Hoops hoopla is in full effect on Montezuma Mesa, as the San Diego State men's basketball team prepares to officially begin the 2018-19 season.
The Aztecs open practice Wednesday in the Jam Center.
The teams first game is November 6th, when SDSU hosts Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Optimism is already running high among Aztec players.
"We are a well oiled machine, soon to be polished off. I feel like going into the season we'll be hitting the ground running," said SDSU sophomore Matt Mitchell.
Aztec senior guard Devin Watson added, "I feel like we have everything covered. We are here to win and that's the ultimate goal. Defensively we learned a lot from last year, offensively we learned a lot and guys are eager to learn, eager to better and that's going to help."
Last year the Aztecs finished 22-11, won the Mountain West Conference Tournament, then were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Houston.
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That NCAA tournament loss came down to the final possession, which didn't go the Aztecs way. This year, Mitchell wants that final possession to go SDSU's way.
"Just knowing that you were right there and were one possession away, just knowing that you could get back there and get that one possession, gives you that motivation to get back there one more time."
The Aztecs return three starters from last years team, Mitchell, Watson and Jalen McDaniels.
Heading into the the season, McDaniels is marquee man. The 6'10 sophomore forward exploded onto the basketball scene last year, drawing the interest of the NBA teams.
McDaniels almost left SDSU and entered the NBA Draft, but at the last minute decided to return to the Aztecs.
When asked how close he came to leaving, McDaniels said he was really close, taking his decision down to the final moments.
"I talked with my family, and feel like I made the best decision, no second thoughts."
As for what NBA personnel told McDaniels he needed to work on, McDaniels said, "Just polishing my game, keeping my handle tight, shooting consistently and working on body, I feel like I added that."
Balancing McDaniels individual NBA resume with the Aztecs team goals could be a tricky situation, but it's not some Aztec players expect to have a problem with.
"I feel like Jalen is equipped to handle it, I feel like we all are. Everybody has to be on the same page, as long as everybody is on the same page, everything is moving smooth," said Mitchell.
Watson added, "We are definitely aware of who Jalen is and what Jalen does and everything that's going on, but he's steady telling us that he's for the team and here for what he has to do, he's here for us and he's here to win and that's the ultimate goal."
NBA dreams and NCAA hopes, it figures to be another exciting, interesting Aztec basketball season and it all gets rolling Wednesday at San Diego State University.
