Andrew Pace
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a Division I school for basketball, with both men's and women's teams competing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The men's team, known as the Aztecs, first began play during the 1921-22 basketball season, while the women's team is made up of 14 players who are trained and guided by a head coach and three assistant coaches. The Aztecs have enjoyed success in Division I, reaching the NCAA tournament 17 times and winning seven MWC tournaments and nine regular-season titles. In 2023, they reached the Final Four for the first time, losing to UConn in the championship game. SDSU basketball is a significant revenue generator for the university, with the men's and women's teams bringing in a combined total of over $2 million in revenue for the 2023-24 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team |
| University | San Diego State University (SDSU) |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Mountain West Conference (MWC) |
| Home games venue | Viejas Arena |
| Number of NCAA Division I tournaments | 17 |
| Number of Mountain West Conference tournaments won | 7 |
| Number of regular-season titles | 9 |
| Notable alumni | Kawhi Leonard, Tony Gwynn |
| First began play | 1921-22 basketball season |
| Previous conferences | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), NAIA, NCAA Division II, Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), Western Athletic Conference (WAC) |
| Number of players in the women's basketball team | 14 |
| Number of coaches in the women's basketball team | 4 |
| Academic progress rate of the women's basketball team | 991 |
| Revenue of the women's basketball team | $1,569,773 |
| Expenses of the women's basketball team | $2,751,290 |
| Net profit/loss of the women's basketball team | $-1,181,517 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team history
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team is the men's basketball program that represents San Diego State University (SDSU). The team first began play during the 1921–22 basketball season, competing in the Southern California Junior College Conference. At the time, SDSU was known as San Diego Normal School and was not a junior college. The Aztecs joined the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 1926 and competed in the NAIA until 1956, when they moved to the newly founded NCAA Division II.
During their time in the NAIA, the Aztecs competed in six NAIA Men's Basketball Championships, finishing as runners-up in 1939 and 1940 before winning the title in 1941. After transitioning to NCAA Division II in 1956, the Aztecs moved to NCAA Division I in 1969. They compete as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and play their home games at Viejas Arena, which opened in 1997 and can seat up to 12,414 spectators for basketball games.
The Aztecs have had a successful history in the Mountain West Conference, winning seven conference tournaments and nine regular-season titles. They have appeared in seventeen NCAA Division I tournaments since joining this division in 1969, most recently in 2025. In the 2019-20 season, they achieved their best winning percentage in team history, finishing with a 30-2 record. In the 2023 NCAA tournament, they reached the Final Four for the first time but lost to UConn in the championship game.
The team has produced notable alumni, including 2-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, who excelled in both basketball and baseball during his time at SDSU. Gwynn was drafted by both the San Diego Padres and the then-San Diego Clippers on the same day in 1981.
Basketball Wives Reunion: Will They or Won't They?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Aztecs' performance in NCAA Division I tournaments
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I tournaments. Having joined the division in 1969, the Aztecs have since appeared in 17 NCAA Division I tournaments, including the most recent one in 2025.
The Aztecs enjoyed notable success in the 2010-11 season, reaching the Sweet Sixteen for the first time. They replicated this feat in the 2013-14 and 2019-20 seasons, the latter of which saw them finish with an impressive 30-2 record and spend seven consecutive weeks in the top 5 rankings. However, their dream run was cut short as the 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022-23 season marked a historic milestone for the Aztecs. They advanced to their third Sweet Sixteen, but this time, they went even further. The Aztecs defeated Alabama, securing their first Elite Eight appearance. The magical run continued as they clinched their first-ever Region championship and became the first team from the Mountain West Conference to reach the National Championship. In the final, the Aztecs faced the University of Connecticut Huskies but fell short, losing by a score of 59-76.
The Aztecs' performance in the 2023 tournament set a new benchmark for the program. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, they aimed to replicate their success. Despite an early victory, they were ultimately defeated by UConn in the East Region game, concluding their season.
