San Diego State concludes its final regular season in the Mountain West Conference with a Friday night matchup against UNLV at Viejas Arena. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and televised on CBS Sports Network, carries implications for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming conference tournament. Although the Aztecs can no longer secure the top seed, their positioning for the tournament – and potentially a more favorable path to the championship – remains at stake.
The Aztecs (19-10 13-6 in Mountain West play) are aiming to finish strong after a recent 86-77 loss at Boise State, where they were significantly outrebounded and trailed by as many as 21 points. A win against UNLV would likely secure a No. 2 or 3 seed in the Mountain West Tournament, while a loss could drop them to the No. 4 seed, depending on the outcome of the Grand Canyon versus Fresno State game. The seeding is crucial, as the No. 4 seed receives an afternoon quarterfinal game and an early-evening semifinal, avoiding the late-night semifinal tip-off and a quick turnaround for a 3 p.m. Championship final on Saturday.
UNLV (16-14, 11-8) enters the contest in a crowded race for tournament seeding, currently tied with three other teams for fifth place. The Rebels, under first-year coach Josh Pastner, have shown resilience, going 6-2 after a four-game losing streak. They notably swept first-place Utah State during their recent surge. Kenpom.com projects an 83-72 victory for San Diego State, giving the Aztecs a 78.4% chance of winning.
Rebels Rely on Gibbs-Lawhorn’s Scoring Prowess
A key player to watch for UNLV is Illinois transfer guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who is currently leading the Mountain West in scoring with 20.6 points per game. Gibbs-Lawhorn has been on a tear recently, averaging 29.7 points over a nine-game stretch between January 30 and February 28, including a 42-point performance against Nevada. In the first meeting against SDSU on January 24, he scored 27 points despite shooting just 1-for-7 from behind the arc. Kimani Hamilton (12.7 points per game) and Tyrin Jones (11.5 points per game) also contribute significantly to the Rebels’ offense. Jones leads the conference in blocks with 2.0 per game, but struggled from the free-throw line against SDSU, going 2 of 10.
Aztecs Face Roster Uncertainty on Senior Night
Friday’s game is also Senior Night for San Diego State, honoring Reese Dixon-Waters, Miles Byrd, Jeremiah Oden, Sean Newman Jr., and walk-on Cam Lawin. However, the celebratory atmosphere is tempered by uncertainty surrounding the team’s future roster. Coach Brian Dutcher has hinted at potential significant changes following the season, acknowledging the new realities of college athletics and the transfer portal, which opens April 7. Dutcher noted that decisions will be made based on a “budget” and evaluating which players can “support us win and at what price.”
Adding to the uncertainty, Dutcher revealed that Elzie Harrington and Reese Dixon-Waters did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Despite the recent loss at Boise State, the team opted for a practice session – at the players’ request – to address the issues exposed in that game, particularly their rebounding struggles. The Aztecs are currently ranked 44th in Kenpom and 45th in the NET rankings, but have seen their strength of record (67) and WAB (57) metrics decline.
Viejas Arena is a cashless venue, and fans are reminded to utilize the no-fee cash-to-card kiosks available. A clear bag policy is also in effect. details can be found on the Viejas Arena website.
Following Friday’s game, the Aztecs will head to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Tournament, beginning Thursday. The outcome of the UNLV game will significantly impact their seeding and potential path to the tournament championship.
Stay tuned for updates on the Aztecs’ performance and any further developments regarding their roster as the season concludes. Share your thoughts on the game and the team’s future in the comments below.
