San Diego State and Alabama-Birmingham meet in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament. Here's what to expect.
The entire country knows Aztecs senior forward Jaedon LeDee is a problem. Quite literally a BIG problem. The 6’9,” 240-pound forward has been named to multiple all-American teams. He scored in double figures in every single game he played this year so SDSU can count on him performing every night. But as good as he is, he can't win alone. The Aztecs have struggled to find consistent complementary pieces to ease the burden on LeDee, and they know it.
“Jayden's going to draw so much attention and just because of how dominant he is. So, if we’re able to hit shots from the outside it’s going to relieve pressure off him and then we're going to be able to, you know, just win games like that,” says senior guard Lamont Butler. The magic number for SDSU seems to be three. When they get three scores in double figures, they're very, very good. This year they went 22-6 when a trio pours in 10 points or more, with five of those losses coming to fellow NCAA tournament teams . When they have fewer than three guys in double digits, they're 2-4 and the only wins came against Cal and San Jose State, who combined to go 21-42 this year. Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher is well aware of this issue.
“Yeah, we’ve got to make jump shots. Everybody knows that it's the 3-point shot is the greatest weapon in the game,” says Dutcher. “Against Utah State we made some, and multiple players made them, not just one guy. So, we don't need everybody make them on a given night, but we need someone to step up and get hot. And hopefully that will happen in the NCAA tournament.”LeDee averaged 21 points a game this year.
Meanwhile, SDSU will have several players to keep an eye on. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, who got to March Madness by winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament, sport four guys who average at least 10 points a game but not a single one who tops 13 points a game . This game will very likely what every San Diego State game comes down to: defense.is a statistic that, in a nutshell, rates how hard a team makes it for their opponents to score.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
San Diego State Aztecs and UAB Blazers play in the first round of NCAA TournamentThe No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs face the UAB Blazers in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The teams match up Friday for the first time this season. San Diego State is 13-8 against the MWC, and UAB is 15-6 against the AAC.
Lire la suite »
UAB vs San Diego State Predictions, Picks, and Odds: Aztecs Overwhelm in March Madness OpenerMarch Madness picks, odds, and predictions for UAB Blazers vs San Diego State Aztecs. March Madness free picks and best bet analysis.
Lire la suite »
Aztecs get a 5 seed in the East Regional, will open NCAA Tournament against UABThe San Diego State men's basketball team was selected as a 5th seed in the East Regional and will play against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Friday…
Lire la suite »
5 Things to Watch: Aztecs open spring drills with new coach, offense, defenseSDSU coach Sean Lewis will introduce 'AztecFAST' offense with 15 practices that culminate with April 20 Spring Game at Snapdragon Stadium
Lire la suite »
UAB health system suspends IVF following Alabama Supreme Court ruling on embryosThe UAB health system has paused IVF treatments after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are 'extrauterine children.'
Lire la suite »
Phelps, SMU Mustangs to visit Lendeborg, UAB BlazersThe UAB Blazers will take on conference foe SMU. Sunday's game is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Mustangs won the last matchup 72-69. UAB is 11-6 against the AAC, and SMU is 11-6 against conference opponents.
Lire la suite »