Busting Brackets
Fansided

San Diego State Basketball: 2019-20 keys to ending losing streak at The Pit

By John Vaccaro

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: KJ Feagan #10 of the San Diego State Aztecs shoots the ball in the first half against the Boise State Broncos at Viejas Arena on January 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: KJ Feagan #10 of the San Diego State Aztecs shoots the ball in the first half against the Boise State Broncos at Viejas Arena on January 11, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Nathan Mensah #31 of the San Diego State Aztecs (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 21: Nathan Mensah #31 of the San Diego State Aztecs (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Clog the Paint

There are two reasons why the University of New Mexico is the 12th highest-scoring team in the country right now. One is that they play at a very high pace. The other is because they are one of the most effective teams in the country when it comes to scoring inside the arc. So far this season, they’ve made 56.3% of their attempts from 2, which is the 7th best percentage in the country. San Diego State needs to take away the paint at all costs if they are going to win this game.

The defensive end of the floor is where SDSU really shines. Their defense allows the 34th lowest 2 point percentage in the country and the 7th lowest 3 point percentage. There is every reason to believe that this defense could just take everything away from the Lobos and try to make them navigate this defense to manufacture looks. However, I don’t believe that’s necessary in this game or the right way to defend New Mexico right now.

UNM was never exactly a team that was loaded with 3 point shooters. They have Jaquan Lyle and Vance Jackson who can both knock it down, but once you get past those two, they have a tough time finding consistency. Vance Hendrix has stepped up in their absence, but by himself he isn’t enough to make opponents worry about defending the 3. Then there’s Makuach Maluach who is a slightly below average 3 point shooter and is kind of streaky. If Jackson and Lyle aren’t available for this game, then I don’t see any reason why SDSU shouldn’t just dare UNM to shoot from outside.

If those two play, the defense would have to react whenever it’s them lining up at the 3 point line, but should still focus on protecting the paint whenever anybody else has the ball. If somebody drives, then any defender not covering Jackson or Lyle needs to be protecting the lane.

If SDSU can take away the paint like they did for a large stretch of the second half against UNLV on Sunday, then I don’t see a way that UNM finds enough success on offense to deliver SDSU’s first loss of the year.