SAN DIEGO STATE - 2015-16 Blue Ribbon's Preview

SDSU - San Diego State University

LOCATION   San Diego, CA 

CONFERENCE   Mountain West

LAST SEASON   27-9 (.750) 

CONFERENCE RECORD   14-4 (t-1st) 

STARTERS RETURNING/LOST   3/2 

NICKNAME   Aztecs

COLORS   Scarlet & Black

HOMECOURT   Viejas Arena (12,414) 

COACH   Steve Fisher (Illinois State ’67) 

RECORD AT SCHOOL 339-185 (16 years) 

CAREER RECORD 448-264 (25 years) 

ASSISTANTS 

Brian Dutcher (Minnesota ’82) 

Justin Hutson (Cal State Bakers eld ’94) 

David Velasquez (San Diego State ’07)

WINS (LAST 5 YRS.)  34-26-23-31-27 

RPI (LAST 5 YRS.)  3-31-35-13-26 

2014-15 FINISH:    Lost in NCAA third round.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS:

BACKCOURT B- 

FRONTCOURT B+ 

BENCH/DEPTH B- 

INTANGIBLES B

The formula behind San Diego State’s success under coach Steve Fisher often looks something like this: Long, athletic players everywhere on the floor, suffocating opponents on defense and creating offense behind a savvy, quick point guard who penetrates gaps and create shots for others.

But while the Aztecs won 27 games and a share of the Mountain West Conference title in 2014-15, reaching their sixth straight NCAA tournament in yet another successful season, a piece of that formula was missing.

There was no D.J. Gay, Xavier Thames or Richie Williams setting up the offense, coming o a screen to make things happen. Instead, there were a bunch of combo guards patching together the offense and, well, it wasn’t quite the same.

Good shots were hard to come by and, by extension, so were the points.

SDSU shot just 32.0 percent from 3-point range, 41.8 percent from the eld and averaged just 61.8 points. e Aztecs held Mountain West foes to only 52.7 points per game, and all opponents to just 53.9—and even that didn’t give them a very comfortable margin.

“We have been driven by leadership with the ball,” coach Steve Fisher said. “If you want to call that the point guard, you can, with Xavier and D.J. Gay before that. We were a point guard by committee a little bit last year.”

While the Aztecs still did a lot of things right offensively, sometimes it became downright ugly, no more so than when Wyoming edged SDSU 45-43 for the Mountain West tournament title 45-43. The Aztecs made just 4 of 17 three-pointers and hit 32.6 percent of their shots overall.

“I’m not good at arithmetic,” wrote San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa after that game, “but I believe that means the Aztecs missed 68 percent of their attempts.”

Yes, they did. And Fisher didn’t take it lightly.

Some of the low scoring, of course, is attributable to the slower overall pace into which the Aztecs’ defense forced both teams. SDSU had the fewest possessions per game offensively that it’s had in Fisher’s 15 seasons, and the Aztecs’ adjusted tempo was 334th in Division I last season.

“Some of that was we guarded really hard and effectively,” Fisher said. “The way we guarded limited the possessions we got.”

That’s the good excuse. But the rest of it bugs the veteran coach.

Especially when he saw ashes of great offense followed by a disconcerting regression. Like when the Aztecs averaged 81.5 points in regulation of Maui Invitational wins over BYU and Pitt, then put up only 59 in a two-point loss to Arizona in the final.

SDSU also suffered noticeably without effective point guard play against Duke in its second NCAA tournament game, when the Blue Devils extended their defense and dared the toothless Aztecs to jump in the gaps.

“We were inconsistent shooting the basketball,” Fisher said. “We had some games where the offense was matching the defensive effort, but they were too few and far between. We were inconsistent with our scoring, but how much of that was related to the point guard getting in the gaps, how much did that come into play? Some.”

STARTERS

In 6-4 freshman Jeremy Hemsley (21.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 7.0 apg), a product of Damien High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., the Aztecs hope they have that piece back. While it’s difficult to tell how quickly he can develop, he has the long-term potential to be the kind of quick, scoring-minded point guard who tends to excel for the Aztecs.

That’s pretty much the way Hemsley sees it, at least, after watching the Aztecs all season.

