Larry Ness' 10* CBB Conference G.O.Y. (11-3 run BKB 10*s)
My 10* MWC Game of the Year is on San Diego St at 10:00 ET.
The top two teams in the Mountain West clash for the regular-season crown and top seed in next week’s conference tournament when No. 10 San Diego State hosts No. 21 New Mexico on Saturday. Each team comes in at 15-2 and although the Lobos easily handled San Diego St in "The Pit" (58-44 on Feb 22), they'll have to win here at Viejas Arena to 'take home the cheese!'
SDSU was a perimeter-oriented team last year, led by the do-everything Franklin (17.0-9.0-3.6), Tapley (13.5), Thames and Rahon. Xavier Thames (16.7) was the only one to return and he's made a run at MWC player of the year honors. TY's Aztec team has developed a terrific frontline, as the 6-8 Shepard (12.5-5.2) has really improved in his sophomore season (5.7 & 3.5 as a freshman) plus 6-7 Utah transfer O'Brien (8.5-5.0) has again been steady. The real bonus has been 5th-year senior Josh Davis, as 6-8 transfer from Tulane, who's contributed 8.2 & 9.9 on the year.
My best guess is that New Mexico's 6-9 Bairstow is not only the league's most-improved player (up from 9.7 & 5.9 to 20.3 & 7.2) but he's also the league's p-o-y, as well. Guard Williams (16.7-3.6-5.0) and the 7-0 Kirk (13.7-8.6) have also each 'delivered' in their senior and junior years, respectively.
SDSU has more than few new 'parts' TY plus have seen others assume bigger roles. However, what has remained the same, is the fact that Steve Fisher's team keeps winning. The 26-3 Aztecs have won 20-plus games for the NINTH straight season and will head to the NCAA tourney for the SIXTH time in that span, including for the FIFTH consecutive time.
No way SDSU won't remember its 44-point effort in "The Pit," when New Mexico shot 50.0% and SDSU, 32.3% (2 of 10 on threes). Thames suffered through a 3-of-15 shooting performance for seven points in the first meeting as part of a three-game slump during which he missed 24-of-30 shots. He's rebounded to average 20.5 points over the last two games and coach Steve Fisher routinely refers to him as one of the best guards in the nation. “Xavier is a winner, he is a fierce competitor,” Fisher said after the UNLV contest. “Choir-boy look, but he can beat you. He wants to win desperately. He can play and he can make plays – both for himself and for others.”
Both teams play outstanding D but SDSU ranks third in the nation allowing only 57.5 PPG and in going 14-1 at home TY (Arizona), has outscored opponents on average, 69.2-54.2 PPG. SDSU beat New Mexico 55-34 last season at this venue and while I won't call for quite that sort of beatdown, I will call for a SDSU win with "room to spare!"
My 10* MWC Game of the Year is on San Diego St at 10:00 ET.
The top two teams in the Mountain West clash for the regular-season crown and top seed in next week’s conference tournament when No. 10 San Diego State hosts No. 21 New Mexico on Saturday. Each team comes in at 15-2 and although the Lobos easily handled San Diego St in "The Pit" (58-44 on Feb 22), they'll have to win here at Viejas Arena to 'take home the cheese!'
SDSU was a perimeter-oriented team last year, led by the do-everything Franklin (17.0-9.0-3.6), Tapley (13.5), Thames and Rahon. Xavier Thames (16.7) was the only one to return and he's made a run at MWC player of the year honors. TY's Aztec team has developed a terrific frontline, as the 6-8 Shepard (12.5-5.2) has really improved in his sophomore season (5.7 & 3.5 as a freshman) plus 6-7 Utah transfer O'Brien (8.5-5.0) has again been steady. The real bonus has been 5th-year senior Josh Davis, as 6-8 transfer from Tulane, who's contributed 8.2 & 9.9 on the year.
My best guess is that New Mexico's 6-9 Bairstow is not only the league's most-improved player (up from 9.7 & 5.9 to 20.3 & 7.2) but he's also the league's p-o-y, as well. Guard Williams (16.7-3.6-5.0) and the 7-0 Kirk (13.7-8.6) have also each 'delivered' in their senior and junior years, respectively.
SDSU has more than few new 'parts' TY plus have seen others assume bigger roles. However, what has remained the same, is the fact that Steve Fisher's team keeps winning. The 26-3 Aztecs have won 20-plus games for the NINTH straight season and will head to the NCAA tourney for the SIXTH time in that span, including for the FIFTH consecutive time.
No way SDSU won't remember its 44-point effort in "The Pit," when New Mexico shot 50.0% and SDSU, 32.3% (2 of 10 on threes). Thames suffered through a 3-of-15 shooting performance for seven points in the first meeting as part of a three-game slump during which he missed 24-of-30 shots. He's rebounded to average 20.5 points over the last two games and coach Steve Fisher routinely refers to him as one of the best guards in the nation. “Xavier is a winner, he is a fierce competitor,” Fisher said after the UNLV contest. “Choir-boy look, but he can beat you. He wants to win desperately. He can play and he can make plays – both for himself and for others.”
Both teams play outstanding D but SDSU ranks third in the nation allowing only 57.5 PPG and in going 14-1 at home TY (Arizona), has outscored opponents on average, 69.2-54.2 PPG. SDSU beat New Mexico 55-34 last season at this venue and while I won't call for quite that sort of beatdown, I will call for a SDSU win with "room to spare!"
