Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports
San Diego State vs. San Jose State
Provident Credit Union Event Center – San Jose State University
Tuesday, December 30 – 7:00 p.m.
The Aztecs travel to the Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose for a chance to start 2-0 in Mountain West play.
The San Diego State Aztecs have a big opportunity to prove to themselves that they can turn things around and get back on track for conference play.
The Aztecs are about to embark on their final Mountain West journey. There is no doubt that these players and coaches want to leave the conference on top, and it starts by setting the tone early in conference play. SDSU was the Mountain West preseason favorite for a reason.
Dutcher and the Aztecs normally dominate San Jose State. He has never lost to the team up north since he became the head coach. The Aztecs have a favorable matchup in front of them for a chance to start 2-0 in conference play before hosting Boise State.
Getting To Know The Spartans
San Jose State is 5-7 on the season and 0-1 in conference play after a blowout loss to New Mexico on the road. The Spartans have wins against Loyola Chicago, USD, and Long Beach State. Earlier in December, San Jose State played Stanford very well and lost 86-82, but not before a late rally. Stanford thought they would cruise to a win, but that did not happen. A similar game could happen on Tuesday night when the Spartans host the Aztecs.
San Jose State averages 74.8 points per game and allows 75.0 per contest. They have a field goal percentage of 45% and 36.9% from deep. This team does not protect the rim very well by averaging only 1.8 blocks per game and 33.5 rebounds. San Diego State has struggled to rebound this season, but has a slight advantage over San Jose State at 36.8 per game.
Colby Garland is the team’s best all-around player. He averages 19.6 points per game, which is 39th in the country. He can really score at a high level and in all three levels. He shoots 53.3% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc. He adds 3.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Garland has scored 20+ points in four straight games and scored 27 in the loss to New Mexico.
roll the highlights 🎥
Colby Garland #AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/iUQeBsI72u
— San Jose State Men’s Basketball (@SanJoseStateMBB) December 18, 2025
Garland is going to be a threat against the Aztecs. The lefty can score with ease. He can play similarly to Reese Dixon-Waters by hesitating at the top of the key and freeing himself up to get a good look. He shoots at a high rate, so when he is open, the shot is going in more often than not. The Aztecs must find a way to contain him.
Yaphet Moundi is second on the team in scoring. The senior averages 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals on 50.5% shooting. Moundi is a native of Paris, France, and has proven to be a very good player on some occasions. Against USD earlier this month, Moundi scored 18 points and grabbed 12 boards in the blowout win. Moundi followed up by scoring 26 points against Stanford. Garland and Moundi are, without a doubt, the best players on this team and will be a major part of the Spartans’ game plan.
Freshman Ben Roseborough has impressed this season. He averages 10.6 points and 1.0 steals per game, but has not played since November with an injury. Jermaine Washington averages 10.8 points per game and adds 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Washington and Garland play north of 34 minutes per game, so the Aztecs will see a lot of them on Tuesday night.
Key To Victory
The Aztecs must dominate in the paint. This matchup allows them to do just that. San Jose State does not have much size at all, and the Aztecs are coming off a game where they scored 121 points with 84 of them coming in the paint. This is an area where the Aztecs can excel. Magoon Gwath, Pharaoh Compton, Miles Heide, Tae Simmons, and Jeremiah Oden can all score the rock near or at the rim.
Compton continues to have a great season in scoring. He averages only 8.7 points per game, but shoots 75% from the floor. His 21 points against Whittier College were his career high and fourth double-digit scoring game of the season. Look for Compton to continue to be a threat near the basket against the Spartans.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.
Continue Reading