Air Force vs. San Diego State - 3 Things to Watch
AIR FORCE vs. SAN DIEGO STATE
3 THINGS TO WATCH
1. SAN DIEGO STATE’S FOCUS
Could the Aztecs overlook a last-place Air Force team – one they beat by 22 points on Feb. 2? Perhaps. But probably not. San Diego State is 21-8 and sitting precariously on the NCAA Tournament bubble – ESPN.com bracket expert Joe Lunardi had the Aztecs as the last team in the tournament on Friday. A slip at Clune Arena likely would destroy San Diego State’s chance for an at-large bid.
2. CAN AIR FORCE SCORE ENOUGH TO WIN?
The Aztecs lead the Mountain West Conference in scoring defense (62.5 points allowed per game), rank third in field goal percentage defense (their opponents have shot 40.3 percent) and block 4.6 shots per game (second-most in the league). That could be bad news for an offensively-challenged Air Force team. In the teams’ first meeting, Air Force went 9 minutes 45 seconds before scoring, digging itself a 12-0 hole.
3. SECOND-CHANCE BASKETS
With its athletic front line of juniors Billy White (6-foot-8, 235 pounds) and Malcolm Thomas (6-9, 215) and freshman Kawhi Leonard (6-7, 225 pounds), San Diego State averages 13.8 offensive rebounds per game – most in the MWC. In the teams first meeting the Aztecs scored 15 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds.
Quote to Note: “My last game at Clune, I want to win. And I think we’re going to approach this game like we’ve approached every other game, except maybe with a little bit more passion. Because me, (and other seniors) Grant (Parker), Avery (Merriex) and Saj (El-Amin), we want to have a good showing.” –Air Force senior center Mike McLain.
Note to Quote: Air Force has lost four straight games to San Diego State. The last three have come by 17, 31 and 22 points, respectively.
