San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball
Introduction The '''San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball''' team is the college basketball program that represents San Diego State University, located in San Diego, California. The team currently competes in the Mountain West Conference (MW) and plays its home games at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs began play in 1921 and have been to fifteen NCAA Division I tournaments and six NIT tournaments since joining NCAA Division I in 1969, the best finish coming recently in the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The team previously reached three NCAA Division II tournaments and six NAIA tournaments, winning the latter in 1941.Since joining the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs have won seven tournament championships and nine regular season titles. Former players who went on to achieve notable success in the NBA include Michael Cage and Kawhi Leonard. Other former players have gone on to achieve their most notable successes in other areas, such as Art Linkletter and Tony Gwynn.
Team history The Aztecs first began play during the 1921–22 basketball season. The team played that season, as well as the next three, as part of the Southern California Junior College Conference due to proximity to other schools, despite the fact that that SDSU (then known as San Diego Normal School) was not a junior college itself. The Aztecs joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 1926 following a season as an independent, and competed in the NAIA until 1956, when they transitioned to the newly-founded NCAA Division II. They competed in six NAIA Men's Basketball Championships. Finishing as runners up in 1939 and in 1940, the Aztecs finally prevailed and won the 1941 NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament. After competing in NCAA Division II from 1956 until 1969 they became an NCAA Division I school in the fall of 1969.The Aztecs moved from the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), which is now known as the Big West Conference, to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1978.In 1999, the Aztecs left the WAC and became a charter member of the Mountain West Conference. Prior to entering the Mountain West, the team had been to three NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. During their time in the MWC, the Aztecs have won several conference championships and have been to nine NCAA tournaments and four NIT tournaments. In the 2010–11 season, the Aztecs were ranked as high as 4th in the nation and won their first ever games in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen. Following the 2013–14 season, the team reached its second Sweet Sixteen. In the 2019–20 season, the Aztecs finished with a 30–2 record for their best winning percentage in team history. The team spent seven straight weeks in the top 5 of both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, finishing the season at #6 in both polls. The 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was cancelled at the end of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022-2023 season, the Aztecs reached their third Sweet Sixteen, first Elite Eight with a win over #1 Alabama, and first Final Four. The win over Creighton on March 26 in the South Region Final gave them their first Region championship in program history. On April 1, they became the first team from the Mountain West Conference to reach the National Championship after defeating FAU 72-71 on a buzzer-beating shot by point guard Lamont Butler. In the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game, the Aztecs were defeated by the University of Connecticut Huskies by a score of 59-76.
Rivalries The Aztecs have three rivalries, the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. The rivalry with the Rebels was especially fierce between the years 2010-2013, however the rivalry has cooled down significantly due to the one-sided nature of the affair. San Diego State has won 22 of 24 games against UNLV from 2014-2024.The USD Toreros are the Aztecs' crosstown rivals and play them near-annually in the City Championship. The Aztecs' rivalry with the BYU Cougars has been partially dormant since 2011, when the Cougars left the MWC for the WCC. The teams still play occasionally in non-conference games.
Facilities Cox Arena at Aztec BowlAztecs inside Viejas Arena===Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl===The Aztecs play their home games at Viejas Arena (formerly ''Cox Arena''), which is located on the west side of campus on the footprint of the former Aztec Bowl, where SDSU football played its home games from 1935 to 1966.Viejas Arena opened in 1997 as Cox Arena and seats 12,414 for basketball games. In 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians purchased the naming rights for ten years. The arena features an octagonal scoreboard with video-replay system, that includes up-to-the-minute statistical information on individual players. The facility is also equipped with seven locker rooms, two of which are complete with team rooms, equipment rooms, and a shared training room.Prior to the opening of the arena, men's basketball played its home games primarily at Peterson Gymnasium (located across the street from Viejas Arena and the current home to the Aztec women's volleyball team), and, for more than 30 years, played on-and-off at the San Diego Sports Arena.=== Jeff Jacobs JAM Center ===In 2015, the San Diego State Athletics Department opened an on-campus state-of-the-art practice facility, The Jeff Jacobs JAM Center, for the Aztec men's basketball and women's basketball teams.
