Mountain West Championships: San Diego State vs Boise State Part III

You know those of us who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s remember the BEST video game consoles. I’m talking Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and so on.

Some of the scariest memories of my childhood was the audible sound effect that ensued every time Bald Bull—the boxer from Mike Tyson’s famed video game Punchout—would make when he charged in a raging stampede at my boxing character Little Mac.

Little Mac would always get knocked out. It was 8-bits full of terror.

So imagine the thrill of one Saturday afternoon after countless TKO’s and pushing of the restart button, that I did it. I found the cheat code how to time my counter punch and knock down the bald boxer with one button. I finally figured out how to whoop Bald Bull’s ass.

It remains to this day to be one my life’s proudest achievements.

Well that’s how it felt to finally see my Aztecs finally beat Boise State two times in one season. SDSU swept their potato-eating behinds this season and it was glorious.

On the grand scheme of things Boise State is a nobody in college basketball. A nothing burger. A big fat zero. A baked potato devoid of butter, sour cream and chives. The Broncos have won nothing. No NCAA tournament victories under their belt and no banners to hang.

But one thing they have had is SDSU’s number as of late. Even in our magical National Championship game run our Aztecs struggled with the blue boys. That all ended until this regular season that is.

Winners in 6 of their last 7 against the Aztecs—SDSU has flipped the script this season defeating the Broncos by a margin of 8 on the road and most recently by 17 at home. It was a sign of toughness, superior defense, and a young team taking it to some upperclassmen like All Mountain West 1st teamer Tyson Degenhart.

How the Aztecs did it

The Senior Degenhart earned his 3rd straight All Mountain West first team this year—but has struggled against SDSU in both head to head matchups. Degenhart was off both times scoring just 9 in the first meeting and an improved—but not quite Degenart standard—17 points in the second meeting. In both games he failed to knock down a three pointer.

So what was the Aztecs Punchout cheat code? How did they finally knock out Bald Bull? I’d say Magoon Gwath. The freshman phenom officially was awarded freshman of the year, All-defensive first team, and Defensive player of the year awards this week.

The 7-footer is a matchup nightmare for any team but he especially gave Boise State fits. With Magoon in the game the Aztecs were able to attack Degenhart—doubling him with Coleman-Jones and providing so much length in making shots and playmaking difficult.

On the offensive end Miles Byrd was sensational in the first win over Boise scoring 22 points on 8 of 15 shots. In the second Aztecs win Nick Boyd took over with 24 points with a 10 of 14 shooting night.

So how’s Boise different now?

Since that last embarrassing loss to SDSU the Broncos have been extra hot—winners in 5 of their last 6 games—with their only loss to #2 seed Colorado State.

In that winning stretch however Boise defeated both #1 seed New Mexico and then #2 Utah State. Degenhart has gotten a ton of backup from his supporting cast including Andrew Meadow, Alvaro Cardenas, and freshman standout Pearson Carmichael.

Though their final home game loss to the Rams was a let down it was also their most recent game. The Broncos are on the bubble and they know it. They’ve buckled down their play with senior leadership knowing this is their last run at a title and the NCAA’s. They absolutely need this win against SDSU or their basketball careers are over—minus a possible NIT berth.

When asked about the motivations from a desperate Boise team, SDSU coach Brian Dutcher knows whats at stake for his own group.

“Well we better be motivated given NCAA ramifications. I dont try to worry too much about that. I just try to get the team prepared to play their very best and we’ve played well in march and we’ll continue to do that. We will go there and pour everything into that Boise game and live with the results.”

For the Aztecs in the post season, depending on who you ask, they are questionable as well. Bracket matrix has them as an 11-seed in the NCAA. But with a loss against Boise State perhaps that moves a little.

How can the Aztecs do it again

For the Aztecs likely gone is their cheat code Magoon Gwath who is listed day-to-day in his hyperextended knee rehab. Though it has been a tough challenge to overcome—SDSU is 3-2 in Magoon’s absence—this team’s incredibly gritty nature continues to answer the bell.

Miles Heide has elevated his game given the opportunity to start in Gwath’s absence. Heide who has been notable for his offensive rebounding has now stepped into taking shots with much more confidence in his skillset.

He’s knocked down 17 shots in a row including multiple low post moves and his first ever 3 point shot of his college career. Now while the Aztecs coming out on top this Thursday won’t be hinged upon continuing his hot streak—Heide will be depended upon to show up and be impactful.

Both Miles Byrd and Nick Boyd will need to be special once again as they were in the first two matchups. Limiting three pointers and taking the action to the rim will be the mantra to get higher percentage shots and create open opportunities for the bigs.

But let’s not fool ourselves. This game will be decided on the defensive front. It will be a big test for Heide, Pharoah Compton, Coleman-Jones, and Demarshay Johnson Jr. to play as a team in locking down their various assignments.

Yes Gwath not in the lineup would mean the Aztecs are without their defensive player of the year—but this program features the last four award winners in the last four years. This is not about one player, this is about the team mentality. This conference tournament run will put Coach Dutcher, assistant Dave Velasquez & Co. at their most challenging situation, perhaps ever.

San Diego State vs Boise State in the Mountain West Conference Tournament Quarterfinals tips off Thursday, March 13th at 2:30pm PST. It can be watched CBS Sports Network.