Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs San Diego State Aztecs
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 2:00 PM PST
WHERE: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
TV: PAC-12 YouTube
RADIO: San Diego Sports 760
SERIES RECORD: N/A
LAST MATCH: San Diego State 77, Colorado 66
ODDS: Spread: SDSU -18.5 | Total: 152.5
Happy Veteran’s day to all who served in our US armed forces. On this special day we honor those military veterans, SDSU has basketball to share with us all.
Four days after winning the inaugural Bill Walton Classic, San Diego State men’s team is back home at Viejas Arena to take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Later in the evening the women’s program then hosts the Colorado Buffaloes at 7pm.
On the men’s side, they are coming off a fine performance of their own against Colorado. The team in their 2-0 start has shown great unselfishness, while also having key performers take control of each game and score in bunches.
The defense really turned it on against the Buffaloes and has given Aztec Nation much to be excited about for what’s next. With still a lot of game reps and lessons to learn however Brian Dutcher is looking to see improvement every day.
This game against Bethune-Cookman should provide plenty of chances to accomplish just what they need in short-order. Viewed as a filler-game, a cupcake game, or however you want to label it—Let’s take a look at Bethune-Cookman.
Get To Know Bethune-Cookman
Bethune-Cookman is an HBCU program competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and located just outside of Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s a program worth going up against for SDSU because of its athletic matchup potential. The Wildcats love to turn up the heat with their pressure-oriented style.
The Wildcats are led by head coach Reggie Theus. The former UNLV star turned tv star, Theus has led Bethune-Cookman since 2021 and also serves as the university’s Vice President for Athletics. A former NBA All-Star, Theus brings considerable professional playing experience and a strong recruiting background.
He is coming off a successful 2025–26 campaign in which Bethune-Cookman went 17–15 overall and 14–4 in the SWAC, winning its first SWAC regular-season championship since joining the conference. For that achievement, he was named SWAC Coach of the Year.
Theus is a real one, well respected, has shown he has an eye for talent and also has charisma. He starred in the teen focused tv show ‘Hang Time’ back in the 1990s. Absolutely dating myself here, but check out this clip of Theus welcoming in then rookie superstar, the late Kobe Bryant making an appearance on his show.
Though their 2026–27 season has only just begun, Bethune-Cookman is still looking for their first win after 3 games. They’ve played against some tough teams so far however. First an opening 7-point loss to Furman, a drubbing to #19 Texas Tech, and the ever tough road loss to Grand Canyon.
The Bethune-Cookman roster is one that truly does reflect the reality of many smaller budget teams across the nation, now that the transfer portal & NIL has taken over.
Bethune-Cookman essentially rebuilt its roster from last year, bringing in 11 transfers and two high school recruits while retaining just two important players from last season. Here are a few names to keep an eye on if you’re in the building at Viejas or watching on the PAC-12’s official YouTube channel.
Mari Jordan, a 6’6″ guard/wing is averaging 9.3 points through three games. His averages hover around shooting 50% from the field and 44.4% from three. He’s a versatile scoring wing, who despite his team’s losing record has been a bright spot.
Jordan is one athletic wing that may be able to make some room in this game. His size and athleticism may match with what SDSU athletically brings to the fight. Will this be enough to dish against the Aztecs quality? Not gonna bet on it.
As for another physical matchup we see one of the Wildcats returning players. Daniel Perez-Rouzan a 6’8″ forward averaging 9 points through his first two appearances while shooting 63.6% from the field. He’s a valuable & experienced front-court piece to BC.
One local connection is the addition of Vuk Boskovic a 6’7″ Forward Transfer from the University of San Diego. Averaging 7 points and 4.7 rebounds, Boskovic is shooting 50% from three so far and hopes to build on that. He’s an interesting matchup in this game because of his ability to stretch the floor.
Lastly, it appears the team also has capable scorers off the bench. Several players like Quentin Heady, Connor Teasley, and Jameel Morris all hover around the 8-9 point per game mark. With so many new players Coach Theus really has a roster that is figuring out their roles and rotations.
If the Aztecs do what they can do, all of this information may not even matter. But if by some wild outcome the Aztecs drop this game in an unthinkable upset, many of you will be scrambling back at this scouting report to figure out what went wrong.
Keys to the Game
Turnovers
Bethune-Cookman is averaging more than 15 turnovers per game. SDSU is also averaging far too many than they should. If the Aztecs can create defensive pressure and turn mistakes into transition opportunities, they can run away with this thing.
Even with 20 turnovers last weekend against Colorado, the Aztecs were in control the whole way. It might be a nothing burger issue, but hopefully SDSU can clean up their act.
Size Matters?
The Wildcats have a 7-footer in Melian Martinez, a senior transfer from Louisiana Tech. They also have several 6’8″ players who can crowd the Aztecs Bear Cherry from being as effective.
However, the Wildcats early rebounding numbers haven’t been impressive. If SDSU’s supporting cast can be as physical as they were against Colorado, it should be another dominant rebounding game for the red & black.
No Looking Forward to Oceanside
Bethune-Cookman has played quality competition, and its record doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Mari Jordan better not turn into Air Jordan against SDSU. As we saw with last season’s SDSU team, many players would come into Viejas and have record-setting nights for their team.
This year’s team so far looks to have a much different vibe, energy, attitude, whatever you want to call it. The team cannot afford to look past Bethune-Cookman towards their weekend trip up to Oceanside vs New Mexico State.
The special road trip up north county is a twist to the season, but let’s hope not a distraction that allows for the team to overlook the task at hand.
Prediction
San Diego State – 85
Bethune-Cookman – 74
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
