Imagine starting a game down 17-0 in just over seven minutes. That's exactly what happened to the San Diego State Aztecs in their preseason exhibition against the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Viejas Arena—a brutal wake-up call for a team already haunted by memories of a 27-point blowout in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this slow start a sign of deeper issues, or just a case of early-season jitters? Let’s dive in.
The Aztecs’ struggles began right where they left off in Dayton, Ohio, with missed shots, turnovers, and a seemingly insurmountable deficit. By the time Louisiana Tech transfer Sean Newman Jr. hit their first basket—a 3-pointer with 12:15 left in the half—the Aztecs were already in a 17-0 hole. The rhythmic clapping of the home crowd, usually a rallying cry, had become an awkward reminder of their mounting struggles. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the disastrous start, the Aztecs showed resilience, outscoring UCLA 60-50 over the final 32 minutes and dominating the second half 37-28.
Sophomore guard Taj DeGourville summed it up perfectly: “It was just kind of a wake-up for us.” Once they settled into a revamped offense with quicker ball movement, the Aztecs looked like a completely different team. A 17-5 run cut the deficit to three with seven minutes left, though UCLA ultimately held on for a 67-60 win.
Here’s the bold truth: This game wasn’t about the final score. It was about what the Aztecs learned. Coach Brian Dutcher framed it as a mid-October test to expose the team’s “good, bad, and in between,” and it delivered. The Aztecs shot a dismal 26.9% in the first half but rebounded with a scorching 57.1% in the second. They’ve got work to do—especially with key players like 7-foot sophomore Magoon Gwath (still recovering from injury) and junior wing Miles Byrd (returning from an abdominal strain) not yet at full strength—but there’s undeniable potential.
UCLA’s Donovan Dent (remember him from New Mexico?) was unstoppable, scoring 18 points and drawing eight fouls, while backcourt mate Skyy Clark added 13 points on just eight shots. Bruins coach Mick Cronin praised his guards’ poise under pressure, but he also acknowledged the Aztecs’ physicality: “They’re either going to make the refs call a foul on every play, or they’re going to tackle and push and grab… It’s not for the faint of heart coming in here.”
For the Aztecs, Reese Dixon-Waters led the way with 19 points in his return from a season-long foot injury, while DeGourville chipped in 10. The rest of the roster contributed sparingly, with eight players scoring between two and six points. The game, played with regular foul limits, saw SDSU’s Newman and Pharaoh Compton both foul out in a physical contest with 38 total fouls.
Now, the big question: Can the Aztecs turn this near-comeback into consistent success? With nearly two weeks until their next exhibition against USD on October 29 and the regular season opener against Long Beach State on November 4, Dutcher has time to address the team’s deficiencies. But will it be enough? Let us know what you think in the comments—is this Aztecs team a work in progress or a cause for concern?
