San Diego State was the final unbeaten team and a major contender in the season before the pandemic, never getting their chance to shine in the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Three years later, their breakthrough happened in a major way, marching all the way to the national championship game, including that historic buzzer beater in the Final Four. Since then, not a lot has gone the way of the Aztecs or head coach Brian Dutcher.
After making five straight trips to the Big Dance, the Aztecs fell short last season, finishing the year 2nd in the Mountain West with a record of 22-11. Prior to the season, San Diego State had pretty high expectations and did not live up to them, with injuries and inconsistent play bringing the team down these last couple of seasons.
Transfer portal has been busy
Another major factor in the recent disappointments has been roster retention, as many major pieces have been pulled away in the transfer portal. This past offseason alone saw the Aztecs shed Miles Byrd, BJ Davis, Pharoah Compton, Magoon Gwath, and a few others to power conference programs. Throw in a few departing seniors like Reese Waters and you’ve got a lot of new faces in San Diego once again.
That lack of retention has made it more difficult for Dutcher and company to build the kind of roster they want, but the pressure is on in another way this season. The Aztecs have joined the new Pac-12 and are clearly one of the most prominent programs in this newly revamped conference. We’ll dive into the incoming freshmen and transfers, alongside the returning players, but the clear question is if this mix of talent can help San Diego State make an early statement in their new league.
Projected Starters
Guard – Chance Gladden (Sophomore)
One of several important transfers throw into the mix, Gladden is a 6-3 guard from Raleigh who spent a very productive season at Boston University. The All-Patriot League guard put up 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in that first collegiate season and will assume a significant role with the Aztecs. Not only will he run the show at the point, but he’ll factor into San Diego State’s defense in a major way.
Guard – Elzie Harrington (Sophomore)
An actual returning player of note from last season, Harrington put up solid numbers in his first season with the Aztecs, albeit an injury-shortened campaign. The former Top 75 prospect averaged 8.0 points and 2.3 assists despite missing time with a leg injury late in the year. His combination of size and athleticism has always exciting this staff, who’ll need him to take a big step into a leadership role as a sophomore.
Guard – Isaiah Sy (Senior)
A late addition in the offseason, Sy is a 6-7 wing originally from France who’s landing at his third school for his fourth collegiate campaign. After great work at the JUCO level, Sy had two years with Oregon State in the WCC, averaging 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds as a starter for the Beavers last season. He’s a veteran player with starting experience and a versatile athlete who’ll see time all over the court alongside some solid shooting numbers.
Forward – Tae Simmons (Sophomore)
The other returner of note, Simmons is a 6-6 forward from Simi Valley, California who played decent minutes off the bench as a true freshman. His first year at San Diego State saw him with 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds a night, though a largely role beckons in year two. His familiarity with this system and his basketball IQ combine with his strength and scoring potential, giving the Aztecs what they hope is one of their next frontcourt stars.
Forward – Bear Cherry (Senior)
The Aztecs saw him up close at UNLV a few years ago but now Cherry gets his shot in the Pac-12. A 6-11 forward and San Diego native, Cherry was a successful junior college player who then averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game with the Runnin’ Rebels. Cherry spent last season at Sacramento State and put up great numbers in six games before suffering a season-ending injury. The Aztecs hope he can be their defensive anchor who can be a reliable post scorer as well.
Key Reserves
Guard – David Torresani (Freshman)
After his work in professional leagues overseas, Torresani is a new face that adds experience and pro potential in this backcourt. A 6-2 guard from Milan, Italy, he’s a skilled player with intriguing potential and pretty decent size for a traditional point guard. Torresani is already 20 years old and does all the little things and his work ethic will fit nicely with this San Diego State defense.
Guard – Zach White (Freshman)
A 3-star wing from Sherman Oaks, California, White is the notable freshman recruit coming aboard this season. There’s a lot to like about White’s potential, showcasing his scoring and rebounding ability at the high school level alongside his sturdiness and intelligence. There’s absolutely a role for a new piece that plays hard, especially if he really commits on the defensive end.
