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There’s No Place Like Home

By Brad Best

When the Aztecs take to the road on Saturday, they better bring their ruby slippers with them, because there’s no place like home for these Aztecs. If they can click their heels and magically transport themselves to the friendly floorboards of the “Fish Bowl” (Cox Arena), they might just find their way to the postseason.

San Diego recently had three disappointing road losses to Utah, BYU, and UNLV in what many would consider as “winnable” games. End of the game turnovers, poor shooting, and careless fouls have led to a string of conference road losses. The Aztecs have been in all of the games down to the wire and even pushed BYU to overtime at the Marriott Center, but close doesn’t count unless you’re just happy to be there. By now, San Diego fans are expecting more but getting used to settling for less.

On the flip side, winning at home is a tradition that the Aztecs haven’t always enjoyed. This year they stand at 5-1, with their only home loss coming against conference leader Air Force. But their 0-5 conference road record is what is keeping them out of contention for the Mountain West Conference title.

This past weekend, San Diego State put a stake in both Wyoming and Colorado State, creating some space between them and the cellar dwellers. Aztecs had double-digit leads in the second half of both games. Then they slowed the game down, lost intensity just when their opponents found theirs, and made both games closer than they ever should have been. But in the end, the Aztecs did what they needed to do to put wins on the board.

Marcus Slaughter is emerging as one of the best true freshmen in the conference. He’s posted a double-double in two of the last three games. His best all-around game was Monday night against Colorado State and he was named the co-player of the game along with Wesley Stokes. Slaughter had 17 points and 11 rebounds. He’s currently 6^th in conference in rebounds, behind teammate Aerick Sanders who is 2^nd. Slaughter can throw down an alley-oop, knock down a three, or put back a garbage bucket after scooping up an offensive rebound. If he can add some more bulk and refine his shot, who knows how far he can go over the next three years.

But as Coach Fisher likes to say, the Aztecs will go as far this year as Wesley Stokes can take them. Stokes has shot poorly on the road, and sometimes at home too, but he’s the guy with the ball in his hands the majority of the time. He’ll be the one passing, penetrating, shooting, and yes, turning the ball over. Stokes is 1^st in steals, 2^nd in assists, and 1^st in turnovers in the Mountain West. His decisions over the remainder of the season may well be the difference between March Madness and stuck at home sadness. Here’s hoping Wesley turns into the Wizard.