air force
- Thread starter zonaVICK
- Start date
way to many points on a neutral court and a defensive team like air force who likes to keep the tempo slow and shoot the 3...if they dont nail their 3's, theirs no way they cover a spread this game...this spread is inflated based on their good record this year, SDSU is just as talented, maybe even better with Slaughter and Heath...nobody on Air Force even comes close in skilsl and athleticsm, but Air Forces D can slow anyone down...
Last opportunity is MWC Tournament
DENVER ? Steve Fisher prefers the talking cease now because, after all, what's the point? Twenty-seven games are enough to evaluate a basketball team's ability, and it's obvious on which side of the ledger San Diego State exists today.
Hint: The wrong one.
"We need to go, play well and win," said Fisher of his team's opening game in the Mountain West Conference Tournament against Air Force tonight in the Pepsi Center. "I am ever the optimist. I think if we go and play well, we'll have a great chance. But I've said that before and we haven't won. Enough talking."
A conference season that once appeared so promising has disintegrated into six straight defeats and nine in the last 10 games, securing the program's second straight losing season. Fisher, 59, is in his sixth season as coach, and none of the previous five has been more disappointing for him, a slate defined by four overtime losses.
Academic issues cost the Aztecs (10-17) their starting point guard, and injuries took from it needed experience in several games. But this has also proved to be a team lacking high basketball intelligence, which has accounted for its not making key plays late in winnable games.
"No one associated with (SDSU) is happy with the overall record this season or the struggles down the stretch, especially Coach Fisher," said Athletic Director Mike Bohn. "He is committed to a disciplined and fundamentally strong and mentally tough program and we anticipate the future will match the high expectations he has set.
A tough season
San Diego State's men's basketball team finished 10-17 overall and 4-10 in conference. The season not only was disappointing, but often painful, considering:
With a 10-11 record going into their game with UNLV at Cox Arena on Feb. 12, the Aztecs lost a 10-point lead with 29 seconds remaining in regulation, then lost in overtime. Including that loss, they went 0-6 to finish the regular season.
SDSU lost four times in overtime.
The Aztecs lost seven MWC games in which they held a second-half lead.
"(Fisher) and his staff have put together what could be the best recruiting class in the history of the institution. It's exciting to think what achievements could lie ahead with our young returning players and recruits and Steve as our coach."
It's what many within the program have talked about privately for some time now, the hope that by adding more skill next year to a roster that includes three all-conference selections will immediately turn SDSU's fortunes. This season, SDSU was picked seventh in conference and expectations were nil. That won't be the case next year.
But first, the Aztecs must try to solve the puzzle that has been Air Force this season. The teams have met twice and the Falcons won by 12 in Colorado Springs and by 20 in San Diego. Air Force has won four straight in the series.
"I know a lot of people don't think we can win (this week), but right now it's not about what everyone else believes," said Aztecs guard Brandon Heath. "It's about believing in one another. If we believe what Coach Fisher has been saying ? that there isn't anyone in the conference that much better than the next team ? anything is possible. In college basketball, it's hard to beat anyone three times in a season. We're excited to play (Air Force) again."
Sophomore forward Marcus Slaughter should play after missing two straight games with an injured toe but couldn't do all the things trainers had hoped in practice this week. Heath, though, is the key.
In four career games against Air Force, he has shot 9-of-34 and played himself into trouble by forcing the dribble into the teeth of a digging, clawing Falcons zone. There might not be a better player in the conference who plays more into the hands of Air Force than Heath.
It happens in stressful situations, which pretty much defines playing Air Force. You're guaranteed half the normal offensive possessions and if the Falcons are shooting well, you end up trading twos for threes all night.
The Falcons (18-11) also own the league's best assist/turnover ratio (plus 1.4) and are far more athletic at specific spots than past seasons.
"I'm glad we're playing them," Fisher said. "If you were the No. 1 seed, you'd probably be saying, 'Boy, I'm glad we're not playing Air Force.' But they are the third seed. They finished third. They won 18 games. They are supposed to win. Maybe the heat is on them. Maybe that will subtly help us a little bit."
And if it doesn't, those whispers about the potential for next season will surely grow louder.
After all, what else is there right now?
"I have a great deal of faith in Coach Fisher as a coach and as a pivotal part of our athletic enterprise," Bohn said. "Right or wrong, coaches are judged on what they have done in the most recent seasons. But during his time here, the program has improved in virtually every measurable area.
