San Diego State Basketball: 3 keys to an Aztecs’ NCAA Tournament run
By Connor Hope
Defense, Defense, Defense
Whenever the Aztecs have a successful season, their defense is usually the catalyst that makes them competitive. This season, despite giving up the most points per game since 2006-07, San Diego State is once again one of the more efficient teams in the country on that end of the floor.
Ranked 36th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency, the Aztecs’ pressure has led to their current nine-game win streak. Heading into the tournament, the defense will be even more important to the Aztecs than it was in the Mountain West.
Of the seven possible matchups the Aztecs could face prior to the Elite Eight, five of them have a KenPom top-35 adjusted defensive efficiency and they all have relatively solid offenses. The Aztecs will be in quite a few defensive battles if they make a run, and their offense is not as strong compared to the top teams in the region.
If San Diego State can slow down the game and play efficient offense, they have a strong shot at a couple wins. if they get into up-and-down games with a lot of buckets, they are doomed.