San Diego State Aztecs: NCAA Tournament Profile

Thames has taken the reigns of the Aztecs’ offense. (USA TODAY Photo)

San Diego State Aztecs (29-4, 16-2 Mountain West)-New year, new star player leading the 29-win Aztecs, who just keep rolling along under head coach Steve Fisher. He’s done a masterful job with this program. A few years ago, Kawhi Leonard was the stud forward. Last year, it was seniors Jamaal Franklin and Chase Tapley who led the way. This season, it’s senior guard Xavier Thames.

Thames averages 16.8 points per game and went for 26 and 27 in wins over Creighton and Marquette. San Diego State also waltzed into Lawrence Fieldhouse and ended the Jayhawks’ 68-game non-conference home winning streak. Forward Winston Shepard could be the next great Aztec, as the 6-8 sophomore averaged 12.1 points per game and was consistent every night.

As usual, the Aztecs are one of the nation’s stingiest defensive teams, giving up just 56.6 points per game, which ranks second only to Virginia. They rank near the top of the country in virtually every defensive category.

KEY STATS:

2nd Points Allowed per Game (56.6)

17th Opponent Field Goal Percentage (39.6)

4th Points Allowed per Possession (0.89)

27th Opponent Three-Point Field Goal Percentage (30.8)