Dec. 7, 2015
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Men's Basketball Game Notes | SDSU Broadcast Flip
NEWS AND NOTES
* Just over 24 hours after playing USD at Petco Park on Sunday, San Diego State will return to the hardwood to face Biola in a game to be played on Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena.
* SDSU is opening a season-long five-game homestand. During its time at home, the Aztecs will play host to Biola, Nicholls State, Grand Canyon, Kansas and Mountain West foe Wyoming.
* The Aztecs are making their first appearance at their on-campus facility since defeating East Carolina back on Nov. 23. Since that game, SDSU is 2-2 while playing at three different venues (Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Walter Pyramid in Long Beach and Petco Park).
* The game vs. Biola marks the first time the Aztecs will play consecutive games in consecutive days at different venues since 1988. During the 1987-88 campaign, SDSU played at New Mexico on Feb. 12, 1988, before heading east to UTEP for a game on Feb. 13, 1988.
* Despite playing USD on Sunday and having the task to prepare for the Eagles, the Aztecs have been good at preparing when time is not on their side. Even though San Diego State has had just over 24 hours to game-plan, it is 16-2 in its last 18 regular-season outings when having 24 hours or less to prepare.
* SDSU is forced to quickly turn the page after suffering a 53-48 loss to the Toreros on Sunday. The Aztecs were 3-for-20 from the field in the first half and allowed seven three-pointers to put them 18 points behind at halftime. USD's lead swelled to 21 before SDSU rallied to cut its deficit to one point with 1:16 left, but the designated home team could not seal the deal.
* The loss to the Toreros snapped San Diego State's nine-game series winning streak and left it to defend something the program has been known for doing -- not letting one loss turn into two.
* SDSU has followed its last 22 losses with a victory in the next game, which is the top mark in the country. The Aztecs have successfully accomplished the feat four times this season. San Diego State lost to eventual national champion Duke in the third round of the 2015 NCAA tournament and then opened the campaign by beating Illinois State in the first game of this season. The Aztecs then followed losses to Utah, Little Rock and West Virginia with wins.
* San Diego State has also played 91 straight games without suffering a two-game losing skid. That streak is also on the line vs. Biola.
* The Aztecs are facing Biola for the first time and will be playing in front of what will be the school's 60th straight sellout at Viejas Arena.
* Sophomore guard Trey Kell continued his solid play of late with a team-high 14 points (second straight game leading SDSU in scoring), six rebounds, two assists and zero turnovers in a career-high 34 minutes vs. San Diego. Over the last two games, Kell has averaged a team-high 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and team-best 2.5 assists, and shot 53.8-percent from behind the three-point arc (7-13).
* Sophomore forward Malik Pope has put together his best two performances of the season in games at Long Beach State and vs. USD. Against the 49ers, Pope posted nine points and a career-high eight rebounds before turning in seven points and three rebounds vs. the Toreros. Entering the Biola game, Pope is averaging 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, both of which rank second on the team. He has also knocked down a pair of three-pointers and made six field goals, which are also the second-highest totals on the team over the last two games.