Pivotal matchup against Colorado State is moved to Saturday
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The biggest game of the conference season for the Aztecs has been moved up two months.
San Diego State (9-3) had a scheduled game for Nevada (7-5) on Saturday, Jan 8. However, because of COVID concerns in the Wolfpack program, the game has been postponed. The second postponed game of the week for the Aztecs as Fresno State (10-4) canceled the game on Jan 5 due to COVID.
The Mountain West decided to take advantage of the Nevada and SDSU game scheduled on CBS; undefeated No. 19 Colorado State (11-0) will now travel to Viejas Arena to take the Wolfpack’s place after the Rams game against Boise State was postponed.
Last season, this very similar Rams roster came into Viejas and defeated the Aztecs after SDSU blew a 26 point lead. They are the last team to defeat the Aztecs on their home floor.
From San Diego State’s perspective, this is not ideal for how they wanted their first matchup with the Rams to occur.
For starters, the students at San Diego State are still on winter break. Students have also been told that spring instruction will start online for the opening two weeks. There may be less incentive for the students to return to campus to ignite the feisty student section, “The Show.”
The Aztecs also have question marks surrounding the guard position. Trey Pulliam missed the latest game against UNLV, and he has been sick going back to Dec 22 against UCSD. Lamont Butler had a chance of returning from his wrist injury last game but was not ready in pre-game warmups. If he does play, Butler will have his first game action since Nov 30 against Long Beach State.
The Rams may post an undefeated record and be nationally ranked, but they also most likely would’ve preferred a matchup later in the year.
Four days ago, the Rams played their first game in twenty-four days against Air Force. It’s an understatement to say the Rams were rusty. They played a Falcon team depleted from COVID as they missed their leading scorer and rotation players. The Rams only won by eight points and had a chance to be upset.
Additionally, this will be the Rams’ first road game of the season. Three months into the year, they have played seven home games and four neutral sites. Last season, most home courts didn’t have a full capacity arena. Coming into raucous Viejas Area could be the Rams’ first legitimate road game in over two seasons.
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This will be the biggest game of the year thus far in the Mountain West. A great opportunity for both teams to add a resume-building win, raise their NET ranking and improve their chances of going dancing in March.
San Diego State was originally supposed to play Colorado State at Viejas for the Aztecs senior night on March 1st. Both teams now have to reschedule their postponed games.
Class of 2022 at San Diego State University. Communication major and pursuing a sports journalism profession. Season ticket holder of the SDSU MBB team since 2011. Fondest memory of Viejas Arena is Aztec legend, Dwayne Polee sparking a 19-1 run over New Mexico to win the MW Conference in 2014.