Over the years, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team has demonstrated resilience and a consistent presence in the NCAA Division I tournaments. Their most notable achievements include multiple Sweet Sixteen appearances, an Elite Eight run, and a historic journey to the National Championship game in 2023.
The Meaning of B.E.E.F. in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Viejas Arena, the Aztecs' home ground
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) in the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference (MWC). The Aztecs have had a successful history, making it to several NCAA tournaments and NIT tournaments, and winning numerous conference championships.
The Aztecs play their home games at the Viejas Arena, a multi-purpose venue located on the SDSU campus in San Diego, California. The arena, which opened in 1997, has a capacity of 12,414 seats for basketball games, with an additional 431 seats for concerts, bringing the total capacity to 12,845. The unique \"open-air\" concourse design allows fans to experience breaks and concessions outdoors, taking advantage of San Diego's pleasant climate.
The arena is built into a canyon hillside and encloses one end of the old Aztec Bowl, a horseshoe-shaped stadium that previously hosted SDSU football games. The Viejas Arena's north entrance is framed by the original concrete bleachers and cobblestone walls of the Aztec Bowl, and the university's 10-ton granite boulder, commemorating President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address, is also located in this area.
The Viejas Arena has been the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams since its opening. The arena has also hosted other sporting events, such as volleyball and wrestling, as well as concerts and television events. It features a VIP room on the Mezzanine Level, which can be used for banquets, pre- and post-game functions, and other gatherings. The Viejas Arena is considered one of the premier on-campus basketball arenas in the United States, providing a state-of-the-art venue for SDSU basketball and various other events.
When Does a Basketball Game End?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's performance in the 2022-2023 season
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) in NCAA Division I basketball as part of the Mountain West Conference (MWC).
During the 2022-2023 season, the Aztecs had a successful run, finishing with a 32-7 record overall and 15-3 in Mountain West play. This strong performance secured them the Mountain West regular-season championship title. They defeated several teams, including Colorado State, San Jose State, and Utah State, to claim the Mountain West tournament championship as well.
As a result of their impressive season, the Aztecs earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 5 seed in the South region. This was their third consecutive appearance in the tournament. They continued their winning streak, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2014 by defeating Charleston and Furman.
The Aztecs then went on to defeat the overall No. 1 seed, Alabama, and Creighton to advance to the Final Four for the first time in the program's history. This win over Creighton on March 26, 2023, also gave them their first-ever Region championship. On April 1, they played in the National Championship game, where they were defeated by the University of Connecticut Huskies by a score of 59-76.
The Aztecs play their home games at the Viejas Arena, located on the campus of San Diego State University. The arena has a capacity of 12,414 for basketball games and features an "open-air" concourse design that enhances the fan experience during breaks and event activities.
Height in Hoops: Does It Really Matter?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The SDSU women's basketball team
The San Diego State Aztecs women's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) in college basketball. The team competes in the NCAA Division I as part of the Mountain West Conference (MW). The Aztecs women's basketball team plays its home games at the Viejas Arena, a multi-purpose arena located on the SDSU campus in San Diego, California. The arena, which opened in 1997, can accommodate 12,414 spectators for basketball games and up to 12,845 for concerts.
While specific details about the women's team's history and notable players are scarce, it is clear that they compete at the highest level of college basketball in Division I. The Aztecs women's team shares a home court with the men's team, creating a unified representation of SDSU's basketball program.
The Viejas Arena serves as a central hub for SDSU basketball, providing a modern facility with an open-air" concourse design that enhances the game-day experience for fans. The arena's capacity rivals that of notable NCAA basketball arenas and has likely contributed to the success and popularity of SDSU's basketball program.
Although this response focuses on the SDSU women's basketball team, it is important to acknowledge the broader context of the university's athletic program and the shared facilities between the men's and women's teams, which contribute to the overall prestige and recognition of SDSU basketball on a national level.
Basketball Effectiveness Ratings: Calculating Player Performance
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, SDSU competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS for basketball.
SDSU basketball is Division I.
SDSU basketball became Division I in 1969.
SDSU basketball is part of the Mountain West Conference.
