Aztecs Face Dangerous Rams in Wednesday Night Clash: Could This Be a Trap Game?

The San Diego State Aztecs are set to host Colorado State on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. The game is broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and 760-AM radio, offering fans ample opportunity to follow the matchup.

SDSU holds a 14-5 overall record and an impressive 8-1 mark in Mountain West play. Colorado State, meanwhile, has struggled somewhat with a 12-8 overall record and 3-6 in conference games. Despite the difference in standings, the contest carries significant implications for both teams.

Series History and Context

The Aztecs lead the all-time series 53-45 and have claimed six of the last eight meetings. Last season, each team won at home, with SDSU defending Viejas Arena with a 75-60 victory and CSU returning the favor at Moby Arena with a 68-63 win. These results highlight the roughly even competitive balance between these Mountain West rivals, underscoring the unpredictability of the Wednesday game.

Colorado State’s Challenges and Strengths

Colorado State opened the season strong under new head coach Ali Farokhmanesh with a 9-2 non-conference record. They recorded notable wins over three KenPom top-100 teams: Wichita State, South Florida, and Colorado. Their 3-6 start in Mountain West play is somewhat misleading. The Rams faced six of the conference’s top teams early, including two games against second-place Utah State.

Key players have recently returned from injury. Leading scorer Kyle Jorgensen, who averages 13.4 points per game, and 6-foot-7 forward Rashaan Mbemba (250 pounds) missed extended time but are now healthy. Jorgensen scored 24 points on five three-pointers in the narrow loss to Utah State, a game where CSU turned the ball over 21 times but remained competitive. Other contributors include Brandon Rechsteiner (12.2 PPG), Josh Pascarelli (12.1 PPG), and Carey Booth (10.9 PPG).

Offensively, Colorado State relies heavily on perimeter shooting. They rank second nationally in three-point accuracy at 41.3%, making an average of 11.3 threes per game and shooting 48.6% from beyond the arc over their last three contests. However, their defensive struggles persist, ranking 217th nationally due to limited rim protection. CSU plays at the slowest tempo in Division I basketball, managing only 61.8 possessions per game.

SDSU Faces a Trap Game

San Diego State enters this game fresh off a convincing 82-71 road win at UNLV. The Aztecs have a crucial top-of-the-standings showdown scheduled against Utah State on Saturday, which will be nationally televised on CBS. This sets up Wednesday’s matchup against the Rams as a potential trap game.

Colorado State’s style — heavy reliance on accurate 3-point shooting — matches well against the Aztecs, who have struggled to contain shooters this year. Opponents shoot roughly the national average of 33.3% from three but generate 38.9% of their points on such shots, the eighth-highest rate nationally. A slip-up by SDSU could severely damage their NCAA Tournament résumé and lead to a congested Mountain West standings with many teams separated by one or two losses.

Reese Dixon-Waters scored 13 points in Saturday’s win, surpassing 1,000 career points and becoming the 13th player to reach that milestone under coach Brian Dutcher’s nine-year tenure. Injuries remain an issue for SDSU, with Magoon Gwath sidelined for a second straight game and listed as “doubtful” for the contest.

What To Watch

1. How will SDSU’s defense adapt to CSU’s elite shooting from deep?
2. Can Colorado State limit turnovers and stay competitive against a top-10 Mountain West team?
3. Will the Aztecs maintain momentum heading into their marquee game against Utah State?

The Aztecs’ 7:30 p.m. start marks the beginning of a stretch where they tip off at nonstandard times, which may impact rhythm and preparation. Their next game is against Utah State on Saturday morning, further emphasizing the importance of Wednesday’s performance.

This matchup presents a pivotal moment in the Mountain West conference race. Both teams possess contrasting identities and motivations that could produce an unpredictable outcome in San Diego’s Viejas Arena. The implications extend beyond a single game, affecting tournament placement and season momentum.