Busting Brackets
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Can San Diego State basketball finish undefeated in conference play?

By Matt Wadleigh

Jan 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Dakarai Allen (4) celebrates with forward Winston Shepard (13) and guard Jeremy Hemsley (42) during the first half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Dakarai Allen (4) celebrates with forward Winston Shepard (13) and guard Jeremy Hemsley (42) during the first half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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As of today, San Diego State basketball is 9-0 in  the Mountain West. With 9 games left in conference play, the Aztecs look like the front-runner and the clear-cut favorite to win the MWC.

After losing six games in their brutal non-conference slate, the Aztecs have responded by winning 9 straight, all league games. Their RPI is rising each week, and they even received a vote for the AP top 25 that was released on Monday.

Despite tough losses to cross-town rival USD, as well as a pair of home losses to Arkansas-Little Rock and Grand Canyon, the Aztecs have a win against California on their resume. Their other three losses were at Utah, in Vegas against West Virginia, and at Viejas Arena against Kansas, who was ranked second in the nation at the time.

Still, after all those blips in the road, Steve Fisher and his team has stuck together and is now 2 and a  half games ahead of New Mexico for the conference lead.

In fact, the only team the Aztecs haven’t played yet is New Mexico, who they will face in San Diego on February 6. The Aztecs have defeated every other team to date, and play five of their remaining nine at Viejas, including 2 road games in California.

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While some of the games haven’t been pretty, the Aztecs have time and time again found a way to win. Just last week, the SDS shot a dismal 28 percent from the field, but somehow, someway came out with a win on the road against Nevada.

The Aztecs then went to UNLV and had no problems with the Rebels, winning 67-52. Not to mention getting back Matt Shrigley, who had missed all season up to this point recovering from a torn ACL.

Perhaps the reason for the Aztecs turn around has been their defense. Ever since Steve Fisher has come aboard, it seems as if they are always one of the toughest teams to face defensively. KenPom.com currently has San Diego State ranked second in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. Coach Fisher’s bunch also have allowed their opponents to shoot just 40 percent from inside the arc this year, which is also good for second in the nation.

While the wins haven’t been pretty at times, this group has found ways to win. Halfway through the conference schedule and zero losses, the pressure is on for the Aztecs. This team has played in the Big Dance more often than not over the past decade, and last year lost to eventual champion  Duke in the third round. Just a few years before that, the Aztecs lost to then-eventual champion Kemba Walker and the UCONN Huskies.

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These Aztecs are a tough team every year, and despite their lack of offense at times, they look like one of the most dangerous teams in the whole country. We will have to wait and see how this plays out. Will they finish 18-0 in the Mountain West heading into the conference tourney?  Or will they have a hiccup against a sub-par group of teams?  Only time will tell.