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 school's team currently competes in the Mountain West Conference, and play their home games in Viejas Arena. The team began play in 1921 and have been to 6 NAIA tournaments winning in 1941, 3 NCAA Division II tournaments, 5 NIT tournaments, and 12 NCAA Division I tournaments. Since joining the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs have won 5 MWC tournaments. Former players who went on to achieve notable success in other areas are Art Linkletter and Tony Gwynn.

Team history [ edit ]

The Aztecs first began playing during the 1921–22 basketball season as part of the Southern California JC conference.[2] They competed in Division III until 1956. They competed in 6 NAIA tournaments. Runners up in 1939 and in 1940, the Aztecs finally prevailed and won the 1941 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.[3] They became a NCAA Division I school in 1970 and moved to the Western Athletic Conference in 1978.[4] In 1999 the Aztecs left the WAC and became a charter member of the Mountain West Conference.[5] Prior to entering the Mountain West, they went to 3 NCAA Conference tournaments. During their time in the MWC, the Aztecs have won 4 conference tournaments and have been to 8 NCAA tournaments and 4 NIT tournaments.[5] In 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.[6]

Rivalries [ edit ]

The Aztecs have three major rivalries, the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. Their primary rival is the UNLV Rebels, especially in recent years with some memorable showdowns. The USD Torereos are the Aztecs crosstown rivals and play them annually through non-conference play, also known as the City Championship. The Aztecs rivalry with the BYU Cougars is inactive since 2011 when the Cougars left the MWC for the WCC, although it is now widely recognized that the New Mexico Lobos have since filled that position.

Facilities [ edit ]

The Aztecs play their home games at Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena), which is located on the west side of campus. Viejas Arena opened in 1997 as Cox Arena and seats 12,414 for basketball games.[7] In 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians purchased the naming rights for ten years.[8] The arena features an octagonal scoreboard with video-replay system, that includes up-to-the-minute statistical information on individual players.[8] The facility is also equipped with seven locker rooms, two of which are complete with team rooms, equipment rooms, and a shared training room.[8]

Prior to the opening of the arena, men's basketball played its games at Peterson Gym and, for more than 30 years, at the San Diego Sports Arena.[9][10][11]

Head coaches [ edit ]

Name Seasons Record Percentage 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 339–185 .647 Brian Dutcher 2017–Present 22-11 .667

Season-by-season results [ edit ]

A major portion of information retrieved from the San Diego State Aztecs Men's Basketball Website Archives

SDSU Basketball Archives

NAIA era [ edit ]

a b Tom McMullen coached the first 7 games of the 1928–29 season before being replaced by Morris Gross. ^ DeLauer and Mitchell were co-head coaches.

Division II era [ edit ]

Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason George Ziegenfuss (California Collegiate Athletic Association) (1956–1968) 1956–57 George Ziegenfuss 17–10 6–2 1 Lost NCAA DII Quarter-Finals 1957–58 George Ziegenfuss 17–8 9–1 T-1 1958–59 George Ziegenfuss 17–8 7–3 2 1959–60 George Ziegenfuss 9–17 2–3 6 1960–61 George Ziegenfuss 10–14 3–7 6 1961–62 George Ziegenfuss 10–16 5–7 5 1962–63 George Ziegenfuss 17–9 8–4 T-2 1963–64 George Ziegenfuss 15–11 6–4 3 1964–65 George Ziegenfuss 14–11 5–5 3 1965–66 George Ziegenfuss 14–12 6–4 T-2 1966–67 George Ziegenfuss 24–5 9–1 1 Lost NCAA DII Quarter-Finals 1967–68 George Ziegenfuss 21–6 11–3 1 Lost NCAA DII 1st Round George Ziegenfuss (Independent) (1968–1969) 1968–69 George Ziegenfuss 10–15 – George Ziegenfuss: 195–142 77–44 Dick Davis (Pacific Coast Athletic Association) (1969–1970) 1969–70 Dick Davis 13–13 3–7 5 Dick Davis: 13–13 3–7 Total: 208–155 National champion Postseason invitational champion

Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion

Division regular season champion Division regular season and conference tournament champion

Conference tournament champion

Division I era [ edit ]

Aztecs inside Viejas Arena

Pacific Coast Athletic Association Season Head Coach Conference Overall Conference Tournament Post Season 1970–71 Dick Davis 3–7 (5th) 12–14 1971–72 Dick Davis 7–5 (3rd) 18–10 1972–73 Dick Davis 7–5 (3rd) 15–11 1973–74 Dick Davis 4–8 T-(4th) 7–19 1974–75 Tim Vezie 6–4 (2nd) 14–13 Lost NCAA 1st Round 1975–76 Tim Vezie 5–5 T-(3rd) 16–13 Champion Lost NCAA 1st Round 1976–77 Tim Vezie 9–3 T-(1st) 13–15 Lost 1st Round 1977–78 Tim Vezie 11–3 T-(1st) 19–9 Lost Semi-Finals