Head coaches As of the  2022 Media Guide Name Seasons RecordPercentage C.E. Peterson  1921–1926  70–30  .700 Tom McMullen  1926–1929  23–17  .575 Morris Gross 1929–1942  190–85  .690 Don DeLauer  1942–1943  14–9  .609 Alex Alexander  1943–1945  17–26  .395 Charlie Smith 1945–1948  45–36  .563 George Ziegenfuss  1948–1969  316–229  .580 Dick Davis  1969–1974  65–67  .492 Tim Vezie  1974–1979  77–62  .554 Smokey Gaines  1979–1987  112–117  .489 Jim Brandenburg  1987–1991  52–87  .356 Jim Harrick Jr. (Interim coach) 1992  0–7  .000 Tony Fuller 1992–1994  20–37  .351 Fred Trenkle  1994–1999  55–83  .399 *Steve Fisher  1999–2017  386–209  .648 Brian Dutcher  2017–Present  151–46  .766:''Through April 2nd 2023.''
Postseason ===NCAA Division I tournament results===The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 15 times, with a combined record of 11–15.They have reached the Sweet Sixteen three times, in 2011, 2014, and 2023; in the latter year they reached the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the National Championship, all for the first time. Additionally, at 30–2 and ranked in the Top 10 they were considered a virtual lock for the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 1975 N/A Round of 32    L 80–90 1976 N/A Round of 32  UCLA  L 64–74 1985  13  Round of 64  (4) UNLV  L 80–85 2002  13  First Round  (4) Illinois  L 64–93 2006  11  First Round  (6) Indiana  L 83–87 2010  11  First Round  (6) Tennessee  L 59–62 2011  2  First RoundRound of 32Sweet Sixteen  (15) Northern Colorado(7) Temple(3) Connecticut  '''W''' 68–50'''W''' 71–64 2OTL 67–74 2012  6  First Round  (11) NC State  L 65–79 2013  7  First RoundRound of 32  (10) Oklahoma(15) Florida Gulf Coast  '''W''' 70–55L 71–81 2014  4  First RoundRound of 32Sweet Sixteen  (13) New Mexico State(12) North Dakota State(1) Arizona  '''W''' 73–69 OT'''W''' 63–44L 64–70 2015  8  First RoundRound of 32  (9) St. John's(1) Duke  '''W''' 76–64L 49–68 2018  11   First Round  (6) Houston  L 65–67 2021  6   First Round  (11) Syracuse  L 62–78 2022  8   First Round  (9) Creighton  L 69–72 OT 2023  5   First RoundSecond RoundSweet SixteenElite EightFinal FourNational Championship  (12) Charleston (13) Furman (1) Alabama(6) Creighton(9) Florida Atlantic (4) UConn  '''W''' 63–57 '''W''' 75–52 '''W''' 71–64 '''W''' 57–56 '''W''' 72–71 L 59–76===NCAA Tournament seeding history===''The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1978 edition with the present seeding format beginning the following year. ''Years →'85'02'06'10'11'12'13'14'15'18'21'22'23'''Seeds →'''131311112674811685===NIT results===The Aztecs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times, with a combined record of 8–6.1982  First round  UC Irvine  L 69–70 2003  First roundSecond Round  Texas Tech  '''W''' 67–62L 57–48 2007  First roundSecond Round  Syracuse  '''W''' 74–70L 64–80 2008  First round  Florida  L 49–73 2009  First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinals  Kansas StateBaylor  '''W''' 65–49'''W''' 70–52'''W''' 70–66L 62–76 2016  First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinals  IPFWWashingtonGeorgia TechGeorge Washington  '''W''' 79–55'''W''' 93–78'''W''' 72–56L 46–65===NCAA Division II tournament results===The Aztecs appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament three times, with a combined record of 5–3.1957  Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight    '''W''' 75–56'''W''' 81–78L 55–57  1967  Regional semifinalsRegional FinalsElite Eight    '''W''' 101–73'''W''' 88–71L 76–77 3OT  1968  Regional semifinalsRegional 3rd-place game  UC Irvine  L 69–78'''W''' 79–72 ===NAIA tournament results===The Aztecs have appeared in the NAIA tournament five times. Their combined record is 15–4.They were NAIA national champions in 1941.1939  First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship    '''W''' 49–25'''W''' 41–36'''W''' 49–41'''W''' 49–39L 31–32 1940  First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship    '''W''' 36–35'''W''' 48–46'''W''' 32–30'''W''' 30–28L 42–52 1941  First roundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship    '''W''' 46–29'''W''' 46–41 OT'''W''' 44–42'''W''' 43–40'''W''' 36–34 1942  First roundSecond Round    '''W''' 36–29L 32–41 1956  First roundSecond Round    '''W''' 77–64L 60–69
Retired jerseys On January 16, 2020, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring former small forward Kawhi Leonard's number 15 jersey on February 1, 2020.Following Leonard's jersey retirement, some confusion circulated regarding statements that Leonard was the first player in Aztecs history to have his jersey retired, as the school ceremoniously retired former power forward and center Michael Cage's number 44 jersey in 1984.On December 29, 2023, the Aztecs announced that they would be retiring three more jerseys in a "Return to the Rafters" ceremony on January 17, 2024.The players honored were Milton "Milky" Phelps, Judy Porter, and Michael Cage. This ceremony resolved the prior confusion regarding Cage's jersey retirement. '''San Diego State Aztecs retired numbers''' No.PlayerPos.CareerYear ret.Ref. '''15'''  Kawhi Leonard SF  2009–2011  2020  '''22'''Milton PhelpsC/PF1937-19412024'''44'''Michael CageC/PF1980–19842024}
Team records ===All-time record vs. current MWC teams===Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MWC opponents as of the completion of the 2022–2023 season: Opponent Games Played Won Lost Percentage Streak First MeetingAir Force 88 64  24    Won 8 1973–74Boise State29 18  11    Lost 1 1976–77Colorado State94 51  43    Won 4  1961–62Fresno State126 70  56    Won 81939–40Nevada32 25  7    Lost 1 1956–57New Mexico93 44  49    Won 1 1975–76San Jose State82 47  35    Won 11 1936–37UNLV80 43  37    Won 6 1965–66Utah State26 18  9    Won 4 1962–63Wyoming91 50  41    Won 101978–79'''Totals''''''741''''''430''''''311''''''''':''Through March 14th, 2023. ''===Career Leaders (DI Era)===As of the 2022-23 Media Guide  Career Scoring LeadersSeasonsPlayerPoints 2004–07  Brandon Heath  2,189 1981–84  Michael Cage  1,846 1983–86  Anthony Watson  1,735 2009–13  Chase Tapley 1,526 2017-21  Matt Mitchell 1,471 2015–18  Trey Kell 1,403 2012–16  Winston Shepard  1,403 2016–19  Jeremy Hemsley  1,392 1973–76  Steve Copp  1,307 2008–11  Billy White 1,294 Career Rebound LeadersSeasonsPlayerRebounds 1981–84  Michael Cage  1317 2018-23  Nathan Mensah 899 2004–06  Marcus Slaughter  775 1973–76  Steve Copp   737 1982–85  Leonard Allen  724 2009–11  Kawhi Leonard  716 1974, 1976–79  Joel Kramer  711 2012–16  Winston Shepard 708 2000–04  Aerick Sanders  686 2013–16  Skylar Spencer  652 Career Assist LeadersSeasonsPlayerAssists 1978–81  Tony Gwynn  590 2006–09  Richie Williams 479 1994–97  Chad Nelson  412 2004–07  