztecs Open Season with Preseason Big Sky Favorite Eastern Washington

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Nov. 20, 2002

SAN DIEGO - Opening its 82nd season of basketball and the 33rd at the Division I level, San Diego State begins the 2002-03 regular season against Eastern Washington on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Cox Arena (7:05 p.m. PST tip). The game will be televised in the San Diego market on Channel 4 San Diego (no satellite availability) and will be broadcast along the West coast on XTRA-AM 690 (San Diego).

The Aztecs are coming off a banner season in which they went 21-12, won the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship and advanced to their first NCAA Tournament since 1985. Three starters return from that squad in seniors Tony Bland, Deandre Moore and Mike Mackell.

Eastern Washington opened the season last weekend, splitting a pair of games in the NABC Classic in Madison, Wis. On Friday, the Eagles fell to defending Big Ten champion Wisconsin, 81-55. Eastern Washington responded with a 75-61 victory over Winthrop in the consolation game on Saturday.

EWU returns nine letterwinners and three starters off a team that went 17-13 overall and 10-4 in Big Sky action last season. The Eagles, the prohibitive preseason favorite to win the Big Sky Conference, are ranked 10th in ESPN.com's Mid-Major Top 10 rankings.

This will be the fifth meeting between the teams, with the all-time series tied at two victories apiece. Last season, San Diego State defeated Eastern Washington 86-58 on Dec. 20 at Cox Arena. The Aztecs used a 20-1 run during the late stages of the first half and the opening minutes of the second half to take control of the game. Departed SDSU letterwinners Randy Holcomb (23 points) and Al Faux (15 points) accounted for 38 points. Holcomb scored the first seven points of the second half for the Aztecs.

Many festivities are planned in conjunction with the season opener, including the unveiling of the 2002 Mountain West Conference tournament championship banner prior to tip-off. Free team posters will be available at the doors and following the game, players will be available for autographs.

Streaks, Storylines and Sidebars

  • San Diego State is 51-30 (63.0 percent) all-time in season openers, including 16-16 (50.0 percent) in lidlifters since joining the Division I ranks in the 1970-71 season.
  • Steve Fisher-coached teams have won 10 consecutive season-opening games dating back to an 82-75 loss to sixth-ranked Arizona on Nov. 25, 1989. That is the only season-opening loss a Steve Fisher-led team has suffered.
  • Steve Fisher-coached teams are 20-9 during the month of November, including an 11-0 record in home games during the Thanksgiving month. This is the only November home game for SDSU this season.
  • The Aztecs have won three straight season-opening games and seven of their last nine.
  • San Diego State has won 13 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents. It is the second-longest streak of the Division I era, and the longest since SDSU won 15 straight against non-league foes during the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons. The Aztecs' last non-conference home loss was to San Diego, 55-52, on Dec. 16, 2000.
  • Three times in his coaching career Steve Fisher has had his top two scorers depart, but all three times he has led his team back to the postseason the following year, twice going to the NCAA Tournament and once advancing to the postseason NIT. San Diego State's top two scorers from last season guard Al Faux (17.0 ppg) and forward Randy Holcomb (16.9) - were among a group of five seniors on the 2001-02 squad.
  • Twice in the last 17 seasons San Diego State has posted a winning record (15-14 in 1995-96 and 21-12 in 2001-02). In both of those seasons, the Aztecs recorded a victory over Eastern Washington, their only two wins over the Eagles in school history.

Aztecs Shoot 71 Percent in Second Half; Rally for 24-Point Exhibition Win
San Diego State went on a 31-8 scoring run to open the second half and wiped out a 45-38 halftime deficit as it cruised to a 96-72 win over the L.A. City Stars Nov. 14 in Cox Arena before an exhibition record 3,318 fans.

The win closed the exhibition portion of the Aztec basketball schedule with two victories and ran San Diego State's preseason winning streak to five games dating over three seasons.

The visitors were hot in the first half, shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and scoring 30 points inside the paint to keep control of the game. The Aztecs countered in the early stages of the second half with a long-distance barrage. Freshmen Steve Sir and John Sharper combined for three straight three-pointers as the Aztecs broke out of a 50-50 tie to a 59-50 lead and control of the game for the final 10 minutes.

The Aztecs were paced by the one-two inside scoring punch of senior Mike Mackell and redshirt freshman Trimaine Davis. Mackell was 9-of-12 from the floor on his way to 21 points and eight rebounds.

Davis continued to excite the Cox Arena faithful with his second consecutive night of perfection. He was 10-of-10 from the field on his way to 20 points. He closed the exhibition schedule by going 15-of-15 on field-goal tries.

