The San Diego State Aztecs bounced back from their disappointing Petco Park loss to San Diego with a 20-point thumping of Biola.
It was the outcome we expect to see considering how Steve Fisher has developed this Aztecs program.
It was also expected because I’ll admit I had to look up what Biola stood for. Apparently that translates to the "Bible Institute of Los Angeles."
The Toreros meanwhile took a step back Thursday after taking one giant Neil Armstrong-like leap forward with their 53-48 win over SDSU.
USD followed that signature win with a loss to the University of Denver 59-47.
The USD players lacked the energy and extra effort that they showed against their cross-town rivals.
With the exception of Brett Bailey and Vasa Pusica who each scored 11 points against the Pioneers, the Toreros were just off their game Thursday night.
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A letdown like this early in the year is really not a surprise.
New coach LaMont Smith is only a handful of games into his head coaching career, four USD freshmen played meaningful minutes against the Pioneers, and the entire group is trying to build something – just like Steve Fisher and the Aztecs did years ago when he arrived at Montezuma Mesa. The Toreros also don't have the luxury of playing in front of sold-out crowds like the Aztecs do, but then again SDSU has built up that goodwill with tons of winning seasons over the past decade.
USD’s dominance of the Aztecs in that first half at Petco Park was a shocker.
Coach Smith even joked in a recent radio interview that he would love to play more games outside if that’s what it takes to win.
But what’s just as surprising is how the Aztecs have struggled against teams that on paper they should beat – or crush.
Losses to Little Rock and San Diego really put a damper on State’s chance to return to the NCAA tournament.
The Aztecs are a perennial tournament team now – a force on the West coast and a measuring stick for the up-and-coming team and coaching staff over at USD.
But their road back to the Madness in March most likely requires a triumphant run through the Mountain West conference tournament.
Without an automatic bid or a statement victory over Kansas, SDSU’s chances of making the tourney appear slimmer then in recent years.
You can determine for yourself which team has surprised you the most.
But know that both teams will be better – even if this particular year may feature more growing pains for both programs than many of us expected.
