The halftime show for the San Diego State University versus UNLV basketball match on Saturday evening at Viejas Arena occurred on a compact octagonal stage that could scarcely accommodate two roller skaters.
Despite twirling at exhilarating speeds and executing stunts, he never stumbled.
Metaphorically speaking, the Aztecs did.
Splat.
The key to their recent resurgence in the NCAA Tournament has been several high-profile victories and, equally crucial, no detrimental losses.
Currently, they are playing at home against a UNLV squad with a 76-68 advantage. The UNLV team had suffered defeats in its last two away games by 22 points each, yet managed to maintain their lead despite a fierce late surge from the Aztecs.
The NCAA’s NET metric categorizes games into four quadrants according to their location and opponent rankings. Winning in quadrants 1 and 2 is favorable, while losses in quadrants 3 and 4 are detrimental. This match now qualifies as a Quad 3, culminating SDSU’s winning streak in Quad 3 or lower games at 67.
Will this loss be the final one? Back in 2020, at Viejas Arena… gegen UNLV.
The Aztecs were the last unbeaten team in the country at 26-0, so although this defeat stung, it didn’t jeopardize their chances of entering the NCAA Tournament (which was ultimately canceled due to the pandemic). This may not eliminate them from tournament consideration, but it will likely bring them closer to the dreaded bubble.
The Aztecs (11-5, 4-3) displayed a lack of their usual energy, their faces wearied and body language sluggish, leaving them feeling flat, uninspired, and devoid of fizz. I couldn’t sense it. They trailed by 8 points in the first half and then by 13, but they harnessed the momentum to stage a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 3 points, igniting Viejas Arena, and tying the score with just two possessions…and the fuel gauge hit E.
The sole reason the first half of the season didn’t end up being the worst was a 20-point defeat against New Mexico at The Pit the previous week. The Aztecs scored three additional points on Saturday, but the stats weren’t aesthetically pleasing. They managed 7-of-26 shooting overall (26.9%), a pitiful 3-of-16 from beyond the arc, recorded three assists, seven turnovers, and were minus-4 in rebounding.
Myles Byrd netted 25 points in a contest against Colorado State and NBA prospect Neek Clifford four days prior, but he ended with 0 points on 0-of-7 shooting in the first half. The issue with SDSU’s increasingly feeble offense these days is that if Byrd doesn’t score, no one else can.
In a 15-point victory against Colorado State, 10 of SDSU’s initial 11 baskets were scored in the paint. On Saturday, their first five shots were all three-pointers. They were all mistakes, each shot deeper than the last. By the second media timeout midway through the first half, they were 1-of-1 inside the arc and 1-of-9 beyond it.
What is their strategy? Attempt another 3 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Rebels effectively utilized the shot clock and identified their driving angles. A 9-0 run allowed them to gain a 25-17 lead. The score was 31-23 at halftime.
Things didn’t change immediately in the second half as they started with a turnover and quickly found themselves down by 13 points.
A situation like this was unfolding. The Rebels missed a shot, and Miles Heide let the rebound slip through his fingers, but UNLV’s Papu Ndiaye seized it, dunked it, and drew a foul.
On UNLV’s subsequent possession, Jalen Hill received the ball in the left corner. The Aztecs had focused much of Friday’s practice on shutting down Hill, who shot below 30% from three. Instead, Magoon Gwasu attempted a fake pump and leaped in front of him. Hill, executing his preferred maneuver, drove into the lane for a short shot but was fouled.
The following three Aztec possessions: a missed shot inside, a turnover, a failed layup.
Consecutive three-pointers from Bird and Nick Boyd shifted the momentum, closing the lead to four points with 1:51 left. However, the Rebels (11-6, 5-2) remained calm, executing a lob play from preseason all-conference point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. to San Diegan Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry.
When the Aztecs needed it the most, their touted defense faltered. UNLV scored on five successive possessions with less than 3:30 remaining. The final blow was delivered by Thomas (19 points), who made a fallaway jumper from the left side with 52 seconds left, extending the lead back to six points.
Bird finished with 21 points and four three-pointers in the second half. Boyd contributed 16 points, two more than his total from the previous two games combined. BJ Davis added 10 points. Freshman Taj Dugreville scored nine points. Jared Coleman-Jones registered eight points and seven rebounds.
Now, the Aztecs will head back on the road for two games in the Highlands against Air Force on Wednesday and Nevada on Saturday.