Deandre Moore was impressive at the point, scoring 17 points while dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds. He hit three of his four three-point tries and was 7-of-8 from the floor. Junior Aerick Sanders was once again strong on the glass with 10 boards. He had 12 rebounds in the victory over the Branch West All-Stars.

San Diego State pounded the visitors on the glass, 47-32 and SDSU dished out 28 assists as a team.

Inside the Exhibition Numbers
For the second consecutive season, San Diego State posted a perfect 2-0 record during the exhibition portion of the season. The Aztecs defeated a Branch West Basketball Academy team (83-72) that posted a 2-4 record, including a 92-67 victory at 14th-ranked UCLA, and a L.A. City Stars squad (96-72) that recorded a 1-2 record.

Team tidbits from the two exhibition games:

  • San Diego State outscored their two foes by a 107-69 margin in the second half after being outscored 75-72 in the first 20 minutes.
  • The Aztecs shot 53.4 percent from the floor in the two games, including an astounding 55-of-91 from inside the arc (60.4 percent).
  • Five Aztec players averaged in double figures with eight players averaging 10 or more minutes a contest.

When you average 89.5 points per game and shoot 53.4 percent from the floor, you normally have individuals posting some eye-catching numbers and this team is no different.

  • Senior center Mike Mackell averaged a team-high 20.0 ppg while adding 5.0 rpg. Mackell connected on 56.7 percent of his field goal attempts while averaging 25.5 minutes for the two games.
  • Redshirt freshman Trimaine Davis connected on all 15 of his field-goal attempts during the exhibition game. The forward averaged 15.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2.5 bpg off the bench for the Aztecs. In case you're curious, the NCAA Division I regular-season record for most consecutive field goals made is 25 by Ray Voelkel of American during the 1978-79 season.
  • Senior guard Tony Bland posted impressive numbers despite struggling from the field. Bland averaged 11.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.0 rpg, while leading the backcourt in minutes per game at 30.5. He was the only Aztec player among the top five scorers to shoot less than 50 percent from the field during the exhibition season.
  • The quintessential point guard Deandre Moore continued to impress by dishing out 10 assists and committing just two turnovers in 57 minutes of action. The senior averaged 11.0 ppg, 5.0 apg and 4.0 rpg while connecting on 9-of-12 attempts from the floor. His 17-point effort against the L.A. City Stars would have represented the second-highest scoring total of his career.
  • Junior forward Aerick Sanders parlayed his blue-collar work ethic into big numbers during the exhibition season. Sanders averaged a team-high 31.0 minutes per game and delivered by pulling down a team-high 22 rebounds. He averaged 10.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 1.5 bpg.
  • Sophomore guard Tommy Johnson came off the bench to record a team-best 12 assists during the exhibition campaign. The only freshman to see game action last season, Johnson averaged 6.5 ppg, 6.0 apg and 3.0 rpg.
  • Freshman walk-on guard John Sharper, who will back-up Moore at the point guard position this season, connected on 4-of-5 three-point attempts in the two games. He averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.5 apg.
  • Redshirt freshman guard Steve Sir struggled to find his long-range shooting during the exhibition games, connecting on 4-of-15 attempts from beyond the arc. A native of Minnesota, Sir's shooting skills have reached legendary status with teammates. In the first workout of the season, Sir connected on 99-of-100 free-throw attempts.
  • Redshirt freshman Markee White also logged playing time during both exhibition games and will be the Aztecs' ninth player in the rotation until transfers Travis Hanour and Chris Manker become eligible in December.

San Diego State vs. Eastern Washington - The Series

  • This is the fifth meeting between the teams with the series tied at two apiece. The Aztecs have won both previous meetings in San Diego, claiming an 80-55 decision on Nov. 30, 1996, at the Sports Arena and an 86-58 victory on Dec. 20, 2001, at Cox Arena.
  • This is the second consecutive season the teams have met and the fourth time in the last seven seasons.
  • No team has claimed consecutive victories in the series (SDSU won last season).
  • Twice in the last 17 seasons San Diego State has posted a winning record (15-14 in 1995-96 and 21-12 in 2001-02). In both of those seasons, the Aztecs recorded a victory over Eastern Washington, their only two wins over the Eagles in school history.
  • Three of the four previous meetings have been decided by 15 or more points. Only the inaugural game between the teams on Nov. 30, 1985, was close, with the Eagles claiming an 81-79 decision in Fresno, Calif.
  • The Aztecs are 17-8 (68.0 percent) lifetime against the Big Sky Conference, with the last loss to the league coming to Eastern Washington on Nov. 22, 1997 (52-69).
  • Steve Fisher owns a 3-0 lifetime mark against the current eight-school Big Sky Conference. Fisher owns an 88-84 victory over Portland (Dec. 29, 1994) from his Michigan days and has posted victories over CS Sacramento (92-69) on Dec. 2, 2000, and last season's victory over Eastern Washington since moving to the Mesa.

