It does not feel normal, but the offseason is upon us, and the San Diego State Aztecs are not playing in the NCAA Tournament. The ending is disapointing but the move to the Pac-12 will cause lots of excitement.

“We were a high-major program in a mid-major conference,” head coach Brian Dutcher said on Tuesday. “So, our attitude is whatever conference we are in, the move to the Pac-12, we are San Diego State, and we have our own identity, and we should be valued nationally. My goal is to keep us at that level. I like the move to the Pac-12.”

East Village Times reviewed the season and helped break down the potential decisions for the coming weeks. There are far more questions than answers right now, but Dutcher and his staff are going to do whatever is necessary to not only get back to the Big Dance, but to have a chance at winning it all.

“I am 100% engaged in next year, putting a team together that will win at a high level, that will have our ultimate goal of winning a national championship. We will not rest until that happens.”

Before the Aztecs can look to the transfer portal, Dutcher must figure out who will be returning to the program or entering the portal.

“I am going to find out who comes back to my team first,” he said. “I want guys who want to be back. I don’t want to talk any of them into coming back. The transfer portal doesn’t open until after the Final Four, but if you look online, there are kids going into the portal every day through social media. We have our eyes on it. We know what we need.”

Dutcher must recruit a dominant rebounder this offseason to emerge as a potential starter at center. The Pac-12 will get much tougher with Gonzaga in the mix. If the Aztecs want to compete with them, they need someone who can rebound at a very high level.

“Our defense was inconsistent,” Dutcher said. “This is the second year in a row our rebounding hurt us more than anything. I have to recruit a rebounder. I have to find someone who can go get the ball, or other guys have to drastically get better at it. I think our initial defense was pretty good, but it was all the second-chance opportunities. If we could get a rebound, then our defensive numbers would have been good.”

Dutcher and his staff do not need to recruit another 7-footer with Thokbor Majak in the plans; however, Majak is still far from playing valuable minutes. Majak would need to improve his game to a whole new level to earn serious playing time. The big man does not need to be seven feet tall, but this next Aztecs’ team needs a quality center who is at least 6-foot-10. This is not to say that Dutcher won’t attempt to find another 7-footer, and Magoon Gwath’s elite play could be a recruiting pitch for them.

If Tae Simmons returns, he is going to start at the four and likely grab at least 6+ rebounds per game. If you can pair him next to a slightly bigger (but just as physical) big man in the frontcourt, then the Aztecs’ defense could be the best in the Pac-12 next season. This player does not need to grab 10+ rebounds per game and block close to 2.0 shots per game like Gwath did, but someone who can get you a handful of second-chance opportunities and at least five defensive rebounds per game can go a long way for this program.

It is too early to throw potential names out there this early in the offseason. But you can count on Dutcher and his staff being on the search for them. If they are already discussing it now, then they will be ready when the portal opens.

Chris Spiering

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.