You may not fully realize it but San Diego State’s basketball postseason run rolls on. Despite the recent transfer portal news on the Aztecs men’s side this week, it’s the women’s team that has picked up the spear and is running full speed ahead with it.
The challenge for the ladies only gets steeper as the Aztecs head to face the Kansas Jayhawks on Thursday, March 26 in the WBIT. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 4:30pm PST in Lawrence, Kansas at the famed Allen Fieldhouse. It can be seen on ESPN+.
If SDSU head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson and sophomore forward Bailey Barnhard hold any indication, the team is embracing both the moment and the opportunity that comes with it.
Fresh off a defensive-clinical victory over McNeese State last Sunday that continued a historic season, Terry-Hutson emphasized just how locked in her team has become at this stage of the year.
“Really proud of this group doing special things. You know, each win now is breaking records and I thought we had a fantastic defensive effort tonight. That’s where I think the separation came.”
That identity, built on discipline and collective effort, has carried the Aztecs into the postseason and will be critical against a Kansas squad playing on its home floor.
Defense has become the backbone of San Diego State’s success, and it’s not by accident. Terry-Hutson described a group fully committed to executing the game plan on that end of the floor.
“They played with a lot of poise (vs McNeese State). They took care of the ball when we needed to. Again, this was a a challenging ask for them because of the pressure and how much they trap and play fast, but I thought we did a good job of playing with poise and discipline.”
That poise will be tested again against a high-level opponent.
Barnhard echoed that defensive mentality, highlighting the team-wide commitment that has defined their recent performances. “I mean I think it was more of a team effort. Going to the game it was like a crowd the paint mentality. That comes with everybody, all five players. So I think we really executed as a team to stop each and every individual player.”
That same “crowd the paint” philosophy could be central against Kansas, where limiting easy looks and controlling tempo is a great foundation for winning on the road.
The Aztecs’ ability to translate defense into offense has also been a difference-maker, especially during pivotal stretches. Barnhard pointed to that connection when discussing how momentum shifted in their last outing. “I’m a big believer in defense translates to offense. I saw that in the third quarter. Just opening up, that momentum of getting stops to really shifting the ball on our court.”
Finding that rhythm on the road will be key if San Diego State hopes to advance and keep winning more games than they’ve ever won before.
Even as the stakes rise, Terry-Hutson has made it clear her team is simply eager to keep playing. “We’re looking forward to the next opportunity, I thought this team is just excited to keep playing and really fun to be a part of.”
That joyful mindset that has been a calling card to this years success, has helped the Aztecs turn disappointment into motivation after narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament.
That disappointment still lingers no doubt, but it has also fueled their approach in the WBIT. Terry-Hutson spoke candidly about how the team regrouped and reframed the postseason opportunity. “Jenny and I went on a Goodwill tour and we talked to every single player just to kind of talk about how um this tournament is a privilege and we needed we needed to respect it as such.”
She added, “You know, a lot of people aren’t aware of what the WBIT is. This is an extension of the NCAA and there’s quality teams in this tournament and I’m grateful for them to give us this opportunity to honor the year that we put together.”
Barnhard reinforced that grateful perspective, noting how the time off after the Air Force loss ultimately strengthened the group. “It was obviously very tough. When we have such high expectations and obviously to get disappointed, but I think the time that we had, the week and a half, really helped.”
She continued, “So just taking that as a blessing in disguise so we could really come together for this WBI team.”
On the opposite side of the court, Kansas prepares to host San Diego State and Jayhawks head coach Brandon Schneider made it clear his group understands the caliber of opponent awaiting them. That mindset has been shaped by a tournament path already filled with strong competition, something Schneider believes has prepared his team for a disciplined San Diego State squad.
“From this point forward, we know we’re going to see tough teams that execute, because those are adjectives that go along with good teams that are still playing this time of year.”
Rebounding and physicality have been defining traits for the Jayhawks during this run, and players like Regan Williams and Libby Fandel emphasized how that edge has fueled their success. “We had a big emphasis on toughness. So, I feel like that was just big to get every rebound and out top them” and that helped out a lot,” Williams said, pointing to a dominant effort on the glass in their last 62-55 victory over Rice.
At the same time, Kansas knows there are areas to clean up before facing the Aztecs, particularly in limiting turnovers against another defense-first team. “Yeah, I think we just need to be smarter—be smarter about our passes.”
Despite those challenges, confidence is building within the Jayhawks’ locker room, fueled by momentum and the opportunity to keep playing at home. With another chance to defend their home floor and advance, Kansas enters Thursday’s matchup expecting a physical, competitive battle against a San Diego State team built on many of the same principles.
Now, with a program-record-tying 27 wins already secured, the Aztecs aren’t satisfied. As Barnhard put it, “It’s obviously really nice, but kind of just going into wanting to win our 28th.”
That next step won’t come easy against Kansas, but San Diego State enters the matchup with a clear identity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a belief that their season still has more to give.
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