March 7, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State sophomores Brandon Heath and Marcus Slaughter have been named to the 2004-05 All-Mountain West Conference second team. It is the second straight year the two have been honored by the conference. Last season, both earned MWC honorable mention awards as freshmen.
This is the first time since 2002 the Aztecs have had two players named to the first two teams. That season, Randy Holcomb earned first-team honors, while Al Faux was second-team all-conference.
Along with SDSU's two sophomores, freshman Matt Thomas has also been recognized by the MWC, being named to the honorable mention squad. He joins Colorado State's Jason Smith as the only two freshmen to be honored by the league.
Of the 10 players on the first- and second-teams, only four are expected to return to school next season. Five are seniors and one is Utah sophomore Andrew Bogut, who is expected to turn pro this spring.
The four returners include SDSU's Heath and Slaughter and Air Force's Antoine Hood and Nick Welch. The quartet will be featured in Thursday night's MWC quarterfinal game between the Aztecs and Falcons, which can be seen on ESPN at 9 p.m. PST.
This is the fourth consecutive season that San Diego State has had three or more players earn all-conference awards. The past two seasons, the Aztecs have had four student-athletes recognized, with three being noticed in 2002.