"We believe in him."
DENVER ? Steve Fisher prefers the talking cease now because, after all, what's the point? Twenty-seven games are enough to evaluate a basketball team's ability, and it's obvious on which side of the ledger San Diego State exists today.
Hint: The wrong one.
"We need to go, play well and win," said Fisher of his team's opening game in the Mountain West Conference Tournament against Air Force tonight in the Pepsi Center. "I am ever the optimist. I think if we go and play well, we'll have a great chance. But I've said that before and we haven't won. Enough talking."
A conference season that once appeared so promising has disintegrated into six straight defeats and nine in the last 10 games, securing the program's second straight losing season. Fisher, 59, is in his sixth season as coach, and none of the previous five has been more disappointing for him, a slate defined by four overtime losses.
Academic issues cost the Aztecs (10-17) their starting point guard, and injuries took from it needed experience in several games. But this has also proved to be a team lacking high basketball intelligence, which has accounted for its not making key plays late in winnable games.
"No one associated with (SDSU) is happy with the overall record this season or the struggles down the stretch, especially Coach Fisher," said Athletic Director Mike Bohn. "He is committed to a disciplined and fundamentally strong and mentally tough program and we anticipate the future will match the high expectations he has set.
A tough season
San Diego State's men's basketball team finished 10-17 overall and 4-10 in conference. The season not only was disappointing, but often painful, considering:
With a 10-11 record going into their game with UNLV at Cox Arena on Feb. 12, the Aztecs lost a 10-point lead with 29 seconds remaining in regulation, then lost in overtime. Including that loss, they went 0-6 to finish the regular season.
SDSU lost four times in overtime.
The Aztecs lost seven MWC games in which they held a second-half lead.
"(Fisher) and his staff have put together what could be the best recruiting class in the history of the institution. It's exciting to think what achievements could lie ahead with our young returning players and recruits and Steve as our coach."
It's what many within the program have talked about privately for some time now, the hope that by adding more skill next year to a roster that includes three all-conference selections will immediately turn SDSU's fortunes. This season, SDSU was picked seventh in conference and expectations were nil. That won't be the case next year.
But first, the Aztecs must try to solve the puzzle that has been Air Force this season. The teams have met twice and the Falcons won by 12 in Colorado Springs and by 20 in San Diego. Air Force has won four straight in the series.
"I know a lot of people don't think we can win (this week), but right now it's not about what everyone else believes," said Aztecs guard Brandon Heath. "It's about believing in one another. If we believe what Coach Fisher has been saying ? that there isn't anyone in the conference that much better than the next team ? anything is possible. In college basketball, it's hard to beat anyone three times in a season. We're excited to play (Air Force) again."
Sophomore forward Marcus Slaughter should play after missing two straight games with an injured toe but couldn't do all the things trainers had hoped in practice this week. Heath, though, is the key.
In four career games against Air Force, he has shot 9-of-34 and played himself into trouble by forcing the dribble into the teeth of a digging, clawing Falcons zone. There might not be a better player in the conference who plays more into the hands of Air Force than Heath.
It happens in stressful situations, which pretty much defines playing Air Force. You're guaranteed half the normal offensive possessions and if the Falcons are shooting well, you end up trading twos for threes all night.
The Falcons (18-11) also own the league's best assist/turnover ratio (plus 1.4) and are far more athletic at specific spots than past seasons.
"I'm glad we're playing them," Fisher said. "If you were the No. 1 seed, you'd probably be saying, 'Boy, I'm glad we're not playing Air Force.' But they are the third seed. They finished third. They won 18 games. They are supposed to win. Maybe the heat is on them. Maybe that will subtly help us a little bit."
And if it doesn't, those whispers about the potential for next season will surely grow louder.
After all, what else is there right now?
"I have a great deal of faith in Coach Fisher as a coach and as a pivotal part of our athletic enterprise," Bohn said. "Right or wrong, coaches are judged on what they have done in the most recent seasons. But during his time here, the program has improved in virtually every measurable area.
"We believe in him."
if I were u, i would play the under if you like air force because if they win, it will be with their defense, and that means low scoring and a big spread might not be covered...however, i could see a 58-52 type game...just my 2 cents
how much is the parlay paying if you don't mind me asking. if its a big parlay hedge,if not roll with st.
small play nothing to get too excited about so I might just let it ride. This is called gambling right :scared
