Buckle up, basketball fans—San Diego State University's Aztecs are gearing up for what could be another thrilling chapter in their storied men's basketball saga, aiming to reclaim their spot in the big leagues after a near-miss last season. But here's where it gets controversial: with a coach who's been at the helm for nearly a decade, are they stuck in a rut, or is this the steady hand needed for glory?
As the Aztecs kick off their 105th season of men's basketball this Friday with an exhibition matchup against UCLA, excitement is building in San Diego. For those new to college hoops, an exhibition game is like a friendly warm-up scrimmage before the real competition begins—it's not official, but it gives teams a chance to test strategies and chemistry without the pressure of points counting toward the record. SDSU's coming off a solid 21-10 overall finish in the 2023-24 campaign, including a 14-6 slate in the Mountain West Conference, which landed them in fourth place. That performance earned them an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they unfortunately bowed out in the First Four round against North Carolina. Now, the team is hungry to make it back to March Madness for the seventh time in the last eight years—a streak that speaks volumes about their resilience, even if it sometimes feels like they're the bridesmaid, not the bride.
Leading the charge is Head Coach Brian Dutcher, who steps into his ninth season with an impressive career mark of 198 wins against just 68 losses. And this is the part most people miss: he's the only coach in SDSU history to rack up 20 or more victories in each of his first eight seasons. That's not just consistency; it's a testament to building a program that performs year after year, but could this long tenure also mean stagnation? Some fans argue it's time for fresh energy, while others swear by Dutcher's proven formula.
On the court, the Aztecs are bringing back four key starters from last year's squad: senior wing Reese Dixon-Waters, guard Miles Byrd, guard B.J. Davis, and center Magoon Gwath. These returning players form the backbone of the team, providing experience and continuity—think of them as the veterans who know the playbook inside out. Additional familiar faces include Pharaoh Compton, Taj DeGourville, and Miles Heide, who add depth and reliability. Meanwhile, newcomers are shaking things up: Latrell Davis, transferring in from San Jose State; Sean Newman Jr. from Louisiana Tech; Jeremiah Oden from Charlotte; and freshmen Elzie Harrington and Te Simmons, who bring fresh talent and potential to elevate the squad.
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The regular season officially launches on November 4 at Viejas Arena against Long Beach State, but fans have an early treat with that high-profile exhibition at home on October 17 versus UCLA. Here's the full 2024-25 schedule for San Diego State Men's Basketball—note that conference dates could still shift:
- October 17: UCLA (exhibition)
- October 29: USD (exhibition)
- November 4: Long Beach State
- November 9: Idaho State
- November 18: Troy
- November 24: at Michigan
- November 25: at Oregon
- November 26/27: at TBD
- December 3: Utah Valley
- December 10: Lamar
- December 17: Air Force*
- December 20: at Arizona
- December 22: Whittier College
- December 30: at San Jose State*
- January 3: Boise State*
- January 6: at Nevada*
- January 10: Fresno State*
- January 13: at Wyoming*
- January 17: New Mexico*
- January 20: at Grand Canyon*
- January 24: at UNLV*
- January 27: Colorado State*
- January 31: at Utah State*
- February 3: Wyoming*
- February 7: at Air Force*
- February 14: Nevada*
- February 17: Grand Canyon*
- February 21: at Colorado State*
- February 24: Utah State*
- February 28: at New Mexico*
- March 3: at Boise State*
March 7: UNLV*
Denotes Mountain West Conference games, which are crucial for playoff positioning.
As SDSU chases another NCAA berth, questions linger: Is Brian Dutcher's extended leadership a strength or a liability in today's evolving game? Do you think the returning stars will lead them to victory, or will the new blood spark a revolution? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the praise for the coach, or is it time for change? Let's debate!
