Imagine starting a high-stakes game with a 17-0 deficit. That’s exactly what happened to the San Diego State Aztecs in their preseason exhibition against No. 12 UCLA at Viejas Arena—a brutal reminder of the challenges ahead. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this slow start a sign of deeper issues, or just a wake-up call for a team brimming with potential? Let’s dive in.
The last time we saw the Aztecs, they were reeling from a crushing 27-point loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four. Fast forward to Friday night, and it felt like déjà vu. After 7½ minutes, the scoreboard read Aztecs 0, Bruins 17. Ouch. Coach Brian Dutcher had framed this mid-October matchup as a revealing test—one that wouldn’t count in the standings but would expose the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between. And boy, did it deliver.
The Aztecs missed their first nine shots and committed 10 turnovers before Louisiana Tech transfer Sean Newman Jr., not exactly known for his sharpshooting, finally drained a 3-pointer with 12:15 left in the half. That first basket silenced the rhythmic clapping of the home crowd, which had become an awkward reminder of the team’s early struggles. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the disastrous start, the Aztecs showed resilience, rallying to outscore UCLA 60-50 over the final 32 minutes.
Sophomore guard Taj DeGourville summed it up perfectly: ‘We did a good job staying together as a team, even when we were down 17-2… It was just kind of a wake-up for us.’ The second half was a different story. With quicker ball movement and smoother offense, the Aztecs cut the deficit to three points with seven minutes left. UCLA held on for a 67-60 win, but the final 32 minutes (SDSU 60, UCLA 50) and the second half alone (SDSU 37, UCLA 28) hinted at what this team could become.
Here’s the kicker: The Aztecs were missing key players. Seven-foot sophomore Magoon Gwath, still recovering from a knee injury, watched from the bench in uniform. Junior wing Miles Byrd, returning from an abdominal strain, finished with just two points and four turnovers in 21 minutes. Bold statement: If this team can clean up its mistakes and stay healthy, they might just surprise everyone this season.
Coach Dutcher was pragmatic: ‘We found some deficiencies. We found some strengths. And we found some things to work on. That’s what you want out of these things.’ The Aztecs’ shooting improved dramatically from a dismal 26.9% in the first half to 57.1% in the second, proving they have the talent to compete—if they can stay disciplined.
But let’s not sugarcoat it. The first half was a disaster. The opening 10 possessions? Turnover, turnover, miss, turnover, turnover, turnover, miss, turnover, turnover, turnover. By halftime, the Aztecs were down 39-23, shooting just 4 of 21 overall and 2 of 13 from three-point range. Controversial question: Is this a team with championship potential, or are they destined to repeat last season’s mistakes?
The second half offered a glimmer of hope. Reese Dixon-Waters, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, led the charge with 19 points. His contested jumper to start the half seemed to calm his teammates, sparking a rally that nearly turned the tide. The crowd roared back to life, and the energy on the court shifted—though it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
UCLA’s Donovan Dent (remember him from New Mexico?) was unstoppable, scoring 18 points and drawing eight fouls. Backcourt partner Skyy Clark added 13 points on just eight shots. Bruins coach Mick Cronin praised his guards but also tipped his hat to the Aztecs: ‘They’re either going to make the refs call a foul on every play, or they’re going to tackle and push and grab and be physical. I say that out of respect.’
The Aztecs now have two weeks to regroup before their next exhibition against USD on October 29. The regular season tips off November 4 against Long Beach State. Final thought-provoking question: Can this team turn their slow starts into consistent finishes, or will their early struggles define their season? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
