Fresno State Bulldogs vs San Diego State Aztecs Picks and Predictions December 4th 2024

No. 24 San Diego State opens league slate at Fresno State

Fresh off a thrilling overtime victory over No. 6 Houston, No. 24 San Diego State is set to open its Mountain West Conference schedule with a road game against Fresno State on Wednesday night. The Aztecs (4-2) aim to build on their momentum as they face a Bulldogs squad struggling to find consistency early in the season.

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San Diego State: Momentum and Defensive Excellence

San Diego State is riding high after a 73-70 overtime win against Houston, marking the program’s first victory over a top-10 opponent since upsetting No. 1 Alabama in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. This triumph also adds to coach Brian Dutcher’s impressive record of three wins over top-10 teams since taking charge in 2017-18.

Despite a slow start against Houston—shooting just 29.6% in the first half—the Aztecs improved to 48.1% in the second half, with standout contributions from Miles Byrd (18 points) and Jared Coleman-Jones (16 points). Freshman Pharaoh Compton added a career-best 13 points, proving pivotal on both ends of the court.

Coach Dutcher praised his team for navigating a daunting early-season schedule that included games against Gonzaga, Creighton, Oregon, and Houston.

“When we scheduled this season, I knew I had a good team, but could we be good in November? I’m proud of these guys,” Dutcher said.

Defensively, San Diego State is second in the Mountain West, allowing just 64.7 points per game. Their defensive strength will be crucial against Fresno State, a team with its own struggles on that end of the court.

Fresno State: Searching for Answers

The Bulldogs (3-4) come into this matchup as the Mountain West’s weakest defensive team, giving up 77.7 points per game. In their most recent game, they suffered a heartbreaking 86-81 double-overtime loss to Cal Baptist in the Acrisure Invitational. The loss was sealed after a halfcourt buzzer-beater tied the game in regulation.

Coach Vance Walberg remained optimistic, commending his players for their effort despite the loss.

“When you lose an overtime game, you always go back and say, ‘What if.’ But the effort and the heart—I’m really proud of the guys,” Walberg said.

The Bulldogs were led by Amar Augillard, who scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Despite his strong performance, Fresno State opened the game by missing their first 11 three-point attempts, a trend they must reverse to compete with a disciplined San Diego State defense.

Key Players to Watch

• San Diego State:
  • BJ Davis: The Aztecs’ leading scorer, averaging 13.8 points per game.
  • Nick Boyd: Contributing 13.0 points per game, Boyd is a consistent offensive weapon.
  • Miles Byrd: Averaging 12.8 points per game, Byrd is coming off a stellar performance against Houston.
  • Pharaoh Compton: The freshman impressed with his career-best game and defensive contributions against Houston.
• Fresno State:
  • Amar Augillard: Averaging 12.4 points per game, Augillard is a key offensive threat for the Bulldogs.
  • Anthony Holland: A versatile player capable of making an impact on both ends of the court.
  • Isaiah Hill: The Bulldogs will rely on Hill’s playmaking ability to keep the offense flowing.

Historical Context: Aztecs’ Dominance

San Diego State swept Fresno State in both matchups last season, winning decisively 74-47 at home and 73-41 on the road. The Aztecs’ stifling defense and balanced offense were too much for the Bulldogs to handle. Fresno State will need a vastly improved performance to challenge their conference rivals.

Game Outlook and Predictions

San Diego State enters the game as the clear favorite. Their defensive prowess and ability to perform in clutch moments have been evident throughout the season. Fresno State, on the other hand, will need to tighten up their defense and capitalize on their scoring opportunities to keep the game competitive.

Key matchups include San Diego State’s defense against Amar Augillard and the Aztecs’ offensive balance facing Fresno State’s inconsistent defensive schemes.

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Conclusion

As the Mountain West Conference season tips off, this game will test San Diego State’s ability to sustain its momentum while providing Fresno State with an opportunity to turn its season around. Fans can expect a spirited contest, with the Aztecs looking to cement their position as conference contenders and the Bulldogs aiming to bounce back from early-season struggles.