San Diego State Basketball: Key non-conference matchups for 2022-23 season

San Diego State Basketball’s non-conference schedule has finally come out. Who are the top matchups to watch for the Aztecs?

San Diego State Basketball not only is one of the most consistent mid-major programs in the country, but they also are one of the best out west and usually makes the NCAA Tournament. Part of that is that the program schedules tough in the non-conference and tends to win enough to help build a resume worthy of March Madness.

That being said, the Aztecs don’t win all of them, including three of the eight non-conference games last season. None of them were bad, including road losses at BYU and Michigan, as well as a neutral site defeat to top-25 USC. They did get some legitimately good victories, including against Saint Mary’s and Arizona State. The team also beat Georgetown but that win proved to not mean much.

San Diego State would like to have some more meaningful wins this upcoming season versus another strong slate of foes. Here are the key matchups to watch from this newly released schedule.

BYU Cougars – Nov 11th (H)

The Cougars won last season’s matchup in Provo, 66-60 thanks to a combined 30 points from Alex Barcello and Te’Jon Lucas. Neither are back but Coastal Carolina transfer Rudi Williams should be a nice fill-in at point guard. But the rest of the roster is shaky including in the frontcourt, which Nathan Mensah should be able to dominate again after 18 points a year ago.

Stanford Cardinal – Nov 15th (A)

The Aztecs’ defense will be tested by what should be an improved offense, led by returning wing Harrison Ingram and Davidson sharpshooting transfer Michael Jones. Both of these teams are solid defensively and it could come down to the matchup between Ingram and Matt Bradley to decide things.

Ohio State Buckeyes – Nov 21st (Maui Invitational opener)

The first game of the Maui Invitational is against a new-look OSU squad that doesn’t have stars E.J. Liddell and Malachi Branham. There’s a lack of starpower at the top but plenty of depth in the rotation that’ll test San Diego State. On paper, it’s an even matchup that should provide an entertaining result.

Saint Mary’s Gaels – Dec 1st (N)

San Diego State won last season’s matchup, 63-55 in what was an expected slow-paced and defensive slugfest. The Gaels lost a couple of key pieces in Matthias Tass and Tommy Kuhse but brings back Logan Johson to run the offense.

Saint Mary’s is perfectly comfortable playing at the Aztecs’ style and pace but the concern is that they struggle to score even more. If that’s the case this season, the Mountain West program should be able to win again.