The San Diego State Aztecs come into the season with most of their team back, and one of the most dangerous defenses in all of basketball.
CBB Review is once again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the 2022-23 season. Each day we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Coming in ranked number 20 are the San Diego State Aztecs.
San Diego State will bring back 4 out of their 5 starters, and most of the rest of their rotation. They will be a very experienced team, and it will make them one of the more dangerous teams in college basketball.
Last season they fell just short of titles, and advancing in the NCAA tournament. They finished one game behind Boise State for the Mountain West Conference title, lost to Boise State by one in the Mountain West Championship Game, and lost to Creighton in OT of the first round of the NCAA tournament. They will be back for vengeance this season.
To those who have not, click here to learn more about our preseason top 100 teams heading into the 2022-23 college basketball season.
Head Coach: Brian Dutcher (6th season overall and at San Diego State)
2021-2022 Record: 23-9 (13-4)
2022 Postseason Finish: NCAA Tournament Round of 64 Exit
Notable Departures: Joshua Tomaic (Graduated), Trey Pulliam (Graduated)
Projected Rotation:
PG: Darrion Trammell (5-10, 175, Sr.)
2021-22 stats: 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals (Seattle)
SG: Lamont Butler (6-2, 195, Jr.)
2021-22 stats: 7.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals
SF: Matt Bradley (6-4, 220, Jr.)
2021-22 stats: 16.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 40.1 3P%
PF: Keshad Johnson (6-7, 225, Sr.)
2021-22 stats: 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 65.1 2P%
C: Nathan Mensah (6-10, 230, Sr.)
2021-22 stats: 7.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 blocks
6: Adam Seiko (6-3, 210, Sr.)
2021-22 stats: 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 40.4 3P%
7: Jaedon Ledee (6-9, 240, Sr.)
2020-21 stats: 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds (TCU)
8: Micah Parrish (6-6, 200, Jr.)
2021-22 stats: 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals (Oakland)
9: Elijah Saunders (6-8, 240, Fr.)
247 Sports Composite #188 overall ranked recruit
10: Aguek Arop (6-7, 225, Sr.)
2021-22 stats: 3.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals
11: Miles Byrd (6-7, 175, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #160 overall ranked recruit
12: Demarshay Johnson (6-10, 210, Rs.-Fr.)
247Sports Composite #194 overall ranked recruit (2021)
Team MVP: Matt Bradley
After coming off a Mountain West All-Conference First Team selection, Matt Bradley is in prime position to do that once again for San Diego State. He is an elite scorer that can take most defenders off of the bounce.
He has been very comfortable running both isolations and pick and rolls. In a San Diego State offense that was just average, individual scoring creation falls a lot onto Bradley’s shoulders.
He also became a lot better off of the ball last season, ranking in the 96th percentile on catch and shoot 3s per Synergy. Most of these are contested threes, but he is such a good shooter that it did not really matter. He is going to have to do that once again this season.
On the defensive end, Bradley improved a lot last season. It helps being on one of the best defenses in the country, but Bradley played his part on that end, doing what was needed of him.
Make or Break Player: Nathan Mensah
The reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year will be the favorite to win that once again. He anchors the top notch defense from the inside, averaging 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last season. His defensive presence allows guards to play physical, knowing that if there man gets past them, Mensah will be waiting near the rim.
On the offensive end, he is more of a high energy player, looking to set screens, cut, and get offensive put backs. If he can add a consistent post game, this offense will be able to take it a step up this upcoming season.
Analytic to Know: 2nd in Defensive Efficiency
San Diego State’s defense was not fun for offenses to go up against. They play physical which allows them to force turnovers and contest a lot of shots. They had the 5th best defensive eFG%, and the 27th best defensive TO%. With most of the team back, this defense is going to be super legit once again, competing for the top defense in college basketball.
Team Outlook
San Diego State will be the favorites in the Mountain West Conference, and they have a real chance to do some damage come March. If you love defense (or just good basketball) make sure to check them out as much as possible.
A good thing about their schedule is they will have some quality matchups early in the season. Their non conference schedule consists of matchups with BYU, Ohio State, Stanford, Arizona or Cincinnati, and Saint Mary’s.
The Mountain West Conference is once again going to be a lot of fun, with a few teams having legitimate chances to make the NCAA tournament. However, only one looks to have a real chance of going far in the tournament right now, and that is San Diego State. With one of the best defenses in the country, the Mountain West will be going through San Diego State.