This Saturday night the Aztecs 14-5 (7-3) host the Wyoming Cowboys 11-10 (4-6) at Viejas Arena for the first of their two games this season. Tip-off is schedule for 5pm PST and can be viewed on television via CBS Sports Network.
The Aztecs who find themselves in 4th place of the Mountain West standings are coming off three wins in a row. Each victory held it’s own amount of excitement & dramatics—or should I say was overrun with excitement & dramatics.
Games against perennial bottom dwellers Air Force & San Jose State, as well as pre-season champion pick—turned middle of the pack Nevada (pun intended), were all figured to be somewhat tune-up games for the Aztecs. Opponents that the team could gain valuable minutes against—sharpening their schemes and gaining confidence for the first year players.
That sentiment is no longer the case as this years conference season has become like a series of the Walking Dead—full of cannibalism and the unexpected.
Though win streak has effectively achieved those internal goals the line between winning & losing has become increasingly thinner. Wyoming has beaten a surging UNLV team earlier this season, so they are capable. Regardless of that win for the pokes, this game presents another test these Aztecs are expected to pass. They will certainly need to in order to stay near the top of the Mountain West cahmpionship race.
Wyoming is known for their 3-point accuracy this season as they rank 2nd in the conference shooting 38.9%. #5 Obi Agbim leads the Pokes with 18pts per game while contributing 47% from said 3-point range. This week the Aztecs showed if they fail to handle their defensive switches properly a team with capable deep range can burn them. Scratch that—torch them.
San Jose State shot a remarkable 48% from 3-point land and it took the Aztecs a red jersey miracle 2nd half comeback down 21 points to overcome an amazing shooting effort.
To say the Aztecs must have another stellar performance by Miles Byrd in order to win is probably not accurate. This team has proven they can dig themselves a ditch by playing lethargic basketball. They’ve also shown they can get themselves out of that ditch if they catch fire and put all their talents together. Once again however, this Saturday all their talents may not be together.
Jared Coleman-Jones the senior big man transfer from Middle Tennessee, is being called a game-time decision by coach Brian Dutcher. Coleman-Jones missed the San Jose State game with an apparent shoulder injury sustained against Nevada. It’s an injury that is an ongoing one and may require off season surgery.
The lack of an experienced big man and the adjustments needed to be made were felt against San Jose State—especially on the defensive end where spacing, timing, and awareness were lacking. Filling in will likely be sophomore Miles Heide who though at times has struggled, remains to be the teams offensive rebound leader.
Overall the Cowboys are a below average scoring team at best hitting just 63 points per game—while San Diego State marks at 70 per contest. If the Aztecs lock down defensively—where they still stand at #1in both opponent scoring average (62.7), and 3-point field goal percentage (28%), with the Viejas Arena crowd behind them they should be able to outlast the Pokes.
If successful the Aztecs set themselves up nicely with a full week off from games as they prepare a trip to the Rockies to face Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado. The time off will be well spent for resting legs and allowing Coleman-Jones to rehab even more should he not be available this Saturday.
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