The Last Meeting
San Diego State 86, Eastern Washington 58
December 20, 2001 Cox Arena (San Diego, Calif.)
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State used a 20-1 run from the end of the first half through the first four-and-a-half minutes of the second half, as the Aztecs defeated Eastern Washington, 86-58, on December 20 at Cox Arena.

The victory was the third straight for the Aztecs and the fifth win in their last six outings. San Diego State won its Cox Arena-record sixth straight home game.

The Aztecs shot 54.8 percent from the floor, including 19-of-32 after intermission. San Diego State also enjoyed a 41-27 advantage in rebounds.

Senior forward Randy Holcomb led the way with a season high-tying 23-point performance. Three other Aztec players tallied in double figures. Senior guard Al Faux scored 15 points and added five rebounds and five assists. Junior center Mike Mackell had 16 points and guard Tony Bland contributed 13.

Holcomb scored the first seven points for San Diego State in the second half and established the low post for the Aztecs.

Eastern Washington, a member of the Big Sky Conference, was led by forward Chris Hester with 14 points.

About Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is 1-1 on the season after playing a pair of games last weekend in the NABC Classic in Madison, Wis. The Eagles opened the four-team tournament with an 81-55 loss to host school and defending Big Ten Champion Wisconsin before rebounding for a 75-61 victory over Winthrop in the consolation game.

The Eagles, which opened the season ranked 10th nationally in ESPN.com's Mid-Major Poll, return three starters and nine letterwinners off a squad that went 17-13 overall and 10-4 in Big Sky play last season. Eastern Washington, which has finished second in the Big Sky Conference three straight seasons, is both the media and coaches selection to win the conference this season.

Junior swingman Alvin Snow earned all-tournament honors based largely on his 19-point, four-rebound, four-steal, four-assist effort in the victory over Winthrop.

Snow averaged 19.5 points in the two games and was the only Eagle to average in double figures. He connected on 54.8 percent of his attempts in the two tournament games.

Other returning starters from last season's team are senior swingman Chris Hester (8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and sophomore forward Mark Axton (6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg).

San Diego State-Eastern Washington Connections

  • San Diego State redshirt freshman Steve Sir and Eastern Washington sophomore Jeremy McCulloch played against one another while attending high school in Canada. The two met in the national final during their junior season when Sir's team representing Alberta defeated McCulloch's squad representing British Columbia. In the game, Sir scored 47 points to break the national final scoring record held by Steve Nash.
  • One of Steve Fisher's coaching triumphs occurred in the state of Washington. In 1989, after taking over as Michigan head coach prior to the NCAA Tournament, Fisher guided the Wolverines to six-straight victories, including wins over third-ranked Illinois and 11th-ranked Seton Hall, in the Final Four at The Kingdome in Seattle, Wash.
  • Aztec junior Aerick Sanders and Eastern Washington junior Alvin Snow played against one another in AAU basketball.
  • Junior Ben Wardrop's grandmother lives in the Apple State. She resides in Bellingham, Wash., approximately 90 miles north of Seattle.

Season Openers
San Diego State has posted a 51-30 (63.0 percent) record in season openers including a 16-16 (50.0 percent) record since joining the Division I ranks prior to the 1970-71 season.

This will mark the ninth time in 10 seasons that the Aztecs have opened the regular season with a home game. In fact, since the 1991-92 season, the Aztecs have left the city limits just one time for a season opener.

The Aztecs have won three straight openers and seven of their last nine lidlifters. Aztec results in the last nine season-opening games:

Date Opponent (Venue) ResultNov. 11, 1993 Cal Poly Pomona (PG) W, 86-58Nov. 28, 1994 Southern Calif. College (PG) W, 76-54Nov. 24, 1995 Northwestern (SA) W, 83-63Nov. 22, 1996 UC Irvine (SA) W, 100-88Nov. 14, 1997 Brigham Young L, 59-73Nov. 14, 1998 Nevada L-ot, 71-76Nov. 24, 1999 UC Riverside W, 73-57Nov. 18, 2000 UC San Diego W, 80-48Nov. 16, 2001 vs. Northern Iowa W, 71-57PG - Peterson Gym. SA - Sports Arena.bold - Indicates Steve Fisher coached Aztecs.

In addition, Steve Fisher will try and improve on his 10-1 record in season-opening games. Fisher's 82-75 loss to sixth-ranked Arizona on Nov. 25, 1990, the year after he led Michigan to the national championship, is his only setback in a season opener. Fisher coached-teams have won 10 straight openers.