Brandon Heath  394 1974–77  Mark Delsman   376 1983–86  Anthony Watson  356 1982–83  Keith Smith  349 2008–11  D.J. Gay 344 2001–03  Deandre Moore  339 2015–18  Trey Kell 320 Career Steals LeadersSeasonsPlayerSteals 2006–09  Richie Williams 246 2004–07  Brandon Heath  217 1983–86  Anthony Watson  192 2009–13  Chase Tapley 197 1994–97  Chad Nelson  175 2007–11  Billy White 149 1978–81  Tony Gwynn   141 2006–09  Kyle Spain  137 1980–83  Eddie Morris  131 2017–21  Matt Mitchell 129 Career Games played LeadersSeasonsPlayerGames2018-23Adam Seiko1542018-23Nathan Mensah146 2012–16  Skylar Spencer  144 2007–11  D.J. Gay  140 2012–16  Winston Shepard 1392018-23Aguek Arop135 2016–19  Jeremy Hemsley  134 2015–18  Trey Kell  134 2009–13  Chase Tapley 134 2007–11  Billy White 134 Career Minutes played LeadersSeasonsPlayerMinutes 2004–07  Brandon Heath  4,275 1981–84  Michael Cage 4,262 2007–11  D.J. Gay  4,222 2009–13  Chase Tapley 3,813 2006–09  Richie Williams 3,780 1994–97  Chad Nelson  3,692 2015–18  Trey Kell  3,640 2016–19  Jeremy Hemsley  3,632 2012–16  Winston Shepard 3,583 2007–11  Billy White 3,532 Career Blocks LeadersSeasonsPlayerBlocks 2012–16  Skylar Spencer  303 2018–23 Nathan Mensah 235 1982–85  Leonard Allen  214 2009–11  Malcolm Thomas 127 1981–84  Michael Cage 118 1991–93  Joe McNaull  114 2015–18  Malik Pope 113 2000–04  Aerick Sanders  105 2007–11  Billy White 102 1997-01  Marcelo Correa  100 Career Wins LeadersSeasonsPlayerWins 2018–23  Adam Seiko  1202018–23Nathan Mensah112 2012–16  Skylar Spencer  109 2007–11  D.J. Gay 105 2012-16  Winston Shepard 104 2009–13  Chase Tapley 1032018-23Aguek Arop102 2007–11  Billy White 101 2013–17  Dakarai Allen 99 2017–21  Matt Mitchell 96===Single Season Leaders (DI Era)===(*) Lead conference Season Scoring Leaders Season Player Points PPG 1983–84  Michael Cage  686  24.5 2006–07  Brandon Heath  637  19.3 2013–14  Xavier Thames 633  17.5 1985–86  Anthony Watson  630*  22.5 2005–06  Brandon Heath 607*  18.4 2019–20  Malachi Flynn 564  17.6 2012–13  Jamaal Franklin 560  17.0 2001–02  Randy Holcomb 558  16.9 2011–12  Jamaal Franklin 557  17.4 2010–11  Kawhi Leonard  557  15.5 Season Rebound Leaders Season Player Rebounds RPG 2010–11  Kawhi Leonard  380*  10.6 1980–81  Michael Cage  355*  13.1 1982–83  Michael Cage 354*  12.6 1983–84  Michael Cage  352*  12.6 1971–72  Chris McMurray  350  12.5 2013–14  Josh Davis 342  10 2009–10  Kawhi Leonard  336*  9.9 2005–06  Marcus Slaughter  329*  11 2012–13  Jamaal Franklin 312  9.4 2010–11  Malcom Thomas 301  8.1 Season Assists Leaders Season Player Assists APG 1979–80  Tony Gwynn  221*  8.2 1981–82  Keith Smith  212*  7.3 1977–78  Dean Decker  176  6.3 2003–04  Wesley Stokes  175  5.8 1984–85  Creon Dorsey   171*  5.5 1980–81  Tony Gwynn 164  6.3 1975–76  Ray Leary  163  5.6 2019–20  Malachi Flynn 163  5.1 1978–79  Tony Gwynn 153*  5.7 2006–07  Richie Williams 151  4.6 Season Steals Leaders Season Player Steals SPG 2008–09  Richie Williams 77*  2.1 1984–85  Anthony Watson  74  2.4 2006–07  Richie Williams 69*  2.1 1998–99  Matt Watts   65*  2.6 1989–90  Michael Best  65  2.2 2006–07  Brandon Heath 64  1.9 2004–05  Brandon Heath 63*  2.2 1995–96  Raymond King  63  2.2 1984–85  Creon Dorsey  63  2.0 2006–07  Lorrenzo Wade  62  1.9 Season Blocks Leaders Season Player Blocks 2014–15  Skylar Spencer  91 2013–14  Skylar Spencer  89 1984–85  Leonard Allen  