Aztecs Maxed Out in Brilliant Season

In the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, you run into three kinds of teams:

1. The very good teams that are too talented to lose in the first two rounds,

2. The Cinderella wannabees who spring an upset over a big conference stiff in one game and beat a smaller league school they match up well with in other (think Richmond),

3. Those who suddenly get hot, possibly riding a great player (see UConn and Walker, Kemba).

San Diego State was in the first category and unfortunately had to play a school in the third and, as I posted Thursday, you can't predict when that will happen.

Simply said, it was apparent during the tournament that SDSU came in playing at a high level, but was unable to push the envelope any farther. You have to do that in order to go go any deeper than they did. There is no shame in that, it happened to Duke a couple of hours later on the same floor. But they struggled for a half-plus against Northern Colorado and couldn't put away injury-riddled Temple until the end of the second overtime.

San Diego State's acclaimed star, Kawhi Leonard, was unable to put the Aztecs on his back and carry them like Walker did for the Huskies or Derrick Williams has for Arizona. He disappeared against the Owls until the end and got himself in a heap of trouble vs the Huskies. In true Leonard form, however, he made a number of big plays down the stretch before UConn salted away the game.

Basketball seasons last a long time for college kids, two months longer than football, and most teams have ups and downs over the course of a campaign. SDSU had only ups. The only hint of a down was that weird tournament in Las Vegas when they had to play in a converted horse barn, but even then they escaped with a couple of victories. Their season was an amazing accomplishment, and the way this team brought the community together was tremendous. We'll all remember this brilliant season that could launch the basketball program to even greater heights.

I'll leave you with two thoughts, one to ponder and one to give you chills:

-- Maybe the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship win over BYU was a pyrrhic victory. Imagine a very close loss to the Cougars, who get the No. 2 seed in the West while the Aztecs take the No. 3 seed in the Southwest Regional. Do you think SDSU is still standing today? I don't see Florida as a buzzsaw like UConn.

-- One day, maybe in a couple of years, DJ Gay and Billy White are going to return to Viejas Arena to take in a game. Can you imagine the reception when the PA announcer calls out "D-J-Gay!" with all the fans joining in or Billllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee White!" We're going to miss that sort of excitement as much as anything. I already miss them, along with Malcolm Thomas, and it's only one night later.