By Jon GoldSenior Staff Writer
They say a measure of a team’s character can be revealed in itsnext game after a tough loss.
If that is the case, then the San Diego State men’s basketballteam will get a good look at itself after tonight’s 7 o’clockshowdown with crosstown rival USD at Jenny Craig Pavilion. SDSU headsto the Jenny Craig Pavilion with a record of 3-2, and will be facinga Torero team that has struggled early in the season.
“We need to make sure we know the importance of the game,” headcoach Steve Fisher said. “And we need to make sure that we come withhigh energy and a higher IQ. If that happens, I think it will be agreat game. It’s a game that no matter how anybody looks, it will behard fought by two very competitive teams.
“We are anxious to get out there and play again.”
The Aztecs head into the contest coming off a disappointing lossto Troy State in which they failed to control the perimeter (TSU shot19-40 from behind the arc) and were uncharacteristically pressuredthroughout the first half. In losing 93-84, SDSU allowed the Trojansto control the pace for much of the game, and could not find aconsistency to its offense, despite putting up its highest pointtotal of the season.
Three players kept the Aztecs in the game from the get-go: AerickSanders, Brandon Heath and Tommy Johnson. When given the ball,Sanders was usually money on the inside, hitting 9-of-12 shots for 21points, and also grabbing 15 rebounds. Guards Heath and Johnson,meanwhile, poured in 21 and 18 points, respectively, while eachposted career highs in either assists (Heath, 5) or steals (Johnson,4).
If the three can repeat their performances, SDSU should be in goodshape.
The Toreros are fresh off the heels of their first win of theseason, a 68-65 victory over Southern Methodist University. A JustinIsham tip-in with 1:12 left in the game gave SMU a 65-64 lead, butMichael Hubbard’s smooth layup with 36 seconds remaining gave USD thelead and the victory.
In crawling to a 1-4 record, USD has had a much different startthan last year’s NCAA Tournament-bound team. However, these are notthe same Toreros that started off the 2002-03 season at 4-1 with anovertime win at UCLA.
Gone are superstar big men Jason Keep and Jason Blair, two membersof the All-West Coast Conference team. Also gone are guards RoyMorris and Matt Delzell, who combined to average more than 20 pointsand five assists a game.
The lone returning starter is junior small forward Corey Belser,and the team lacks leadership with only two returning seniors. Whilethe coaching of Brad Holland has turned this team into a viablecontender in the ever-improving WCC (with fellow Tournament teamsGonzaga and Pepperdine), this team could struggle throughout theseason.
But the Aztecs know that while this team may not be as competitiveas in years past, the rivalry is still as fresh as ever.
“Regardless of record, it’s going to be a dogfight from jump tothe last buzzer,” Sanders said. “This is a respect game. The serieshas gone back and forth throughout the years. I’ve been here throughthe three previous games. It’s just about respect of the town and thefellow players to see who is the best in the city every year.”
