Aztecs vs Huskies... opposing viewpoints accepted if you must lol

[LordofBalls]

I've been a fan of SD State's athletics since the late 70s when I was attending.. and the basketball program went up a giant level when Coach Fisher came from Michigan and created what has become one of the top mid-major college programs in the country.. they got the on-campus arena built, and started having teams that the 'big dogs' didn't want to play against.

Fisher retired and passed it into very capable hands of Brian Dutcher, who has elevated the program even more with their unprecedented run into the Finals last year..
they caught a break the other night when Yale played their finest game and knocked out Auburn,
Aztecs were not gonna lose to Yale unless Yale played perfect again.. they didn't.

I've prob watched 20+ of SD State's gms this year so I'm pretty familiar I think..
This Aztec team does not have the height of Mensah and physicality of Arop inside to battle Clingan's size, and that has me worried the most...
If last yr's team had shot worth a shit in the Finals they could've won! but, they didn't... got it close near the end, but couldn't score when they had to.. that can still be an issue with this year's team.

Aztec guards and perimeter players play very good team defense, they help well and get their hands on a lot of passes or knock a dribble away, rebound well.. and they can help turn and swarm the opposing post player
LeDee is a studly 6'8", but not a leaper.. he plays w leverage and solid base and draws LOTS of fouls most games..
he's relentless and a hard worker (as are ALL of the Aztecs, Effort is NOT the problem).
Clingan is a long-armed solidly built 7'2".. that can board, block shots, and likes to shoot 3s
I don't know how LeDee is gonna be able to post him up and score, THAT and FTs is LeDee's game almost exclusively.
He can also hit mid-range jumper.. rarely shoots a 3.

I hope Clingan gets in foul trouble, Aztecs are not tall inside, but they do work hard defensively, blocking out, etc
Saunders.. Heide.. LeDee.. Waters (from USC).. long arms of Parrish and Pal (both very slender).. are ALL going to contribute.

I DO believe that Coach Brian Dutcher will have a solid game plan! and I hope they can execute it to perfection!
I've already played Aztecs +11.5 (buy half) and hoping line goes up another pt, but I don't know if it will.
I know ANYthing can happen.. Aztecs can get hot.. get lots of steals maybe.. bother the Conn 3s and limit them to 1 shot.
Butler, Trammell, Bird, Parrish, Waters, Saunders... need to be making their 3s..
they normally don't shoot a lot of them, normally pound the ball into LeDee..
I'm thinking they've got to take the perimeter shots this game and maybe some transition points would be nice!
We'll see!
GL to Aztecs backers!
Coach Danny can take his meds and his 8 M&Ms and have an early vacation!!!

LoB

 

[TouchdownJesus]

Good luck!! I've been really sick the last week or so, so while making bets and watching along w taking care of new kittens and sisters' dogs...I haven't really kept up w the actual bracket. I didn't realize until reading this that San Diego State was playing UConn so of course it's a rematch of the final last last year!

I was really pulling for them last year and pretty sure I bet on them too. I felt great about my bet on them covering vs Yale.

I'm a combination fan and conspiracy theorist so take it w a grain of salt. I wish I had seen it sooner...I thought about it right before halftime and had already bet the other way. Yale beats Auburn on 3/22 aka Skull and Bones 322 secret society. I can't confirm it but I also don't think those guys from Yale can compete w the athletes that Auburn has in a real setting. Just my take. So I thought Aztecs would easily cover against Yale and they did.

UConn in general reminds me of the Spurs. They win several titles but never repeat. I don't think they'll repeat this year either. I actually think Purdue will do what Virginia did 5 years ago. Lose to a 16 and then win title next year. But, who knows. Hoping my Tar Heels will go far. I think this will be a close game and I will most likely take the 11 points as well as small play on moneyline.

Really hope they win for you! Late 70's I was about to start Kindergarten as we entered a decade of great music, movies, and sports! At least from my perspective! Good write-up! Always love your posts and it's been awhile since we went back and forth!

 

[LordofBalls]

TDJ, I'm 67 on the outside but my brain still thinks I'm in my 30s lol

I know I usually write more than most ppl want to read when I post, but I appreciate the kind words from you!

as unbeatable as UConn has looked winning the Big East tourney easily, then again their 1st 2 gms last wkd, beating Stetson (nobody) and a very solid NW squad (which COULD'VE covered in last min)... it's hard to see how Aztecs can give them a game. Especially if you're like me and you've seen the struggles they go through offensively so often... seriously most of you haven't seen them go thru these 6-8 min patches of not scoring or just getting 2 or something.. omg it's brutal! but it didn't happen in their first 2 gms.. so maybe... ?

