Dutcher: Despite Struggles, SDSU’s Fate is Back in their Own Hands vs Utah State

As San Diego State prepares to host Utah State on Wednesday night the stakes inside Viejas Arena could not be much higher. In fact the only thing higher may be the collection of championship and NCAA post season banners that wave from the rafters of the now 27 year old facility.

With four regular-season games remaining in the Mountain West Conference race, the Aztecs finds themselves in a familiar but precarious position: close to first place, but searching for its best basketball at the most critical time of the year.

Head coach Brian Dutcher didn’t shy away this week from that reality. His team has received help elsewhere in the conference standings, and because Utah State stumbled, SDSU now controls its own destiny. A win Wednesday would pull the Aztecs level with the Aggies currently one game ahead of them and potentially put them back atop the standings.

But opportunity alone won’t be enough.

Dutcher was candid in assessing his team’s recent form in his media presser to start the game week. The Aztecs have clearly not played their best basketball over the past two outings, including a tough home loss to Grand Canyon and a road defeat to a red-hot Colorado State squad.

Losing to a very ‘mid’ Rams team this late in the year is bad—real bad. In a league as unforgiving as the Mountain West, those margins matter.

Any dip in focus or execution can turn into a loss, no matter the venue. That urgency frames Wednesday night’s showdown.

Beating Utah State represents not only a chance to climb the standings but also an opportunity for SDSU to rediscover its identity. Not an easy thing to do against a team that has now been victorious over the Aztecs in 3 straight matchups.

Dutcher emphasized tightening up on both ends of the floor, particularly defensively after surrendering 13 three-pointers in the loss to Colorado State. While he dismissed any notion that his team lacked fight, he acknowledged that performance must improve, especially with those nasty road trips to New Mexico and Boise State still ahead—two that the Aztecs have struggled mightily in their history.

To add insult to injury SDSU’s health could very well be a turning point. The return of Elzie Harrington, who logged 18 minutes in his first game back did not score against the Rams. Though he does give the rotation another experienced piece, that experience isn’t that deep as a true freshman.

Dutcher believes timing and rhythm will return with practice reps, and his availability could be key against a physical Aggies squad.

There is no bigger theme than this: SDSU’s fate is back in its own hands. Win Wednesday, and the Aztecs not only re-enter the driver’s seat in the conference race but reestablish belief heading into the stretch run.

Lose, and the path narrows considerably. In a conference where every night feels like March, February 25 may serve as the hinge point of the Aztecs’ season. One that has gone from on the bubble, to seeing that bubble slowly float further and further away.

The reminders those championship banners hanging in Viejas Arena will be on full display—calling to SDSU’s greatness over their years in the Mountain West. The site keeps us believing in this years team. But only what is done on the court will determine if this collection of players are great enough to proudly raise one of their own up alongside them.