82 2010–11  Malcolm Thomas  75 2015–16  Skylar Spencer  72 2021-22  Nathan Mensah  71 2022-23  Nathan Mensah  64 2016–17  Valentine Izundu   53 2009–10  Malcolm Thomas 52* 2012–13  Skylar Spencer  51===Single Game Leaders (DI Era)=== Most Points in a game Date Player  Points  Opponent February 20, 1986  Anthony Watson  54  USIU March 3, 1979  Kim Goetz  44  Utah February 9, 1979  Kim Goetz  42  Colorado State February 5, 1980  Eddie Morris  41  UNLV February 6, 1984  Michael Cage  40  Wyoming Most Rebounds in a game Date Player  Rebounds Opponent December 29, 1980 Michael Cage  26  LaSalle February 24, 1979  Steve Malovic  23  New Mexico State December 21, 1971  Chris McMurray  23  Chapman University March 13, 2010  Kawhi Leonard  21  UNLV February 6, 1984 Michael Cage  21  Wyoming Most Assists in a game Date Player  Assists  Opponent February 5, 1980  Tony Gwynn 18  UNLV March 7, 1981  Tony Gwynn  16  New Mexico State February 14, 1980  Tony Gwynn  14  New Mexico State December 11, 1976  Dean Decker  14  UNLV February 12, 1985 Creon Doresy  13  LBSU* '''All stats are from the  and are updated through the 2022–2023 basketball season.'''
Notable former players Several former Aztec men's basketball players have gone on to play in the NBA, play in other professional basketball leagues, or achieve significant notability outside of basketball. National Basketball Association (NBA) Player Position NBA Debut Team (s) Joel Kramer  SF  1979  Phoenix Suns Steve Malovic  PF  1980  Washington Bullets, San Diego Clippers, Detroit Pistons Rock Lee C  1982  San Diego Clippers Michael Cage  PF/C  1985 Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets Steffond Johnson  PF  1987  Los Angeles Clippers Randy Holcomb  SF  2006  Chicago Bulls Kawhi Leonard  SF  2012  San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers Malcolm Thomas  PF  2012  San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers Jamaal Franklin  SG  2014  Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets J. J. O'Brien  SF  2016 Utah Jazz Zylan Cheatham  PF  2019  New Orleans Pelicans Jalen McDaniels  SF  2019  Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto RaptorsMalachi FlynnPG2020Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Jordan Schakel  SG/SF  2021  Washington Wizards Nathan Mensah  C  2023  Charlotte Hornets Overseas Professional Leagues Player Position  League Team (s) Brandon Heath  G  NBL (Bulgaria)  BC Levski Sofia Hubert Roberts  C  Ligat HaAl (Israel)  Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Haifa, Rishon LeZion Marcus Slaughter  C/PF Liga ACB (Spain)  Real Madrid Baloncesto Jamaal Franklin  SG  CBA (China)  Zhejiang Lions Yanni Wetzell  PF/C  NBL (Australia)  South East Melbourne Phoenix, New Zealand Breakers Billy White  PF   NBL (Canada)  Halifax Hurricanes, Moncton Magic, Windsor Express Xavier Thames  G  LKL (Lithuania)  BC Jonava Other sports Player Known for Team (s) Tony Gwynn  Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder  San Diego Padres (MLB)Tony ClarkBaseball first baseman and MLBPA union leaderDetroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres (MLB) Media Player Known for  Appearances Art Linkletter  Television personality  Host of ''House Party''Host of ''People are Funny''
See also * San Diego Hall of Champions* Breitbard Hall of Fame* San Diego sports curse
References
External links *