Men's Basketball

SDSU, Fresno Meet for 117th Time

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SDSU, Fresno Meet for 117th TimeSDSU, Fresno Meet for 117th Time
  • Fresh off its final conference bye of the 2019 Mountain West season, San Diego State travels to face Fresno State for the 117th time in school history. It is far and away the most played matchup in school history (second is UC Santa Barbara at 93 games). 
  • This is Steve Fisher coaching tree week for the Aztecs and Brian Dutcher (was on Fisher's staff for every victory as a head coach at both Michigan and San Diego State) in his second season as head coach will face long-time SDSU assistant Justin Hutson in his first season with the Bulldogs. Hutson served as an assistant on The Mesa for 10 seasons, from the 2006-07 season to 2010-11 and from 2013-14 through 2017-18. 
  • On Saturday, the Aztecs return home to face UNLV led by Marvin Menzies. Menzies served with Fisher and Dutcher as an assistant for their first four seasons at SDSU (from 1999-00 through 2002-03).
  • No team recently has been more of a thorn in SDSU's side than Fresno State. The Aztecs snapped a three-game series losing streak with a 64-52 victory in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament last season. Despite that win, the Aztecs are just 2-5 in the last seven games against the Bulldogs.
  • A broader look at the series gives SDSU the advantage. The Aztecs lead the series 62-54 with the 62 wins the most against any one opponent. The Aztecs are 12-6 in the last 18 meetings with the Bulldogs.
  • This will mark the 20th time Dutcher has been on the sidelines for an Aztec-Bulldog game (SDSU is 12-7 in those contests).
  • Prior to its oddly timed second and final bye of the conference campaign, San Diego State defeated New Mexico, 97-77, at Viejas Arena. Sophomore forward Jalen McDaniels recorded his personal-best third consecutive double-double with game highs in points (24) and rebounds (11).
  • McDaniels earned his second career Mountain West Conference player of the week honor for his performance in the victory over New Mexico.
  • The Aztecs never trailed against the Lobos, enjoyed a 50-16 advantage in points in the paint and led by 10 or more points the final 14:16 of the contest.