Busting Brackets
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Mountain West Basketball: 2019-20 power rankings heading into conference play

By Connor Hope

RENO, NEVADA - MARCH 09: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives to the basket during the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on March 09, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA - MARCH 09: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives to the basket during the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on March 09, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Both Gach #11 of the Utah Utes guards Malachi Flynn #22 of the San Diego State Aztecs (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Both Gach #11 of the Utah Utes guards Malachi Flynn #22 of the San Diego State Aztecs (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

. 14-0 (3-0). . Aztecs . 1. team. 508

The San Diego State Aztecs are not only the most pleasantly surprising team in the Mountain West, but they are also probably the most surprising team in the entire country. They are still undefeated, after beating Fresno State by nine points, and the top team in the NCAA’s NET Rankings.

The Aztecs’ success can be attributed to their stifling defense and the offensive prowess of point guard Malachi Flynn. Flynn, a transfer from Washington State, has become one of the most reliable three-point shooters in the country and uses the opponent’s defensive focus to rack up assists to his teammates. He is also averaging 1.8 steals per game for the nation’s seventh-best scoring defense.

Behind Flynn, the Aztecs have a strong rotation of players who all execute on their roles at a high level. KJ Feagin, a Santa Clara transfer, may not be scoring at the same rate as he was for the Broncos, but he is arguably the team’s second most important player for what he does elsewhere.  Between Yanni Wetzell, Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shakel, and Nathan Mensah, the length of the Aztecs in the frontcourt help their defense thrive.

5 Mountain West questions for rest of season. dark. Next

This Aztecs team is one that can legitimately go undefeated until March, assuming they win their road game against Utah State on Saturday. Head Coach Brian Dutcher has done an excellent job of putting together a dominant roster, that has aced every test they have encountered so far. At the end of the season, it would not be surprising to see the Aztecs earn a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.