Frontcourt
Aztecs: Sophomore JJ O’Brien is coming off his best game after a 15-point and 11-rebound performance against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas this weekend. Senior DeShawn Stephens still has yet to have a breakout performance in conference play, while freshman Skylar Spencer has scored in double figures just once
this season.
The Aztecs will need a solid game from their frontcourt to match Wyoming’s this time around.
Cowboys: Senior Leonard Washington leads the Cowboys’ frontcourt in both scoring and rebounds with 13.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore Larry Nance, Jr. is also having a solid season averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. Both Washington and Nance recorded double-doubles against the Aztecs the last time they faced off in Laramie, Wyo. The Cowboys escaped with a 58-45 upset victory.
Backcourt
Aztecs: The Aztecs’ offensive threat remains in their dynamic backcourt with senior guard Chase Tapley, and junior guards Jamaal Franklin and Xavier Thames. Tapley is coming off his best conference game performance when he scored 22 points, recorded six rebounds with four 3-point shots made against UNLV on Saturday. Franklin still leads the team in scoring with 16.9 points per game, and Thames appears fully healthy again after recording 32 minutes of action against UNLV.
Cowboys: Senior guard Derrious Gilmore leads the Cowboys in the backcourt with 12.5 points and 2.6 assists per game. Although Gilmore’s numbers this season are respectable, the Cowboys are without their leading scorer Luke Martinez, who led the team with 14.5 points per game before being suspended indefinitely after 12 games this season. This puts the Cowboys at a big disadvantage in the backcourt containing Franklin, Tapley and Thames.
Coaching
Aztecs: Head coach Steve Fisher’s team dropped the last two away games at Colorado State and UNLV by less than six. Returning home from two disappointing games, it’s hard to see Fisher dropping a third game in a row now that the team’s back at home.
Cowboys: Head coach Larry Shyatt is in his third season as the head coach of the Cowboys. Since coaching the team, he’s never won on the road at SDSU. If the Cowboys look to come out with a win at Viejas Arena, it’s going to be tough for them sitting next to SDSU’s student section, “The Show.”
Intangibles
Aztecs: After losing by 13 points at Wyoming last month, the Aztecs will look for redemption at home. The Aztecs hope to recover from their two-game losing streak by returning to the friendly confines of Viejas Arena. With Thames back in the lineup this time around, look for the Aztecs to come out aggressive on both ends of the floor.
Cowboys: The Cowboys started the season 12-0, but have struggled in conference play, losing seven games. Currently, the Cowboys are 4-7 in conference play. The Cowboys will face an Aztec team determined not to be swept by another conference opponent.
