Jan. 27, 2017
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Men's Basketball Game Notes | SDSU Broadcast Flip Card
NEWS AND NOTES (through Jan. 26)
* Winners of three of its last four games, San Diego State opens a two-game homestand on Saturday afternoon against Colorado State. In an odd scheduling twist, the game will mark the final home Saturday game for the Aztecs this season.
* Saturday's game is the first home contest for the Aztecs in two weeks and marks just the third home game in the last 27 days.
* Despite the 3-4 conference record, the Aztecs remain one-game back in the loss column of second place and just two games behind conference leading Nevada.
* In San Diego State's four conference losses, the Aztecs have enjoyed leads of at least 11 points in three of the games and had a shot at the buzzer to force overtime in the fourth game.
* Saturday's meeting marks the 79th encounter between the Aztecs and Rams on the court. SDSU owns a 40-38 series advantage, including a 25-12 advantage at home (15-2 at Viejas Arena). The Aztecs have won four straight in the series and nine of the last 11 get-togethers.
* San Diego State has won the last 13 games played between the teams at Viejas Arena, with the Aztecs last home loss in the series coming on Feb. 1, 2003.
* Once again, San Diego State is the top-ranked defensive unit in the conference. In Mountain West games only, the Aztecs rank first in points allowed (63.6), first in field-goal percentage defense (39.4 percent), third in blocked shots (5.0 bpg) and third in steals (6.7 spg).
* In each of the last three seasons, SDSU has led the Mountain West for all games in points allowed per game and field-goal percentage defense. The Aztecs own the top numbers in league games in both of those categories this season.
* San Diego State has shown remarkable improvement on defense as the season has progressed. Over the last four games, the Aztecs have allowed 56.8 points with opponents shooting just 37.5 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from three-point range. The Aztecs have limited all four opponents to 38.5 percent or less from the field.
* San Diego State has suffered a number of heart-breaking losses this season. Despite being 0-5 in those contests this year, the Aztecs are a remarkable 50-27 (64.9 percent) in games decided by six points or less or in overtime since the beginning of the 2010-11 campaign.
* Sophomore Max Hoetzel continues to be one of the nation's best long-range shooters over the past month, He extended his career-long streak of games with multiple treys to seven by connecting on three treys at Air Force. During that stretch, he is 24-of-46 (52.2 percent). In conference games, he is sixth nationally in three-point field-goal percentage (24-of-46, 52.2 percent) (minimum seven games and 24 three-point field goals made).
* Junior Trey Kell is emerging from a shooting slump. He has scored in double figures a season-high tying four consecutive games, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and connecting on 51.1 percent from the floor during that stretch. Amazingly, he has hit 21-of-31 (67.7 percent) shots inside the arc during the last four games.
* Known as one of the top defenders in the nation, and statistically the best defender in the country last season (see page 47 of the media guide), senior Dakarai Allen is making an impact on both ends of the court. The Aztecs have won 11 of the last 13 times Allen has reached double figures. In his last five games, Allen is averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and has connected on 65.5 percent from the field.