“I saw what I could do,” Hemsley told the Union-Tribune. “I knew I could change the game in a lot of different ways, getting my teammates open shots. I think that was the missing piece. I think I am.”

While trying not to put pressure on Hemsley, Fisher acknowledged the freshman’s impact could be huge in more ways than one. Not only could Hemsley be more of a true point guard in the Aztecs’ offense, his presence could also allow 6-4, 215-pound sophomore Trey Kell (5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg) to stay off  the ball where he is most effective.

“Jeremy is a point guard and we are very excited about him,” Fisher said. “We’ve got some others who are capable. We love him to death, but it’s hard to say how he’ll do right away. But how quickly and how he grows may impact how good or quick we are.”

The other options at the point are going back to Kell, a part-time starter last season, or maybe 6-2 junior D’Erryl Williams (1.1 ppg). While Williams played in only 17 games last season, he has a big, physical body, a willingness to drive inside and a solid handle on the ball, with a 1.36-1 assist-to-turnover ratio for his career.

Kell had to play out of position at the point, managing a 1.5-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, but hit only 22.1 percent of his 3-pointers and was 0-for-10 overall from the field in two NCAA tournament games.

Saying Kell had a “great spring and summer,” Fisher is encouraged things will be much better this time. He has been watching Kell, a local product, develop for years.

“He knows how to play, and can score,” coach Fisher said. “He had some inconsistencies but we know what he can do.”

Ideally, if Hemsley and Williams can give the Aztecs enough at the point, Kell will be freer to grow offensively. Meanwhile, the Aztecs have a number of athletic, physical wings that will have to help them overcome the loss at least until midseason of 6-6 junior Matt Shrigley (5.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.0 apg), who tore his right ACL while playing basketball at a fitness center in July.

Because he took a redshirt year as a freshman, Shrigley probably won’t receive a medical waiver for another redshirt year if he sits out. So he may see if he can get anything out of this season. That’s a tough break for a team that needs his shooting from the wing, while Shrigley also was becoming a more well-rounded player.

“We’ll see how it is when he comes back,” coach Fisher said. “We want to make sure he’s not rushing it. But hopefully he will be able to join the team.”

If he can’t, there’s still some bright spots on the perimeter, even with the Aztecs having to wait another year for Indiana transfer Max Hoetzel (2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg) to become eligible in 2016-17.

That’s in large part because the NBA Draft did not claim 6-8 senior Winston Shepard (11.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 apg) or 6-10 sophomore Malik Pope (5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg), while the Aztecs also get to debut 6-7 freshman Zylan Cheatham, who redshirted in 2014-15. A product of South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Cheatham occasionally tore apart teammates in late-season practices.

While Pope averaged only 14.8 minutes a game after missing most of his junior and senior seasons in high school because of a broken leg, his shooting, athleticism and length impressed enough NBA scouts that he was projected as a possible first-rounder if he had left. He led the team in 3-point shooting (.408), but averaged only 1.6 attempts per game. But by coming back, Pope will probably have a much bigger window of time to showcase himself. As of last summer he was projected by DraftExpress as the No. 30 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. His ceiling may be even higher than that.

“This will be his first year hitting the ground running with everyone,” coach Fisher said. “He’s very talented. He’s had games where he was spectacular, where you watch things he does and you say ‘wow.’ We’re very excited about Malik. He’s versatile, skilled and can score from the perimeter. A lot will be expected of Malik.”

Of course, plenty also will be expected from Shepard. Again.

Shepard has been dealing with high expectations since arriving as a five-star recruit from Findlay (Nev.) Prep in 2012, and it wasn’t so easy initially. He struggled with a three-game suspension, a negative assist-to-turnover ratio and mediocre all-around shooting as a freshman, then showed both ashes of excellence and struggles the last two seasons.

Shepard shot only 29.8 percent from 3-point range and 67.1 percent from the free-throw line but still emerged as the Aztecs’ leading scorer and rebounder last season while becoming a valued defender, able to slow down any of four positions with his ranginess and quickness.

While he might have been a second-round pick last summer as a defensive niche player with the chance to develop offensively, a strong senior season with a more effcient offensive game could help move him up draft boards. Shepard has worked hard on his decision making, shooting and passing.

