NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early preseason mid-major top-25 for 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: The Utah State Aggies celebrate their victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Ed Chang #23 of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts after San Diego State defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 65-56 a semifinal game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

14. San Diego State Aztecs

2018-19 season record: 21-13 (11-7 in Mountain West)

Considering the talent on the roster, this was a disappointing season overall for the Aztecs. Things got more difficult when their best player Jalen McDaniels elected to go pro after producing 15.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg this season. He, leading scorer Devin Watson and veteran guard Jeremy Hemsley are now gone, forcing Coach Dutcher to go back in the transfer market to replenish the talent pool.

San Diego State was able to grab KJ Feagin, who averaged 17.5 ppg and 4.5 apg on 37% shooting from deep. Injuries limited the former Santa Clara guard to just two games played, allowing him to go elsewhere as a grad transfer.

Feagin joins another transfer in Malachi Flynn, who put up 15.8 ppg and 4.3 apg at Washington State two seasons ago. These two will make up the starting backcourt for the Aztecs, which will cause problems on the perimeter. Both are sound passes but can also play off the ball as well. Double-digit scorer Matt Mitchell will start at the wing while rising junior Jordan Schakel will provide needed depth on the perimeter.

The frontcourt will be a bigger question now that McDaniels is gone. Freshman center Nathan Mensah played great towards the end of last season, and if one of Ed Chang, Joel Mensah or Nolan Narain takes the leap at the power forward spot, the Aztecs will have a formidable starting lineup.

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