Last Call: Magoon Gwath Return to Action a Game Time Decision for SDSU vs Nevada

San Diego State (17–6, 11–2) vs Nevada (17–7, 9-4)

Last Call: Magoon Gwath Game Time Decision for SDSU vs Nevada:

When the Aztecs host the Wolf Pack on Saturday night both teams should be fresh coming off a bye week. Nevada will be playing with guard Vaughn Weems who wasn’t there in the first meeting when SDSU won in Reno. This time the Aztecs may be welcoming back a player of their own.

SDSU is thinking Magoon Gwath should return. According to Brian Dutcher, Magoon has practiced for two days and looked pretty good. He could start or come off the bench. Either way the amount of minutes he plays is up in the air.

It will take some caution to gauge if he is in game shape or rehab shape. But nonetheless, it’s a great positive to even be at the point where a return this season is now inevitable barring any setback.

“He’s been going hard in practice, talking to the trainers … Gone is the knee brace and he’s moving really well without it and the hip is feeling better. said Dutcher in this week’s last moment with the press before the big game.”

Adding the conference’s defensive player of the year is always a great thing. Magoon’s ability and IQ is unmatched. But he may take a while to get his timing back. Last year the team added him back from injury in the tournament and he was fine. This year they add him a few games down the stretch it could really allow them to monitor him closely, either pull back his minutes when they need or push him to get tournament ready even more.

“Without Magoon the team has done a good job over not obsessing about it,” referenced Coach Dutcher.

This is a great observation. The team is deep and competitive enough that they get ready no matter who is available. Of course, the team is better with Magoon, so hopefully he will be right as we come down the stretch of these final seven conference games.

True freshman guard Elzie Harrington howver is unlikely to be in the lineup Saturday. It will be another week to heal up and return after SDSU hosts both Nevada and Grand Canyon.

Watch this week’s episode as we honor Chet, the dearly departed SDSU Super fan with a special interview.

Regardless of both players status update, the team needed a week of rest and it did the Aztecs good from top to bottom with all the bumps and bruises each player has at this point. They are nine months on the floor together at this point and the team is banged up: Byrd with turf toe, Reese with a shoulder.

The biggest issue may be their timing will need to be on point—but this is something both teams will have to adjust to. The Aztecs have been doing a good job taking care of the ball and forcing the opposition over. The goal is to stay under 10 turnovers for the Aztecs. But in the end, as long as the defense is forcing more than the offense is letting up.

Lastly, Dutcher vs Alford have an honest hearty competition with respect over each other’s career. Dutcher admits if they see any new set plays it will be early and it will give opportunity to present new wrinkles and additions against each other.

It will take an extra level of Viejas Arena’s Montezuma Madness as the Aztecs will try to deny the Wolf Pack winning their first ever game there as members of the Mountain West.