SDSU vs. Fresno State
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Viejas Arena
On the air: CBS Sports Network; 760-AM
Records: SDSU is 17-6 (10-4); Fresno State is 5-21 (1-14)
Series history: SDSU leads 73-56 and has won the last 11 straight, including 84-62 at Fresno State’s Save Mart Center on Dec. 4.
Aztecs update: They began Saturday at 50th in the Kenpom metric and are now 42nd following the 64-47 win against Boise State (when they were projected to win by three). This game presents the opposite challenge – trying to match a projected 20-point margin of victory. Magoon Gwath is such a good shot blocker that he’s still getting blocks two days after the game. After video review of Saturday’s game, Gwath was credited with a sixth block. That breaks the freshman single-game school record, equals the Viejas Arena record for an Aztecs player and matches Nathan Mensah for the most under Brian Dutcher. Gwath also was named Mountain West freshman of the week for the third time and the seventh by an Aztec. In the first meeting against Fresno State, he had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. With 10 points Saturday, Wayne McKinney III ed 1,000 for his career. He got hit in the nose at practice Sunday and was wearing a protective mask Monday. Miles Byrd sprained his (non-shooting) right thumb last week at San Jose State and still has it heavily wrapped. After holding Boise State to its fewest points in a conference loss since ing the Mountain West in 2011-12, SDSU climbed to seventh nationally in Kenpom defensive efficiency.
Bulldogs update: It’s been a rough first year for Vance Walberg, the high school coach who replaced former SDSU assistant Justin Hutson last spring. The only conference win is 74-65 at home against Air Force on Jan. 17. They’ve lost all eight since, although only three were blowouts. Two went to overtime (against Wyoming and San Jose State), and UNLV squeaked out a 52-51 decision Saturday after blowing a 50-39 lead with eight minutes to go. The Bulldogs mixed their defenses in the first game against SDSU, trying a sagging man that left Gwath open on the perimeter (and he went 3 of 4 from 3). Since then, they have played mostly zone. The Bulldogs have six players averaging in double figures, led by JC transfer Amar Augillard at 13.3. Former UNLV recruit Zaon Collins and Jalen Weaver are next at 12.3, followed by Alex Crawford (11.8), Mykell Robinson (10.3) and freshman Elijah Prince (10.2). Crawford and McKinney were teammates at Coronado High. The Bulldogs are allowing 81.7 points, most in the Mountain West by nine. They also rank last in overall shooting (40.5%), 3-point accuracy (30.8%), assists (11.5) and rebounding margin (minus-6.6). They are 255 in Kenpom and 277 in the NET, making this a Quad 4 game for SDSU.
Next up: Saturday at Utah State (5 p.m. PST, CBSSN)
–MARK ZEIGLER
