Air Force notes: Broekhuis' foul trouble changes plan

Air Force’s strength is its 3-point shooting, which is the best in the Mountain West. San Diego State held six of its last seven opponents to less than 33 percent from the 3-point line.

Air Force knew it needed something other than long-range shooting against the Aztecs on Saturday. Coach Jeff Reynolds said the plan was for forward Taylor Broekhuis to get the ball in the post and go up quickly, which might lead to some open outside shots.

“You saw, he jumped up and made that hook (shot), but he got in foul trouble,” Reynolds said.

Broekhuis’ early hook shot was his only basket. Broekhuis played just 13 minutes because he picked up two fouls in the first half, and a third foul 11 seconds in the second half. Without an inside presence on offense Air Force hit just 4-of-19 3-point shots.

“The ball’s not going in the hole for us right now,” Reynolds said.

Aztecs got game

Reynolds has a lot of respect for the Aztecs, who are ranked sixth in the nation. 

“If they get the right seed they can go a long way, because they got all the pieces, and they guard,” Reynolds said.

San Diego State has won 27-of-28 games, which says a lot about their effort level every game.

“When people play us, they’re going to play hard,” Aztecs coach Steve Fisher said. “We know that.”

Brakeville contributes

Adam Brakeville played a career-high 14 minutes against San Diego State with Broekhuis in foul trouble. Brakeville gave the Falcons a lot of energy off the bench on defense, although he didn’t attempt a shot on the other end.

“I thought he really gave us a lift with his effort,” Reynolds said.