San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Aztecs ready for round two of MWC Tourney against Rebels

Photo by Monica Linzmeier, Photo Editor
Photo by Monica Linzmeier, Photo Editor

The San Diego State men’s basketball is set for round two of the 2014 Reese’s Mountain West Conference Championships at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev. This is the home arena of their opponent, the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels.

SDSU beat UNLV both times this season, but it’s a Friday night in Las Vegas in a do-or-die matchup at 6 p.m. tonight. The Aztecs were victorious yesterday against Utah State, and the Rebels overcame a well-represented Wyoming crowd to take down the Cowboys.

Here’s what to watch for in this game.

 Offense

—Aztecs: The Aztecs aren’t the best shooting team in the conference, but if they replicate the 52.5 percent that they shot yesterday against Utah State, then they should be in good position to win. Senior guard Xavier Thames, who won the Mountain West Player of the Year award, scored 15 points to go with seven assists. Senior forward Josh Davis also had eight points, six steals and 13 rebounds.

—Rebels: The Rebels have a two-headed monster with junior forward Khem Birch and junior forward Roscoe Smith. Smith had 18 points and 13 rebounds against Wyoming and was a force inside. With these two, they lead the conference in rebounding.

Advantage: Aztecs

Defense

—Aztecs: They led in five defensive categories in the conference this season, including giving up just 57.2 points per game. In the press conference after the Utah State game, sophomore forward Winston Shepard said defense wins championships. The defense has been the focal point of SDSU’s success this year.

—Rebels: The Rebels can block shots and they lead the conference this season with 6.6 per game. They have been vulnerable at times this season, and that was shown last night against Wyoming as the Cowboys had many open shots.

Advantage: Aztecs

Intangibles

—Aztecs: They are the No. 1 seed in the tournament, ranked eighth in the country, and they won the conference outright in the regular season. They might have a target on their backs as the No. 1 seed, but Head Coach Steve Fisher thinks the team will play well. The Aztecs also have that calming presence of Fisher on the bench

—Rebels: This season they’ve come up short of their expectations, but all of that can change with a big win in the tournament on their home court against SDSU. They will have the crowd advantage, and the comfort of playing at home against a top team.

Advantage: Rebels

 

Score prediction:

SDSU 66

UNLV 59

Photo by Monica Linzmeier, Photo Editor

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Aztecs ready for round two of MWC Tourney against Rebels