San Diego State Basketball: 5 reasons why Aztecs can win 2019-20 national title

2. San Diego State can score as well as they defend

Since the Steve Fisher era, the Aztecs have been known as one of the best defensive units in the country. It was always hard for opponents to score on them, especially when possessions are usually limited in a slower-paced game. That hasn’t changed much under Brian Dutcher, although this season has been vintage San Diego State defense.

Ranked 4th nationally in scoring defense at 57.7 ppg, the Aztecs have been difficult to score on all season. They’ve only allowed 70+ points twice this season (BYU and Iowa) and is in the top-10 in both field goal defense (37%) and three-point defense (28%). Between the size down low and the havoc-creating guards on the perimeter, San Diego State gives teams fits all over the court.

What’s made this Aztec team different from the recent past ones has been how efficient they are on offense. The 75.2 ppg is even more impressive when you consider that they aren’t as fast-paced as some of the others, which in part is due to their defense. The opponents at times are using all 30 seconds to find a good look against this vaunted defense.

But when San Diego State does shoot the ball, it goes in at a high rate. They rank in the top-20 in three-point percentage (38%) and is one of the better passing teams. The Aztecs are also top-50 in free throw shooting and rebound very well. The only complaint you could have about this team is that their frontcourt players don’t spread the floor but sliding Mitchell over to the four-spot is a good remedy.