Guard – Latrell Davis (Junior)
Following some solid work playing at San Jose State, Davis transferred to the Aztecs last offseason but actually redshirted last year. When we last saw him on the court, he averaged 11.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in decent minutes for the Spartans, though that year away gave him time to further develop and learn the Aztecs’ system. With all the changes and inexperience, you can imagine he’ll have a significant role to play off the bench.
Forward – Luka Skoric (Freshman)
Perhaps another steal from overseas for the Aztecs, Skoric is a 6-9 wing from Croatia who’ll likely jump into a significant role this season. He’s a first-time college player but he’s 23 year old, with plenty of experience already under his belt. He’s a very good shooter and a solid athlete who’ll be in play for significant minutes in this lineup.
Forward – Luca Vincini (Freshman)
Another experienced international addition, Vincini is a 6-10 forward from Italy who’s played a ton of basketball overseas before this collegiate debut. We’ll see how his game translates, but he’s an efficient and attacking post presence whose defense should be notable for the Aztecs; as long as he can stay out of foul trouble.
Forward – Thokbor Majak (Sophomore)
A 7-footer originally from South Sudan, Majak was actually part of this San Diego State squad last season but we saw very little from him. He had just 2 points and 13 rebounds across eight limited opportunities, though he’s certainly further along in his development now. He’s come a long way in that first year at the college level and that size is certainly immense; San Diego State is hoping he can take a big step forward similar to someone like Gwath in recent years.
Schedule Outlook
The Aztecs will be tested plenty throughout nonconference play, notably beginning with the Bill Walton Classic against Colorado on November 7th. Just over a week later they’ll see New Mexico State in Oceanside for the Compete 4 Cause Classic. There are several home games surrounding these early challenges, but the real test comes in Las Vegas.
They’ll again participate in the Players Era Festival during Thanksgiving week, facing strong competition against Iowa State, then Maryland or Tennessee, and then a third opponent. This is the event that’ll show us how real this group of athletes is and how competitive this team can be at the national level.
Former league rival UNLV comes to town for an intriguing game on December 5th. Another former rival awaits in Palm Desert, as the Aztecs face BYU during the Acrisure Series on the 19th. The last major test in nonconference play is a road game at UCLA on December 29th and you know that one won’t be easy either.
With nine members in the new Pac-12, San Diego State gets two looks at everybody, though there’s a few games everyone will circle on the calendar. They’ll host Utah State and Gonzaga in a 3-day span in early February before returning those games with tough road tests in the following weeks. Things could change, but these certainly feel like the two top teams in this new conference. Senior Night for the Aztecs ends their regular season at home on March 6th against Boise State.
Season Outlook
With their expected contributions for various power conference teams, it’s easy to get bogged down thinking about how great the Aztecs could be with better retention. What hurts even more was the summer injury to Nick Anderson, as the transfer guard will miss the entire season after he was expected to be a major playmaker.
Regardless, there’s plenty to like in the roster that the Aztecs will actually field this season. Gladden and Harrington are both young pieces in the backcourt but have both shown fantastic potential and a major step forward as sophomores is certainly within the realm of expectation for both. The experience that Davis and Sy both bring shouldn’t be underestimated either, while a player like Torresani could certainly surprise in the months ahead.
Grabbing a reliable and experienced big like Cherry was a good move for the Aztecs, though there’s concern if he can’t stay healthy again this season. San Diego State doesn’t exactly have the deepest frontcourt in the world and are depending on big improvement from players like Simmons and Majak. We also can’t gloss over what Skoric and Vincini bring off the bench, though Dutcher typically likes a deep and balanced lineup.
Is there enough depth and talent in this lineup to win big games in the Pac-12? Long before we answer that question we’ll see this new rotation tested several times during nonconference play. Nobody in San Diego can lament what could’ve been with those departures; Dutcher and company know the talent they have here and it’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together, both for the Aztecs and this new Pac-12.
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