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| INSIDE THE NUMBERS |
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2000-01 record: 21-12;
7-7 in MWC (Tied 4th)
Postseason: Lost to Illinois 93-64 in first round of NCAA Midwest Region.
RETURNING LEADERS
Points: Bland 15.7
Rebs: Mackell 4.4
Assists: Bland 3.4
FG: Mackell 52.4%
3pt: Bland 35.8%
FT: San Diego State | MWC
KEY LOSSES
Al Faux | 17.0 ppg
Randy Holcomb | 16.9 ppg
PROJECTED STARTERS
G | De. Moore | Senior
G | Tony Bland | Senior
G | Tom Johnson | Soph
F | Aerick Sanders | Junior
C | Mike Mackell | Senior
Player to Watch
Tony Bland
Will get his team-high points from the line, behind the arc and driving through paint.
DATE TO REMEMBER
When Hawaii comes calling, it'll be the first game when the Aztecs will have both Manker and Hanour eligible. The Warriors went 16-1 at home last season, with the only loss coming to SDSU.
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SAN DIEGO STATE
AZTECS
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Steve Fisher has orchestrated one of the nation's best turnarounds in recent times, taking a 5-23 program three years ago to a 21-win team that captured the conference tournament and made the NCAAs last season. The Aztecs lose leading scorers Randy Holcomb and Al Faux, but return three starters. Tony Bland is the former Syracuse guard who averaged 15.7 points as a junior, and will be expected to lead this team from the outset. SDSU has one of the league's best post players in senior Mike Mackell (6-9, 250) and a once again healthy senior in point guard Deandre Moore (41 assists to 13 turnovers in final 13 games last season). But if SDSU hopes to again challenge for a spot in March Madness, new faces must emerge. Transfers in 6-10 forward/center Chris Manker (Oregon State) and 6-6 wing Travis Hanour (Arizona) become eligible in mid-December. The key between competing for a conference title and not could be the status of forward Evan Burns. The McDonald's All-American signed with UCLA, didn't qualify and enrolled at SDSU. If granted eligibility this season, Burns makes the Aztecs an instant contender.
TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
It's amazing what three days can do for a program's image. The Aztecs took a major step in their development by winning the conference tournament in Las Vegas, and the prospect of finding success in places like Laramie and Albuquerque is no longer frightening. Now, it's up to returning players to feed off the momentum last season produced. This is a program, remember, that not long ago lost 30 straight road games.
TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Holcomb earned much of the all-conference and national recognition last season, but Faux is the player SDSU will miss most. Few players at any level thrive off taking last-second shots more than Faux. He wanted the ball when it mattered most. But who will take those shots now? The obvious candidate is Bland, who started two years at Syracuse before transferring. Hanour, a skilled wing who was set to start at Arizona before departing, is also likely to take huge shots.
BOTTOM LINE..............................
SDSU is picked fifth in conference, which makes sense when you combine its losses and how better the league appears to be. If Burns must sit out this season, there is still enough for an NIT run and some upset victories along the way. But if the former Los Angeles Fairfax High standout plays, SDSU could make its second straight NCAA Tournament after a 17-year absence.
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