San Diego State Basketball: 3 keys for Aztecs to move to 27-0 against UNLV

Just keep Shooting

It may be hard to believe, but I actually think San Diego State is getting better from behind the 3 point line as we close in on the end of the regular season. Their 38.4% 3 point percentage for the year was already impressive and good enough to be the 9th best percentage in the country, but they have improved that number to 43.1% over their last 5 games. That number is higher than the current best 3 point percentage in the country (42% by BYU). It also works out really well for them that they’re about to play a team whose defense has been pretty awful against the 3 this year.

UNLV is allowing opponents to make 34% of their 3 point attempts this season, which is above the national average. Interestingly, UNLV was actually the last team to hold SDSU below 35% shooting, but I believe that was at least partially explainable by SDSU having a cold shooting night on the road.

The key for San Diego State to win this game is going to be for them to just keeping letting it fly from outside. I don’t expect to see UNLV repeat their defensive performance from the last matchup between these teams. I’m also a firm believer that you stick to whatever has been proven to work for you and for SDSU, making it rain from 3 is what has worked for them time and time again against their Mountain West opponents.

Staying hot from 3 will also help them keep winning as we get into tournament season. The biggest threat to most teams in tournaments is running into an opponent who just refuses to miss. It’s a lot easier to negate that when you can also let it fly with impunity.

Right now, that’s the kind of team SDSU is. They are red-hot shooting the ball and can just let loose with no regard for consequences. If they keep that up in this game, then they are going to be just about impossible to beat.