Aztecs fall to Arizona 82-67 in first exhibition of 2026-27 season
EVT
October basketball is not supposed to feel like March, but San Diego State and Arizona had other ideas.
In the Aztecs’ first exhibition of the 2026-27 season, the two teams played with a level of physicality that went well beyond a typical preseason matchup. Bodies hit the floor, players were limping around, and neither side seemed interested in treating the night as a warm-up.
Arizona, playing its second exhibition after facing the San Francisco Dons, eventually pulled away for an 82-67 win, but San Diego State showed it could hold its own against a potential top-five opponent.
“I know it’s an exhibition game, but it does not feel that way,” ESPN+ broadcaster Corey Williams said during the broadcast.
That summed up the night. The teams challenged each other at the rim, played aggressively, and showcased an intensity that went beyond what is typically expected from an exhibition. For San Diego State, the result was a loss, but there were enough positive signs to take away from its first game of the season.
The Aztecs’ defense set the tone early, and their passing helped them stay in the game against one of the nation’s top programs. San Diego State put together a 12-0 run in the first half and held a lead for a stretch, showing it could compete with Arizona despite missing Luka Skoric and having both Elzie Harrington and Latrell Davis less than 100 percent.
First triple for @isaiah_sy in the scarlet and black!
📺 ESPN+
#GoAztecs https://t.co/EJzXclgaE5
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) October 17, 2026
Arizona answered with a 14-0 run of its own, taking advantage when the Aztecs’ offense stalled late in the first half. That stretch changed the momentum, and the Wildcats continued to build on it after the break.
SDSU played well to begin the second half, as both teams went blow for blow.
Early in the half, Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry swatted away a shot before Isaiah Sy knocked down a three-pointer on the other end, offering a glimpse of what the Aztecs could bring to the floor this season.
🗣️ @BearCherry35 with the swat, @isaiah_sy with the splash
#GoAztecs https://t.co/e37pUdc1f4
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) October 17, 2026
Arizona began to pull away with roughly 14 minutes remaining, repeating the pattern of last season’s meeting in Phoenix, when the Wildcats also took control in the second half.
San Diego State did not fold, though. Down by 19, the Aztecs put together an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 11 with fewer than six minutes remaining. Arizona had done enough to maintain control, but the response showed that San Diego State was still competing until the end.
Cherry, Sy, and Chance Gladden were among the Aztecs who stood out. Sy led San Diego State with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 3-4 from deep, showing the shooting touch that could make him an important piece of the offense.
“Isaiah Sy has one of the nicest strokes in all of college basketball,” Corey Williams said during the broadcast. Head coach Brian Dutcher also told East Village Times during a press conference Tuesday: “He’s as good a shooter as we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
Gladden added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, while his passing helped create opportunities for teammates. Cherry finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, giving San Diego State a presence around the basket on both ends of the floor.
Here comes @BearCherry35 👀
#GoAztecs https://t.co/2Jtq8d9Dc9
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) October 17, 2026
Tae Simmons also finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, continuing to show the effort that has made him an important part of the team. His toughness was on display throughout the night, but the physicality also came with a concern. Simmons took contact around the rim, appeared to be limping at times, and had a pirate patch on after he received a cut below his eye.
That kind of effort from Simmons can help set a team’s identity, but there is a balance to strike in October. San Diego State has a long season ahead, and Dutcher needs his players healthy as the Aztecs continue preparing for games that count. Arizona had players banged up as well, another sign of how much contact both teams were willing to absorb.
The game also left questions about how San Diego State’s offense will look once Skoric returns. The ball movement was encouraging, but the Aztecs had stretches when they struggled to generate offense, particularly at the end of the first half and midway through the second. They went the final 5:57 of the game without a field goal.
David Torresani appeared to have trouble finding his footing, while Luca Vincini had a quieter night than San Diego State will need from him as the season progresses. Freshman Zach White played more than 10 minutes but did not make a major statistical impact.
There is work ahead for the Aztecs, especially offensively. SDSU shot 40% from the floor, committed 16 turnovers, and allowed 13 steals. Still, the defense, passing, and individual performances from Sy, Gladden, Cherry, and Simmons offered reasons for optimism. SDSU held the Wildcats to just 35% shooting as they went 9-34 from beyond the arc.
Arizona was the better team down the stretch and earned the 15-point win. But for San Diego State, the first exhibition was about more than the final score. The Aztecs showed they could trade physical play with a top-five opponent, and now they need to build on those moments while getting healthier and finding more consistency on offense.
Arizona’s ability to generate offense in the paint and capitalize on second chances helped the Wildcats pull away. Arizona finished with 32 points in the paint, 19 second-chance points, and 15 fastbreak points, while also scoring 12 points off turnovers.
Caleb Holt, a potential 2027 NBA Draft lottery pick, finished with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting. His performance was one of the individual storylines for Arizona; however, SDSU should feel good about how they defended him.
The Aztecs will take on USC for an exhibition at Viejas Arena on Oct. 23.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.