Dec. 25, 2014
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Game Notes | SDSU Broadcast Flip Card
NEWS AND NOTES (all notes through Dec. 22 games)
* San Diego State concludes its non-conference schedule vs. San Diego Christian. The game is the third of a season-long four-game homestand.
* The schools that are separated by 11 miles are meeting for the fifth consecutive season. SDSU has won the previous four, including last year's 93-41 victory at Viejas Arena.
* All four of San Diego State's wins in the series have come by double digits and by an average of 34.0 points.
* San Diego State has won 46 straight games vs. teams from the state of California (see list below). SDSU will play four more regular-season games, San Diego Christian included, against schools from the Golden State.
* SDSU is looking to tie the all-time program record for longest home winning streak. After dismissing UC Riverside on Monday for its 21st straight home win, San Diego State is search of consecutive home victory No. 22, which would match the standard originally set from 1966-68.
* The Aztecs enter the San Diego Christian game having won 51 consecutive non-conference home games against teams unranked in either poll at the time of the game. Its last such loss was a 62-56 setback to Northern Colorado on Jan. 9, 2008.
* SDSU is looking, for the ninth straight season, to accumulate 10 non-conference victories before the start of conference action.
* San Diego State has held all seven of its opponents at home to under 60 points this season and as a group, foes are averaging 47.3 points against the Aztecs. The 47.3 points allowed by SDSU is the second-lowest in the nation among teams that have played at least six home games (see list below). The Aztecs' opponent field-goal percentage (.344) in games played at Viejas Arena, meanwhile, is tied for ninth nationally (minimum six home games).
* In the game vs. UC Riverside, the Aztecs limited the Highlanders to 33 points, including 11 in the first half, and to 27.5-percent shooting. The 33 points were the second-fewest San Diego State has allowed since at least 1996-97. The fewest occurred earlier this year when it held Bakersfield to 27 points (Nov. 20).
* Dating to last season, eight straight SDSU foes have been unable to crack the 60-point barrier. Additionally, San Diego State has not allowed an opponent to reach 70 points inside Viejas Arena since Feb. 23, 2013 (307 days on game day).
* Viejas Arena is one of the toughest places for opponents to escape with a win. San Diego State is 96-8 since 2008-09 in home games (see list below) and is a perfect 7-0 this season.
* Once again this season, San Diego State is one of the top defensive teams in the nation. The Aztecs rank 10th in scoring defense (54.7), 18th in field-goal percentage defense (36.6), 20th in blocked shots per game (5.8) and 26th in fewest fouls per game (15.5). KenPom has SDSU sixth nationally in defensive efficiency.
* Senior forward JJ O'Brien has quietly put together back-to-back solid games, averaging 12.5 points on 11-for-16 shooting (.688), 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals. It is his best two-game stretch since opening the season with averages of 12.5 points (8-for-19 shooting; .421), 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals. In fact, in nine SDSU wins, O'Brien is averaging 10.8 points while connecting on 37 of his 67 field-goal attempts (.552).
* Senior guard Aqeel Quinn has been solid whether it is off the bench or in a starting role. Two of his three double-figure scoring performances have been off the bench and he has comitted one turnover of less in seven of his nine games played. Quinn is also SDSU's top three-point threat, having made 18 despite not playing in three games due to a left-hand injury.