National runner-up SDSU ‘on a brand-new journey’

• Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterOct 12, 2023, 03:02 PM ET

  Close

  Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and works as its Las Vegas Raiders press reporter. He has a multi-platform role – composing on ESPN.com, television looks on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio looks. Before concerning ESPN, Gutierrez invested 3 years at CSN Bay Location as a multi-platform press reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Sports along with anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez choose the Baseball Hall of Popularity and is likewise a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and presently serves as the PFWA’s Las Vegas chapter president. He is likewise a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Reporters. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis’ Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Ought To Know & Do Before They Pass awayand If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Boxwith Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN

LAS VEGAS– Not that San Diego State required any pointers of the Montezuma Mesa Miracle, however video of Lamont Butler’s buzzer-beater to send the Aztecs to the nationwide title game last April is on continuous loop in their gym.Just in case.”

That one,”said Aztecs senior guard Darrion Trammell, whose last-second complimentary throw a week previously sent out San Diego State to the Final 4, “we’ll never forget.

“I see it all the time. We stroll by the screen, and we constantly see the shot once again and it’s simply, the feelings. You can just feel it. So, it is excellent to have those memories that constantly come back up since it’s likewise inspiring since it indicates, eventually, there’s no constraints to where we can go.”

San Diego State has actually long been the hunted in the Mountain West, where the Aztecs were once again called the preseason favorites at the conference’s media day at Resorts World Las Vegas. But the Aztecs, who finished 32-7 last season, now have an even larger target on them on a national scale after falling 76-59 to Connecticut in the title game, and their frame of mind is on display screen.

“I suggest, you stroll the fine line,” said sixth-year coach Brian Dutcher, who came to San Diego State in 1999 with Steve Fisher after working for him at Michigan. “We wish to accept what we did– playing for a championship game is extraordinary, but you still fall short of the objective.

“I have actually said, especially during the speak about adjustment, that I do not care what league we remain in: We are a Power 5 school. I believe a trip to the national championship game has elevated it and everybody knows San Diego State is a national program. So, we have to continue to develop that story and after that back it up with our play.”

Defense has long been the Aztecs’ calling card, as they were 22-0 last season when they permitted 65 or less points. Getting In the Final Four, they gave up approximately 57.2 points in their previous 5 games.New Mexico

guard Jamal Mashburn, Jr. watched last spring with combined sensations as rival San Diego State, a No. 5 seed, marched to the last with wins over No. 12 Charleston, No. 13 Furman, No. 1 Alabama, No. 6 Creighton and No. 9 Florida Atlantic, while the three other Mountain West teams to get bids all lost their opening games in Utah State, Boise State and Nevada.

“Simply seeing the entire competition develop, it was bittersweet,” stated Mashburn, who was named to the preseason all-conference team. “Bittersweet, certainly. Since we did beat them at their location and they gave us a run for our money at our place, but we definitely took on them, for sure. However it was bittersweet.

“But I take pleasure in viewing basketball. It was good basketball to enjoy. I indicate, a guy like Lamont Butler having the ability to have a run like he did, to strike a shot that he did, just to put his profession where it needs to be, I just love seeing good ideas. But I ‘d much rather it be us on that other end. But our time’s coming. Our time’s coming.”

It’s rarefied air for San Diego State, which, in winning five NCAA competition games last spring, almost matched the 6 overall Huge Dance wins it had in its history. A star-crossed program whose most likely finest group, the 2019-20 squad was 30-2, saw the NCAA competition canceled due to the pandemic. A quizzical program that has late baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn as its all-time helps leader.And that’s just great with these Aztecs, who have 2 starters– Trammell and Butler, who was also named preseason all-conference– amongst their 4 returnees, plus Mountain West preseason newbie of the year Reese Waters, a transfer from USC.”Sometimes, it does feel like a dream, “stated Butler, whose jumper from the right wing as time ended beat Florida Atlantic, 72-71, in the national semifinals. “It just feels like it was all a blur. Whatever happened so fast. Once we reflect on it, we see how much fun we had, the mind we had as a team and the things that got us to the championship– friendship, chemistry, altruism. So it was truly enjoyable to be because minute and now we’re on to the next … we’re here to embark on a new journey.

“Last year what we did was remarkable, something that we have actually constantly dreamed of, so the target’s even bigger, more recognition from the whole world. Teams that we play throughout the year, they’re going to be gunning for us and that’s what we’ve got to be all set for. And I believe we will be.”