The San Diego State Aztecs went into an extremely tough environment Jan. 29 and destroyed the New Mexico Lobos and their home-game win streak of 13 games.
The Aztecs continue to remain the last unbeaten team in college basketball, improving to 22-0 on the season. The Lobos fall to 16-7.
Recent losses for the Lobos are the result of four players being either removed or suspended from the team including JaQuan Lyle and Carlton Bragg Jr. The Aztecs have not had success in “The Pit” in recent years but that didn’t seem to matter in the blowout; the Aztecs led by 35 at one point in the second half.
San Diego State was led by KJ Feagin, Malachi Flynn, Jordan Schakel and Matt Mitchell among others. Feagin led the team with 18 points and recorded four assists. Flynn scored 12 points, six assists and four rebounds. Schakel scored 11 with nine rebounds, and Matt Mitchell scored 12 with five assists.
On the other side of the ball, a short-handed New Mexico team, who put up a weak effort, was led by Corey Manigault with 12 points and four rebounds.
San Diego State continues to prove their depth and how effective their bench can be late in the game. This game was definitely the best example so far this season of a “team effort,” shooting nearly 60% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, picking up 23 assists and seven blocks.
The Lobos have won many upset games at home in the past including the demolition of No. 6 Nevada last year by 27. However, the Aztecs were a very uneven match against the shorthanded Lobos, and it showed straight from tip-off.
The Aztecs enjoyed an early 17-0 run and made a season-high 15 three-pointers.
A problem for many of the Aztecs opponents this season has been finding out which player to guard with how deep the Aztecs roster is, even with a limited roster (Aguek Arop not in the lineup and Nathan Mensah not able to make a possible return until after the NCAA tournament has started). The Aztecs have yet to face a team with a similar amount of depth yet this season, this being a key component of their success.
Although the Mountain West is an extremely tough conference to have to compete in as far as road games go due to the high altitude and electric fanbases, the Aztecs have a very good chance of running the table in the Mountain West and finishing the regular season undefeated.
That would almost certainly give the Aztecs a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday, with many analysts already projecting the Aztecs as a top seed in the tournament.
They have a relatively easy schedule for the remainder of the season, aside from a Saturday night matchup with the preseason-favorited Utah State and the final game of the season in Reno against the Nevada Wolfpack.
The Aztecs return to the court Feb. 1 against Sam Merrill and the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena in San Diego.
The Aztecs have already beaten the Mountain West preseason-favorites in Logan this year by nine, but Craig Smith and the Aggies are never an easy opponent.
Kawhi Leonard will be in attendance and have his jersey retired at halftime. The game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. PT.