Western Athletic Conference Season Head Coach Conference Overall Conference Tournament Post Season 1978–79 Tim Vezie 4–8 T-(5) 15–12 1979–80 Smokey Gaines 3–11 T-(7th) 6–21 1980–81 Smokey Gaines 8–8 (5th) 15–12 1981–82 Smokey Gaines 11–5 T-(2nd) 20–9 Lost NIT 1st Round 1982–83 Smokey Gaines 8–8 T-(5th) 18–10 1983–84 Smokey Gaines 6–10 T-(6th) 15–13 1984–85 Smokey Gaines 11–5 (2nd) 23–8 Champion Lost NCAA 1st Round 1985–86 Smokey Gaines 7–9 (6th) 10–19 Lost Semi-Finals 1986–87 Smokey Gaines 2–14 T-(8th) 5–25 Lost Quarter-Finals 1987–88 Jim Brandenburg 5–11 (7th) 5–23 Lost Quarter-Finals 1988–89 Jim Brandenburg 4–12 (9th) 12–17 Lost First Round 1989–90 Jim Brandenburg 4–12 (8th) 13–18 Lost First Round 1990–91 Jim Brandenburg 6–10 T-(7th) 13–16 Lost Quarter-Finals 1991–92 Jim Brandenburg* 0–16 (9th) 2–26 1992–93 Tony Fuller 3–15 T-(9th) 8–21 Lost Quarter-Finals 1993–94 Tony Fuller 6–12 (9th) 12–16 Lost Quarter-Finals 1994–95 Fred Trenkle 5–13 (9th) 11–17 Lost Quarterfinals 1995–96 Fred Trenkle 8–10 T-(6th) 15–14 Lost Quarter Finals 1996–97 Fred Trenkle 4–12 (7th) 12–15 1997–98 Fred Trenkle 5–9 (6th) 13–15 Lost Quarter Finals 1998–99 Fred Trenkle 2–12 (8th) 4–22

* Jim Harrick Jr. coached the final 7 games of 1991–92 season.

Postseason [ edit ]

NCAA Division I tournament results [ edit ]

The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament 12 times. Their combined record is 6–12.

Year Seed Round Opponent Results 1975 Round of 32 UNLV L 80–90 1976 Round of 32 UCLA L 64–74 1985 #13 Round of 64 #4 UNLV L 80–85 2002 #13 Round of 64 #4 Illinois L 64–93 2006 #11 Round of 64 #6 Indiana L 83–87 2010 #11 Round of 64 #6 Tennessee L 59–62 2011 #2 Round of 64

Round of 32

Sweet Sixteen #15 Northern Colorado

#7 Temple

#3 Connecticut W 68–59

W 71–64 2OT

L 67–74 2012 #6 Round of 64 #11 NC State L 65–79 2013 #7 Round of 64

Round of 32 #10 Oklahoma

#15 Florida Gulf Coast W 70–55

L 71–81 2014 #4 Round of 64

Round of 32

Sweet Sixteen #13 New Mexico State

#12 North Dakota State

#1 Arizona W 73–69 OT

W 63–44

L 64–70 2015 #8 Round of 64

Round of 32 #9 St. John's

#1 Duke W 76–64

L 49–68 2018 #11 Round of 64 #6 Houston L 65–67

NCAA Division II tournament results [ edit ]

The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament three times. Their combined record is 5–3.

Year Round Opponent Results 1957 Regional Semifinals

Regional Finals

Elite Eight Chapman

Regis

Cal State Los Angeles W 75–56

W 81–78

L 55–57 1967 Regional Semifinals

Regional Finals

Elite Eight Portland State

Nevada Southern

Illinois State W 101–73

W 88–71

L 76–77 3OT 1968 Regional Semifinals

Regional Finals UC Irvine

UC Davis L 69–78

W 79–72

NAIA tournament results [ edit ]

The Aztecs have appeared in the NAIA Tournament six times. Their combined record is 15–5. They were NAIA National Champions in 1941.

Year Round Opponent Results 1939 First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

National Championship Northern State

East Texas State

Manchester

Peru State

Southwestern (KS) W 49–25

W 41–36

W 49–41

W 49–39

L 31–32 1940 First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

National Championship Central State(OK)

Appalachian State

Pittsburg State

Delta State

Tarkio W 36–35

W 48–46

W 32–30

W 30–28

L 42–52 1941 First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

National Championship Western Montana

Culver-Stockton

Texas Western

West Texas State

Murray State W 46–29

W 46–41 OT

W 44–42

W 43–40

W 36–34 1942 First Round

Second Round Chadron State

Bemidji State W 36–29

L 32–41 1954 First Round Pasadena L 87–90 1956 First Round

Second Round Alderson-Broaddus

Gustavus Adolphus W 77–64

L 60–69

NIT results [ edit ]

The Aztecs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times. Their combined record is 8–6.

Year Round Opponent Results 1982 First Round UC Irvine L 69–70 2003 First Round

Second Round UC Santa Barbar

Texas Tech W 67–62

L 57–48 2007 First Round

Second Round Missouri State

Syracuse W 74–70

L 64–80 2008 First Round Florida L 49–73 2009 First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals Weber State

Kansas State

Saint Mary's

Baylor W 65–49

W 70–52

W 70–66

L 62–76 2016 First Round

Second Round

Quarterfinals

Semifinals IPFW

Washington

Georgia Tech

George Washington W 79–55

W 93–78

W 72–56

L 46–65

Team records [ edit ]

All-time record vs. current MWC teams [ edit ]

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MWC opponents as of the completion of the 2017–2018 season:

[12] [13][better source needed] [14]

Career leaders [ edit ]

Career Scoring Leaders Seasons Player Points 2004–07 Brandon Heath 2,189 1981–84 Michael Cage 1,846 1983–86 Anthony Watson 1,735 2009–13 Chase Tapley 1,526 1955–57 Tony Pinkins 1,475 2012–16 Winston Shepard 1,403 1952–54 Bob Brady 1,389 1973–76 Steve Copp 1,352 2015–19 Jeremy Hemsley 1,304 2007–11 Billy White 1,294

Career Rebound Leaders Seasons Player Rebounds 1981–84 Michael Cage 1317 1966–68 Al Skalecky 1090 2004–2006 Marcus Slaughter 775 1963–65 Larry Meek 764 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

Career Assist Leaders Seasons Player Assists 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 2001–03 Deandre Moore 339 2011–14 Xavier Thames 316 2012–16 Winston Shepard 315

Career Steals Leaders Seasons Player Steals 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 1998–99 Matt Watts 126 1989–90 Michael Best 126

Career Games played Leaders Seasons Player Games 2012–16 Skylar Spencer 144 2007–11 D.J. Gay 140 2012–16 Winston Shepard 139 2009–13 Chase Tapley 134 2007–11 Billy White 134 2006–09 Richie Williams 127 2004–07 Brandon Heath 125 2005–09 Matt Thomas 124 2003–06 John Sharper 119 1982–85 Leonard Allen 116 2006–09 Kyle Spain 115

Career Minutes played Leaders Seasons Player Minutes 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 2012–16 Winston Shepard 3,583 2007–11 Billy White 3,532 1983–86 Anthony Watson 3,330 1982–85 Leonard Allen 3,191 2012–16 Skylar Spencer 3,104

Career Blocks Leaders Seasons Player Blocks 2012–16 Skylar Spencer 303 1982–85 Leonard Allen 214 2009–11 Malcolm Thomas 127 1981–84 Michael Cage 118 1991–93 Joe McNaull 114 2000–04 Aerick Sanders 105 2007–11 Billy White 102 1997-01 Marcelo Correa 100 2004–06 Marcus Slaughter 78 2007–09 Lorrenzo Wade 72

Single season leaders [ edit ]

(*) Lead conference

Season Scoring Leaders Season Player Points PPG 1983–84 Michael Cage 686 24.5 2006–07 Brandon Heath 637 19.3 1985–86 Anthony Watson 630* 22.5 2005–06 Brandon Heath 607* 18.4 1952–53 Bob Brady 585 20.9 2012–13 Jamaal Franklin 560 17.0 2011–12 Jamaal Franklin 557 17.4 2010–11 Kawhi Leonard 557 15.5 1982–83 Michael Cage 547 19.5 1984–85 Anthony Watson 544 17.5

Season Rebound Leaders Season Player Rebounds RPG 1966–67 Al Skalecky 394 13.6 2010–11 Kawhi Leonard 380* 10.6 1965–66 Al Skalecky 356 13.7 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 1967–68 Al Skalecky 340 12.6 2009–10 Kawhi Leonard 336* 9.9 2005–06 Marcus Slaughter 329* 11

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 1978–79 Tony Gwynn 153* 5.7 2006–07 Richie Williams 151 4.6 1995–96 Raymond Kelly 150 5.2

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 1989–90 Michael Best 65 2.2 1998–99 Matt Watts 65* 2.6 1995–96 Raymond King 63 2.2 2004–05 Brandon Heath 63* 2.2 1988–89 Michael Best 61 2.3 1997–98 Matt Watts 61 2.2 2011–12 Chase Tapley 60 2.3

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 2009–10 Malcolm Thomas 52* 2012–13 Skylar Spencer 51 1983–84 Michael Cage 47 1990–91 Marty Dow 46 1983–84 Leonard Allen 46

Single game leaders (DI era) [ edit ]

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

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

All stats are from the Aztecs official record book and are updated through the 2010–2011 basketball season.

Notable former players [ edit ]

Media Player Known for Appearances Art Linkletter Television personality Host of House Party Host of People are Funny

See also [ edit ]