Sept. 9, 2010
SAN DIEGO -
Sporting News' 2010-11 college basketball season preview has picked San Diego State to win the Mountain West Conference men's basketball title and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.
The Aztecs were tabbed as a No. 7 seed in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, and were the only team in the conference to have two players selected to the preseason All-Mountain West team. Senior forward Malcolm Thomas and sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard were both selected to the five-man lineup, which also included BYU's Jimmer Fredette, New Mexico's Dairese Gary and Colorado State's Andy Ogide.
Sporting News also rated several Aztecs among the best in their conference. Billy White (best athlete), D.J. Gay (best under pressure), Kawhi Leonard (top NBA prospect and best rebounder) and head coach Steve Fisher (best recruiter all received top billings.
"Fisher has had good teams during his 11 years at San Diego State, but this is probably his best," the publication said. "A team as experienced and talented as this one deserves to be the team to beat."
San Diego State's incoming recruiting class was also ranked No. 3 in the conference by Eric Bossi of Rivals.com.
The Aztecs return nine letterwinners and all five starters from last season's 25-9 team. Leonard is joined by seniors White (2010 MWC honorable mention), Thomas (2010 all-MWC second team), and Gay (2010 MWC honorable mention), and sophomore Chase Tapley, who shot 50 percent from the field and led the Aztecs with a 1.84 assist-to-turnover ratio.
SDSU enters the 2010-11 season fresh off one of its most successful efforts after winning the MWC tournament crown, advancing to the NCAA Tournament and compiling a 25-9 record. The Scarlet and Black have won 20 or more games and advanced to the postseason five consecutive seasons. San Diego State inches toward the `10-11 season with much anticipation as it is ranked No. 23 in Vitale's preseason poll and No. 24 in Andy Katz's rankings. ESPN.com's Pat Forde and FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman, meanwhile, have tabbed the Aztecs as one of their top teams heading into `10-11.
San Diego State men's basketball season tickets are currently on sale at GoAztecs.com and start at $99 for reserved chair back seats. For more information, please contact the Aztec Ticket Office at (619) 283-7378.