Inform me for those who’ve heard this earlier than: San Diego State is a No. 5 seed and is dealing with the top-overall seed within the Candy 16.
Additionally inform me for those who’ve heard this earlier than: the Aztecs are squaring off in opposition to the UConn Huskies within the Large Dance.
One season in the past, Brian Dutcher’s staff knocked off No. 1 Alabama within the regional semifinal to safe this system’s first-ever spot within the Elite Eight. Ten days later, the Aztecs met UConn for the nationwide championship, however the Huskies prevailed 76-59 to win their fifth title (all within the final 25 years).
Now, San Diego State is a five-seed as soon as once more and is matched up with UConn — the top-overall seed on this 12 months’s Match. The 2 will sq. off Thursday night time at TD Backyard for a spot within the Elite Eight.
“We type of had just a little bitter style in our mouth after they beat us final 12 months,” San Diego State senior ahead Jaedon LeDee stated after the Aztecs’ second-round win over Yale. “We get to play them once more, they usually’re a terrific staff.”
This 12 months marks the fourth straight NCAA Match that SDSU has superior previous the primary spherical. It’s also the fourth time it has reached the Candy 16.
The Aztecs will look to say their second ever win over a No. 1 seed (presently 1-2). They’ll search for their first win over Connecticut because the Huskies received every of the primary two matchups – final 12 months’s title recreation and the 2011 Candy 16.
“We’re excited to get one other crack at them,” SDSU senior guard Darrion Trammell stated. “Clearly, they received the nationwide championship final 12 months, however I really feel like we had been proper there. Simply to get one other likelihood at it, I believe we’re prepared for the chance.”
In final 12 months’s title recreation, San Deigo State trailed by 12 at halftime earlier than pulling inside 5 with just a little greater than 5 to play. From that time, UConn closed the sport by scoring 16 of the ultimate 20 factors.
Regardless of developing one win wanting this system’s first nationwide title, the Aztecs demonstrated an innate capacity to drag out shut video games. They received each the nationwide semifinal (over Florida Atlantic) and regional ultimate (over Creighton) by one level. 4 of the 5 wins throughout March Insanity final 12 months got here by seven or fewer factors.
“I reference [the championship game run] when I attempt to increase their confidence and say they’ve acquired expertise on the most important stage,” Dutcher stated. “That is nothing new to them. Go on the market, and revel in it. Play fearless. That is the time of 12 months to be fearless. Don’t fear about making a mistake. Play your greatest. Now we have expertise within the Match, and I believe a few of that have confirmed over the past two video games.”
The primary two video games this 12 months have adopted very comparable trajectories to final 12 months for SDSU. Within the first spherical in opposition to a 12-seed, the Aztecs pulled out a slim victory. San Diego State topped UAB 69-65 on Friday. The Aztecs noticed their 12-point second half lead evaporate as they trailed with 5 minutes to go. They scored 12 of the final 19 factors to safe the win.
Two days later, San Diego State routed Yale 85-57 within the second spherical behind 52.7% taking pictures. It led wire-to-wire by scoring the primary 10 factors of the competition. It’s the second straight season SDSU beat a 13-seed by no less than 20 factors.
LeDee has been on hearth this NCAA Match and notched 32 factors and eight rebounds within the first spherical and 26 factors on 9-for-12 taking pictures and 9 boards in spherical two.
Trammell was additionally in double figures within the win over Yale with 18 factors, 5 rebounds and three steals. In eight profession NCAA Match video games, Marin Metropolis, Calif., native is averaging 11.4 factors per contest.
“I like the competitors,” he stated. “I like the prospect to point out who I’m, the place I come from. Simply the chance to do this, I believe that’s what makes me play higher right now and with a lot confidence.”
SDSU has participated in 11 of the final 14 NCAA Tournaments (which doesn’t embody the 2019-20 season when it was 30-2 when the postseason was cancelled as a consequence of COVID-19). Because the begin of the 19-20 marketing campaign, the Aztecs have received 80.2% of their video games, which is third greatest within the nation behind Gonzaga and Houston.
Dutcher is in his seventh season main the Aztecs. Because it gears as much as play the No. 1 staff within the nation, SDSU has posted a 14-9 file (.609 successful share) in opposition to AP High 25 groups below Dutcher, which is the very best mark within the nation with no less than 20 video games. Previous to him taking on the reigns of this system, San Diego State was 29-98 (.228) in opposition to ranked groups.
“We’ll go on the market, and we’ll play in a hostile surroundings in Boston in opposition to a terrific UConn staff and see the place it finally ends up,” Dutcher stated. “That’s the fantastic thing about enjoying these video games. So, we’re going to go in with a gameplan and with a bunch of fellows that imagine they will win, and we’ll see the place it ends.”
The winner of the San Deigo State-UConn regional semifinal can have a date with both No. 2 Iowa State or No. 3 Illinois for a spot within the Last 4.