LeDee has been their consistent scorer/rebounder game in game out, almost exclusively scoring in the post, and rebound baskets, and FTs.
His teammates have all (at 1 point or another) had good games and other times horrible shooting games..
you never know which of them might shoot well from gm to gm.. somebody scores, but u can't predict who.. it's craycray!
That's why seeing Ledee having to play against a long-armed shot blocker and betting on them to stay close/win can create some negative scenarios in one's head!

but I'm on em.. because I know their guards (Butler, Parrish, Trammell, Bird) can create chaos for another team's offense, and frustrate a coach and I love seeing the Hurley bros when the veins on their heads are ready to explode! Bobby's tantrums are usually over poor officiating.. Danny's can be either player or officiating based, but he's had very little reason for antics this season.. hope Aztecs create turmoil for da Huskies!

 

[TouchdownJesus]

I love your posts but I know what you mean. I'm sure we've both said it before too but I'll start typing and before I know it I've written way more than people want to read....but I didn't write it for them haha. I just turned the big 5-0 and for the most part I also feel like I'm in my early to mid 30's. Overall I'm in really good shape, actually been trying to gain weight and up to maybe 175.

I know I'm not in quite the shape I was back in high school and college when I played football (high school) and club football (college) along w tons of flag football in college and after college. But I think I'm relatively close and the main thing holding me back is that I broke my ankle in 2 places back in 2010 and so I've just barely played anything since then. My foot looked like it was about to fall off that's how bad it was but it's mostly good now just don't have all the flexion or whatever you call it. I walk fine but it's tough to sprint on it.

Beating UConn will be tough but as they always say, big men get you to the dance but guards get you through it. I'm looking forward to a lot of what should be good matchups Thursday and Friday. Interested to see what NC State will do vs Marquette. Everyone around me thinks it's 1983 again. They're 90-1 right now to win it all so I put a buck on it lol. I'll check in later in the week....I went ahead and took them SD St +11 and gonna see if line moves any more. Talk more later my friend!

 

[TouchdownJesus]

Oh and not sure I've ever said it but while I'm a lifelong UNC fan...I went to college and work at NC State lol. I tried to switch when I went and it just didn't feel right so I stayed a UNC fan.

I played a couple years of Club Football there...wish I had known about it sooner...did pretty well as a WR. There were 5 teams in the "league" at that time and you played each team twice home and away and then top 4 made the playoffs. That first year I played we had a couple games canceled and as it turned out the only team that beat us was UNC...but they beat us 3 times including the title game. That title game I was still injured from a high ankle sprain (ironically enough, it's the ankle I would break 13 years later!). I taped it up and taped up my cleat but was very ineffective. It's the only game that I didn't have at least one reception.

Good times though! I loved it. There were 5 or 6 guys that I played w in high school on the team either one season or both! I didn't get a lot of playing time in high school b/c we were so good but I loved it too. I started every game in Club Football and like I said did well. Several receptions, a handful of touchdowns. It was kind of like semi-pro for college kids. We practiced 3 times per week for 2 hours....nothing like the long grueling high school practices. You got to the game however you could get there, often dressing on the field. All of our away games were on artificial turf which I loved. One game we were short-handed and I played linebacker in the first half. I kept asking the guy beside me....do I blitz? Can I blitz? lol. I had no idea other than watch for the run, if it's a pass then drift back...play inside out. I played a little corner but I knew that position b/c I played a lot of corner in high school. Anyway, just fun football for guys that wanted to extend their "careers".

So I'll be rooting for the Wolfpack Friday night but overall I'm a Tar Heel fan...always have been and always will be lol. Go Heels!! But I'd give anything to play another season of Club Football for NCSU!!

 

[ejthree]

My daughter is a SDSU grad and we also are big supporters of the Aztecs and agree they will battle to the last breathe. Occasionally I play poker with coach Fisher, he loves Omaha 0/8. Go Aztecs...

 

[LordofBalls]

got the Azzztecs to win 7u (big for me!)

Clem +7.5 480/400
Ala +4.5 360/300
Ala +5.5 350/280

parlays:

1h SD St +7/NCar OV 173.5/ILL ML/Aztecs OV 136.5 <<< 133/1551

ILL ml/Clem ml/Bama ml/_____ (open) 77/2776


GL to US!!!

 

[oxnardca1]

got the Azzztecs to win 7u (big for me!)

Clem +7.5 480/400
Ala +4.5 360/300
Ala +5.5 350/280

parlays:

1h SD St +7/NCar OV 173.5/ILL ML/Aztecs OV 136.5 <<< 133/1551

ILL ml/Clem ml/Bama ml/_____ (open) 77/2776


GL to US!!!

Way to go LOB............ SDSU almost covered the half...... But that second ML PARLAY......... WOWWWWWW........ CASH THAT!!!!!!

Your Clemson, ILL & BAMA........ ON POINT!