Led by "Michigan Man" - I HATE THAT PHRASE -, Steve Fisher, San Diego State has risen to #6 in both the AP and the coaches poll. Undefeated at 16-0, SDSU has a current RPI at a healthy 10 with a SOS of 73.
"Big" wins include a road win at Gonzaga (But who didn't beat Gonzaga in the early season? Marquette, that's who!), a home win against a solid St. Mary's squad, a home win against pre-season mid-major darling Wichita State and a road win at Pac-10 lightweight, Cal.
The names to know are Kawhi Leonard, F, Soph and Malcolm Thomas, F, SR. Leonard, a Wooden nominee is averaging 15.6 PPG shooting 48% and grabs almost 10 boards a game. Thomas is an inside presence averaging 2 blocks per game along with 12 & 7.
KenPom has them 19th in AdjO and 37th on AdjD. San Diego State plays solid defense, 16th in scoring and an okay 78th in FG %. They don't foul, 11th and rebound well, 37th. Offensively, they're shaky behind the arc, 159th % and 199th in makes and middle of the road at the chairty stripe, 140th. They do protect the ball, 21st in TOs. All in all, SDSU is a "solid" team.
Playing in the Mountain West, they are very unlikely to remain undefeated. I think it's a lock for 4 teams, with an outside shot at 5 (Say you, Brian?). But playing in the Mountain West will keep the RPI and SOS up and a top 4 finish in conference should get them dancing easily. Being undefeated this late into the season makes them a trendy "team to watch" but they actually are as is the Mountain West. I'll say it isn't a stretch to see a Mountain West team make a deep run in March. I'm just not sure it's the Aztecs even at 16-0.
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