San Diego State Basketball: Analyzing the Aztecs' 2018-19 rotation

San Diego State Basketball: Analyzing the Aztecs’ 2018-19 rotation

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Nolan Narain #24 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates with teammates after the team defeated the New Mexico Lobos in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. San Diego State won 82-75. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Power Forward

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Nolan Narain (19), Ed Chang (11) and Jalen McDaniels (10)

A couple of years ago Narain was a highly regarded four-star prospect who had several Pac-12 offers along with Gonzaga. So far in the first couple of seasons, he hasn’t looked as advertised overall, just playing 11 minutes a game in 23 games last year while dealing with injuries.

When healthy the 6’10 forward did show promise, averaging 17.3 ppg and 7.4 rpg per 40 minutes while making a ridiculous 44-64 (69%) from the field. We’ve seen many players throughout NCAA Basketball have huge leaps of development in their junior years and Narain could add to that list.

Chang is a versatile forward who picked San Diego State over Nebraska and Ole Miss late in the recruiting process after decommitting from Washington. He’s an outstanding athlete who could play as an undersized forward (assuming that he’s a better overall rebounder than Mitchell) and create mismatches.

McDaniels will split his time between the two post positions next year with Pope gone. After starting on the bench for the first 11 games last year, his quality play and double-double games propelled him into the starting lineup where he’s stayed ever since. The 6’10 forward will be the offensive anchor for the Aztecs in 2018-19.