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2012-13 College Basketball Preview: 14. San Diego State Aztecs

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14. San Diego State Aztecs

WHY THEY’RE SCARY: The Aztecs boast one of the best backcourts in the nation, with Mountain West Player of the Year candidate Jamaal Franklin (17.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), three-year returning starter and sharpshooter Chase Tapley (15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg), and point guard Xavier Thames (10.1 ppg, 4.1 apg). Senior James Rahon is also a defensive catalyst and good spot-up shooter. Sophomore forward Dwayne Polee II gives the Aztecs a little bit of size inside.

WHAT SCARES US: The frontcourt is thin, mostly because the Aztecs prefer to play that way. Head coach Steve Fisher is using a Villanova-style four-guard offense. That means that teams with more muscle inside should be able to control the boards and dictate the style of play.

FINAL DESTINATION: Steve Fisher has transformed San Diego State into a bona-fide basketball power. The Aztecs surprised the college basketball world in 2011 by going 33-2, earning a 2-seed and advancing to the Sweet 16. That was supposed to have been the dream season, but the dream has lived on. Don’t be surprised if this group posts similar results, and maybe a deeper NCAA run.

 Schedule:
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2 Comments

  1. Pingback: 2012-13 College Basketball Preview: 14. San Diego State Aztecs | JockSpin.com Sports News and Opinion Aggregator and Publisher

  2. Pingback: » 2012-13 College Basketball Preview: 15. North Carolina Tar Heels

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