Nov. 5, 2010
SAN DIEGO - The 25th-ranked San Diego State men's basketball team is set to play host to Point Loma Nazarene Monday night at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs' lone exhibition is set to start at 7 p.m. PT.
Fans will get their first look at a team that returns all five starters from the 2009-10 campaign, where the Aztecs won the Mountain West Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before narrowly falling to eventual Elite Eight participant Tennessee. The Red and Black start out the 2010-11 season in the Associated Press Top-25 poll, marking the first time that an Aztec squad has been ranked in school history.
SDSU's roster is both deep and talented, highlighted by 2009-10 MWC freshman of the year Kawhi Leonard. Leonard was the only freshman from a NCAA Tournament team to lead his team in points and rebounds last year, and is entering this season as a top-50 candidate for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, given annually to the best college basketball player in the country. Leonard will be joined in the Aztec's front-court by preseason all-MWC selection Malcolm Thomas and 2010 honorable mention all-MWC selection Billy White. San Diego State's starting lineup is rounded out by D.J. Gay and Chase Tapley, who make up what should be one of the most efficient backcourts in the conference.
By the time the visiting Sea Lions come to Viejas Arena to face off against the Aztecs, they will have already played three pre-season games. Most recently, Point Loma Nazarene dropped a wild overtime game to Saint Xavier, 105-93. The Sea Lions are looking to improve on a 2009-10 season where they finished with an 8-21 record.
Reserve tickets, which are normally $15, and $10 general admission tickets will be $5 for this exhibition. Tickets can be purchased online at GoAztecs.com or in person at the Viejas Arena box office.