San Diego State at Air Force: Game Preview, Livestream, Odds, & More
San Diego State goes back to Colorado Springs for one last time.
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San Diego State, off their bye and a win against Utah State on Kawhi Leonard jersey retirement, faces a trap game?
San Diego State hosts New Mexico on Tuesday. Traditionally, the Aztecs would be in a position for a trap game. Some of the losses at Colorado Springs have been like that tho.
Consider the facts:
– 2 losses in the last 3 games at Colorado Springs.
– A 14-point loss last year.
– A quad 3 opponent.
What could go wrong?
A loss could mean dropping down to a 3-seed and being sent far, far away from California and the Staples Center.
But this team plays different from years past.
“They’re locked in at practice,” said head Coach Brian Dutcher in this week’s press conference, “so then I have great comfort they’re going to be locked in for the game.”
Dutcher’s analysis is worth its weight due to their 23-0 record.
The Aztecs are favorites the rest of the way through the conference slate. The toughest games are at Boise State and Nevada where KenPom gives the Aztecs 76% and 75% to win respectively.
The Air Force Academy is no 16-seed, but the Falcons has a puncher’s chance of dealing a late-round knockout. Whoever the Aztecs draw next month, the Falcons are a good primer to take a Quad-3 opponent seriously.
The bye should have given the Aztecs fresh legs. Due to Nathan Mensah’s health it’s very unlikely he makes the trip. So it looks like another week of Yanni Wetzell and Nolan Narain at the 5. If the game gets away from the Falcons, Joel Mensah should be able to get some reps in preparation for March.
Prediction
It’ll be interesting to see how this defense looks like off the bye against a Princeton offense. The Aztecs were challenged last week but took advantage of Utah State second half mistakes and changed their fortune. Malachi Flynn will get into the groove early and get Jordan Schakel going. Yanni Wetzell pulls a double-double and Aztecs win by 17.
San Diego State 77, Air Force 60
GAME DETAILS
WHO: San Diego State (23-0, 12-0 MWC) at Air Force (9-14, 3-8 MWC)
WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 2020 – 6 p.m. PST
WHERE: Clune Arena, Colorado Springs, CO
WATCH: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: FuboTV Watch with a 7 day free trial
LISTEN: 1360-AM, 101.5-FM
ALL-TIME RECORD: San Diego State is 57-24 against Air Force and owns a 20-17 advantage in Colorado Springs.
ODDS: San Diego State -14.5
