Cougars to face improved Aztecs

SAN DIEGO — The Aztecs want revenge for a 22-point spanking in Provo, and the Cougars want to rip the Mountain West Conference basketball title away from UNLV and Air Force.

Something's gotta give today when San Diego State (19-8, 8-5) hosts No. 21 BYU (21-6, 11-2) for a 4 p.m. tip-off at Cox Arena. The game will be televised live on CSTV. A capacity crowd is expected for the game.

The Cougars are facing two huge road games, this one and the one next week at Air Force.

If BYU wins two of its next three games, the Cougars will win the league championship outright and sweeten their chances at a reasonable seed in the NCAA tournament come March. A win today would clinch at least a share of the title.

BYU coach Dave Rose expects the Aztecs to give their best effort of the season today, extending the defense with pressure and traps, and trying to disrupt BYU's inside-outside attack.

"I think San Diego is playing a lot better defense, playing better together, sharing the ball better than earlier in the season," Rose said. "They are very talented and they will play well at home.

"They like to get into people and defend them. They nailed UNLV pretty good and gave Air Force a tough time and they did that with pressure, so I'd expect them to do the same against us."

With a piece of the MWC title on the line, BYU needs to have a stellar rebounding effort, avoid turnovers and hit enough outside shots to open up Keena Young and Trent Plaisted inside.

Being in the hunt heading into the final two weeks of the league season doesn't weigh heavy on the Cougar squad, according to coaches.

Rose said his staff looked at the schedule a year ago and pointed to this key stretch of games at San Diego State and Air Force with Utah at home and hoped they would be in position at this stage to chase the league title.

"And now we are right here and that's what we're doing," Rose said. "It's a great opportunity."

The Cougars will have the challenge of stopping Brandon Heath, who averages 19 points a game. He is surrounded by talented wing players who will test the Cougar defense.

"I think right now, San Diego State is as healthy and is playing as good as they have all year," Rose said.

San Diego State has won six of its last seven games, including an 81-74 overtime victory at New Mexico on Tuesday, to improve to fourth place in the league standings at 8-5. The Aztecs are 12-2 in Cox Arena this year, including five straight MWC wins since opening league play with a 66-65 home loss to Wyoming.

The Cougars are 5-5 on the road this season. BYU has now won eight straight games, its longest winning streak since 2003-04.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com