“Winston made a great decision to come back,” coach Fisher said. “Winston has gotten better every year he’s played. When he came in, he was the most highly decorated player we’ve had, and expectations were heaped on him to be Superman.”

Cheatham didn’t know it when he arrived at San Diego State last year, but he did so with a fracture in his foot, a Jones fracture that coach Fisher likened to what has been plaguing Kevin Durant.

“When he came in, the trainers asked him how he was doing, and he said ‘Well, I have this foot problem and I think it’s OK,’ ” coach Fisher said.

It wasn’t.

“Credit to our trainers,” coach Fisher said. “The doctor said, ‘The worst thing you can do is not have the surgery, and the second thing is to come back too quickly.’ ”

The Aztecs heeded that warning for him. Cheatham could have returned as early as December but wasn’t allowed to practice until January, forcing him to keep clenching his teeth.

“While his mom and dad trusted us, it was hard on Zylan,” coach Fisher said.

Cheatham took any frustration out on his teammates. While it was too late in the season to burn a year of eligibility by playing in games, Cheatham became a tough, athletic, high-motor player in practices.

“He’s a freak,” Shrigley told the Union-Tribune. “Obviously Malik is a freak, too. I can’t wait to see them play together. It’s going to be fun.”

San Diego State also might get more on the perimeter from 6-5 junior Dakarai Allen (2.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg), who shot just 2 of 10 from 3-point range last season but has shown ashes of promise.

“I know with the injury to Matt there’s going to be great opportunity,” coach Fisher said.

All that length and athleticism should keep bothering opponents defensively. SDSU was the nation’s fourth-most efficient defensive team last season, allowing just 89.0 points on average per 100 possessions.

One major reason the defense works so well: 6-10, 240-pound senior Skylar Spencer (3.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 bpg) is inside to clean up any mistakes the perimeter defenders make.

Already the Aztecs’ career leader in blocked shots (231), after having swatted away 91 in 2014-15, Spencer was Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season. While he was a limited offensive threat, Fisher sees that changing a bit.

“He’s an inside force defensively,” Fisher said. “He’s worked hard on the offensive part of the game, so hopefully that will show this year.”

A transfer from Arizona in 2013, 6-9 senior Angelo Chol (4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg) has the potential to complement Spencer inside with a powerful offensive game. The problem is, he’s battled inconsistency and a lack of confidence throughout his career, which began with two seasons as a reserve at Arizona.

But coach Fisher still believes in Chol.

“As a fifth-year senior, we have high expectations for him,” coach Fisher said. “Can he and Skylar play together? That would give us great size, so it’s how can we do that? We like Angelo. We have a belief that he can be an impact player for us.”

Earlier in this San Diego State tenure, coach Fisher asked his bosses about the possibility of getting a dedicated basketball practice facility, the kind of fancy place that high-majors are installing all over the country in the recruiting arms race.

His request initially went nowhere.

15 Million Dollar Center

But last summer, the $15 million Jacobs JAM Center opened, complete with NBA-level locker room luxuries and 24-hour access for players who want extra work. It’s something to help the current Aztecs get better, and something to show o to the prospective ones.

“The players were in awe, very impressed,” coach Fisher said.

The building’s presence was symbolic of the change the Aztecs have made under Fisher, whose plea was nally approved after all that winning.

“Having success helps with everything, from fundraising to perception to excitement and energy,” coach Fisher said. “We’ve had success over the last six or seven years, really good success... a lot of things aligned, and the important decision-makers believed in us.”

At age 70, coach Fisher says he has energy, too, lots of it. So even though the program has offcially anointed longtime assistant Brian Dutcher the “head coach in waiting”, Dutcher still may be waiting a while.

Coach Fisher signed a three-year extension last season that puts him down until 2017-18, and who knows? Maybe he gets there.

“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be here, but I think everyone knows when I do retire, it will be from San Diego State,” coach Fisher said. “I think I would be very selfish if I didn’t have an excitement for every season just like we have for every season. And you can’t fake that. I’m lucky. I’m earning a very good living doing something I’ve always loved doing. It doesn’t feel like work. I’m excited about my role with this team, and I hope that excitement shows to everyone.”

Bruce Pascoe, Blue Ribbon