In the grand return of Formula One racing to Las Vegas on Thursday night, a practice session was cut short after just eight minutes. A manhole cover on The Strip backstretch of the 3.9-mile circuit came loose, causing significant damage to a $15 million race car. Meanwhile, a couple of blocks away at T-Mobile Arena on Friday night, San Diego State faced no such obstacles.
In a clash between two teams ranked in the Associated Press preseason Top 25, the Aztecs dominated Saint Mary’s 79-54 in the opening round of the Continental Tire Main Event. This impressive victory propelled San Diego State from 31st to 15th in the Kenpom metric. The Aztecs showcased their strength, skill, and overall prowess, outplaying the Gaels in every aspect of the game.
The final on Sunday night at 7 p.m. (or thereabouts) on ESPN2 will see San Diego State take on Washington, who narrowly defeated Xavier 74-71 in Friday’s late game.
Despite Saint Mary’s being favored to win the WCC ahead of Gonzaga and coming off a 14-point home victory against New Mexico, they couldn't overcome San Diego State's dominance. The Aztecs boast an exceptional record at the Thomas & Mack Center, winning 45 times in the last 15 years, including a 14-1 record in their last 15 games in the city.
Jaedon LeDee led the Aztecs with 25 points and eight rebounds, maintaining an impressive scoring record in the first four games of the season. Notably, the Aztecs' bench, often underperforming and hampered by injuries, outscored their counterparts for the first time this season, contributing to the comprehensive victory.
The Gaels struggled, shooting 34.4 percent and being outrebounded 40-33. Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett acknowledged San Diego State's quality but expressed concern about his team's competitiveness and toughness, particularly in the second half.
San Diego State strategically played against Saint Mary’s bigs, opting for a straight-up defense and occasionally double-teaming. This approach paid off in the second half, as Mitchell Saxen and Joshua Jefferson faced foul trouble, and the Aztecs built a substantial lead.
In summary, San Diego State's impressive performance against Saint Mary’s showcased their strength, depth, and ability to wear down opponents, further solidifying their standing in college basketball.
