NBC San Diego reporter Artie Ojeda has traveled to Tucson to follow the Aztecs as they compete in the NCAA Tournament. Check back for more updates and follow Artie on Twitter.
March 17, 3.16 p.m.
Rahon has silenced NColorado fans. 51-35 SDSU. And Aztec fans are going crazy.
March 17, 3.13 p.m.
Meanwhile, Coach Fisher in huddle: "KNOW WHO YOU'RE GUARDING."
March 17, 3.11 p.m.
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During timeout. Fans break out in S-D S-U chant
March 17, 3.04 p.m.
Finally a run. Bench exploded on Rahon 3! Getting louder. 44-35 SDSU.
March 17, 2.58 p.m.
Coach Dutcher: "EXECUTE!" Aztecs still amped. Need to relax. 35-32 SDSU.
March 17, 2.47 p.m.
Aztecs back out on floor first for second half.
March 17, 2.41 p.m.
Well, the high energy inside McKale certainly fizzled as first half progressed. Lets see what the second half holds.
March 17, 2.21 p.m.
Aztecs came out of timeout with an "Enough of this, eh, stuff" look on their faces. Biggest lead is 10.
March 17, 2.16 p.m.
Crowd gasps when White launches 3. Goes crazy when he sinks it!
March 17, 2.14 p.m.
Aztecs look frustrated on floor. And the fans here at McKale aren't quite as loud. I think they're a bit stunned. Make a layup!!
March 17, 1.59 p.m.
Coach Fisher yells out to players: "High energy and Focus!"
March 17, 1.56 p.m.
Aztec coaches screaming at team to RUN!!
March 17, 1.54 p.m.
First timeout. Aztecs have thier hands full! Aztec faithful at McKale really loud!
March 17, 1.43 p.m.
"I Believe" chant ringing through the arena! Northern Colo fans with a couple of 'Big Head' signs. No match for "The Show"
March 17, 1.41 p.m.
I'm sitting right behind SDSU bench! Aztecs just took the floor and it's loud here!! WIll definitely be a homecourt advantage.
March 17, 1.17 p.m.
And the Aztecs take the floor! Honestly, it may have been the second loudest cheer of the day -- the first being Temple's game winning shot.
There will definitely be a home floor advantage for SDSU!
March 17, 1.02 p.m.
"Let's go State! Let's go State! Let's go State.”
The cheers are deafening here at McKale.
Of course, right now they're coming from 'Penn' State (not 'San Diego' State) supporters!
There is tremendous intensity in the air for this first game. It’s going down to the final minute. Whoever loses will be heartbroken.
Assuming the Aztecs win, they will have a tough match up in their second game.
March 17, 12.33 p.m.
The seats are starting to fill up at McKale Center as we get closer to the big SDSU game.
I see a lot of fans with their Aztecs gear on. A lot of red and black and green.
Green?
Oh yeah, it’s St. Patrick's day.
Meanwhile, one of Penn State's key players just left the game with a shoulder injury. They still lead Temple. Aztecs play the winner.
And one more thing: my brackets are a mess. (What's new).
March 17, 11.35 a.m.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it
Right now, I'm sitting in the front row, behind the Penn State bench for the first game of the NCAA tournament in Tucson.
For the record, the Penn State coach yells a lot.
And he's loud!
Of course, that's not why I'm here. With hundreds of other San Diegans, I'm waiting with great anticipation for this afternoon's Aztecs game!
I spent some time in the 80-degree Tucson heat with a few fans that are outside waiting for the big game.
Charlie Wilborn remembers going to Aztecs games at the Sports Arena in the early 70's.
"I can't wait. I've been waiting a long time for this, finally going to win that first one," he said.
"We Believe," shouted Jason and Manda Hall as they passed through the ticket gate.
"Go Aztecs. We hope to go to the sweet 16 and get tickets for Anaheim next weekend," said Jason Hall.
Meanwhile, Penn State is leading Temple in the first game here in Tucson. (If they win, the Aztecs will play the winner).
And their coach is still yelling.
March 16, 1.30 p.m.
It’s 80 degrees outside, a bright sun glaring down on the Saguaro cactus.
We’re not in San Diego anymore. And that’s great news for the San Diego State men’s basketball team.
The Aztecs will look for their first win ever in an NCAA tournament game when they play Northern Colorado on Thursday.
The Aztec faithful can’t wait.
At Tucson International Airport, fans wearing red and black are starting to trickle in, and there is excitement in the air.
The games will be played at McKale Center on the campus of the University of Arizona.
San Diego State is scheduled to have a practice Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. It’s open to the public, so we’ll see how many San Diego State supporters turn out.
Meanwhile, reporters from across the country are getting the lay of the land at McKale Center. Eight different teams will be playing here for the first round of the tournament.
