The San Diego State men’s basketball team trounced Alabama State 73-41 on Monday night at Viejas Arena before a crowd of …
Before an announced crowd of 12,414.
The three game losing streak is no more. The many problems with the Aztecs … almost certainly remain.
Look, I’m not generally one to sneer at 32-point victories and I won’t do it here. BUT.
Alabama State is almost certainly the worst Division I team the Aztecs will play all year, which is kind of crazy considering we’re in a league with San Jose State. The Hornets of the SWAC, who fell to 1-8 with the loss, have never won a game in any postseason tournament (we didn’t until 2003, so no shade here) and their most notable hoops alumnus is the rapper 2 Chainz.
So yeah, you can take this result with a 40-pound burlap sack of driveway salt.
On that note, this was also about at lethargic a drubbing as you could ever imagine. SDSU raced out to a huge early lead, essentially treating Alabama State defenders as traffic cones en route to easy scores in the paint.
Yet that’s not to say the Aztecs didn’t still have long stretches where they resembled the frustrating, flawed squad we’ve all become accustomed to. The occasional five- or six-possessions in a row of aimless bumbling around on offense still occurred, mind you. It’s just in this game, against this opponent, the inept futzing didn’t really matter.
The Aztecs dominated the second half as well, though the tempo and quality of play made one wonder if both teams had consumed five-course pot roast dinners, replete with brandy and cigars, during halftime.
Malik Pope, who scored 15 points combined in his previous three games, poured in 16 to pace the Aztecs. I’d like to conclude he’s all fixed too, but lol nope not falling for it.
Point guard Jeremy Hemsley sat out with a foot injury that isn’t thought to be serious. Fortunately, he and the Aztecs have nearly a week and a half off before facing Southern Miss in the Diamond Head Classic.
Frankly, I think we could all use the break right about now.
KABEER THIRTY 