First season 1921–22 Nickname Aztecs Home Away Arena/Stadium Viejas Arena Division Division I (NCAA) Colors Scarlet, Black | All-time record 1,366-1067-1 (.560) Student section The Show Head coach Steve Fisher Conference Mountain West Conference Mascot Aztec Warrior | |
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University San Diego State University Location San Diego, California, United States Profiles | ||
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team is the college basketball program that represents San Diego State University, located in San Diego, California. The school's team currently competes in the Mountain West Conference, and play their home games in Viejas Arena. The team began play in 1921 and have been to 6 NAIA tournaments winning in 1941, 3 NCAA Division II tournaments, 5 NIT tournaments, and 11 NCAA Division I tournaments. Since joining the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs have won 4 MWC tournaments. Former players who went on to achieve notable success in other areas are Art Linkletter and Tony Gwynn.
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Team history
The Aztecs first began playing during the 1921–22 basketball season as part of the Southern California JC conference. They competed in Division III until 1956. They competed in 6 NAIA tournaments. Runners up in 1939 and in 1940, the Aztecs finally prevailed and won the 1941 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. They became a NCAA Division I school in 1970 and moved to the Western Athletic Conference in 1978. In 1999 the Aztecs left the WAC and became a charter member of the Mountain West Conference. Prior to entering the Mountain West, they went to 3 NCAA Conference tournaments. During their time in the MWC, the Aztecs have won 4 conference tournaments and have been to 8 NCAA tournaments and 4 NIT tournaments. In 2010–11 season, the Aztecs were ranked as high as 4th in the nation and won their first ever games in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen.
Rivalries
The Aztecs have three major rivalries, the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. Their primary rival is the UNLV Rebels, especially in recent years with some memorable showdowns. The USD Torereos are the Aztecs crosstown rivals and play them annually through non-conference play, also known as the City Championship. The Aztecs rivalry with the BYU Cougars is inactive since 2011 when the Cougars left the MWC for the WCC, although it is now widely recognized that the New Mexico Lobos have since filled that position.
Facilities
The Aztecs play their home games at Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena), which is located on the west side of campus. Viejas Arena opened in 1997 as Cox Arena and seats 12,414 for basketball games. In 2009, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians purchased the naming rights for ten years. The arena features an octagonal scoreboard with video-replay system, that includes up-to-the-minute statistical information on individual players. The facility is also equipped with seven locker rooms, two of which are complete with team rooms, equipment rooms, and a shared training room.
Prior to the opening of the arena, men's basketball played its games at Peterson Gym and, for more than 30 years, at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Head coaches
Season-by-season results
Division I era
* Jim Harrick Jr. coached the final 7 games of 1991–92 season.
NCAA Division I tournament results
The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament 11 times. Their combined record is 6–11.
NCAA Division II tournament results
The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament three times. Their combined record is 5–3.
NAIA tournament results
The Aztecs have appeared in the NAIA Tournament six times. Their combined record is 15–5. They were NAIA National Champions in 1941.
NIT results
The Aztecs have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times. Their combined record is 8–6.
All-time record vs. current MWC teams
Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MWC opponents as of the completion of the 2015-2016 season:
Single season leaders
(*) Lead conference