San Diego State did something against Wyoming on Wednesday night that it hadn’t done in conference play all season: step on the throat of its opponent in the first half and never let up.
No dramatic swings, no late-game anxiety, no “well at least they found a way” spin job afterward. Just 40 minutes of control. It was as Jon Rothestein named them, ‘Ruthless Aggression’.
The Aztecs entered the night as 1.5-point favorites and promptly treated that line like a typo, turning the game into a dominant 17-point road win at 7,220 feet. It was their most complete performance of the season, the kind that makes you wonder where that version of the team has been hiding.
The win marked SDSU’s sixth straight and kept the Aztecs undefeated atop the Mountain West standings at 6–0, tied with Utah State. Lurking just behind them is the next opponent: the New Mexico Lobos, who roll into San Diego this Saturday, January 17th, with a 5–1 conference record and only one blemish, a loss at Boise State. That Boise State.
So yes, it’s time to talk about those corn-salsa-eating Lobos from Albuquerque.
San Diego Ties
The most obvious storyline starts with the San Diego connections. Head coach Eric Olen took UC San Diego from a strong Division II program to within a couple possessions of knocking off Big Ten heavyweight Michigan in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State knows Olen’s teams all too well; UCSD pushed the Aztecs to the limit in two tight games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the kind of matchups that were far more uncomfortable than they had any right to be.
Olen parlayed that success into the New Mexico job and promptly brought San Diego with him. Several former Tritons followed, including Torrey Pines alum Chris Howell. He added St. Augustine alum and Point Loma Nazarene standout Luke Haupt via the transfer portal, and arguably his biggest get was highly touted freshman Jake Hall from Carlsbad High.
With more San Diegans on New Mexico’s roster than on San Diego State’s, it’s almost tempting to feel a little conflicted. Almost. That feeling usually disappears the moment you see the cherry uniforms and are reminded of less lovable Lobos from the past—House, Mashburn, Junior Joseph—and suddenly rooting against New Mexico feels very natural again.
Offensive Offenses
Beyond the familiar faces, SDSU will need to keep a close eye on how New Mexico wants to play offensively. Olen’s teams are disciplined, patient, and far too comfortable running sets deep into the shot clock. The Lobos don’t beat themselves, and they’re happy to turn games into half-court chess matches where one or two defensive lapses can swing momentum.
For an Aztec team that sometimes flirts with offensive droughts they are arguably playing at a pace that is highest scoring in school history since the 1980’s. Defending for a full possession—every possession—will be non-negotiable in this matchup.
Control Issues
Then there’s the pace battle, which is quietly one of the biggest tells in this matchup. When New Mexico is dictating tempo, they’re dangerous, especially if they’re allowed to get comfortable early.
SDSU’s best versions under Brian Dutcher have always imposed physicality, worn teams down, and turned games into a grind that feels a lot longer than 40 minutes. This years team will have to continue to embrace that Aztec cultural dynamic in this series.
Last season the Aztecs hammered the Lobos inside Viejas with an attitude that just wouldn’t quit. An interesting note about that game, neither Reese Waters or Magoon Gwath were able to play and the Aztecs took control of that outcome very strongly. While the Lobos are obviously different in their roster this year, expect those two Aztecs to play big roles in dictating the outcome.
If Viejas Arena gets loud and the Aztecs can speed the Lobos up just enough to force rushed decisions, that’s where New Mexico tends to get a little less composed. Again, Boise State defeated this same New Mexico team inside Boise’s home arena. Perhaps the Lobos have grown since that experience, but until they do it against the Aztecs, I’m calling them vulnerable.
With first place on the line and a building full of fans eager to welcome back a roster full of local talent—politely, of course—Saturday night has all the makings of a classic Mountain West fight. The Aztecs will look to prove that what happened in Laramie wasn’t a one-off, while the Lobos would love nothing more than to spoil the party.
This will be the 99th meeting between the two schools at basketball. That is a lot of games. New Mexico historically holds a 52-46 edge. But SDSU fans are hoping for a rude homecoming for those homegrown kids wearing cherry & silver.
It’s time to give them a long flight back to Albuquerque, and a reminder that while San Diego is a beautiful destination to be at, Viejas Arena is still a miserable place to visit when the Aztecs are locked in.
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