Feb. 7, 2011
SAN DIEGO -
No. 6 San Diego State-Utah Game Notes in PDF Format | SDSU Broadcast Flip in PDF Format
No. 6 San Diego State Looks to Extend 16-Game Homecourt Winning Streak Against Utah on Tuesday Night at Viejas Arena
San Diego State (23-1 overall; 8-1 Mountain West Conference), ranked sixth in the Associated Press poll, sixth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and fourth in the Rating Percentage Index, puts its three-game winning streak on the line (tied for the longest in the Mountain West) Tuesday night against Utah (10-13 overall; 3-6 MWC) at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl.
The Aztecs will carry a 16-game homecourt winning streak, the eighth-longest active streak in the country (entering Tuesday's games), into the contest. Game time at Viejas Arena, which is sold out for the seventh consecutive game, is set for 7:32 p.m. PT, with television coverage provided by The Mtn. (San Diego Cox Cable 320, DirecTV 616, Orange County Cox Cable 265, Las Vegas Cox Cable 334). The game can also be heard on radio in Southern California on AM 600 KOGO.
The Aztecs ran their winning streak to 32 games against unranked opponents at game time with a 60-53 victory over TCU on Saturday night. Senior forward Billy White scored 19 points, while connecting on 5-of-7 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Senior forward Malcolm Thomas added a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It marked the third time this season and the 44th time since the statistics have been tracked starting in 1979, that two Aztec players have recorded double-doubles in the same game.
The Aztecs never led by more than 11 points in the game, but led the entire second half, marking the eighth straight home game in which SDSU has not faced a second-half deficit. For the 15th time this season, San Diego State held its opponent to 40 percent or less from the field as TCU connected on 39.6 percent from the floor. SDSU converted on 18-of-24 attempts from the line and placed White and Thomas in double figures in the same game for the first time since the UNLV tilt on Jan. 12.
The Aztecs suffered a pair of first-half injuries in the game just minutes apart. Sophomore guard Chase Tapley suffered an injury to his left ankle, while junior forward Tim Shelton suffered an injury to his right foot. Sunday X-rays for both players were negative although their status still remains questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Aztecs and Utes are meeting for the 60th time, with Utah owning a 53-16 series lead. The Aztecs have won three consecutive meetings in the series and are looking for a program-best fourth straight win against Utah. In addition, the Aztecs have won four consecutive meetings between the teams at Viejas Arena. SDSU defeated Utah, 71-62, at the Huntsman Center on Jan. 8. Leonard scored a team-high 20 points in the win for the Aztecs.