3 Things Learned After San Diego State’s Tough 71–66 Loss at Utah State

San Diego State’s 71–66 loss to Utah State wasn’t the kind of game the Aztecs wanted this past weekend—But it certainly wasn’t out of the norm. In conference play SDSU traveled to Logan, Utah alone in 1st place only to return tied with the Aggies and for now without the tie-breaking edge.

The game didn’t feel like a gut punch so much as a reality check. It was a grinding, late-January Mountain West game, heavy on defense and but surprisingly clean looks for the Aztecs. It offered a few important takeaways about where this year’s Aztecs stand as the calendar turns toward February.

Inside Out

San Diego State’s evolving offensive identity is one that stands out. This year’s Aztecs don’t rely on a single dominant scorer the way past teams sometimes have, but against Utah State, it was clear Reese Dixon-Waters was grabbing that mantle and wanting to run with it. His 19 points on 6-12 shooting lead the team and really stood out as he has been catching fire lately.

However, the Aztecs have been at their best when they established touches inside the paint and avoided overly trigger happy shots from behind the 3-point line. When they attack the rim it usually means they are able to generate good ball movement. The lack of post scoring or points in the paint however seemed to affect the work being done on the perimeter. When those touches around the basket weren’t there in crunch time, the offense bogged down into jumpers late in the clock.

It’s a tough thing to criticize when the team battles tough to stay within striking distance late in the game by outside shots. But for both halves the Aztecs had leads squandered down the stretch. Perhaps the lack of an inside presence is what makes these tough stretches at the end of the 1st half and the 4th quarter so devastating.

No Luck in Logan

We already knew winning in Logan was going to a very tough challenge. But Utah State once again showed why it remains one of the most difficult teams in the Mountain West to deal with, especially in close games. The Aggies’ depth was the headline rather than the Aztecs. It really showed with Karson Templin.

The junior forward played starters minutes off the bench and his 18 points, 7 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 three pointers ignited the crowd and his teammates. The crowd was a non factor until Templin’s energy got them riled up. His contribution truly kept the Aggies always within reach when they would get down.

For SDSU going without Magoon Gwath really hurt the front court and without Elzie Harrington nursing a lower leg issue, it was a bad omen for this latest attempt to win on the road.

And then the luck got even worse when Reese Dixon-Waters went down in what looked like a badly turned ankle. The hottest shooter for the Aztecs appeared to land on a teammate in a friendly fire situation that caused him to exit the game for several minutes.

He would return and tough it out, but it was just another setback in a game that already saw Taj DeGourville punished with a technical foul. It appeared as though the game was going to be aimed at curving the Aztecs’ energy down for being ‘too aggressive’ with his trash talk after making a basket. Another bad omen.

Defending the Indefensible

On paper San Diego State defended well enough to win, holding Utah State to a modest total and limiting transition chances. The difference showed up in areas that tend to decide league games: second-chance points, and empty possessions.

Utah State didn’t overwhelm the Aztecs with speed or size but a relentless effort to dominate the boards 46-31, including 15-6 on the offensive glass.

Time after time, the Aggies forced SDSU to defend for the full possession, then capitalized on a late breakdown or a well-timed drive-and-kick.

Often times they put SDSU into uncomfortable defensive rotations that relied on spacing, patience, and an unwavering commitment to executing its sets. That patience allowed for their main scorer MJ Collins to finally catch his rhythm when he knocked down two 2nd half three point shots. It was a clinic in how to keep your poise.

For SDSU they simply didn’t convert enough of its high-value opportunities to overcome a cold shooting stretch from most of it’s backcourt. A combined 9-30 field goals from all besides Dixon-Waters just wasn’t going to cut it. Despite that off shooting, in a five-point loss, a handful of offensive boards and scoreless trips loomed large, reinforcing how unforgiving Mountain West play can be when the execution dips even a little bit.

Back in Focus

As for what this means for San Diego State’s Mountain West championship outlook, the bigger picture remains intact. The Aztecs are still built to win the league, with a defense that travels and the physicality to survive the grind of February.

But this game served as a brutal reminder that the path won’t be smooth. Already without Magoon Gwath and Elzie Harrington, the team’s depth is what allowed them the chance to win. But as they currently stand without those two, it’s a tall ask to win a championship.

If they can sharpen their offensive efficiency and find more reliable late-game shot creation, it will remain firmly in the conference title conversation. The loss to Utah State didn’t derail the season—but it did clarify what still needs to tighten up if the Aztecs want to be cutting down nets in March.

Up next SDSU (15-6, 9-2) returns home to host Wyoming on Tuesday, February 3. The game is set to tip-off at 8pm PST and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.