Non-conference games against ranked teams often determine how a college basketball team will compete for the rest of the season. Not only do these games have significant implications on the national rankings, but they also can make or break a team’s resume by March. The San Diego State Aztecs had two high-intensity, competitive games in the Paycom Wooden Classic against the Georgetown Hoyas on Nov. 25 and the 24th-ranked USC Trojans. The Aztecs outplayed the Hoyas in the preliminary round in the tournament but fell short to the Trojans in the championship game by a score of 58-43.
The Friday night showdown between two of the best west coast college basketball teams was an extremely physical and stingy defensive game. The above-average length of the Trojans front court combined with the grittiness of the Aztecs made for a low-scoring fistfight. The two teams combined for 14 turnovers and 10 blocks. Both sides also committed more than 15 fouls while trying to keep pace with the aggression of the game.
The Trojans led 22-15 at half and expanded off of their lead due to an 18 point, 12 rebound double double from Isaiah Mobley and a combined 26 points and 11 rebounds between Chevez Goodwin and Drew Peterson. These three main scorers for the Trojans contributed to an overall team field goal percentage of 42.1 percent, which was enough to prevail victorious.
The Trojans achieved these offensive numbers despite shooting an abysmal 33 percent from the free throw line, a number that was saved by 15 offensive rebounds in a game where the Aztecs were out-rebounded by nearly 20.
The Aztecs were hardly better than the Trojans at the free throw line with 36.4 percent which didn’t bode well for the Aztecs granted their 17.6 percent three-point efficiency. Trey Pulliam, Lamont Butler, and Aguek Arop were the leading scorers for the Aztecs and combined for 29 points and nine rebounds. Nathan Mensah also made an impact, tallying eight points, while grabbing seven rebounds.
One factor which led to the poor offensive performance of the Aztecs was the Trojans’ game plan to shut down Matt Bradley, which worked effectively. Bradley was visibly frustrated on multiple occasions in the game and had no answer for the extra pressure applied to him on the perimeter. After dealing with foul trouble and coming out of the game multiple times, Bradley finished with three points and four rebounds which was clearly insufficient for the Aztecs offense.
San Diego State is now 4-2 and will have to look to find more offensive chemistry in order to succeed in upcoming non-conference games. The next game for the Aztecs will be a home game against the Long Beach Dirtbags on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena.