San Diego State Aztecs
Record: 29-4
Head Coach: Steve Fisher (15th season)
Season summary: It was all about defense for San Diego State this year. The Aztecs led the Mountain West Conference in five defensive categories, including scoring defense, holding opponents to only 56.6 points per game. Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Xavier Thames is the defensive and offensive engine of San Diego State, leading the Mountain West in steals with 1.7 per game and leading the Aztecs with 16.8 points per game. San Diego State, however, has only one other player who averages double-digit scoring in sophomore Winston Shepard—but still outscore opponents by an average of 14.0 points per game, good for sixth in the NCAA. Still, Mountain West Coach of the Year Steve Fisher has largely depended on his defense to snag his conference’s regular season title, utilizing a variety of defensive sets including both man-to-man and 2-3 zones.
How they make a run: They say defense wins championships, and the Aztecs have shut down opponents with their stifling defense all season long.
How they falter: Opponents target Thames, taking away San Diego State’s top—and often only—offensive weapon.
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