9 Chapters Rise Journey to the Top of San Diego State Basketball

The Rise of San Diego State Basketball: A Journey to the Top

Chapter 1: The Early Years of San Diego State Basketball
Chapter 2: The Steve Fisher Era Begins
Chapter 3: The Aztecs Make Their First NCAA Tournament Appearance
Chapter 4: The Kawhi Leonard Era
Chapter 5: The Aztecs Win Their First Mountain West Conference Championship
Chapter 6: The Jamaal Franklin Era
Chapter 7: The Aztecs Win Back-to-Back Mountain West Conference Championships
Chapter 8: The Brian Dutcher Era Begins
Chapter 9: The Aztecs Return to the Top of the Mountain West Conference

Introduction:

San Diego State University has a rich basketball history that dates back to the early 1920s. Over the years, the program has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, but in recent years, the Aztecs have emerged as one of the top programs in the country. Led by head coach Brian Dutcher, San Diego State has become a perennial contender in the Mountain West Conference and a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament.

In this book, we will take a journey through the history of San Diego State basketball, from its early years to the present day. We will explore the key players, coaches, and moments that have shaped the program and led to its current success. From the Steve Fisher era to the Kawhi Leonard era, and from the Jamaal Franklin era to the Brian Dutcher era, we will examine the highs and lows of San Diego State basketball and the lessons learned along the way.

Chapter 1: The Early Years of San Diego State Basketball

San Diego State University first fielded a basketball team in 1921, but it wasn't until the 1930s that the program began to gain traction. Led by head coach Leo Calland, the Aztecs won their first conference championship in 1935 and made their first appearance in the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) tournament.

In the 1940s and 1950s, San Diego State continued to build its program, but it wasn't until the 1960s that the Aztecs experienced their first sustained period of success. Led by head coach Don Coryell, San Diego State won four consecutive conference championships from 1962 to 1965 and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

The 1970s and 1980s were a mixed bag for San Diego State basketball. The program experienced some success, including a conference championship in 1975 and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1985, but it also endured some lean years. In 1989, the Aztecs hired Jim Brandenburg as head coach, and he would lay the foundation for the program's resurgence in the 1990s.

Chapter 2: The Steve Fisher Era Begins

In 1999, San Diego State hired Steve Fisher as its new head coach. Fisher had previously led the University of Michigan to a national championship in 1989 and had a reputation as a top-notch recruiter. He wasted no time in putting his stamp on the program, bringing in a talented recruiting class that included future NBA players Brandon Heath and Marcus Slaughter.

In his first season at San Diego State, Fisher led the Aztecs to a 14-14 record, but it was clear that the program was headed in the right direction. Over the next few years, Fisher continued to recruit at a high level, bringing in players like Randy Holcomb, Aerick Sanders, and Evan Burns.

Chapter 3: The Aztecs Make Their First NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2002, San Diego State made its first NCAA Tournament appearance under Steve Fisher. Led by Brandon Heath and Randy Holcomb, the Aztecs earned a 12th seed in the West Region and faced fifth-seeded Illinois in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, San Diego State fell to Illinois 93-64, but the experience was invaluable for the program.

Over the next few years, San Diego State continued to build its program, winning 20 games in each of the next three seasons. In 2006, the Aztecs won their first postseason tournament, capturing the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship.

Chapter 4: The Kawhi Leonard Era

In 2009, San Diego State landed one of the top recruits in the country Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, a native of Riverside, California, was a highly sought-after prospect who had offers from several top programs, including UCLA and USC.

Leonard made an immediate impact for the Aztecs, averaging 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. He helped lead San Diego State to a 25-9 record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Over the next two seasons, Leonard continued to improve, earning Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors in both 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he led the Aztecs to a 34-3 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Chapter 5: The Aztecs Win Their First Mountain West Conference Championship

In 2011-12, San Diego State won its first Mountain West Conference championship under Steve Fisher. Led by Jamaal Franklin, Chase Tapley, and Xavier Thames, the Aztecs finished the regular season with a 24-6 record and a share of the conference title.

San Diego State went on to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs were seeded sixth in the West Region and faced North Carolina State in the first round. Despite a strong effort, San Diego State fell to the Wolfpack 79-65, ending its season.

Chapter 6: The Jamaal Franklin Era

In 2012-13, Jamaal Franklin emerged as one of the top players in the country. The junior guard averaged 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, leading San Diego State to a 23-11 record and a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Despite being seeded seventh in the South Region, the Aztecs upset Oklahoma in the first round before falling to Florida Gulf Coast in the second round. Franklin was named a First-Team All-American and declared for the NBA Draft after the season.

Chapter 7: The Aztecs Win Back-to-Back Mountain West Conference Championships

In 2013-14 and 2014-15, San Diego State won back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships. Led by Xavier Thames, Winston Shepard, and Skylar Spencer, the Aztecs finished the regular season with identical 16-2 conference records.

San Diego State earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons but was unable to advance past the Sweet 16. Despite the disappointment, the Aztecs had firmly established themselves as one of the top programs in the country.

Chapter 8: The Brian Dutcher Era Begins

In 2017, Steve Fisher retired after 18 seasons as head coach of San Diego State. He was replaced by his longtime assistant, Brian Dutcher, who had been with the program since 1999.

Dutcher inherited a talented roster that included Malik Pope, Trey Kell, and Devin Watson. In his first season as head coach, he led the Aztecs to a 22-11 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Chapter 9: The Aztecs Return to the Top of the Mountain West Conference

In 2019-20, San Diego State enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history. Led by Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Malachi Flynn, the Aztecs won their first 26 games of the season and finished with a 30-2 record.

San Diego State won its second Mountain West Conference championship under Brian Dutcher and was poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event.

End

San Diego State basketball has come a long way since its early days in the 1920s. From the Don Coryell era to the Kawhi Leonard era, and from the Jamaal Franklin era to the Brian Dutcher era, the program has experienced its fair share of highs and lows.

Through it all, San Diego State has remained committed to building a winning program and providing its student-athletes with the tools they need to succeed on and off the court. With a rich history and a bright future, the Aztecs are poised to continue their rise to the top of the college basketball world.