Andrew Pace
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) and competes in the NCAA Division I as part of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The Aztecs have a rich history in college basketball, having appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 17 times and reaching the Final Four for the first time in 2023. The team plays its home games at the Viejas Arena, which also hosts the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation. With notable alumni such as Kawhi Leonard and Tony Gwynn, the Aztecs have a strong basketball legacy and continue to be a competitive force in the NCAA Division I landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | San Diego State Aztecs |
| Team Conference | Mountain West Conference (MWC) |
| Home Arena | Viejas Arena |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Previous Division | NCAA Division II |
| Number of Appearances in Division I Tournament | 17 |
| Number of Appearances in Division II Tournament | 3 |
| Number of Appearances in NAIA Tournament | 5 |
| Notable Alumni | Kawhi Leonard, Tony Gwynn |
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What You'll Learn
SDSU basketball is Division I
The San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams compete in the NCAA Division I. The men's team has been competing in Division I since 1969, and the women's team has also been competing in Division I for a significant period. The Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) and plays its home games at the Viejas Arena.
SDSU's men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable alumni including 2-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, who played both basketball and baseball for the Aztecs. The team has appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 17 times, reaching the Final Four for the first time in 2023, where they lost to the University of Connecticut Huskies.
The Aztecs have three main rivalries: the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars. The rivalry with the Rebels was particularly intense from 2010 to 2013, but it has since cooled down as the Aztecs have dominated the match-up. The Toreros are the Aztecs' crosstown rivals, and the two teams play each other near-annually in the City Championship. The rivalry with the Cougars has been partially dormant since 2011 when they left the Mountain West Conference (MWC), but they still occasionally play in non-conference games.
SDSU's men's basketball team has enjoyed recent success, with highly-rated freshmen Elzie Harrington and Tae Simmons joining the team for the 2025-26 campaign. The Aztecs also have a notable rivalry with UCLA, whom they have beaten in both of their last two meetings. The proceeds from the exhibition game against UCLA will benefit the San Diego State Men's Basketball Recruitment and Retention Fund.
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The team is also known as the Aztecs
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU). The team joined the NCAA Division I in 1969 and has since appeared in 17 Division I tournaments. The Aztecs play their home games at the Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.
The Aztecs first joined the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in 1921, then known as San Diego Normal School, they played in the Southern California Junior College Conference. They 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. The Aztecs won the NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1941.
After a period in NCAA Division II, they transitioned to NCAA Division I in 1969. The Aztecs have had notable alumni, including NBA star Kawhi Leonard, whose number 15 jersey was retired in 2020, and Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who played both basketball and baseball for SDSU.
The Aztecs have experienced success in recent years, reaching the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA tournament for the first time in their history. They have won several Mountain West Conference tournaments and regular-season titles, and their notable rivalries include the UNLV Rebels, the USD Toreros, and the BYU Cougars.
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They compete in the Mountain West Conference (MWC)
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU). They compete in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), also known as MW, as a member of NCAA Division I. The Aztecs joined the MWC after transitioning from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1978. Prior to that, they competed in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) starting in 1926 and then in the NAIA until 1956, when they moved to the newly founded NCAA Division II.
As members of the MWC, the Aztecs have experienced significant success. They have won seven Mountain West Conference tournaments and nine regular-season titles. The team plays its home games at the Viejas Arena, located on the campus of San Diego State University. The arena features an "open-air" concourse design, providing a unique experience for fans during breaks and event activities.
The Aztecs have a rich history in the NCAA Division I tournaments, having qualified seventeen times since joining this division in 1969. In the 2023 NCAA tournament, they achieved a notable feat by reaching the Final Four for the first time, ultimately losing to UConn in the championship game.
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team has fostered notable athletes, including Kawhi Leonard, whose number 15 jersey was retired in 2020, and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, who excelled in both basketball and baseball during his time with the Aztecs.
SDSU continues to invest in its basketball program, with recent recruits including highly-rated prospects Elzie Harrington and Tae Simmons for the 2025-26 campaign. The team has also scheduled an exhibition game against UCLA, showcasing its standing as one of the top men's basketball programs on the West Coast.
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The Aztecs play at Viejas Arena
The San Diego State Aztecs men's and women's basketball teams play at the Viejas Arena, a state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of 12,414 seats. The arena, built directly into a canyon hillside, is located on the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU) and is one of the premier on-campus basketball arenas in the country.
The Viejas Arena opened in 1997, replacing the Aztecs' previous home venue, the Peterson Gymnasium, which was located across the street. The arena is named after the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who signed a 10-year naming rights agreement in 2009. Prior to this, the arena was known as Cox Arena, with the naming rights owned by Cox Communications until 2009.
The Viejas Arena features a unique open-air concourse design, allowing fans to experience breaks, concessions, and event activities outdoors in the pleasant San Diego climate. The facility also boasts a $1.3 million centre-hung Daktronics scoreboard with modern features, including up-to-the-minute statistical information on individual players. Additionally, the venue offers six locker rooms, two team rooms, a green room with three individual dressing rooms, a training room, and a work room.
The Mezzanine Level of the Viejas Arena houses a VIP Room suitable for banquets, pre- and post-game functions, and other formal and informal gatherings. The room is 2,200 square feet and can be divided into two smaller rooms if needed. The arena also offers a wide range of concession options, provided by Aztec Shops, including traditional sports-themed fare and specialty foods.
In addition to hosting the Aztecs' basketball games, the Viejas Arena has played host to a variety of other events, including concerts, television events, and other sporting competitions. Notable performers at the arena include Cher, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, and Beyoncé. The arena has also hosted WCW and WWE wrestling events, as well as the NCAA Final Four for women's volleyball in 2001 and the first two rounds of the NCAA women's basketball championship in 2009.
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SDSU has appeared in 17 Division I tournaments
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team represents San Diego State University (SDSU) in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The Aztecs have a rich history in college basketball, having appeared in seventeen NCAA Division I tournaments since joining Division I in 1969, with their most recent appearance in 2025.
The Aztecs' journey in Division I basketball began in the 1969-70 season, and they have since established themselves as a formidable program. Their first few decades in Division I saw sporadic appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their early successes including conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. Over the years, the Aztecs have built a strong basketball program, consistently qualifying for the NCAA Tournament and advancing to the later stages on several occasions.
One of the most notable achievements in SDSU's basketball history came in the 2022-23 season. During this season, the Aztecs reached several milestones for the first time in program history. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight, and, ultimately, the Final Four, where they faced the University of Connecticut Huskies (UConn). The Aztecs put up a valiant fight, but ultimately fell short, losing to UConn by a score of 59-76 in the championship game. This loss, however, did not diminish the significance of their accomplishments, as it marked the furthest the Aztecs had ever advanced in the NCAA Tournament.
The 2023 NCAA Tournament run was a testament to the Aztecs' resilience and determination. Prior to that season, their most recent Sweet Sixteen appearance had been in 2014. In the 2019-20 season, the Aztecs demonstrated their prowess by finishing with an impressive 30-2 record, which positioned them as a strong contender for the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying the Aztecs an opportunity to build on their success. Nonetheless, their performance in the 2022-23 season showcased their ability to consistently compete at a high level.
The Aztecs have a proud history in college basketball, and their seventeen appearances in the NCAA Division I Tournament are a testament to their success. With a passionate fanbase and a strong basketball program, the SDSU Aztecs continue to be a force to be reckoned with in Division I basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team competes in NCAA Division I.
The Aztecs joined NCAA Division I in 1969.
The Aztecs are part of the Mountain West Conference (MWC).
The Aztecs have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament 17 times.
