San Diego State will visit one of the more historic venues in college basketball Thursday afternoon hoping to make some of their own program history.
The Aztecs will be playing the University of Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, trying to win a 28th game in a season for the first time ever.
The Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament quarterfinal between the fourth-seeded Aztecs (27-5) and second-seeded Jayhawks (21-13) starts at 4:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
“This is going to be a great experience for our kids,” said San Diego State coach Stacie Terry-Hutson. “The physicality that I expect in this game is going to be tough for us. But I do think we can get out and run. This is an interesting match of styles.”
“The Phog” is one of the most revered sites in college basketball.
In fact, the facility on the Lawrence, Kan., campus is known as “The Cathedral of College Basketball.”
Opened in 1955 and named in memory of legendary Kansas coach Phog Allen, the arena represents one of the strongest home-court advantages in all of sports.
KU’s women are 14-4 at home this season and just 7-9 away from Lawrence.
“I don’t know if any of my players are aware of the history of this place, which could be good,” said Terry-Hutson.
But the Aztecs do know that Kansas has one of the top freshmen in the country and a tall and physical front line.
The freshman is 6-foot-2 Jaliya Davis, who averages 19.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, shoots 62% from the floor and helps bring the ball up court.
“She is an unbelievable talent,” said Terry-Hutson. “And Kansas has four players 6-3 or 6-4. We’re going to see some physical basketball. Plus. They have a very talented point guard.
“Kansas is a very typical Power Four team.”
But the Jayhawks have flaws that the Aztecs have exploited in previous wins. Kansas has turned the ball over and has been susceptible to the 3-point shot, two areas where the Aztecs have stood out.
“We have to be disciplined and take advantage of what we do best,” said Terry-Hutson. “Offensively, we have to protect the ball and make the shots that we’ve made all year. Defensively, we have to do the best we can to keep them from getting the ball inside, which they are going to try to do.”
SDSU players were given Monday off after Sunday’s physical, 56-41 win over McNeese at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Naomi Panganiban (La Jolla Country Day) leads the Aztecs in scoring at 14.5 points a game. The only other Aztec in double figures is Mountain West Player of the Year Nala Williams at 10.1 points a game. Williams also leads the Aztecs in assists and steals.
The winner of Thursday’s game advances to the WBIT semifinals, which will be held Monday in Wichita, Kan.
WBIT quarterfinals: San Diego State (27-5) at Kansas (21-13)
When: 4:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.
Streaming: ESPN+