San Diego Aztecs Basketball Team Kicks Off Season with Home Win

San Diego is buzzing as the San Diego State Aztecs men’s basketball team gears up for a fresh season. After two remarkable runs in March Madness, the 2024-25 team looks quite different with several roster changes that occurred during the offseason. Wednesday night, they showcased their new lineup by defeating the UCSD Tritons 63-58 in their home opener at Viejas Arena.

The Aztecs enter this new season without a ranking, which is a noticeable shift for the program, as they received their lowest Mountain West preseason ranking in a decade. Despite the challenges, the team’s coach, Brian Dutcher, remains optimistic. “Now we have to see how these new pieces all fit together,” he expressed following the hard-fought win over UCSD.

As the Aztecs aim to establish their identity early in the season, they are faced with a challenging schedule right off the bat. In their first five games, they will take on two ranked opponents: the No. 6 Gonzaga and the No. 15 Creighton. This tough early lineup presents a significant test for the newly constructed squad.

Interestingly, this season marks the first time the Aztecs will compete against both the Tritons and the University of San Diego Toreros in the same year, with their match against USD scheduled for December 7.

Looking ahead, the Aztecs will host Occidental College on November 12 in their annual N7 game, honoring Native American Heritage Month, before facing Gonzaga at home on November 18 at 7 PM.

As the season unfolds, fans are eager to see how the Aztecs adapt to the changes and rise to the challenges that await.