San Diego State put it down on Colorado State Wednesday night in Viejas 73-50 on their way to their 9th win in the last 10 games. The Aztecs remain in 1st place of the Mountain West a full game ahead of Utah State. Colorado State fell to 3-7 on the conference season and now have lost two in a row.
It was a fantastic game that saw the return of SDSU player Tim Shelton across the court as assistant coach for the Rams. It also saw the first return of Lamont Butler as an alumni and one season removed from finishing up his final collegiate year at Kentucky.
The two fan favorite Aztecs were in attendance in very different capacities, but anytime you get a former players in the building it just adds a little extra momentum to perform big for the home crowd and those eyes that watch upon the team.
On this night the Aztecs did not disappoint. From top of the roster to the bench, each player came out with a focus and energy needed to not allow the Rams to be spoilers before the team’s roadtrip to Logan, Utah where the 2nd place Aggies will be waiting for them.
This was a game that a 1st place team wins comfortably and the Aztecs did jus that. Not without some challenges of course. The offense was slow but steady to get things going and adjust to the game. And though the night never truly was the smoothest of routes, when you win by 23 points, get your walk-on players into the action and score, you know the team was prepared and just flat out better.
Here are a few takeaways from the evening and who caught our eye on the night.
Defensive Mission Accomplished
The challenge of this game was without a doubt stopping the Rams top-5 three point shooting ability. Mission accomplished. At times providing full-court pressure, the SDSU double on the point guard was very effective in shortening the Rams shot clock and forcing them to quicken their play to get into their sets.
End result was Dutcher’s team keeping CSU to 8-30 from deep which marks at 27% behind the three point line—well below their season average of 40% coming into the game.
And it doesn’t stop there. No CSU player was able to score in double-digits on this night. You can thank a relentless defensive effort from the Aztecs. SDSU forced the Rams into 17 turnovers which was good to yield 21 points.
CSU’s Kyle Jorgensen was off his game for the Rams, shooting just 2-9 on the game and knocking down just 1 three pointer. It was a masterful effort by the Aztecs to keep CSU to just 50 points, their lowest point total of the season and 26 points lower than their season average.
Pharaoh Compton’s Explosiveness
Compton’s contribution this season has been exciting yet frustrating at times. A 75% field goal percentage on the year and averaging 8.5 pts per game has had it’s moments of domination at the rim. Compton is a fantastic finisher.
Last night against the Rams his two breakaway steals that turned into dunks, added with a few alley oop jams were the kind of electrifying plays Viejas Arena needed to continue raining noise down on CSU. Compton’s 15 points on 6-7 shots, 5 rebounds and 2-2 free throws was a fantastic night.
In short, Pharoah was a force.
But his foul trouble has been the only thing stopping the sophomore from truly breaking out with more minutes to grow and show his full potential. Last night not one foul called on the forward and his physical play contributed mightily.
Coming down the stretch Compton’s growth this second half of the season is going to be crucial for a deep tournament run. With Magoon Gwath missing his 3rd game due to a hip injury that has him listed as week to week, Compton has a big opportunity to be a rim protecter, defend more agile big men, and be that lock down finisher at the rim the wings love to lob it up to.
If he can get his rebounding average up a bit and continue hustling for those offensive boards it will go a long ways of solidifying the Aztecs frontcourt against Utah State this weekend.
Reese Hitting Strides
Reese Dixon-Waters scored 16 points on 7-9 shooting including 2-2 behind the 3-point line. Dixon-Waters in his final season of college ball is getting stronger as the season progresses. Following the mentality of the program his defensive attitude hasn’t wavered this year. But it’s been his offensive production that has taken some time to adjust after sitting a season out las year due to injury.
Last game vs UNLV Reese contributed 13 points and grabbed 7 boards in a strong effort to win on the road. His leadership to do the right thing on the floor sets a great example to persevere where the team needs him the most even if the shots aren’t always falling.
Sources indicated to Sons of Montezuma that he’s finally gotten his legs under him after that year away from the game. It’s a challenge not to be undervalued both physically and mentally for a player. Add in the dynamic of having to fit in on a team with so much depth all trying to meld into a winning style of play. If Reese truly is back, it appears the Mountain West is going to have to deal with the explosive player SDSU has been banking on him to be.
The Butler Keeps Doin It
As mentioned Lamont Butler Jr. was in attendance front row for this game and was met with a loud applause as the PA welcomed him home for the Viejas crowd to show their appreciation. The highlight of Butler’s game winning buzzer-beater in the NCAA Final Four game vs FAU was played above everyone’s heads and the whole arena lived it again for just one moment.
Butler looked up and watched along with everyone in the arena and graciously brought his hands together in a blessed signal to the crowd to acknowledge them back. I had a chance to meet with Lamont very briefly after the game and give my well wishes to the SDSU legend.
The young man held the passer bye’s and onlookers captivated well long after the final buzzer sounded and the two teams cleared out back to their locker rooms. There he stayed down on the court signing autographs, posing for pictures and just being the Lamont Aztec Nation has come to cherish.
Brian Dutcher briefly came out of the locker room to hug his once point guard and share a moment before heading back in. It was a very special moment to take in as other current player families also passed by and hugs were all spread around.
As time goes by and we get further and further away from the career of Lamont Butler here on the Mesa, as all San Diego legends go, the appreciation will only grow. Butler on rehab after tearing both his meniscus and ACL during this NBA preseason with the Atlanta Hawks.
His road back to begin his journey of professional ball has taken a holding pattern, but his legacy as an Aztec 4 Life will only continue to soar round and round the collective memory of Aztec Nation.
