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Colorado State at San Diego State: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 8, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Trey Pulliam (4) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Cal State Fullerton Titans at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Trey Pulliam (4) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Cal State Fullerton Titans at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The two best teams in the Mountain West face off in Colorado State vs San Diego State. Who will take the early edge in the regular-season title race?

TV schedule: Saturday, January 8th, 4:00 pm ET. CBS

Arena: Viejas Arena in San Diego, California

As has many conferences to this point, covid-related pauses have caused postponements and canceled games. That includes the Mountain West, as big programs such as Boise State and Nevada have recently gone away. However, that has created an opening this week for Colorado State and San Diego to be able to face off this weekend in a prime opportunity on both sides.

Colorado State (11-0, 1-0) has played just one game since December 11th. It was this week in a 67-59 win over Air Force that was much closer than expected. Isaiah Stevens had a team-high 15 points, while big man David Roddy stepped up to produce 13 points and 12 rebounds. They’re one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in the country (Baylor and USC) and have wins over Creighton, Mississippi State, and Saint Mary’s to bolster its resume in case they don’t win the Mountain West Tournament title.

The team most likely to stop the Rams is San Diego State (9-3, 1-0). They opened league play with a 62-55 road win at UNLV last week, led by 17 points and seven rebounds from Matt Bradley. Keshad Johnson had a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds), while Aguek Arop and Chad Baker-Mazara combined with 20 points off the bench.

Although we haven’t seen too much of these teams as of late, the scouting report hasn’t changed. Colorado State has two stars in Roddy and Stevens, along with a solid supporting cast of players that either rebounds/defenders in the frontcourt or make three-pointers from the backcourt. The steady production of their top two guys makes the Rams hard to beat, so the Aztecs will need Bradley to come through with a big individual performance to keep them in this game.

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That being said, San Diego State’s defense is good and physical enough to throw off Roddy and cause problems. And being at home gives them an advantage for this impromptu matchup. In what should be a highly entertaining matchup for the Mountain West, look for the Aztecs to use its homecourt and Bradley to give the Rams their first loss of the season.

Prediction: San Diego State 70, Colorado State 66