Steve Fisher has built the San Diego State program, from the bottoms of college basketball up to being one of the best mid-major programs in America. Frankly, calling them “mid-major” is doing the program a disservice.
But after a disappointing season in 2014-2015, and the talent level in the Mountain West increasing by the day, the Aztecs are eager to return next season and prove that they’re still the class of the conference.
Key Losses: J.J. O’Brien (graduation), Aqeel Quinn (graduation), Dwayne Polee II (graduation)
Possible Losses: No announcements made
Key Returners: Malik Pope, Trey Kell, Winston Shepard
Key Newcomers: Jeremy Hemsley (four-star, shooting guard), Brodricks Jones (four-star, power forward)
Breakdown: Some people thought the Aztecs could have been a real threat to make a Final Four run last year, despite questions with guard play. Well, SDSU underperformed, failing to win both the regular season Mountain West title and the tournament title. So, what’s in store for them next season? Steve Fisher has another talented recruiting class coming to The Mesa, with Hemsley giving the Aztecs a mix of skill and athleticism on the perimeter and Jones giving them more depth on the interior. Still, much of their outlook depends on the development of Pope, Kell and Shepard. Pope is, unquestionably, the most talented of the three, flashing his incredible skill level multiple times last season but still struggling due to missing so much time in high school due to injuries. Kell must continue working on his ball skills, as he might yet again be shouldered with point guard duties as a sophomore. Shepard is the biggest enigma in the Mountain West. Blessed with size and athleticism, as well as ball handling skills, Shepard must assert himself as a senior, fulfilling the promise he showed as a top recruit coming out of high school.