Date Opponent ResultNov. 25, 1990 vs. (6) Arizona L, 75-82Nov. 28, 1991 Central Michigan W, 72-63Dec. 2, 1992 at Detroit W, 100-74Dec. 1, 1993 at Rice W, 75-71Nov. 26, 1993 vs. (13) Georgia Tech W, 80-70Nov. 21, 1994 vs. Tulane W, 75-73Nov. 15, 1995 vs. DePaul W, 73-65Nov. 26, 1996 Ball State W, 87-63Nov. 24, 1999 UC Riverside W, 73-57Nov. 18, 2000 UC San Diego W, 80-48Nov. 16, 2001 vs. Northern Iowa W, 71-57Number prior to opponent represents opponent's national ranking.

The Non-conference Home Win Streak
Saturday night the Aztecs will look to extend a 13-game non-conference home winning streak that dates back to Nov. 25, 1989. It is the third longest streak in school history and the second longest of the Division I era. Below is a list of the five longest non-conference win streaks.

Pl. Began Ended Ended By Games1. F.4.1966 D.23.1968 Minnesota 162. N.27.1981 D.30.1982 Villanova 153. D.16.2000 active - 134. D.8.1995 N.14.1997 Brigham Young 10 D.3.1977 D.29.2978 Stanford 10

The current streak began on Dec. 16, 2001, when San Diego State defeated Arizona State, 64-62. Since that game, the Aztecs have defeated (in order) Morgan State, Norfolk State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Norfolk State, UC San Diego, Cal State Northridge, 21st-ranked Fresno State, Eastern Washington, Columbia, Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne and Houston.

All of the games during the streak, except for the victory over the Sun Devils, have been by seven or more points.

Fishing in November

It is never easy facing a coach whose resume includes a national championship, three Final Four appearances and a 224-131 career record. But facing a Steve Fisher-led team in the opening month of the season has been a particularly daunting task.

In addition to posting a career 10-1 record in season openers, including victories in 10 consecutive openers, Fisher's squads have also:

  • Posted a 20-9 career record during the Thanksgiving month.
  • Proven to be unbeatable at home during the month of November, posting a 11-0 record during the month throughout his career. That figure includes a 6-0 mark while leading the Aztecs.

Top Two Scorers Gone, No Problem for Fisher
Some might see the departure of the Aztecs' top two scoring averages from the 2001-02 season - Al Faux (17.0 ppg) and Randy Holcomb (16.9 ppg) - as a problem, but Steve Fisher has overcome scoring departures in the past to produce big seasons.

  • Three times in his coaching career Fisher has had his top two scorers depart, but all three times he has led his team back to the postseason the following year.
  • In the 1990-91 season, Fisher lost his entire starting five, including Rumeal Robinson and Terry Mills, off a squad that went 23-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That season, Fisher guided his squad to the NIT.
  • In 1994-95, Fisher overcame the losses of Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard to put the Wolverines in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Most recently, in 1995-96, Fisher lost Ray Jackson and Jimmy King but still put together a 20-win season and guided Michigan to the NCAA Tournament.

Eastern Wash. (1-1) at San Diego State (0-0)

Saturday, November 23, 2002
7:05 p.m. PST (announced)
Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl (12,414)
San Diego, Calif.

Tip Time: Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. PST.

Television: Channel 4 San Diego. Matt Vasgersian (play-by-play), Tony Gwynn (analyst), Nick Davis (producer).

Radio: XTRA-690 AM. Jim Stone (play-by-play), Dave Marcus (producer).

SDSU Coach Steve Fisher: Fisher (Illinois State '67) is in his fourth season at San Diego State with a record of 40-49. Now in his 12th full season as a head coach, he has amassed a 224-131 mark. Fisher led Michigan to the 1989 national championship and made three trips to the national championship game in his eight full seasons in Ann Arbor. The 1991-92 national coach of the year, he led the Aztecs to a 21-12 mark last year en route to the NCAA Tournament. Fisher has helped the Aztecs increase their win total in each of his first three seasons (from 4-to-5-to-14-to-21).

EWU Coach Ray Giacoletti: Giacoletti (Minot State '85) is in his third season at Eastern Washington with a 35-25 record. He owns an 83-58 mark in his sixth season as a head coach.

The Series: The series is tied at two after the Aztecs claimed an 86-58 victory last season (Dec. 20) at Cox Arena. San Diego State is 2-0 lifetime against Eastern Washington in home contests, including a 1-0 mark at Cox Arena.

Tickets: Tickets are avilable for the game through the SDSU ticket office (619-283-SDSU) or at any Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets range in price from $8-16. UT Youth & Family Night (free youth ticket (14 and under) with the purchase of a $10 GA adult ticket). The 2002 MWC Tournament Championship banner will be raised prior to the game.