San Diego State Basketball: 3 keys to beat Alabama in Sweet 16 matchup

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Bradley #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs drives the baseline as he is guarded by Ricky Council IV #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half of the game during the Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

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San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports /

Maintain the defensive intensity

San Diego State has been a superb defensive team all season, but they’ve seemingly taken it up a notch in March. They held a high-scoring Charleston team to just 57 points on 32 percent shooting in the first round, then followed it up by holding Furman to just 52 on 32 percent two days later.

What’s amazing about the Aztec defense is that they do so even though they don’t force a lot of turnovers. Charleston had ten and Furman had nine, which were both below each team’s season averages. Instead, San Diego State plays great team defense, rotates incredibly well, and forces difficult shots underneath.

Of course, it does help that the Aztecs feature a stellar rim-protector in Nathan Mensah, who averages 1.6 blocks per game. Mensah has never been much of an offensive weapon, but the senior has a 7’4″ wingspan, helping him impact every shot in the lane. He’ll have to be ready to go in this one, but it’s the perimeter defense that may have the largest impact on SDSU’s chances. They’ve done a great job slowing down the guards of Furman and Charleston, but Alabama is a whole different animal.